So golfing was AWESOME! We played the back 9 holes of a beautiful course just outside of Chillingham. Started at around 2:30 and finished putting the 9th hole with the last trace of sunlight. Emlyn and Todd were severely defeated by Ryan (Todd's friend) and I! We finished the game off with two rounds of beer in the lodge. I will defiantly be playing more golf when I head back to LA.
Yesterday we went into to town to buy Todd's first ever horse saddle and run a few other errants. Later in the afternoon Em, Todd and I took a hike up through the natural bridge. Really beautiful area and time for some Mcbonding! After the hike we stopped by the park for a frisbee session and avocado picking. We managed to get 12 avocados from one tree, saving us a grand total of 8 dollars!
This morning we feed the cows their weekly molasses treat and packed for Noosa Head ( The town where Tiffany's dad lives). When we were here back in 2001 we stayed in Noosa for a few days so I am looking forward to returning. Cute little beach town with some awesome markets. Which means time to keep my eyes peeled for Dad's new fanny pack and possibly bomb deals on Ugg boots!
Until next post,
Lauren & Emlyn
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
FINALLY....!
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to let you all know that I have FINALLY gotten a slideshow onto the McTravel page! If you notice it is over to the left under our McPic. I will be adding as we get more, and I will just put them with this slideshow. Enjoy!
Emlyn
(the McSister who never blogs)
I just wanted to let you all know that I have FINALLY gotten a slideshow onto the McTravel page! If you notice it is over to the left under our McPic. I will be adding as we get more, and I will just put them with this slideshow. Enjoy!
Emlyn
(the McSister who never blogs)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Pigeons & Seagulls
Heyyyo!
So I never thought that as a 22 year old lady ready to take on the town that I would be falling asleep by 10 pm on my second go around in Australia. But when you factor in the 18 month old bundle of joy and the strenuous activity on the property it is no wonder.
Sunday, Todd and Tiffany had lessons with the horses from 9 am to 4 pm so Em and I took on our first babysitting duty since high school. Everything was fine. Took Rylan out to the jungle gym, had a good play outside, then a play inside and then...suddenly...all HELL broke loose. We tried to put him down for a nap and he wouldn't have it. He cried endlessly. We couldn't get him to stop for what seemed like hours. He would calm down and then wound up again. We love the little guy to death but when 4 pm rolled around we could not have been happier. That evening Em and I passed out around ohhh 8 pm!
The next day we woke up bright and early to plant avocado trees and collect horse poop. Still exhausted from the day before we took the rest of the afternoon easy. But in the early evening around 4 pm Emlyn, Todd, Rylan and I decided to play a round of Frisbee gold around the property. I had never played before but have decided it is my new favorite thing! By the end of the night I was covered in mud and blood! yeah, blood because I am still getting the hang of jumping over the barb wire fences. Upon our return to the house Bonnie had arrived with my favorite: THAI FOOD!! For some reason, her idea of Thai for 5 people ended up being about 15 containers of food. For the first time in my life I went back for thirds and then fourths! So fat and happy by the end of the night I ended up doing something I never thought I would ever do. Brace yourselves...I WATCHED HARRY POTTER! Gross I know. But I actually enjoyed it and tonight we are watching the next film.
Yesterday Em and I went into town with Tiffany to look at a home that Jocelyn (Tiffany's mom) is looking at buying. After that we headed into the downtown to do some errants and look for postcards, which they seem to have none of out here. When we got back to the house we had planned on hiking Mount Warning but Todd's work when a little longer than expected so instead we chilled around the house. I was actually cool with it cause it allowed for me to catch up on my book and hang with the dog in the afternoon sun. When Todd was finished with work he needed a wind down and what better way than with a round of Frisbee golf.
The first "hole" goes right over the creek in front of the house. This is cool for aesthetics and such but not for the fact that Todd's awesome Frisbees SINK! I throw my Frisbee straight for the hole, catching some awesome wind, only for it to plummet right into 4 feet deep of cold, dirty water. The next 25 minutes (this being a McGovern standard, to evaluate every possible solution) we made every attempt at retrieving the Frisbee without having to enter the freezing water. Finally I gave in, stripped down to my chonies and jumped in. Gross and cold, but knowing me you know I wouldn't have it any other way!
That brings us to today. We are taking it easy this morning. Tiffany took Rylan to a Mommy and me play date and Todd is upstairs working in the office. Emlyn and I are making every attempt to load the videos from my new camera and Phoebe (The dog) is lounging in the sun. At 2 pm we are heading over to meet with some of Todd's friends for a round of golf. Real golf, not Frisbee so I will let you know how I do!
So I never thought that as a 22 year old lady ready to take on the town that I would be falling asleep by 10 pm on my second go around in Australia. But when you factor in the 18 month old bundle of joy and the strenuous activity on the property it is no wonder.
Sunday, Todd and Tiffany had lessons with the horses from 9 am to 4 pm so Em and I took on our first babysitting duty since high school. Everything was fine. Took Rylan out to the jungle gym, had a good play outside, then a play inside and then...suddenly...all HELL broke loose. We tried to put him down for a nap and he wouldn't have it. He cried endlessly. We couldn't get him to stop for what seemed like hours. He would calm down and then wound up again. We love the little guy to death but when 4 pm rolled around we could not have been happier. That evening Em and I passed out around ohhh 8 pm!
The next day we woke up bright and early to plant avocado trees and collect horse poop. Still exhausted from the day before we took the rest of the afternoon easy. But in the early evening around 4 pm Emlyn, Todd, Rylan and I decided to play a round of Frisbee gold around the property. I had never played before but have decided it is my new favorite thing! By the end of the night I was covered in mud and blood! yeah, blood because I am still getting the hang of jumping over the barb wire fences. Upon our return to the house Bonnie had arrived with my favorite: THAI FOOD!! For some reason, her idea of Thai for 5 people ended up being about 15 containers of food. For the first time in my life I went back for thirds and then fourths! So fat and happy by the end of the night I ended up doing something I never thought I would ever do. Brace yourselves...I WATCHED HARRY POTTER! Gross I know. But I actually enjoyed it and tonight we are watching the next film.
Yesterday Em and I went into town with Tiffany to look at a home that Jocelyn (Tiffany's mom) is looking at buying. After that we headed into the downtown to do some errants and look for postcards, which they seem to have none of out here. When we got back to the house we had planned on hiking Mount Warning but Todd's work when a little longer than expected so instead we chilled around the house. I was actually cool with it cause it allowed for me to catch up on my book and hang with the dog in the afternoon sun. When Todd was finished with work he needed a wind down and what better way than with a round of Frisbee golf.
The first "hole" goes right over the creek in front of the house. This is cool for aesthetics and such but not for the fact that Todd's awesome Frisbees SINK! I throw my Frisbee straight for the hole, catching some awesome wind, only for it to plummet right into 4 feet deep of cold, dirty water. The next 25 minutes (this being a McGovern standard, to evaluate every possible solution) we made every attempt at retrieving the Frisbee without having to enter the freezing water. Finally I gave in, stripped down to my chonies and jumped in. Gross and cold, but knowing me you know I wouldn't have it any other way!
That brings us to today. We are taking it easy this morning. Tiffany took Rylan to a Mommy and me play date and Todd is upstairs working in the office. Emlyn and I are making every attempt to load the videos from my new camera and Phoebe (The dog) is lounging in the sun. At 2 pm we are heading over to meet with some of Todd's friends for a round of golf. Real golf, not Frisbee so I will let you know how I do!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
I COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER!
G'day Mates!
Welcome back to our McTravels. After a wonderful 3 weeks in Sacramento and then back down to LA for a fun filled weekend, Emlyn and I boarded our flight to the land of OZ. I will say that for the first time in my life I was having a wicked case of flight anxiety. With a few crashes this summer and as sad as it sounds my obsession with LOST, I was fighting racing thoughts the few days before take off. As we arrived at LAX at 9:30 the anxiety was subsiding and the excitement was kicking in. This soon changed when we realized that our 11:30 pm flight was postponed until 1 am!! I called mom to help ease my nerves, she tried her hardest but I still wigged out. Might I suggest that if you are planning on boarding a flight with 300 people don't begin crying frantically in the terminal!
The most insane part about it was that it ended up being the best flight of my LIFE! I was seated by the emergency exit! Hella leg room! And Qantas had the genius idea of making the in flight entertainment ON DEMAND! I had movies, CDs and games all at my will! If it had not been a night flight I could have played the whole 13 hours.
Upon landing we went through customs and were our the door of Brisbane int'l within 30 minutes. Todd (Our brother) had said he would pick us up there in "the van". Sure enough he pulls up in what was a white version of the DARHMA vans (If you don't watch LOST by now you either need to get the DVD or stop reading this blog)
We stopped by a great organic bakery and then took the 1.5 hour drive to Chillingham. This place is amazing! I never thought I would see my bother with 24 cattle, 4 horses, a dog, a cat and the cutest little boy EVER! Not to mention a totally hot wife with a sexy aussie accent!
Their awesome house sits on 37 ares of beautiful landscape. Since it is winter here right now everything is green and lush. Rylan (our nephew) has it made growing up here!
We are now closing our third day down under with a yummy home cook pasta dish and a movie! Yesterday we visited the beach and walked around Murwillumbah, the local town next to Chillingham. Today we played frisbee in the park and then headed back to the best bon fire EVER!!
I will keep updating more frequently to avoid these long winded posts and as soon as possible will get some photos and videos up!
Much love hugs and kisses to all,
LAUREN & EMLYN
Welcome back to our McTravels. After a wonderful 3 weeks in Sacramento and then back down to LA for a fun filled weekend, Emlyn and I boarded our flight to the land of OZ. I will say that for the first time in my life I was having a wicked case of flight anxiety. With a few crashes this summer and as sad as it sounds my obsession with LOST, I was fighting racing thoughts the few days before take off. As we arrived at LAX at 9:30 the anxiety was subsiding and the excitement was kicking in. This soon changed when we realized that our 11:30 pm flight was postponed until 1 am!! I called mom to help ease my nerves, she tried her hardest but I still wigged out. Might I suggest that if you are planning on boarding a flight with 300 people don't begin crying frantically in the terminal!
The most insane part about it was that it ended up being the best flight of my LIFE! I was seated by the emergency exit! Hella leg room! And Qantas had the genius idea of making the in flight entertainment ON DEMAND! I had movies, CDs and games all at my will! If it had not been a night flight I could have played the whole 13 hours.
Upon landing we went through customs and were our the door of Brisbane int'l within 30 minutes. Todd (Our brother) had said he would pick us up there in "the van". Sure enough he pulls up in what was a white version of the DARHMA vans (If you don't watch LOST by now you either need to get the DVD or stop reading this blog)
We stopped by a great organic bakery and then took the 1.5 hour drive to Chillingham. This place is amazing! I never thought I would see my bother with 24 cattle, 4 horses, a dog, a cat and the cutest little boy EVER! Not to mention a totally hot wife with a sexy aussie accent!
Their awesome house sits on 37 ares of beautiful landscape. Since it is winter here right now everything is green and lush. Rylan (our nephew) has it made growing up here!
We are now closing our third day down under with a yummy home cook pasta dish and a movie! Yesterday we visited the beach and walked around Murwillumbah, the local town next to Chillingham. Today we played frisbee in the park and then headed back to the best bon fire EVER!!
I will keep updating more frequently to avoid these long winded posts and as soon as possible will get some photos and videos up!
Much love hugs and kisses to all,
LAUREN & EMLYN
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
