Popcorn Popping

Sum was fascinated by these silvery mornings last June so I'm giddy just thinking about how fun it will be to introduce her to honest to goodness Utah snow. She thought this frost was the real stuff. One of my very favorite things about Australia is that it turns into The Garden of Eden every spring. With, I swear, probably 80% of the trees/bushes exploding in glorious blossoms, Aug/Sept/Oct is soooo beautiful here.

Wattle, these little yellow puff balls, are a native that grows everywhere in Canberra. They delight me. All of a sudden what you thought were just regular old bushes and trees morph into clouds of yellow glory with hardly any green visible.

Then there's the jacaranda trees. They're pretty much unreal. The blossoms fall like purple snow and you feel as if you've jumped right into a storybook.

 I laid under a grove of them on the temple grounds on my last visit and was transported to I don't even know where.

These were growing like weeds in the grass at the playground, seeds having been blown over from a house across the street.

 Real Lorax Truffula trees - I found them!

sweetest flowering bush

 Even the weeds on the side of the road are breathtaking. Fields of yellow, blowing in the breeze. Seriously gorgeous and everywhere.

Happened upon a grove of cherry blossom magic one day on our walk...

Then of course there's the stunning celebration that is Floriade, held here every spring.

Our kids earned over $100 nervously busking there for their first time ever - a little fact of which I could not be more proud.

They were so awesome. Summer thought she was totally a part of it but didn't sing her 'Skidamarink' song loud enough to be heard over Will's guitar. Annie could take it or leave it, happy to play the violin. Kenna was mortified and hightailed it out after 30 minutes, but Will stayed on for another 30, jammin' up a storm with dollar signs in his eyes. Darren was too nervous to even join us, but he did stroll by with Des in the stroller then shot me a text saying "doing great - gotta play louder."

But back to spring, we're delighted with our beautiful gardening neighbors who bless our lives with their talents each day.

Mostly I'm just in awe at this beautiful land that transforms each year into a place I'm sure I'll dream about the rest of my life.

If you ever plan a trip to Australia - come in the Spring!

Spring II

Definitely my favorite time of year here. The blossoms and blooms on almost every tree and bush are breathtaking!

We went for a family bike ride around Lake Burley-Griffin one Saturday. (Of course the kids thought the best thing was "riding" atop the car.)

Perfect weather for a picnic and they totally surpassed even their own expectations, stamina-wise.

Summer's still keeping us entertained. Dabbling in big girl beds, big girl undies and failing miserably  at both. :)

 While welcoming some new work friends who just moved in, we walked up the street to some empty lots where kangaroos often congregate and found a mob of over 30. We even counted 8 or so joeys in and out of their pouches. Annie got within 10 feet until Summer ran up to join her. Still love watching those guys bounce around - it's just beautiful.

Enjoyed the glorious Floriade again. Splurged for the ferris wheel this year and the views were worth it - such well choreographed designs only appreciated from bird's eye view.

And of course the obligatory growth pics of little man, although even these are now outdated...

Des is perpetually entertained by Sums.

Until she notices him watching her, then she's all up in his grill until he's super irritated.

That boy is not ignored, I'll tell you what.