I'm Back!!

I've been on holidays for the last 16 days! Did you miss me? Probably not as I set up some scheduled posts to keep the blog occupied. I had an absolute ball!First, I flew down to Canberra to see my brother and meet his new family, including my new niece, and to catch up with my parents.We went shopping in the huge Canberra Center, where I bought some fun new stuff and presents for friends.We went to the National Zoo and Aquarium, a privately owned zoo, where I got to Meet a Cheetah!If you ever go, it is so worth it!!! She lay there and purred the whole time as the other two stalked around the enclosure. I'll post some of my favourite pictures from the zoo soon!
We went to Parliament House, and because my brother works there, we got special passes which enabled us to go places where normal tourists aren't allowed.Ever seen Julia Gillard's office? I have!We also went to the Canberra Reptile Sanctuary where I bought myself a little present. I'll introduce him in another post. Don't worry, this isn't him!We went to the Royal Australian Mint, and saw where they make money, along with other interesting things.Then we drove out of the ACT and into the blue mountains, all the way to Blackheath, where we picked up several boxes full of owls I had won on eBay (total score!!!) and then drove all the way back down them and up to Morisset where my aunt and uncle live.We were lucky as the next day it snowed and the Western Highway to Blackheath was closed!From there we did some more shopping (who doesn't love shopping?) and visited my Grandmother and other family members. This picture hangs above Gran's fireplace. She drew it using oil pastels, from a picture of the waterfall in the gully beside her house.My Dad and I went to the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby.We spent the whole day there, simply enjoying all the animals. I got to cuddle a few Tawny Frog-mouthspat a Boobook Owl, who was most disgruntled that I would even consider touching his beautiful feathersand when we left, the girls at the front desk allowed Dad and I to hold Tinka the white Dingo puppy!We went and visited my sister, brother-in-law and gorgeous niece Lily in Newcastle. Lily is 14 months old now and is the most gorgeous, most beautiful thing in the world to me! Isn't she a doll?I then flew back home via a few hours stop over in Brisbane.I've got heaps of pictures to share, but they'll have to wait!