The Sites of Sydney!

Our first stop in Sydney was the temple!  We were bookin it trying to get there before the Distribution Center closed.  It is so weird living far away from a Distribution Center.  We got there at 2:55 and they closed at 3!!!  The workers were so adorable.  They said, "If you've driven 12 hours to get some new garments, then I think we stay an extra 10 minutes to help you!"  It was fun to see the temple pix and of course we all wanted a copy.  The Sydney temple is beautiful.  The grounds are very green and of course, kept to the highest standard.  In the back you can actually walk across a flat portion of the rooftop and look out over the neighborhoods surrounding.  It kind of reminded me of the Boston temple grounds, almost hidden away.  Which somehow makes them even more special!

In the temple parking lot Lex and Park found a little toy.  That must be one hip temple president :)  Or maybe it was just a cheap parking spot in a safe place surrounded by good people :)  But nice car eh?

Me and my girlies on the grounds.

Love these 2!

Taking some family pix with the self timer.  It's always more fun to do crazy pix on the self timer!

After 12 hours of driving together...some of Parker and Sydney's "crazy poses" might be bordering on real!  Ok and my noogie on Parker...well, yes, 12 hours in a car with a 10 year old boy.  It does something to a person!!!!  Actually, we wouldn't know what to do without our big brother.  He's a keeper!  WE LOVE YOU PARKER MAN!

Yay!  We got a good one with the self timer.  Families are Forever!!!  Even after long car trips! :) 

Pulling into the city of Sydney, it was just awesome for me.  I've wanted to visit Sydney for...well, as long as I can remember.  And it's a gorgeous city.  This was one of the bridges we crossed.  I was teary...I was teary a lot on this trip.  I was just so happy and grateful to be there.  And it really was breathtaking.

Down by the river, we visited a place called Darling Harbour.  We visited it several times because it's kind of a hub of the social, tourist scene.  They had an awesome park with enormous slides.  And the lights around the harbour were gorgeous.  There were tons of places to shop and eat.

While we were in Sydney they had a Rhino Art exhibition displayed throughout the city.  There were these huge life size rhinos placed all over the city.  They were painted all different.  Each with a kind of theme.  It was really fun to watch for them.  We counted 19 different rhinos while we were walking around.

We mostly did walking since parking is so expensive and just difficult downtown.  It was an awesome way to see the city.  The first night we went out we passed a high rise building and Lex pointed up with a funny expression.  He was pointing at a huge picture of the Savior.  But it wasn't just any picture, it was definitely an LDS painting.  We walked into the building to find out more and there was a sign that said. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Institute Building.  Visitors Welcome.  We were immediately greeted by missionaries (of course)!  They gave us a tour of the building and introduced us to several other missionaries and the Institute Director.  The church had purchased the entire top 3 floors of the building.  It is right down town. What an awesome location for an Institute.  And I was so happy to see that it was FULL to the brim with teenage/young adult people, playing ping pong, chatting, sitting in classrooms and enjoying each others' company.  The church provides such a haven for people.  It was really fun to connect like that.  Once again-- so grateful to be a member of this church!

Me and Park in Darling Harbour

We walked our kids long and hard.  They are such troopers; they never complain and they do great on long walking sprees.  But when you're 4 and we're going up and over bridges, sometimes you get to enjoy the perks of Dad's shoulders!

And sometimes when you're 4, and you insist on skirts...they tend to ride up a bit while riding on shoulders.  Nothing like a cute little pair of hot pink panties strolling along on the streets.  So hilarious!  What do ya do?  Sometimes when you're 4...IT'S FINE!  "Cute bum, where ya from?"

Lunch at a cute little cafe on Nurse's Walk.  In downtown Sydney (particularly around Darling Harbour) there a lot of great historical buildings, alleys and streets that have been refurbished and kept up to show the Old Sydney and how it was laid out and working years and years ago.  It was really awesome to see the bike ways, old tenant housing, little shops that have been turned into museums and gift shops and the way little cafes and bakeries have stayed open and thriving over the decades.  Beautiful!

The Boys!

This is a shot of the girls at the hotel.  It was a fun spot.  The building actually housed two different hotels a 3 star and a 5 star.  We were just happy to have a spot in the 3 star with a microwave, mini fridge and hide-a-bed.  :)  And it was a close 20 minute walk to the sites.

We had a couple days of rain during our week.  It was warm rain and never too bad.  The thunder and lightening always waited until after dark when we could watch it from our hotel window.  But we did end up buying a brolley (Aussie for umbrella).  Why do little girls love umbrellas?  It made the walk even better!

We took a little train around the harbours so we could see all the places in the surrounding areas--Japanese gardens, Maritime Museum, Hard Rock Cafe and many Rhinos!!!!

We had heard that the Sydney Aquarium was worth the crazy ticket prices.  It was really cool.  We saw heaps of awesome stuff and the kids had a blast.  We were lucky to be there on a weekday when it wasn't school holidays.  We had lots of time and space to dawdle!

cute little penguins

They had several tunnels.  This one with the manta rays was really cool.

Wuru the dugong!  There are only 2 on display in all of Australia, both at the Sydney Aquarium.

Once again Sydney and Oaklee had many photo ops with Asian tourists.  They all wanted pictures wth the girls.  Must be the light hair and Oaks with crimpy waves from a night of braids.  They just couldn't get enough photos.  Oaklee is always up for some poses.  The tourists were getting such a kick out of her.  They were waiting in line to have their pix taken with the girls and they always hugged them after.  And then while hugging.... "Take photo now".  (mid-hug)  It was so funny.

Syd at the shark tank!

So my girls are probably all over the Asian facebook scene right now.  shrug!  It was fun to make their days!

In the old fashioned scuba suits

Not quite tall enough...but with Dad's help and her hands holding her up on the sides-- yes, mission accomplished!  

This Aquarium really was pretty cool.  Can you believe this jaw?  Crazy!

Back at our hotel.  Posing with the decor.  Parker and his scooter!

Why does every kid want a motorized scooter?  Ok, every kid and me?  :)  (Don't miss the big cricket game broadcasting on the TV above the decor.  Cricket...I swear it's the game that never ends!)

Doing a little shopping!

Oaks lookin smart and what???  Reeses Pieces?  What luck!  A rare find in Australia!  We indulged ourselves.  They don't do much peanut butter here.

I loved this one.  Look at the cute baby rhino!  I thought this one was so sweet.

Entrance to the Japanese gardens!  We saw and did so many fun things on this trip.  I loved the diversity.  Everyday was jam packed with sites and tours and new things!  Loved it!