Unsung Kinsmen

The other day one of my swimming kids safely slid onto our swimming island and very loudly and proudly, let me know that ”guess what, my baby brother was borned”

She was just beaming with happiness!

Me, matching her glee- “oh my gosh that’s so exciting!! That must feel pretty wonderful for you!”

Her- “yup! Because now I’m a big sister!”

Me- “that is so great! That’s a very important job now, that you’ll have for ever and ever!”

Her- stops wiggling and looks at me with a furrowed brow “No. Because I’m going to grow up and be a grown up”

Me- “nope, I’m grown up and I still need my 2 big sisters”

Her- looks at me like I’m a complete idiot, proceeds to wipe a fresh booger across her face, cough on me, then continue our lesson.

It got me thinking about the important role of older siblings.

Then got me thinking about the unsung important role, of older siblings mates.

I’m the youngest of 3 girls, by a fair chunk. 5 younger than big sister and 4 younger than middle, those 2 were less than 18 months apart, and tight as twins.

As it does, time has erased any age gap, and this pair are my best friends on the planet, but growing it up, it was an issue.

Another issue growing up, big sister, putting it kindly, was a biatch.

Love her to bits, but when we were kids, man she was mean. 

Meeeeaaannn!

Mainly to me.

We had a pretty tricksy childhood, that we all navigated in our own way, but far out, this extra factor made my world harder still.

I did my best to avoid her, but would occasionally get to tag along on outings with the sisters and their friends, who thankfully, never seemed to mind having me along.

I’d be the lacky and take on any task given, just to be included, so over time, I seemed to win their favour.

I was a quiet kid, very much at home in the bush, reading, drawing, studying animals, and my sisters always seemed so outgoing and confident, with the coolest friends. 

I idolized them and if I held my breath just right, and stayed as tiny as possible, they’d tolerate my presence.

It felt amazing (god how sad is it growing up!).

Eventually their friends became the faces I looked for up town or at school, always smiling and saying hello. 

To me!

By name!

Or nick name! What?!?! (There are very few people who I can handle calling me Lainy (outside family) and those are my sisters OG friends) 

They’d be proud of me when I was achieving, and stand up for me when I was down. 

I could overlook big sisters stink eye and find happiness in their hair tussles and smiles.

I loved them, and as the many years went by, they became my friends as well. 

I doubt if any of them knew the difference they were making, the happiness and acceptance they were bringing to my sad little emo heart.

Few occasions forever etched in my brain are crawchy catching trips, (mainly carrying the bucket), horror movie filming (I got to play a ghost), fairy movie filming (I was the prop carrier), being promised a hand in marriage (I’m still mad Mark didn’t wait for me), having treats bought for me at the Gobble n Go, May Day or Town Party, which over time graduated to sneaking me a beer and keeping an eye on me at parties. (They would never stoop to buying me cigarettes however, by this point they were family and had drawn a line).

But hands down the greatest memory I have  is from when I would have been about 7 years old (definitely in year 2 as big sister was year 7). The seniors had the far end of the undercover area, their designated spot. 

They had chairs to sit on and were just the epitome of cool. Like a whole gang of Breakfast Club kids (but in blue check uniforms), and the Queen of them all was VG, big sister’s best friend. 

I had this girl on the highest pedestal you could imagine. 

She was always kind to me, always acknowledged me. Which was just the strangest thing, as she had no reason to. 

She would stop me and read my project posters on sharks and crocodiles, while big sister stood there and rolled her eyes, trying to get her to walk away. 

She always had a crowd around her, and music! So much great music! 

She’d share her music with my sisters and I’d sneak out and listen. Learning to love the bands I still have on repeat today.

Now the senior area that the Tieri State School kids occupied was mostly avoided, and being at the shallow end of the grades, and trying my best to remain invisible to big sister, I’d never dare to venture that way at little or big lunch.

But this day, this wonderful big lunch day, rock music was echoing around the undercover area, pumping out from a boom box, sat in the centre of the cool kids circle, in front of the crossed legs of the beautiful VG.

And you know who she called out to, who she invited in, to sit beside her and listen to this music? 

Little, invisible, me.

I swear this day changed my life.

It gave me a confidence I never had, and just filled my heart with so much happiness (incredibly corny but so true).

I have never again been able to listen to (or sing to) Run to Paradise and not get goosebumps. 

Choir boys and VG, you’re responsible for such a pivotal moment in my life. 

I’ll never forget it. 

Like I said, the years passed by, the age gap became irrelevant as dynamics changed, and now all 3 of us sisters are peas in a pod. I couldn’t do life without them. And there’s never a mean word or stink eye to be found.

And VG has never left our circle.

She took me and middle sister on my first ever plane trip at 15, to my first ever concert, Pearl Jam! (Awesome first gig right?)

And just a few days ago, nearly 30 years later, we all sat together again, watching Pearl Jam from the stands, singing and smiling and shaking our heads at a friendship bond stemmed from sisters, and music all those years ago. 

Well at least I did (the head shake part, everyone was definitely singing and smiling, while Middle sister was talking).

It was one of those “breathe and take a mental picture” moments for me, as I just still feel so lucky. 

There are so many of my sister’s friends that I love dearly, and owe so much too. And I hope they know that.

Never underestimate the power of an older siblings mates, or if you are one, never underestimate the effect you have on your mates little siblings! 

These relationships can be an absolute game changer, especially when life is chaos at home. 

So, to my snotty little swimming girl, the job of being a big sister never stops when you grow up, no matter how bad you might want it to sometimes. 

Just be sure to make some really great friends, as your little brother is going to need them someday! 

Bush Poet Smoko

A few short years ago now

We came to this bush poet smoko

Mixing it up on the trip this time

Bringing the kids in tow

We had my nieces and nephew

And a ring in, we’ll call Charlie

Who jumped in, in such a hurry

She turned up totally shoe free

Now to say these kids were excited 

Would be a total lie

A day without their iPads

Is like cutting air supply

But come they did, begrudgingly 

And to their own surprise 

They had a good time with some giggles 

And me, I’ll never forget their eyes

Sitting snacking on their scones

Half listening, half daydreaming 

A poet mentioned boobs and bras

And Inside, I was screaming

The kids, their eyes bulged open

Their cheeks, they blushed bright red

As poet after poet took the stage

speaking lewd words they read

I couldn’t take my eyes off them

As jaws open, they stared at each other

It was all I could do to keep my cool

I definitely couldn’t look at their mother

These weren’t the poems they expected 

From genteel men and ladies

Curses and suggestive words 

Better suited to high vis tradies

These poets continued straight faced

Clearly practised in theatres and halls

While our kids, they tried not to choke

As yet another poet, said balls

The post poet lunch at the hotel next door

Was more than beers and crumbed beef

It was full of laughs and reenactments

These kids needed a debrief

The day wasn’t what they expected

And wouldn’t you just know it 

They learnt to never underestimate 

A septuagenarian poet

Man, they just could not get over

That these ladies with grey hair and spectacles 

Could speak so freely of bingo brawls

Of breasts and old men’s testicles

Barefoot Charlie, the nieces and nephew

Won’t forget that day in a rush

And if you check their little cheeks closely

You can still see signs of a blush

Nebo Bush Poets Smoko

A great place to stop on vacation

Just don’t expect to leave straight faced

Or without a cheeky education!

20 years wed!

This picture was taken on our way to my High School graduation, back in 1998.

We’d been “going out” for about 3 months at this point, and far out, unbeknownst to us, 3 months from this pic, our worlds were about to be flipped upside down.

I asked Dan the other day if he remembered how he felt, finding out we were going to be parents.

He can’t really remember.

“Shocked maybe?”

And that’s very him.

He doesn’t dwell, just gets on with things.

Black and white.

Practical, stoic. To a fault.

Which is weird because you have never seen a man rage over the smallest inconvenience like him.

The girls and I refer to him as the “Dream Crusher”, thanks to animated film Good Dinosaur.

“This is Dream Crusher, he protects me from having unrealistic goals”.

That’s Dan. I cannot name a single venture or proverbial limb I’ve climbed that he hasn’t strongly advised me against. I mostly climb regardless, but you see what I mean.

He’s the anchor. The roots.

While I, am the wiggly man, wildly flailing in the wind.

Securely anchored at the base, to Dan.

From the moment he told me he loved me, I know he’s never wavered.

For 26 years he’s continued to unconditionally hold tight to that.

I’m sure there’s times he hasn’t liked me very much, and I’ve undoubtedly made him sad and angry, but he’s always stayed steady on the love front.

We’ve discussed it before and he said he’s never hated me, not ever.

Me on the other hand. In my wiggly man way, my love has veered and risen and dropped and crashed and soared and churned like the waves in the ocean.

I love, and hate, in equal measure.

I feel every single emotion deeply, and sometimes painfully.

There’s no black and white for me, I see all the colours, sometimes in 3D.

I’ve lay in bed at night and cuddled into Dan with so much love that I could just crawl inside his skin and squish his bones.

I’ve also felt my pulse pound in my neck while my chest tightened and my jaw clenched, as hateful fury raged inside me.

I feel all of it.

All of it.

And this has been troublesome over the years, as most married people will tell you, marriage is hard work.

We were 17 & 19 respectively, when we got 2 blue lines.

A high school graduate, and a third year apprentice.

This was not part of the plan.

Of all the things I dreamed of for my future, being someone’s wife was definitely not one of them.

And I’m sure Dan had zero plans on settling down so early.

Thankfully G1 was a dream! And G2 & G3 to follow, also amazing babies & children.

I’m 100% not recommending teen pregnancy, but hands down the hardest part of the transition at the time was becoming someone’s wife (even though that didn’t happen for quite a few years down the track).

I just really struggled, and still struggle, understanding how blokes think.

My sisters agree.

In the past my mum has said she blames herself, for not giving us brothers.

But men are just hard work.

I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent internally screaming“what the *insert swear*”, staring at Dan while my eye twitched.

“Where is your self control, where is your empathy, where is your cognitive thinking, what were you thinking, do you think of me at all?”

But he told me loved me, 26 years ago, so he’s covered.

It’s been a mission.

We’re definitely not a perfect match, Dan & I, but today, we’re 20 years married, so we must be doing ok.

Marriage isn’t easy, it’s chock full of compromise and forgiveness, tolerance and grace, love and understanding.

And sooo many forehead wrinkles.

It’s a lot like parenting actually.

And we learned how to do both at once.

As teenagers.

We raised each other, and a baby!

I think that’s pretty cool.

It’s been a rollercoaster 26 years, so marking our 20th wedding anniversary today, I think I can safely look at us with a lot of pride.

The high school graduate is now a proud community volunteer, Radio presenter, journo, swimming instructor & councillor!

The 3rd year apprentice is coming up to 20 years open cut, occasional community volunteer, and owner of a successful small business.

Together we have raised 3 amazing young women, who are happy and successful in their careers and lives, and still like to hang out with us!

How cool is that?

When I think back, I can easily tell you how I felt when I found out I was going to have a baby.

Winded.

Like my whole life, my options, my choices, my path, was gone.

I am tearing up thinking of that girl.

She was pretty sad.

If I could travel back in time, I would take that girl in my arms and tell her that years from now, she would revel in the strength that she mustered.

That she and Dan would forge an amazing life together, full of love and adventure. He’d still piss her off, on levels she didn’t even know existed, but she’d still love him.

I’d let her know she’s not going to age gracefully, but every line on her face would have a story to tell of the beautiful madness that was to come!

I wouldn’t spoil the plot and tell her she’d have all daughters! Just like her Mum!

I’d leave that a wonderful surprise!

But I’d let her know that Dan was still solid as a rock in love, waaaay less angry & explosive, and that in 2024, she was content and happy, ready to celebrate 20 years wed.

Here’s to 20 years more!

Star Tour- Day 42

Well it’s all over red rover.

1 more flight from Brissy to Mackay, then we’re back on the Peak Downs Highway driving home to Moranbah!

We got up early to get to Vancouver airport as G2 was catching an earlier flight than us to LAX (due to not knowing where she was going to be when we booked, or that she was going to be in love)!

I am always grateful for an early arrival however and it really didn’t feel like the wait was too long! I’m grateful we got to go for a sunrise walk along the beach before we left, but sad that once again the Orca remained out of site.

Getting from our “off gate” to our boarding gate at LAX was ridiculous! It was a half hour walk, however with Grandma in pain from her neck, and a fresh killer toothache, it was a tad longer. In hindsight we definitely should have got a cart!

We had time for an early New Years drink at an airport bar before vowing to stay up until midnight, which we absolutely did not.

The plane was pretty empty so we were able to spread out, with Grandma, G2, G3, N1 & NW1 all getting 2 seats to themselves!

We rolled into Brisbane very early, in pouring rain. And straight up heat!

Ah Qld.

G2 was met at the doors by BF2, with a big bunch of flowers and a homemade welcome home sign! My girls choose good eggs!

They’ve headed off now to spend some time together, G2 no doubt relieved to be a party of 2 instead of 13!

The rest of us sit at our gate now, waiting for our last leg.

It’s been an absolute blast!

Some are keen to get home, some of us not so much. The world is big and the opportunities are endless.

Hopefully some travel seeds have been planted!

A few things I’d happily pass on to anyone looking to do a similar trip, get yourself an eSIM before you head off, we got Kings and despite some initial user error, it’s been faultless with great communication.

Have plenty of photo room on your phone!

“Take my picture with it” is still ringing in my ears, followed closely by “now a single”!

Kids love photos!

Big kids, not so much.

The Go city passes are gold if you’re a go getter, you can seriously jam so much in! And the app is great!

If you’re getting cars, get an esky. They more than pay for themselves when you can make your own breakfast, lunch and or tea!

Only trust the Yellow cabs in NY (and Ubers) the others are pretty sneaky and costly!

Don’t let a cities reputation ruin your visit!

I’m a worrier, so always carry our passports, and seriously once we leave CQ I never carry my phone in my back pocket. It’s no different overseas, just don’t be complacent and you’ll be fine. I never once felt unsafe in any of the cities we went to. Overwhelmed by crowds occasionally, but never scared.

You get the lay of the land quite quickly!

If you’re travelling in a big group, travel with people you love!

There were tough moments for sure, but 98% of the time, everything was smick!

Thankfully no one made good on their wishes to fly home early, runaway, jump off a building/bridge, murder anyone as they slept/snored/sleep talked/whispered.

And though everyone is keen for a bit of alone time, I’m stoked we could do this together.

A quick recap of everyone’s favourite part of our epic 6 week adventure;

G1- Snowboarding in the Canadian ski country!

G2- kayaking with the Manatees in Florida!

G3- hanging out with T1 & T2 in Canada!

N1- Skiing at Sunshine Village Canada!

N2- Meeting T1 &T2 in Truckee!

N3- all the rides in CaliforniaLand, LA!

NW1- all the rides in Disneyland, LA!

Middle sister- visiting the 911 memorial in New York!

Dan- Nashville.

BIL1- Nashville.

BF1- Nashville.

Typical Dads answer.

Me- the gorgeous mountains in Canada. Grandma- hanging out together in the Truckee house.

I think we can all collectively agree that being with Big Sister, BIL2 and the twins was a standout! You just can’t beat that feeling!

Close second is that moment of utter relief once you get your bags checked and get through security!

Bliss!

Until next time ya’ll, Star Tour, signing out!

Canadian goose with Vancouver laughing statues!

BF2 picking up G2!

Waiting on a very rainy morning!

Star Tour- Day 41

Extra early start this morning as we bid farewell to Banff, and climbed on the bus for Calgary airport.

We sadly bid goodbye to our beautiful DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) aka G1 and BF1, as they left us and headed back to Nashville for a fantastic looking New Years Eve Country Music event, and some time without the crew!

They won’t know themselves going to bars and restaurants without worrying about pleasing anyone but them, or hearing “we are a collective” over and over again.

We miss them already.

We flew into Vancouver in the rain, thankfully a good few degrees warmer than what we’ve been in the last week.

And, I almost forgot to mention, we were definitely on the plane with a band. More than likely famous! But we don’t know who they were. They 100% looked rock star, old school black jacket with earrings-rock star! definitely getting on a bit but still had that rocker look about them! Carrying instruments! And the one who sat next to G2 (far away from us and our prying), was quite snobbish and rude to the hostess. Definite rock star behaviour!

Middle sister snapped a few pics just in case they turn out to be someone cool, but none of our were brave enough to ask, so I guess we’ll never know!

Once settled in our rooms, we braved the rain and headed to the beach, fingers crossed for Orca but none to be seen. It was beautiful regardless and we did see a couple of very cool gigantic seagulls (one that caught and ate a crab) and some super dooper cool black squirrels!

Today is our beautiful N2’s birthday, so we had a special birthday dinner at a great Indian restaurant, for some of the best Indian food we’ve ever had!

4 birthdays for this crew while we were away! They love December!

An extra birthday treat was a visit to the stunning Capilano Suspension bridge!

One star;

“Nude Sun-tanners below and Gross Ice Cream”

⭐️

“This is a cash grab tourist attraction. Nothing spectacular about it besides a bridge thats commonly seen elsewhere around the world.

The Ice Cream stand staff were not hospitable towards tourists, i saw them asking questions and the girls were very rude towards them, no hi, no thank you, just a grunt and an annoyed response. Stay classy Vancouver, also couple of nude sun bathers when you look down from the wrap around bridge.”

It was cold and rainy so I can’t speak for the ice cream, also it was night time so any nude bathers would have been safe from starers!

But the bridge was super cool!

I’m sure it’s amazing in the daylight, but our visit had to be at night, and I’m pretty glad it was!

The lights were incredible! And like I said the bridge is crazy cool! So long, and very wiggly! Dan and BIL1 stayed home, probably a good thing as it is not for the faint of heart!

There are also a bunch of smaller bridges up in the trees! I felt like an Ewok! It was AMAZING!

A truly magical way to end our holiday, and celebrate our wonderful N2!

Sipping hot chocolate in the rain, surrounded by sky high trees covered in fairy lights with sculptures and light displays hanging from branches and over paths!

It was awesome.

Stairs and all!

We’ll have to come back someday and see it in the daylight!

Star Tour- Day 40

We all got an honest to gods sleep in today!

Crazy right?

Nothing insane, but hey, we’ll take what we can get.

It was then off to breakfast in G1’s room again, beginning our last day all together.

T1 & T2 had us all entertained, performing and carrying on, as we all vied for their attention.

Lucky they are great sharers!

We all got lots of cuddles and play time, and they can both say a pretty great rendition of each of our names, G1 and N1 getting the clearest!

We took some group shots in our matching trip jumpers, and some more in our Frozen Aussies T-shirts, before beginning the inevitable goodbyes.

Big Sister, BIL2 and the babies fly out very, very early tomorrow so headed closer to the airport for tonight.

Hearts broke again, as we lined up for tearful cuddles and so many “I love you’s”.

We drag our goodbyes out in this family and today’s goodbye no exception.

So this cycle repeated a few times.

Each as sad as the last.

It really is painful.

We’re missing them already, and hoping against hope that it’s not left too long before we can all be together again.

Big sister waved her tissue out the window as they drove away, just like our grandma used to do with her hankie when we were little, something to leave a smile on our faces while our hearts are so heavy.

We dragged our sad selves on the next shuttle into Banff and meandered along the main street, sad facing at every baby we seen.

Smothering our emotions with food we found the Beaver Tails shop and indulged in this Canadian delicacy as the sun sank, strolling along, looking at the Christmas displays in the windows and the sparkling Christmas lights in the street.

This place is next level beautiful.

We had dinner in town at Chillies, and toasted to the last night our Aussie crew are all together.

One star;

“Horrible”

⭐️

“Warm welcome my as*. Especially the supervisors or managers. So arrogant that it make me want to throw up the food I ate. I would not treat a stray dog like the way they treat people. Disappointed.”

We had a great meal, staff were super friendly, and it is a very cool spot, so no complaints here.

Except for the stairs, why do ski resorts always have So. Many. Stairs?

It’s definitely the waiting/lining up/stairs holiday.

Our shuttle driver made a trip in to grab us for the last time, and we all headed back to rearrange our bags for the next step in our journey.

It was a heavy day today, but I’m extra thankful to have such an amazing family.

Star Tour- Day 39

Super cruisy day today as we all slept in, then went for massages and sipped champagne with cigars.

Naaaaat.

You knew that was rubbish.

We were up before the sun, in time to catch a shuttle from our resort to Lake Louise to test their ski runs! The last of the Big 3!

One star

⭐️

“I’ve skied at Lake Louise three seasons in a row now and the theme is always the same. Nice views and fun terrain but it’s sooo cold and where’s the snow?”

Ah yes, the ski resorts are also responsible for controlling the weather over here!

Well we must have lucked out again!!

We left this mountain till last as it is the furthest away, and thankfully, the shuttle runs straight from our place, so no hopping on and off and on again in town!

It was pretty busy, and definitely cold, but nowhere near as many people as Sunshine, and boy was it beautiful!!

I know yesterday was gorgeous but today was another level again!

Ski mountains?! Are there any that aren’t spectacular?

The runs were lovely compared to yesterday, no walking/clambering necessary!

They were long, which is hard when your 40+ with arthritic joints, but definitely not difficult or exhausting!

They were incredibly beautiful, meandering through pine trees and not jammed with people, it was a really great ski day!

We had a few runs together before BIL1 bailed, N3 went with Dan, G1 & BF1 (they hit a big blue run), N1 went off on her own, leaving myself, Middle sister, G2, G3, N2 & NW1. We stuck with greens, not at all easy, but not like the Sunshine greens!

We had some great runs, the kids picking up confidence with ever lap, and once Middle sister and I had enough, N2 & NW1 went back up with G2 & G3!

I love that!

I wish I were younger. It’s hard being at the point when your brain wants to push on but your body is like, nope. Not today.

Regardless we got some great skiing in and had snow and sunshine all in the one day! That’s a win!

Grandma stayed home with Big Sister, BIL2 watched the twins while they went into town to explore the Castle, which sounds awesome, and has some great haunted history!

We were sure to head home daylight to spare so we could chill out with the babies all afternoon, singing and playing, before ordering in pizzas and having an interesting game of charades!

Once again tucked into bed, knees aching and hearts full.

Trying to jam the most into every day is hard work, and I’m anxiously aware that our holiday is winding up.

The sadness is creeping in like the cold.

I wish the world was smaller.

Star Tour- Day 38

I know it’s probably ridiculously reading every post “an early start this morning”, but that’s just how this holiday rolls!

“Double shiftssss, no breakssss”- Hexxus, Fern Gully. 1992.

So, an early start again this morning as boarded the shuttle for Sunshine Village.

One star

⭐️

“One of my least favorite mountain resort I’ve been to. The lifts were organized horribly, when you are at the village you have to hike up most places to even get to the lift. Horrible mountain, do not recommend”

I definitely would recommend, but more on this later!!

G1, G2, G3 and BF1 hit the town hard last night. With G2 & G3 letting me when they got home that they might join us skiing but, “maybe around mid day”.

I knew we wouldn’t be seeing them today, and left them a little care package of Advil and Tylenol.

G3 and BF1 rallied and to my utter surprise were at the shuttle by 8.40, ready to roll, nursing their hangovers like seasoned champs.

Grandma sat today out with a sore neck, so BIL2 jumped in, in her place.

Big sister and the babies spent the day at the resort with the wounded and hungover, and off we went as a group of 11!

The crowd getting on the bus from town to the mountain should have tipped us off to the day ahead, but we were blissfully unaware at this stage, patiently waiting for a second bus as the coach headed up first was filled to the brim.

It’s a longer drive than Norquoy, and with 3 mountains, endless runs of all colours, mixed with a beautiful clear day, we knew it would be popular, but Holey heck!

There were thousands of people! THOUSANDS!

It was crazy busy, and we’d clearly been lulled into a false sense of security with our home base Norquoy, as the easy green runs at Sunshine, were nothing of the sort!

Today was hard work!

Exhausting!!

Like the one star person said, there are LOTS of walking areas, which is hard core in skis and/or snowboards, but it is spectacularly beautiful! Just hard yakka!

We did some greens, a blue, another blue, and were buggered! The kids were doing so great considering it was all new terrain and definitely a lot more challenging!

There were stacks galore and at one point Dan thought for sure he’d broken a rib (we’re quite sure it’s just cartilage damage, matching Middle sister and I with our annihilated knees, my god I’m sore).

We regrouped after a beer and decided to do 1 last run together before heading for the shuttle home. A green, up to a short blue, into an easy green, and done.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Difficult difficult lemon difficult.

Oh my gosh!

We definitely did it for the view, and it was spectacular, but my gosh!

We bit off far more than we could chew.

BIL1 bailed at the first green, smartly making his was back to the gondola to wait.

The rest of us boarded the chair lift, up, up, up.

We passed into British Colombia, back into Alberta, that’s how far we went.

We knew the consequences of the decision we’d made, by the terrain under us as we headed up the mountain.

But it was too late.

Standing at the top was quite intimidating.

Down we went.

The kids did amazing!

There were only a few falls between them, and though it took N2 a while to shimmy down, she did it! And we’re so proud! We’re proud of them all!

This was a tough blue, and we were all relieved to see the green signs, and once again headed off separately (It’s impossible to stay together) to meet at the bottom.

Things got crazy!

I don’t know where the green stopped and merged again into blue but it was hectic!

So many skiers and snowboarders and dips and hills and powder and ice and rocks!

It was bonkers!

I ended up with NW1 and he did so great! Just staying on his edges and pizza-ing his way down, cool as cucumber!

At dinner, Middle Sister was telling me he’d let her know he’d was singing “Holey Moley” to himself over and over all the way down.

He’s a funny lad!

We managed to survive and the mountain spat us out back at the gondola, to the smiling faces of BIL1 patiently waiting, and Dan, N3 & G1 who’d zoomed ahead.

BIL2 decided to stay and hit a few more runs, BF1 took a wrong turn and ended up halfway down the mountain, catching the mid gondola and meeting us at the bottom, Middle sister and N2 took an easier path and slid in not long after NW1 and 1, and N1 came tearing down a black run that she had inadvertently taken! Shaking like a leaf but unscathed!

It was a chaotic day to say the least!

We headed home, making it in time for our shuttle home but once again finding it full, so back to our favourite barman at our shuttle stop for some well earned refreshments while we waited.

We headed straight to see Big sister and the babies and check in on Grandma, who very stiffly assures us that her neck is feeling much better and she’s fine!

We looked after the twins while Big sister went and picked up BIL2 from town, engaging in a fantastic singing and dancing afternoon filled with the Wiggles, old school Bindi and the Croc Men, John Williamson and David Bowie/The Goblin King!

They are the cutest little dancers and just love being the center of all of our attention!

All 17 of us hit our resort restaurant for dinner again this evening, before returning to our rooms, very short on cartilage, but full of joy!

Star Tour- Day 37

Canada turned on another gorgeous day for us as we headed back up to Norquay!

We had a great breakfast in G1 and BF1’s room, BF1 is incredibly accommodating and patient with all our madness! The. Headed off for the day.

Grandma stayed behind with Big Sister, BIL2 and the babies, and headed to Lake Louise to sight see, and the rest of us gathered up our ski gear and hit the slopes.

Norquay one star

⭐️

“Horrible staff not safe not proper instructions to get on the chairlift a very big chance of falling off if you don’t close it but the place is good”

Good lord, if you don’t know to close the bar on a ski lift, skiing is definitely not for you sir! The staff are all cruisy as heck, but friendly as and definitely know their stuff!

Anyway, N1, N2, N3 & NW1 all had the last of their lessons today, where they were assured they’d hit the lifts!

We arrived a few hours early!

To have a play before that.

Middle sister & BIL1 took them up the magic carpet a few times while the rest of us had a few runs, then we all converged together to take them up the lift and down the run for the first time!

I’ve never laughed so hard in all my life.

Middle sister took NW1, G2 took N2, G3 and I took N3 and N1 went up with BIL1 and Dan. It was both their first time.

Everyone loaded and unloaded like clockwork!

Getting down was another story.

It all happened so fast I couldn’t even tell you how.

Despite numerous instructions and recaps, it was an absolute free for all as N2, closely followed by N3, went over the beginning edge, and were gone, screaming top note, in perfect pizza stance, headed directly down the run.

Like bullets.

Screaming bullets.

There was absolutely nothing any of us could do.

I took off after them, definitely panicking a little as I lost sight.

Behind me was chaos as BIL1 & N1 were eating snow and Middle sister was directing NW1, and Dan, G2 and G3 were laughing hysterically.

By the time I got to the bottom, both N2 & N3 had, by the grace of the gods came to a stop and were edging their way back to flat ground. How they didn’t fall is well beyond me! They were definitely in the hands of the mountain gods!

N2 was terribly upset, she thought she was going to die, and N3 was stunned as, and I quote, “I was going so fast I forgot how to turn”!

I had to take my ski goggles off as they were filling with tears from laughter.

N2 later admitted that on her way down that first run, she did say “shit”. I’m surprised she didn’t scream it!

N1 came down eventually, covered in snow from stacks, and middle sister drifted down beautifully with NW1 perfectly mimicking her!

BIL1 snow plowed his way to the bottom, and everyone bravely agreed to give it another shot before the kids lessons started!

So back up we went!

Same arrangement, and once again, despite so much reminding and coaching, over N2 went, screaming down the run following the exact path as before! BIL1 had fallen by now, so could offer no help as she screamed “DAAAAAAAAAD” on her way past, and once again my crew were laughing too hard to help, and super trooper Middle sister had NW1 (N3 was safely with G3), so I headed down again after N2, panicking yet again that she was in the trees, only to find her safely at the bottom, shaken and upset, but safe and fall free!

How?!

We headed back to the lodge for a break and a recap, then the kids headed off for their lesson (Middle sister accompanying them to help out), and the rest of us headed up to the bar for a few beers and a snack, before getting back into it!

We found the kids after a few runs, and learned that N2 had replicated her initial runs another 2 times. To everyone’s disbelief.

It is a very tricky start to a green run!

BIL1 had a rough run down and decided to call it a day, and Middle sister was given a reprieve and allowed to head out for a few runs on her own while the instructor finished the kids lesson.

We found her just as this happened, so thankfully we were together for the rest of the day!

Dan, BIL1, G1, G2, G3 and BF1 all headed off the mountain early, so it was just Middle sister and I on the runs until we headed back to the kids at the end of the day.

By this time N2 and NW1 had bailed, we’d seen them from the chairlift before this though, and they were doing so great! Definitely improving bit by bit! N1 had the best day she’s ever had! That’s definitely a win!

We headed up for one last run before meeting all the kids back at the lodge. We very gratefully changed out of our ski boots into our regular boots, the kids had chocolate, we had beers and waited for the shuttle.

Back into town we went, dropped off to wait for our next shuttle, which took forever, however the moon was spectacular and the barman at the pick up point was super friendly.

Big sister, BIL2, the babies and grandma met us at our hotel restaurant for dinner, while G1, G2, G3 and BF1 headed into town to check out the local night life.

Dinner was fantastic, the twins are hilarious, we’re all proper shattered, and our cheeks are sore from smiling!

Today was a great day!

The kids in their lesson! Murray having just scorpioned!

The moon!!!

Star Tour- Day 36

Merry Christmas!!!

Huge day again today, starting before the sun as usual!

We were up early in anticipation of Christmas, mirrored by everyone the world over!

We are staying in cabin/rooms out in the open, apart from each other, which in any other circumstance would be easy peasy lemon squeezy, but here it is FREEZING and there’s ice and stairs! So it’s difficult difficult lemon difficult!

It’s not that bad of course, just embellishing for dramatic effect!

Room by room, we headed over to G1’s (the least occupied) for Christmas morning!

G2,G3 Dan and I were the first ones there, with Grandma the only one awake! We went out and snapped off a pine tree branch for our Christmas Tree and patiently waited for the rest of the crew to arrive!

The present table filled remarkably quick for a group that had only brought gifts for 1 person each, as everyone had also brought gifts for the babies!

It was a T1 & T2 Christmas! As we’d all been looking forward to!

And boy they stole the show! Watching babies open gifts is one of the happiest Christmas moments you can get! And watching them love them?! Next level!!!

Not to mention watching everyone you love, watch them! Oh it’s crazy! So much happiness in one room!

After presents the Dads headed to the kitchenette to whip up a pretty great improvised Christmas breakfast. It was ham and cheese toasties, and bagels all round, with a jar of pickled onions for an Aussie touch!

The Mums headed over to the laundry to catch up on weeks of washing, before we all grabbed cabs into town for lunch!

We never expected town to be quite as busy as it was! Apparently all the locals come into Banff for Christmas, causing mass traffic, and major delays to everywhere!

Our destination was the Banff Gondola, and after a very touch and go trip for our 3 cabs and Big Sister’s hire car, we managed to make it on the gondola, and up to the Northern Lights Bistro in time for our lunch booking!

One star for the ride up

⭐️

“A complete rip off! Walk up and down the mountain everyone until they get the clue.”

You could not pay me enough to walk up and down that mountain! The gondola ride is very reasonable and beautiful!

And first the restaurant

⭐️

“Amazing views but very mediocre food.”

It was an amazing buffet lunch! And even if you hated everything on offer, from the soup to the pizza, to the waffles and the brisket, one look out the windows and you were brought back to the reality of where you were.

A bazillion miles up, on a ridiculously beautiful mountain range, in the snow, on Christmas Day, with some of the best people the gods ever created!

It was gorgeous.

It was an icy wait to get back down as the day was winding up, and the temps were dropping. But a super cool trip! That gondola is very quick, and crazy, crazy high!

This was followed by another wait and a long drive back to town on a crazy crowded bus!

The alphabet game got us through, and thankfully BIL2 was waiting to ferry us back to our rooms! Few in the back, few in the boot!

We met back up again at the games room of the hotel. The kids swam in the heated pool, and we continued to wash and dry, and once everyone was back in the same room, we barricaded off each entrance (so that the babies couldn’t run away) and got down to our Gran presents!

This is always great fun, and the highlight of our Murray Christmases!

There were some truly great gifts this year, N3’s Dorito brand eye shadow kit won gift of the day! Though G3’s Lady Liberty crown came in close second!

The twins had us all ringside once again, impressing us with their name renditions (G1 is a favourite to repeat) and their famous yoga moves! They’ve both managed to nail jumping which is awesome and their dancing is seriously the cutest thing you’ve ever seen!

Big sister and BIL2 surprised us all with some fantastic T-Shirts to commemorate our trip, so now we need to ensure a photo op with our trip jumpers and shirts, before we leave!

We had a few trivia rounds and took Big Sister and BIL2 through our trip so far, whilst playing with our babies, laughing, dancing and finishing up our washing.

The Dads ended up jumping in the pool, confirming what the kids said, that the outside hot tub is far hotter than the inside !

And speaking of hot.

I got my crew a pair of hot socks each, online before we left. The only ones who have tried them yet are Dan and G3.

Dan tried his in Vegas as he was feeling cold, and whined for days as he swore his feet were “burnt off”.

G3 wore hers today out of desperation.

1 .as it’s bloody cold, and 2. As she had no clean socks.

Dan warned her repeatedly.

She didn’t listen.

One star for these socks

⭐️

“They don’t heat up and are thin. Waste of money.”

On the contrary.

These socks are hard core.

Poor G3’s feet are super red and hot to the touch!

A shower and a bunch of moisturiser and hopefully she’s right!

But G2 and I are definitely not wearing our pairs!

Two out of 4 with burnt feet? We’ll stick to our regular warm socks thank you!

Snug in bed now, with that stupidly warm, loving feeling that comes from watching your family smile all day, and pinching yourself thinking about how fortunate you are to be where you are, and to belong to the crew your with.

I can only image how mum feels!

Pure happiness I guess.

I really do love these guys!

It’s been a great Christmas!