A 2nd birthday party

Hello hello! I realised that I haven't really blogged much about life in general. My weekends have been pretty busy. Last weekend Jason and I went antiquing. I was looking for a desk but didn't find what i wanted. The weekend before we went to The Mummy exhibition at the Queensland Museum. That was great fun. 

I bought some papyrus paper, a papyrus bookmark and a little (kiddie) excavation kit (I love things like this) and I got one of those squashed pennies because I think they are cool :) 

Then on Sunday it was Layla-Rose's 2nd birthday. She's not my niece but she's like my niece. 

Her gift. 

Butterfly cupcake. It was delicious and so cute.

My nephew Isaiah and nephew Micah. 

Layla-Rose and Liz.

Layla-Rose eating her chocolate. 

A chocolate kiss.

My nephew Caeleb riding Layla's new car. 

Layla with her new keyboard. She's a little muso in the making. 

Micah just chilling. 

It was the most beautiful day at Southbank and I just love my family so much. In case you were wondering Isaiah, Caeleb and Micah are brothers and Layla-Rose is Isaiah and Caeleb's sister :) Confusing?! Haa. 

Have a fantastic rest of week. 

USA Trip Part 5 - Victoria British Columbia Canada

Hello lovelies! I'm sure all my USA posts will be posted eventually. After San Francisco Jason went to Seattle to go to a gaming convention so I went to visit Erin in Victoria, Canada. I went over on the clipper ferry and it took about 3 hours. It was so sweet to be greeted by Erin and her boys holding up a sign made for me :) I wish I was able to get a photo of it. 

Lots of photos ahead....

1. Victorian Sunset - absolutely beautiful and I'm glad I was able to experience it. 

2. Erin took me to a place called White Heather tea room for some high tea. That plate of food was soo good

3. Lovely lovely Erin. I adore her!

4. My delicious tea. I seriously need to have more high tea dates with my girls

5. The condiments

6. Alice in Wonderland chair

7. Writing postcards in Starbucks (and tasting my first Pumpkin Spice latte which I became obsessed with)

8. Dylan and Sawyer, Erin's adorable boys

9. Me in a giant tree stump in Goldstream Park

10. Erin and me in Goldstream Park (I can't believe we didn't take more pictures together)

11. Making smores. It was my first time and so fun

12. My yummy smore. It was so delicious. I might have to make it here in summer

13. The day I was leaving Erin brought me to a place called Murchies. Loved it!

14. Beautiful whale tree sculptures

15. A beautiful day in Victoria

16. Empress Hotel. It's so gorgeous inside.

Erin was kind enough to let me stay with them for the 2 full days I was there. It was so wonderful to get to hang out with Erin and her family. I was even a part of their bedtime story time :) We had high tea, long talks (with tea of course), shopping, going for a strolls downtown, a picnic in Goldstream park, smores at night. I had an amazing time and I just love Erin and her family. She was so hospitable and I really felt like we have been friends for years. I felt so comfortable talking with her and I do miss her. Plus Victoria is the most beautiful place. I could definitely spend more time there. 

Have a wonderful rest of week!

Mini Christmas Swap Sign ups

Hello lovelies! It's time for the mini Christmas swap sign ups. Here are the details...

♥ Send a handmade Christmas card and a little something (feel free to make it a little special)

♥ Sign ups open until the 22 October

♥ Partners will be assigned on the 23 October

♥ Send your little packages by 12 November (if you can - I figure this will give you plenty of time to receive it)

♥ Email me gracienne.nancy{at}gmail{dot}com with your full name, address and 5 words that describe you

I know this is quite early for a Christmas swap but it will be nice to start one early before the real busyness of the season. I hope you have fun :) 

USA Trip Part 4 - San Francisco

Hey lovelies. One day I will get through all these photos of mine. This next part is from San Francisco. I liked this city. There was some amazing architecture and a unique vibe. I want to go back here.

1. At Union Square (we were staying about 2 minutes away from here - loved it!)

2. The 'Painted Ladies' at Alamo Square

3. California Academy of Science - Jason and I loved going to the museums

4. Golden Gate bridge covered in fog

5. The city surrounded by fog

6. On the Golden Gate bridge with our bikes. We rode over the bridge (took longer than we thought and I got a little sunburnt)

7. Finished our bike ride - I definitely recommend riding over the bridge

8. Alcatraz Prison 

9. Alcatraz prison with our headsets that is like our tour guide

10. More Alcatraz Prison. We thought this place was pretty cool to see

11. The beginning of sunset (sort of)

12. With my cousin and her children after going out for dinner

I loved San Francisco. There are so many other things I would have liked to do. We got to see Alcatraz, go to Fisherman's Wharf, went to the Academy of Science, went on bike ride across the Golden Gate bridge and ride a cable car. It's just a vibrant city and I really want to go back.

So my next post should be about visiting a blog friend, Erin in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. A beautiful city. Have a wonderful week. I will also have more information about the Christmas swap.

Christmas Swap Planning

* Ikea Christmas star. I really want one*

Hello hello! So I'm interrupting my USA posts to put an idea out there. Christmas is coming up and I had this thought about a Christmas swap. Just a small one. Maybe a handmade Christmas card and a little extra? What do you think? Would anyone be interested in that? 

Please let me know in the comments and I will have more details soon. The extras would be fun too. You could send postcards, washi tape, tiny prints, stickers etc.

Hopefully my USA posts will be up soon. Have a wonderful weekend.

USA Trip Part 3 - Grand Canyon

Hello lovelies. I'm really looking forward to Christmas. When the weather warms us here I always get excited.

Here's part 3 of our trip. The Grand Canyon...

1. The Grand Canyon is amazing!

2. People walking towards the edge

3. Jason and me (those bright yellow tags are for our tour bus)

4. Jason standing on an edge

5. As close as I would go to the edge. I'm not good with heights so I had to sit down 

6. Trying to show off one of the instax pics I took

7. Reflecting and just soaking in the view

8. Having some mint choc ice cream. Our favourite

This place is breathtaking. It just doesn't look real. Jason and I spent a lot of time sitting on one of walls and just taking in the view. It was brilliant!

Have a wonderful week.