Post Christmas in Hervey Bay

 Boxing Day saw us head to get our 2nd PCR tests to show that we were still fine to be in Queensland. It was a requirement to get tested 5 days after crossing the border. We went thinking that it would take 30mins in Qld. The lines weren't very long. How wrong could we be! The overall wait was 3hours (the kids were so hungry by the end of it!) and it turned out that the lines were just so long because once you made it to the front, you had to call a number, talk with someone to get your codes, then wait for them to come out and do the test. When this happens for everyone, no wonder it took so much longer than it needed to! 

So many cars!

How we felt

But we tried to keep a smile on our dial

I'm glad that they took their books from Christmas presents in the car!

We eventually got our tests done (they were much harsher with doing the nose part, and the poor kids had to get both nostrils and throat where in Sydney Alexander just got one nostril and Daniel and Eliza just got both nostrils) so they were a bit upset. But a lollypop straight after helped ease the pain. We then headed to get ice cream because they had been pretty good in the car while we waited forever!

When we got back to Nana J's place, we opened some of the board game presents.

I enjoyed my Christmas present of Christmas pudding (yum!) with a cup of tea.

While James went for a 'walk' where he managed to find an electric scooter so went for a ride instead. He's a shocker!

At night we had a beautiful sunset where the kids loved how the sky was painted!

And then we cracked open the gingerbread house that I had made (which we were too full to try and eat yesterday).

The next morning Daniel woke early and was keen to go for a walk with me. We headed down to the break wall to walk out to a statue that I had seen a previous morning. I love that he still holds my hand when we go for a walk.

The kids got into doing some puzzles from Nana J's booklet which kept them occupied.

James helped collect some mangos from the tree out the front and Daniel spotted bananas on the tree. We have no idea if they will ripen but it was fun to cut them down.

Alexander designed a treehouse and then made it out fo the Lego. He was so proud of his creation.

 Eliza and Auntie Jenny were matchy matchy so did a selfie photo that was matchy matchy.

The kids got into playing handball together. The cement square out the side of the house is so helpful!

I made time to go and do my 25th blood donation.

The kids made chatterboxes and Alexander tested his out on Ollie.

Then Auntie Jen organised some Bluey fun by bringing around some Bluey cookies for everyone to paint and then eat. The kids (big and little) loved it. A great afternoon activity.

Alexander worked on his cartwheels.

And cuddles were enjoyed with Ollie.

We headed over to see Grannie Jean and give her her Christmas present. It was nice to see her new place and we felt good knowing that we had negative Covid tests.

I love the way Grannie Jean looks and listens to the kids talk. So special

This trip I enjoyed going to walks in the morning instead of lying in bed for a long time. It was so nice to get out and start the day this way. It was so windy at times but I really enjoyed going for adventures.

We headed to enjoy milkshakes by the beach at Enzo's. The kids were so keen to sit on the sand part. James regretted it quickly, not wanting sand to go everywhere. A difficult task with kids.

Enjoying my happy place and we found a very cool bug at the park

We watched the Sydney Sixers game and had a laugh at Eliza with the way she wasn't coping with the close score. She kept running and screaming into the bedroom so she wasn't watching it because it was too stressful. So Auntie Jenny's niece. And Alexander drew a picture of the game.

On the 30th December we all headed together to the crematorium to lay Malcolm's ashes. It was a beautiful time and a sad time. I'm glad that we were all together again. Each person who wanted to shared a memory of him, we placed some of the leaves from Nana J's place on top of his ashes. It is nice that he is going to be close to Nana J for her to visit him. We then headed to Enzo's to remember, celebrate together and spend time together.

I love this photo of Nana J and Ollie

A beautiful moment for Nana J with her grandkids

Park fun

More games were played.

 

Playing a tea party with their toys

Eliza and Aly decided to dance the Macarena together and it was so beautiful to watch Nana J join in.

Challenges were made and met.

New Years Eve we had glow sticks to watch the fireworks and also watched Sing together. What a great movie!

This was in preparation to head to the movies and watch Sing 2. Another great movie with awesome songs.

This trip we were intentional about spending some more time at the beach and we made the most of it when it was sunny. The tides didn't always work for us, but it was still lots of fun.

Finding crabs

Getting spun around by the waves

We went for an adventure to see Grannie Jean's tree that was planted to celebrate her 100th birthday. It's so cool to know that there will always be a piece of Nan there in Hervey Bay and it will be cool to see how the tree grows over the years.

We enjoyed more cuddles with Ollie, as well as the fun that string art brings.

Before we left, we enjoyed dinner of fish and chips by the beach, a little tradition that we have started. The kids had fun hanging out together and I got to get some cute snaps of the cousins.

A guy was learning to walk the tightrope and Daniel was keen to try so he asked if he could have a go and he was allowed. Daniel loved it.

We headed back home and the kids enjoyed their car packs that Nana J organised for them.

At Coffs Harbour we played a game of Bananagrams. It was quite fun. I look forward to all the kids being able to spell so we can play it more regularly.

At dinner Daniel did his dad proud and ordered a steak. He loved it!

One game that we played in Hervey Bay from Aunty Wendy and Uncle Geoff was Sequence. When we got home James bought it for us and we enjoyed playing it together. I do love new games.