HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!!

Our NYE was spent initially at our neighbor's house having drinks and appetizers while Wonder Woman was projected onto the side of the house.  Aram and I really weren't sure where we were going to go to watch the fireworks because it was projected that there would be 1.6 million people alongside the harbour.  Everyone there was telling us we had to go, so around 11:20 pm, we left with our neighbors to make our way down to the harbour.  We were walking and then the gates were closed because they had reached capacity for the park by the bridge.  Luckily we were with our neighbor George who knew somebody and called them.  We ended up walking around the neighborhood and were let in at an apartment complex right on the harbour and extremely close to the bridge.  We were outside on the grass and easily had one of the best views of the night.  Following is video and photos from the firework show, which was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.  It went on for about 20 minutes.  There were barges in the harbour that had synchronized fireworks, then fireworks in front of the Opera House that were lit of barges and then the Bridge with its amazing display.  I read today that the fireworks cost $7 million AUD. It was amazing and am so lucky to have seen this up close and especially with Aram by my side.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!  

so bright from the fireworks behind us!

counting down!

wouldn't want anyone else by my side :)

Aram's 31st Birthday and Christmas Day

So we woke up on Aram's birthday to it being ridiculously hot.  I made us some homemade breakfast burritos since very few places have them here.  He was quite happy to have burritos and ate his one burrito before I even took a bite of mine and then had another.

Spicy sausage, eggs, avocado, chipotle cheddar cheese and homemade salsa

Since it was so darn hot, we decided that in the afternoon we would go see the new Star Wars movie and get in some air conditioning.  But before we could do that, Aram and I were able to FaceTime home and see my family open their gifts.  It was great to see Morgan open her gifts.  Then Aram got to open his gift from his parents.  Ended up getting sunscreen and a sun shirt since he had gotten such a terrible sunburn the last time we went to the beach.

So we went and saw the movie.  The theater was super cool and old school.  While we were there, it rained.  Thank goodness, so the temperature went down, but it was still pretty humid.  We stopped at the grocery store for some last minute needs and then walked home. Found a random looking trough that looked like it was for horses back in the day and yet it was still there. We all took it pretty easy while sitting outside.

Theater

Looks like its for horses, but in one of the nicest parts of Sydney :/

Sat outside while having a few beers and listened to Christmas music.  Brooks made fish tacos for dinner since that was what the birthday boy wanted for dinner.  They were so good!  I made a cake for his birthday and enjoyed having that later in the evening.

Enjoying a birthday beer

Trying to figure out what Cinny is looking at :P

Fish Tacos

The big 31!!

 Aram and I went to midnight mass and then came home and went to bed.  The next day we woke up and had an amazing breakfast.  We had eggs benedict, coffee cake and mimosas.

yum!!

Breakfast spread

pouring the champagne

getting mimosas ready!

We all ate way too much and then decided to open Christmas gifts.  Only got pictures of Aram and I opening our gift from my parents.  Chex mix, kitty chow, candy corn, money and a necklace; then our wedding anniversary card and Aram's birthday card. Thanks Mom and Dad!!

Cinny relaxing 

Overall we had a good time opening up gifts and laughing.  Everyone took it easy for the rest of the day.  The best part was that it was much cooler!  We were in long sleeve shirts for the day.  Watched some Christmas movies and enjoyed the day.  Brooks made dinner and we enjoyed beef wellington, marinated cauliflower, corn and the Christmas tradition of Christmas crackers.  We laughed over crappy jokes and bad toys.  

it was so good!

Everyone wearing their crowns

Reading some jokes

Cinny even wore a crown

So we were all completely stuffed and miserable, we decided to do a Christmas stroll to the Opera House.  It actually rained a little bit, but the bridge was practically empty which was nice.  We felt much better once we got home and everyone slept great!  Overall it was a great Christmas in Australia, but we missed our family back in the States.  

you can see the fireworks on the pillar for NYE.

xoxo,  Ann & Aram