Summer

Oh I just love summertime!  I love the hot weather and I wish we had a longer summer around here!  Earlier in the season we met some friends up at the Melbourne Zoo for a concert!  I was so much fun and it was beautiful out!  We packed a picnic and went early to see some of the animals.  The rest of the evening we listened to the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, which was a huge band with every instrument ever!  It was really fun to listen to.  During the show we walked over to the lions den and in between the songs they would roar and growl!  We cant decide if they really liked it or really hated it! :)

After a few busy weeks with work (Brian was mostly in Perth) we had some visitors!!  My cousin Shelly and Brians brother Steve!  It was so much fun having them!

 On their visit we first on a road trip to the beautiful Great Ocean Road....

That was the fourth time we've been out there and those views never get old!  We saw lots of koalas and and echinda but no kangaroos...  Darn those wild animals not being out in the open!

When we returned from our trip we relaxed before a full week of activities!
Monday- Having some of the best Melbourne foodies have to offer for an event at the Food and Wine Festival.  Then an afternoon soaking up the sun at the beach!
Tuesday-  Lunch in one of the iconic laneways followed by a trip to the Aquarium, museums and a walk through the city.  A VERY HOT DAY!
Wednesday- A long walk through the city with their wonderful tour guide (ME!) including the Old Melbourne Gaol, Little Italy (pizza) and Chinatown (dumplings) and walks through parks and all the old beautiful buildings.  That night we went to the open air cinema in the Botanical Gardens.  We watched our favorite Aussie flick, Red Dog, while huge bats flew overhead.
Thursday-  A trip to a wildlife sanctuary where we got to see ALL the Australian wildlife!  Right after we went to a few wineries in the gorgeous Yarra Valley.
Friday- In the morning I took them to the Queen Victoria Market to stock up on souvenirs.  Afterwards, Brian and Steve took a drive (in the convertible!) to the Mornington Peninsula where they saw lots of scenery, kangaroos and a micro brewery.  Shelly and I spend the rest of the day shopping and went to a nice dinner.
Saturday- They went home! :(

So much was done in so little time!  We had the best time seeing the sights during the day and visiting and playing games and drinking and grilling in the evenings.  I have a few more pictures from our trip (but I didnt take too many)  Here goes... ENJOY

Be back real soon for more updates! :)