Mirabella bear

For those in Australia missing Bella this is a special post just for you.  These photos capture some of the moments over the last week or so.  From our casual visits to the local playground to Bella and Nick's awesome day exploring Philadelphia where we made a new playdate friend!

Bella the 3 year old is into climbing more and more... Monkey bars are the new favourite at the playground, that and climbing on everything in sight.  More than ever we are still getting our regular check ups from Doc Mira; the usual treatment is to send us all to sleep.... 

Another thing Bella has been exploring lately is the fact that she is made from a bit of Mummy and a bit of Daddy... 

"Daddy you made my hands white"

But one thing is for sure she still loves sleeping and her daily naps.

Mike and Wendy are here: Número dos

So after Wendy and Mike were a little more settled into the USA swing of things (particularly with the crazy driving) the five of us headed further North to explore New England.  First stop Connecticut and Massachusetts; home of some impressive universities, awesomely wooded areas and amazing beaches.

Bella loved the opportunity sleep in the same room and "Mummydaddy"

And we managed to get in some of Beach time:

Building a sand castle in adverse condition:

Anti-wave yoga stance:



Given up on the castle

Lobster rolls and clam chowder were some of the highlights for sure and great to see amazing local cuisine.

From the beaches and coastal areas of Maine we ventured West to the Mountains of New Hampshire, Vermont and Northern New York where we stayed in various inspiring locations.  One was a Swiss style challet with an impressive waffle iron for the continental breakfast! 

And don't you love New Hampshire's licence place phrase:

Those mountains were beautiful!

Cable car ride of a lifetime!

Mike's awesome parking job!

Bells enjoying the rain:

It has been amazing to have Wendy and Mike sharing a great adventure with us.  Much love to them as get back into life back in Melbourne!

Wendy & Mike are here: Part 1

With Wendy and Mike (Mimi and Gaga) being in America for the first time it has been amazing to share life over here with them.  We've had Mirabella's 3rd Birthday, time at the beach, sky diving, exploring Philadelphia, the "Please touch" museum and just had a nine day road-trip adventure North through seven states:
New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Pennsylvania.

Anyway it is awesome having Wendy and Mike and here are some of the highlights to date:

Bella wanted to much to swim for her birthday but running in the water and racing the waves out again tired the poor girl out.... Birthday nap on the beach with friends for Bella.

Yay we have arrived at the carnival: Bella and Abigail

Bella bear on her birthday ride

As we worked out who would be escorting Bella on her helicoper ride it because clear that "I'm three, I'm a big girl and so I'm going on the helicopter all by my self!"

She likes to be in control!

Mirabella's Birthday Dinner
"Bella what would you like for your birthday dinner?"
"Fish and rice mummy, I want mummy fish with rice"
We must be doing something right...

 Presents!!!  Bella screeched with delight when she opened her new doll house and a new baby doll that gets sick so she can act as doctor to and give it medicine.  Bella loves playing doctor role play games at the moment.... All of us have spent hours being patients & doctors; being told to take medicine, go to sleep or let your reflexes be tested.

The day after Bella's birthday was pretty much a continuation of it with the "Please Touch" Museum in Philadelphia.  A collection of exhibits designed to inspire kids and play.

The baby hospital was a real favorite of Bella's

Watch out this person just may be serving you at your nearest supermarket!

N&L Sky Diving

There have been so much happening so I feel like the blog has a bit of catching up!

So after wanting to skydive forever Lily and Nick got their chance!  So with Lily free and Wendy and Mike able to look after Bella we had no excuses! Nick thought it was appropriate that Lily have a Australian instructor and Nick have an American instructor. After signer our lives away we had a quick 15 minute training of what we needed to do…. How to exit the plane and what position to take up once we are flying through the air at 220 km/hr – amazingly you don’t get the aeroplane turbulence feeling in your stomach that you do when in a rollercoaster!Lily was super brave exiting the plane while Nick looked a little serious (trying to remember what we were instructed to do while dealing with the intense stimulus overload!). Check out the photos!

Bella not happy about "Mummydaddy" getting on an aeroplane without her

Mimi looking after Mira

On the long the way up

Calm exit

Fast way down.... Wow Jersey looks pretty from here

Soft touchdown!