Smith Family Down Under

Jason and I are so fortunate to be able to share part of our Adventure Down Under with our families! Jason's family are our first visitors to our new home. They will be here from December 24- January 5th! During the two weeks while they are here we will have many adventures to share! The first two days were spent celebrating Christmas! We had appetizers and drinks Christmas Eve, followed by a visit from Santa Christmas Morning, we opened presents from one another and Facetimed with my family to open see eachother open presents as well. Late Christmas afternoon after a ham dinner we went for a walk on the beach at Tannum Sands and drive to Lake Awoonga where they were able to see a Kangaroo for the first time! It was so close to the car too which made for great pictures!

We were able to experience being the first country in the world to be visited by Santa!

Jason and Rita peeling prawns for our Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Dinner!

Wallaby (Small Kangaroo) literally this close to the car!

 

The day after Christmas, known as Boxing Day in Australia, we headed out to Heron Island. Heron Island is a two hour ferry ride from the Gladstone Marina. It is located on the tip on the Great Barrier Reef! We stayed for one night and was able to enjoy two days on the beach/ in the water! It is the most amazing beach and view I have ever seen! This is exactly what I pictured when I thought of Australia. We snorkled and because of Jason's Christmas gift (Underwater Camera) we are able to share some of our snorkeling views!

 

An Island we passed on the way to Heron Island

The Getty At Heron Island



Rory the photographer!

On the Ferry

White Sand Beaches

Walking the beach!



Snorkling

 

Jason saw a Shark!!

And we saw Sting Rays!!

Heron Island!

 

Rita and I snorkling

The Smith Family Down Under!!

 

On December 28th we went to Agnes Water/ 1770, where we again were able to enjoy the amazing Australian Beaches!! We enjoyed swimming in the beautiful ocean with crystal clear water and sand bottom!

 

For those of you that say there are never any pictures with people on the beach! Here ya go!1 :)

Surfing!

 

 

 

 

Next stop Rockhampton for the weekend... :)

 

 

Lake Awoonga/ Missing our Boat/Bucky!

This past weekend was unfortunately one of weekends to work. Which definitely puts a damper on our sight seeing and adventures! However, Jason still managed to take advantage of his time off. One night we went to watch the sunset at Lake Awoonga! Its a beautiful lake only about 20 minutes from where we live...sure wish we had our boat here to enjoy! Speaking of our boat... it has undergone some cosmetic and questionable ownership changes since we left it at Lake Cumberland 6 months ago. Before we left Lexington there were a few of our belongings that we weren't so happy leaving behind. Bucky and the boat being the two most important. Both of which, I worry about whether we will get back when we return to the states! Jason's dad has fallen in love with our baby boy....while my dad has fallen in love with our boat! Bucky has Rory eating out of his paw...Literally! He has even learned a few things since he's been there too...very impressive!  And my dad continues to brainstorm new ideas of what he wants to do to OUR boat next!

 

 

 

Our New Swim Platform!! We can't wait to get home and use it!! Thanks Dad!!

 



Bucky and his Grandpa Smith. Bucky has even learned to type emails to us since we have been gone. This is the first one that he wrote... brings tears to my eyes every time I read it! So sweet!!

 

Dear Mom and Dad,

I would have written sooner but Grandpaw wouldn’t give me his password. I had to sneek the laptop away when he was in the bathroom. He calls it the library but that is the smelliest library I have ever seen. I like to go in and make him pet me while he is “reading in the library”. I am having fun at Grandmaw and Grandpaw’s. Can I come here for a month or two EVERY year?????? Grandpaw said it would be ok! Grandmaw must be getting senile. She can’t remember my name. She keeps calling me Rex. Grandpaw calls me Buckster or Buck Snort or Buck Tooth or Buckwheat. Sometimes he calls me Buckaroo. I kinda like that one. That sounds like an Aussie name huh Mom? Cousin Lila & Cousin Ruby are here and I like to antagonize them. (Didn’t know I knew such big words did you?) Grandmaw says Ruby is in love with me but I am like “yuk she’s my cousin”! Grandpaw gave me a bath Wednesday night. I pretended not to like it but I didn’t fool Grandpaw. After I got out of the tub I ran around the house like my tail was on fire! Grandmaw says I snore and she is going to get me a CPAP machine like Grandpaw. I have news for her, she snores worse than me. I know cause I have heard her and I never hear me. I am eating real good and getting plenty of exercize. When it is nice out Grandmaw takes me up to the park. There are sooooooooo many good smells there! When Grandpaw went hunting last week Grandmaw took me to the walking path at the canal. That was cool! Did I tell you I want to come back here once a year for a month (maybe 2 months)? Grandpaw and Grandmaw told me I get to go see Grandpaw and Grandmaw Uher for Christmas. That will be so cool! I can’t wait to see Rocky. I have some new moves to show him. He will be so jealous! Gotta go. Time for another nap!

Love you!

Bucky

 

 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year!

Christmas is my favorite time of year, mostly because it is spent with family and friends sharing annual traditions together! This year obviously is a bit different for us. With the temperature ranging from the 90's to 100* and wearing tank tops and shorts makes for a much different feel this holiday season! However, we have kept many of our annual traditions alive!

Its beginning to look alot like Christmas!  More presents to come! :)

Bechtel Christmas Party!

More Christmas Decorations!
 

Getting Ready for the Tacky Christmas Party! Every year Jason and I host an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. This year we had to change it up a bit due to the heat!

 

A few pinterest ideas! :) Puppy Chow, Pinwheels, Guacamole and taco dip.

 

All the ladies!

Lexington/ Bluegrass Picture!

Neighbors!

Merry Christmas! From: Santa and his "lil elf"

 

 

Awards Ceremony- 5 years of service!

This weekend Jason was recognized for his 5 years of service with Bechtel. As they stated at the awards dinner, 5 years with Bechtel is not just a typical 5 years at any job. Being a Bechtel employee is a very demanding career of your time and energy. Working outside in all sorts of different temperature for 10-12 hours a day, 6 days a week is not easy! Not only is it tiring and hard work, it is also a company that alot of it's employees sacrafice time away from family, whether it be traveling for the company or relocating to other parts of the country or world! Even though, it may be hard work, Jason finds his career very rewarding at the same time and we are both so grateful for the experiences and opportunities it has provided for us. I am so proud of where Jason has become with his career and look forward to all the opportunities we have ahead of us!

 

Jason's gifts! Perfect to get a globe on his first International Assignment! The gift wrapped package was my gift for being a supportive spouse! :) It was filled with all kinds of goodies!