November 30, 2014: Putting up the Christmas tree! I had some ‘help’ with the star this year :)

November 29, 2014: Crocodile tears.

November 28, 2014:  We finally got to step foot on the farmland we bought, and it was fun to wander around through the wooded area too! As soon as we got close, several whitetail deer popped up out of the brush and took off.  Fun! :) Had a little target practice in the country as well.  Tonight we went up to the ‘Lighting of the Square’ and checked out the new coffee shop in town too.  

November 27, 2014: Happy Thanksgiving! We packed up in STL (but not before a few books in the rocking chair with Grandma) and made our way up to Springfield for the traditional turkey feast. Yum!

November 26, 2014: On the road again!  Off to St. Louis to see Jen’s grandparents.  They loved their 2015 calendar from the girls, and we got to see an incredible light display near Six Flags.  The snow flurries were a nice touch too!

November 25, 2014: Em had outgrown her favorite PJ’s from Australia and A was wearing them, so I went back to Seed and luckily found a bigger pair at their outlet store in Melbourne! Twinning.

November 24, 2014: DREAMLINERRRRRR!  My real reason for heading to Melbourne was to catch the new MEL-LAX segment on United… on the Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner! It was incredible.  I got invited up to the flight deck to check things out, and business class was great. Loved the technology on the plane.  This was a flight for the memory book! Incredible.  I also loved watching the Qantas A380 rolling behind the 787 while we were waiting to board. 2 incredible planes.

November 23, 2014: Melbourne!  Hit up the Sunday Arts Market for poffertjes and leather baby shoes, met up with my mate Jordan for some work talk and a jaunt down to St. Kilda.   I also got to introduce Jordan to his US doppleganger, cameronsprinkle. Had some delicious cider on a hot day, and then back up to the city for… Noodle Night Market.  Had to go back again!  Great way to wrap up my trip to Australia.

November 22, 2014: 7am flight from Sydney to Avalon, and off to the Great Ocean Road! In a word… stunning.  So glad I could experience it and check it off my Aussie Bucket List! 

Tonight I landed in Melbourne where I hit up the Noodle Night Fest. Some of the best asian food I’ve had in awhile! More xiao long bao, of course. :)

November 21, 2014: Wrapped up work at UOW around 2pm, said goodbye to the team, and headed back up the coast… leisurely. Drove all the way through Royal National Park and up to Sydney.  Dinner at Din Tai Fung where I ate my share of dumplings to fill my cravings for a few months.  When I came outside I noticed an incredible sunset starting so I hustled down to Sydney Opera House. Great way to end my time in Sydney!

November 20, 2014:  Another great day of work at UOW, followed by a fun dinner at Dagwood with Anita and Simon!  Got to see Simon’s home-made drone as well tonight :)

November 19, 2014: Australia! Landed in the morning and headed down the coast to work the afternoon.  After work I went to the beach, and wrapped up the night at a thai restaurant.  This appetizer was sooooo good!