Snow has fallen in Wisconsin and Christmas season is upon us all.  Ours has been sun filled and quite the success thus far.  Jax has been doing Elf on the Shelf still for us and Ralph has been a bit naughty; some even too naughty for pictures. 😉  This week has been busy for me with work.  We have a doctor on extended leave, so it is even more patients for our other doctors to take care of.  Brandon is in-between projects for companies, so he is more free to take care of things on the home front.  Christmas decor is up everywhere and they are selling trees and poinsettias at the grocery store.  Jax has decorated some in our apartment which helps bring in the festive mood.

Saturday, we went to two apartment showings.  The second one we really liked and finally was not dinghy, yet allowed pets.  It is a cool 1970s building set on a block of 1880s historic buildings.  Lots of character curb appeal, then the inside is modern, light, and clean.  We applied for it Saturday and found out today we were approved! 🙂  More on that later.  After we visited the cool place in Annandale, we took a walk down the street into the main street area to check out the cafes, restaurants, and grocery store options if we would move there.  It seems like a cool area.  Close to the Lightrail to get into the city, only 2 buses to my work (30-45 min), very close to Balmain and Glebe.  Annandale is way less populated and busy than the Neutral Bay area, meaning less options for food and pubs, and further to go for our bank, but closer to my work is the goal.  We are excited to explore a new area.

We got back to the house and there was a Christmas Luau going on.  Jax and Heidi had friends over for food, drinks, an music.  It was great fun.  We even found a couple spider friends.  The next day was church, a talk to my parents, then I was off to a picnic and stand up paddle boarding meet up with the Sydney Ladies Group at Balmoral Beach.  Everyone brought food and then we got to paddle board for an hour.  I had never been to a Sydney Ladies Group event before and it was so fun.  People came from all over the city,are from all backgrounds, just to socialize and do something fun.  It was my first time stand up paddle boarding.  They guy from the rental place gave a 2 second demo that was not very helpful.  Thankfully, one of the other girls had done it before and gave us more helpful advice.  I was standing up pretty much right away after getting my balance.  I was surprised and happy that I took to it. 🙂 We went up and down the beach and then, once braver, went between the moored boats.  The wind picked up as we went on, so it got a little wavy.  Paddle boarding was like surfing, water skiing, and kayaking all in one.  Very cool.  I did fall off once and anytime I was a bit tippy, I would just fall to my knees.  I am sad that I did’t get any pictures of us doing it, but I didn’t know how much I would fall in and hesitated to bring my camera.

Sunday night was relaxing.  Monday we heard we got the place in Annandale and so are making plans.  Coordinating packing up, cleaning the new place, hiring a van to move all our stuff, getting internet, power, furniture, appliances etc.  Friday is Brandon’s Birthday, and I have off, so we will go sign the lease then.  We are excited to be moving, getting our own place, closer to my work.  Also sad to be moving away from such awesome flatmates.  They have introduced us to so many fun people, showed us the ropes of Sydney, and been so much fun to hang out with.  We so appreciate them and how good to us they have been.  We will miss you Jax and Heidi!! Our door is open for you to visit!!

Have a great week everyone!  We will be having a busy one!!