Australia Day

So January 26th was Australia Day.  We weren't sure what people do around here for Australia day, so lucky for us, some of our nice new friends invited us over for an authentic Aussie barbie.  Ya know, throw another shrimp on the barbie, Mate?  Except there were no shrimp, and I was glad, because they don't even call them shrimp here, they're called prawns and they are huge, and they still have their legs and eyes!  They have eyes!  It is creepy, but I still ate one at a bbq at Christmas time!  It was good.  But it is hard to get past the eyes! 

Now for a little history, on January 26, 1788, a group of ships known as the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove. These ships and their passengers and crew didn't know it at the time, but their arrival, although to establish a penal colony, was the beginnings of one of the most isolated countries ever to exist in the world! And I guess that is why they celebrate Australia Day.  

Anyways, I don't have great photos, but I'll just post what I have.  We just barbequed up a bunch of meat, including kangaroo, had a bunch of salads and treats and just let the kids free in the yard while we just ate and talked.  It was fun to get to know a lot of new people!  Big thank you to our kind hosts, Ben and Candace!  We love you!

Here is our stack of meat!  The kangaroo meat is on the kabobs on top.  I didn't try any, not because I didn't want to, but because it was gone before I got my food!  So that means it must be good, right?  I'm sure I'll get another chance, they all said it was good, just more tough than other meats.  So not sure if I will like it.  I like my steak to melt in my mouth! 

 Here is Ben, our grill man and host, he was a good sport for my picture. :)

 Here is Ben and Candace's nephew trying kangaroo for the first time.  He said he liked it, but it didn't sound too convincing!

 Here's one of our new friends, Lillian, and her cute girls, eating kangaroo, she is the one who brought it, so she likes it. 

 Here is Will riding the girly bike in the back. 

 Here is Ava building with blocks outside.  And Lily swinging.

 Here is cute, little, festive Siena.  Her outfit could totally pass for a 4th of July outfit, well except the Australian flag.

 Here is a delicious cheesecake that Tess, another new friend, made for the occasion.  I tried to get her to be in the photo, she wasn't game.  Not only was it delicious, but it was so festive. 

 This cute, little, neighbor girl was so good with all the kids.  I asked her how old she was and she is only 10, so unfortunately I can't hire her to be my new babysitter!  But she put Aussie tattoos all over her face, so I wanted to capture the patriotic commitment. 

 Here is Ava playing peek-a-boo with the Aussie flag. 

 The playing outside got a little out of hand and little Will got absolutely soaked! So Candace pulled out these old overalls of her sons.  I had to get a pic of this cute little redneck hillbilly looking boy! 

Will hung out in this little baby walker for over an hour before we left! 

I need to remember to ask people to take a family photo of us all together at these sort of things.  I wish we had one of us all holding the Australian flag!  Next year, I guess. :)  But we are so grateful that we got to spend our first Australia Day with such fabulous, friendly and generous people.