The Sisters Lloyd

Long ago, my older sister served a mission for our church up in Brisbane. It was fitting for her to be called to Australia as she'd had a koala obsession for as long as anyone can remember. Lucky me got to be her companion on a "mini-mission" for 2 months and it was certainly a highlight of my youth. The title of this post is reminiscent of the conundrum in which we found ourselves while knocking on doors: "Hello, I am Sister Lloyd and this is... also Sister Lloyd... my sister." Then ensued inspections of our matching name tags and a 5 minute conversation about how we're actual sisters, but also representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and yes, it's cool that we are out together and no, it's not normally done that way and yes, she's older and yes, we are American and wait, can we talk to you about God??

At one door she had the clever idea of introducing us as "The Sisters Lloyd", and the man was so immediately confused as we melted into a fit of the giggles that we had to excuse ourselves with many embarrassing pardons. Ahhh, mission humor.

Fast forward 15 years later and I'm living here with my family. How could she NOT come visit? So, last month Merrilee and Steve brought their two eldest as well as my brother's daughter (some of our kids' closest cousins) and had the most fantastic visit. We only got them for a week before they headed up to Cairns but we made every minute count.

You can read the ecstasy in our children's faces at having live-in cousins for a while. After their first night together I knew we just had to pull them out of school for the week. Nonstop party ensued. In fact, we hardly even saw them. They were in heaven and totally self-sufficient. I can literally say there was NO FIGHTING the whole week, which is almost unbelievable.

We're talking wrestlemania and Minecraft with the boys and perpetual fashion shows and dance offs with the girls. Sweet Cali was such a nurturing, responsible ringleader and Whit and Grace were just so much fun.

 Of course, we had the now-traditional chocolate fountain and pav and Tim Tam Slams. And were lucky enough to celebrate Mer's birthday AND the 4th of July together.

Hit quite a few sights around town in those few days we had and the full schedule was so worth the hours of chatting, catching up, cooking and hanging together throughout.

Ironically, despite very sunny winters, Canberra was cloaked in fog almost every day they were here. It didn't set them back any though on their morning runs and bikerides - what was lacking in views, was made up for in kangaroo encounters.

our one sunny afternoon :)

Independence Day fireworks at the Embassy's awesome bash

Dance Wrestling (with judges and all)

spinach/hot pepper contests?

 Of course, Summer had no trouble warming up, especially to the men per usual.

gloating over the sugar loot they brought

(The week started off in Sydney with Darren and Annie picking them up to avoid driving a rental and/or two cars around that manic city caravan-style. They toured mostly in the rain for a couple days :( but still enjoyed the sights and even got in a trip to the temple.)

I swear, the anticipation leading up to visitors is half the fun -- so much excitement!!

The Lead Up

I have to admit, the silver lining of being a week overdue is any absence of guilt that I haven't shown our visitors a good time around Canberra. With creative car solutions we have done tons of sight seeing and these girls are really getting a feel for Australia. All they need is a trip to the coast and to see Sydney (where they fly out from) and we've done our job right :) Oh, and to meet this baby if he ever decides to emerge.

We've hit the following this weekend:

Australian Institute of Sport - great tour of fantastic facility
Cockington Greens - cute miniature village
Old & New Parliament Houses - interesting politics/museum
Fresh Markets - tasty tasty produce (pronounced "praw-juice")
Souvenir shopping at the mall - mom loved the red light/green light parking garage
Hiking the hills behind our house - tried skipping and jumping even, but no baby action
Australian Football League game - awesome action packed sport
milo, roo burgers, meat pies, sausage rolls, lamingtons - all received big thumbs up from visitors
tv/movies/hairdos/reading/sleepovers galore - my girls will plunge into deep depression when they go

Just a few more museums on the list to hit next week and Telstra Tower and Glassworks. Any other suggestions? With kids back in school transportation will prove easier...

And now pics for Evy and Lindsay's families at home who are surely missing them.

typical sleepover set up (note Summer's box in corner) giggling abounds

New Parliament House, heart of the city

mmmmm, kangaroo burgers (and Linds new curly hair)

dance parties after bath

AIS boasts world's most technologically advanced pool

moving trains, windmills and spectacular bonsai landscaping - cute place

We've had beautiful weather and very little jet lag. The girls are super champs for putting up with all the hyperactive loving they are getting from my gals, especially double buckled in the back seat on our outings. They really are such lovely, sweet, helpful teenagers. We're so glad they came!