The Wombat Press: Brisbane Trip

We all (Mick, Augie, Huxley, Grandma Carma and me) went to Brisbane to celebrate Christmas with Mick's family. We left Perth on 21 December and stayed in Brisbane until 4 January. Bodhi spent Christmas with our friends Jamie and Andy and their three children Ciara, Charlie and Zoe.

Grandma Carma on the Brisbane River aboard one of the public transport ferries, a Brisbane City Cat, with our destination (the Wheel of Brisbane) in the background.

Augie and I at South Bank parklands.

Hux checking out the cabin just before we took off on our ferris wheel ride.

Family photo aboard the ferris wheel.

A big toothless grin. There WERE teeth in there but they are still too small to see in a smile.

Mick doesn't like heights so the first trip around the wheel is always accompanied by deep breathing and cursing humanity for inventing giant wheels.

But then he starts to relax more after a few trips around.

With the big T-rex outside of the Queensland Museum.

Triceratops!

Checking out the new Brisbane sign at South Bank Parklands.

Silly faces for our little photographer Augie.

Mick sneaking a sweet treat behind Augie's back!

A very tired boy from our big morning adventure in South Bank.

Make that TWO very tired boys!

When we were in Brisbane we stayed at the home of Mick's brother Patrick and his family. They were in Melbourne with Lou's family for Christmas so we looked after their dog Rusty. Here Rusty and Hux are having a little quality time on the floor together.

Aunty Kel came over for lots of visits.

And she read lots of books!

Huxley with the eldest member of Mick's family, Gloria, who had recently moved into an assisted living facility so we went for a visit.

Opening his present from Santa on Christmas morning...the helicopter Blade Ranger from the movie Planes.

This was in the days when Hux would still leave a hat on.

Christmas morning cuddles.

Hux doesn't look all too sure about these Christmas morning cuddles.

Hux helping Augie open presents.

Sweet boys.

sooo cute!

Family photo on Christmas day.

Christmas lunch at Mick's parents' house. Clockwise from left are: Mick, Grandma Carma, Mick's Dad Geoff, Augie, Mick's sister Kelly and Mick's mum Suzie. Hux was having a sleep at the time but got in on the action later.

He woke up and promptly came out for cuddles with Auntie Kel.

Augie and Hux with their cousins (from left: Jack, Will and Ben)

Getting ready to open presents after Christmas lunch - so exciting!

After Christmas lunch it was into the pool.

Hux was so tired from all the goings-on that he crashed out on the floor.

Huxley and GJ.

Fun with GJ.

Hux found his toes during this trip.

Usually when he got a hold of them, he tried to eat them.

Augie made use of GJ's headphones so he could watch his movies without having to yell at everyone else to keep it down while he was watching.

Eating some dinosaurs.

A happy little chappy.

He's got the same hairline and wingnut ears that Augie had at the same age.

Augie and Auntie Kel hard at work making a potato bake.

Augie and Huxley with their cousins (from left Alec, Nick and Tom).

Augie was really into duck diving for pool toys and here he is bringing in a haul.

Grandma Carma and Huxley would often supervise Augie's swimming sessions.

Got one!

The duck diving in action. We did LOTS of duck diving on this holiday.

Making a Christmas pudding with Suzie and Grandma Carma.

Very hands-on with this pudding.

Augie and his cousin Dash rapt in a movie.

Hux has mischievous little eyes in this photo.

Hux and GJ enjoying a laugh together.

The last few days we were in Queensland, we went up to visit our friends the Macmillans who live on a property outside of Kilcoy. Kilcoy is about 2 hours north of Brisbane and the property they live on is called Braeside. It's an absolutely beautiful place and we love visiting. The Macmillans are childhood friends of Mick's. Sadly, many years ago they lost a daughter, Rohan, when she was a toddler. They decided to have a memorial ceremony on New Year's Eve to celebrate Rohan's life. We went to the memorial ceremony and then stayed on for a very special New Year's Eve dinner under the stars.

Augie all dressed up for the memorial service.

Augie helping Priscilla (left) and Grandma Carma (right) get some soil for the memorial marker.

Priscilla's son, Duncan, with her granddaughters Ivy (yellow dress), Bess and Augie.

Augie picks me flowers all the time, no matter where we are.

Augie Ivy and Bess in the midst of some project or the other.

More flowers from my sweet, thoughtful boy.

Priscilla keeps a herd of cattle and she's got dogs to work them. Rusty went with us to the farm for a couple of days so he got a chance to work cattle as well. He did excellently, especially for an inexperienced ring-in from the suburbs of Brisbane.

Tummy time!

Hux getting a bath in Priscilla's kitchen sink.

Augie enjoys riding horses and Priscilla has a few. On the last morning of our visit, we took Augie for a ride on Priscilla's 20+-year-old mare, Jess. Jess is a sweet old horse and just Augie's speed. He absolutely loved it.

Hux watched the whole thing from the sidelines with Suzie and GJ. He's a bit too young for a ride this time but next time we'll get him out there (if he wants!).