30th September 2007 - WetnWild

While Anita and Violet hosted a Lingerie Party at home (with Hayley) , Darryl and Keiran took the bigger kids to WetnWild for the day. It was another clear and Hot day - great for being at a water park. We got there just after 10am and left when they kicked us out at about 5:15pm. Wet'n'WildAshleigh floating around the river at Calypso Beach.
Keiran cooling off in the near 30 degree heat.

Ashleigh and Bradley in the wave pool.
Bradley Jumping waves in the wave pool.

Liam Drifting around Calypso Bay

Connor drifting around Calypso Bay - we did about 3 laps while Keiran cooked lunch

29th Sept 2007 - Oreillys and BIS

In the morning, Darryl took Ashleigh, Bradley, Hayley and Liam to O'Reillys in the Greenhouse Mountains to feed parrots. The kids always like coming here , but its a particularly horrible drive with Liam complaining of a sore stomach on the way up and down. However we did get to feed and see Scarlet Rosellas, king Parrots, Regency Bower Birds and silky Bower Birds.

Brad with a Scarlet Rosella
Liam with a King Parrot
Hayley with a Scarlet Rosella
Ashleigh with a King Parrot
In the Evening we went to The opening night of the Brisbane International Speedway - about 25 races of sprint cars (below), sedans and super sedans. As well as monster trucks crushing cars and a fireworks display.

28th September 2007 - shopping and beach

This morning we set off for Harbour town - a factory shop shopping centre near surfers paradise - the big girls enjoyed this more than the boys and little ones. But a good lot of shopping was achieved in a couple of hours

We then set off to Palm beach down near Currumbin where the kids had great fun for several hours playing in the surf , digging holes and picking up stuff (not the jellyfish though)

Hayley and Ashleigh

Bradley

Anita and Hayley

Connor and Liam

Finally leaving the beach as the sun went down.

27th September 2007 - shopping day

Today was designated shopping day and we spent 3-4 hours at Grand Plaza Browns Plains visiting every shop. Bargain of the day was Brads getting an $80 Lego set for $30 - he was relly pleased.

And just because one lot of shops isnt enough we left all the kids for Keiran to look after (and put to bed) and for late night shopping we went to the new shopping centre at Springfield which has only opened stage one , but is apparaently destined to be the newest biggest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

26th September 2007 - Seaworld

Today we set off for Sea world , another fantastic day , clear blue skys and 30+ degrees. We spent the morning seeing the shows - starting with the Dolphin cove show where we had front row seats , the dolphin show is always exciting and enjoyed by the kids.

The Cartoon Network beach is being changed to Sesame St Beach (but not yet ready) . However we caught up with Elmo and Zoe and later in the afternoon - Cookie Monster.

After the dolphin show we saw the seal show - a new show this year after about 10 years of the same one. Anita was picked (again) to go up and interact with the seal. This is another show the kids like.

While the water ski show was on we had lunch sitting in the stand. The photo below is with some of the ski team - the show has a 1950's theme to it. Hayley and Connor didn't want in this shot.

Shark bay is Darryl's highlight of the day , I could spend hours there watching the sharks and fish swimming around. Unfortunately the kids wont stand hours of that.

The Polar bear at polar bear shores is a hit for the kids and the polar bear was putting on a great show swimming laps of his pool and pushing off the glass right in front of where we were (actually we went right to where he was pushing off the glass.)

25th September - shopping day

This is a photo I took of the sky in Australia - many of you wont recognise this - behind the clouds we get the sky is this colour.

Today was a shopping day. We spent the morning at Ikea - Anita wishes we lived here so that she could furnish the whole house from this shop. Unfortunately for her and probably fortunately for Darryl - shipping furniture back to NZ is a bit uneconomical.

We then visited a few factory shops and then on to Garden City Shopping Centre for about 3-4 hours. Home for dinner and then a few hours sleep on the sofa.

24th September 2007

Yaaah - Movieworld

We went off to movie world with cousins Connor and Liam today. We played in Looney toons village, saw the Police Academy Stunt show and the Shrek Live Show. After lunch we went to the Shrek 4D movie, played lots more at Looney Toons village and got photos with the characters. The kids had a blast and we will be back at least once if not twice before the end of the holiday.

The kids with the cast of Shrek.
Brad, Hayley, Ashleigh, Liam and Connor with Bugs and Tweety.

All ready to go home after a hard day at movieworld.

23rd September 2007 - Ipswich

If anyone suggests the hour drive to Ipswich to go to the market on a sunday - dont - its not worth it. We did however spend the morning walking around a Japanese garden , in a wildlife park and playing at a big play park. We went to Redbank Plaza for lunch and spent a few hours wandering around the shops.

Ashleigh, Liam, Hayley, Connor and Bradley in the Japanese Garden

Hayley running around in the Japanese gardens.

22nd september - fantastic weather

We didnt bring much clothing as the weather is always fantastic at this time of year - so this was a bit unexpected. It lasted approximately 30 mins with hail the size of Jaffas and rain so heavy that there wre instant rivers all over the place.

Friday 21st September - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Kids were awake by 5am so had breakfast and prepared to go out for the day. We had a picnic lunch before going to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

First stop was the snake presentation - Bradley was the only one to want to touch the snake.

At the Birds of Prey display - Anita got to be the volunteer to don the glove and have the owl land on her hand.

Feeding the lorikeets and Kangaroos was also a highlight for the Kids

But for Brad anyway -his highlight was holding the Koala .

A great day was had by all . The kids loved all the animals and were totally exhausted by the time we got home.