Lamington National Park, Australia

Boxing Day in Australia is a big deal.  The custom was brought over by the English and is a good idea.  Christmas Day is the day to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is used for opening presents.  It is also the biggest shopping day of the year in Oz.  A lot of stores put everything on sale, but you only go near them if you're crazy.

For Boxing Day, our family went to Lamington National Park
108 km South from us.

We found a Bower Bluebird nest.  These neat little guys decorate their bachelor pad to attract the ladies.  They find all things blue and scatter them about to make their nest irresistible.

Lamington has many walking to paths that are beautiful.

Walking on the boardwalk in the treetops of the rain forest

Lucy Bleu's lizard at the gift shop

Views from the drive down the mountain

and last but not least....the AWARD WINNING bed and breakfast

CHRISTmas

Christmas 2011 was a little different than any other we have ever experienced.  This is the "Card" we sent out to our family and friends. 

Christmas Eve Tradition of Alaskin King Crab

Why yes...that is a kookabura in our tree.

There are only a few pictures and one video of Christmas day:

After church, we went to the Bishops house with some other "expat" members (members from other countries) and had a traditional Aussie Christmas BBQ. The pics were taken with Madison's new phone...so the quality is only so/so.

Brandon in charge of the grilling

Christmas was a wonderful family day, but it didn't really feel like Christmas.  There is very little comericalism here is Oz.  There isn't any Christmas music on the radio, but you can hear it in the mall if you listen closely.  Only a few houses are decorated with lights.

Spring Flowers

Each month I have to change my "Favorite Flowering Tree" in Brisbane. Here are a few that are around us here in Tarragindi (our suburb)

October

November

We also have beautiful flowers planted around our home.