HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

What kind of wife would I be, if I didn't blog about Australia Day? So to all reading HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY! Today January 26th is officially Australia Day. I've put together a little quiz about Australia here goes, and good luck!

1. Of course... What is Australia's capital?

2.How many countries are larger than Australia?

3.How much of Australia is classified as desert? A)8% B)16% C)25% D)35%

4.What Australian company is the largest surfwear manufacturer?

5. How many states are in Australia?

*Now before the answers, here are a few highlights from Australian timeline!

Before 1770 - Aboriginal peoples had been living for more than 40 000 years on the continent we now know as Australia. At least 1600 generations of these peoples had lived and died here.

1770 - Captain James Cook raised the Union Jack on what is now called Possession Island on 22 August to claim the eastern half of the continent as New South Wales for Great Britain.

This flag is called the Union Jack

1804 - Early almanacs and calendars and the Sydney Gazette began referring to 26 January as First Landing Day or Foundation Day. In Sydney, celebratory drinking, and later anniversary dinners became customary, especially among emancipators.

1954 - The Australian blue ensign was designated the Australian national flag and given precedence over the Union Jack. The Australian red ensign was retained as the commercial shipping ensign.

1984 - Australians ceased to be British subjects. Advance Australia Fair replaced God Save the Queen as the national anthem.

1994 - Celebrating Australia Day on 26 January became established. The Australian of the Year Award presentations began alternating between Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane.

***Now the Answers!!!

1. Most Americans think its Sydney, but NO its Canberra

2. Five (Australia is the 6th largest country: Russia, Canada, China, USA, and Brazil)

3. D) 35%

4. Quicksilver

5. Six states :Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, West Australia, and Tasmania. There are also 3 mainland territories.

Hope this fulfilled your Australia needs for another year! Have a good one, and:

AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE, OI, OI, OI

"New Leader in Command" Thoughts

On Tuesday my boss took the day off to watch the Inauguration with her kids. It was nice for me because I didn't have to work and was able to watch the events unfold. This is the first Inauguration I was able to watch live. I thought it was a very interesting event, full of traditions. I even teared up at points because I thought it was a very emotional day. Some of my thoughts were:

#1 I didn't vote for him, but I am VERY excited to see what changes I see in this country. I have very high hopes for him. It also makes me wish that I would have had the time to listen and understand the different party's opinions more. I enjoyed seeing Pres. Bush, and Pres. Obama interacting.#2 I couldn't believe the turn out! I totally wished I was there, even in the freezing cold!

#3 I loved this picture. It was taken just before he came out to accept the position as President. I think it shows a different side of any President.

#4 I love that he has young kids. I think it makes him more relatable to me. The reporters kept saying things like "they will be having sleepovers at the white house, and teaching their soon to be new dog". It just makes him more real to me. Michelle Obama also said in an interview, that she had a talk with the White House staff, explaining that the girls WILL have chores like making their own beds!
#5 A lot of the reporters kept commenting on how much personal affection he has with his wife in public, and if it was a good or bad thing. I can see NO problems in it. To me I think that through this whole life changing experience that he was a husband first, then President. I really enjoy watching him interacting with her!
I am very excited, and feel very blessed that I was able to take part in such a historical event (even if was from my own home)! It makes me want to learn more about our President, both present and past. And understand how being "Republican" or "Democrat" as President can change our country. I hope everyone was able to at least see "the best of" from the Inaguration. If you haven't I would highly suggest it!

Aja Anderson Fillmore update!

For all of you who know Aja, she isn't a blogger yet so I feel obligated to update all of her high school friends! I just got a text from her and yesterday she had her third kid(second boy) Brighton Conner Fillmore. He was 6 lbs 14 oz and 18 inches long! I will visit her soon and get a picture of her family for you all!

Finally, Our Holiday!

Our Holidays were VERY busy! Jared had his two aunts, one uncle, his aunts best friend, and a cousin come to America for Christmas. They are CRAZY to come during this season, but they wanted a "White Christmas". In Australia they ususally spend Christmas on the beach! They came the first of December. Jared's family drove to Cal to pick them up there and go do Disneyland. Then they drove here during one of the many crazy snow storms. It was really fun to get to know them. I met June and Dennis(the ones on Jared's right) in Australia, but only for like an hour and a half. We went to all the sights around Utah. You forget how many we do have, until you have to show people them.

We went to this sing-along- Christmas carols at the Engery Solutions Arena. It was pretty cool. If was free and I would highly suggest it for anyone next year. They have a live band that plays, and the programs have all the words to the songs going to be sung! FUN, and its FREE!

We then walked up to Temple Square to see the lights. Last year we had a picture with a big group of just family. Someone asked us if we were having a "family reunion". Funny! We just told them that we just have a big family! Not to mention we were missing a lot of people. Sarah, Micah and Louisa, and the twins Eliza and Jessica. Crazy to think this picture would be even bigger(oh plus I'm not in it because I took the picture) Anyways, they thought the Temple was beautiful! R was a lot more fun this year. She actually liked looking at the lights!

This is my cute family! Sorry for the picture placement change, I couldn't handle it with the picture on the left!

R was a lot more fun this Christmas, and LOVES his babies she got. They came in a two for one thing, so I figured if one got lost or dirty she still has her other one! She also loves her Christmas jamies from Grandma Trease!

While the Aussies were here we also went tubing up at Soldier Hollow. Its kind-of pricey, but worth it once a season! GREAT FUN!!! I don't have any pictures of that. For New Years we were able to go up to Emma's bosses house in Park City. Again I forgot my camera, but for some great shots, look at Kiara's web page. It was a perfect quick getaway! Plus you have the outlet malls close by, can't go bad with that! Anyways, it has been a very busy Holidays! But was great! To all those who read this HAPPY NEW YEAR ( I know, I'm a little late!)

Great Gift!

I do really have a great hubby! I will post more on Christmas and New Years, but I wanted to say how wonderful my hubby is to me. For Christmas my parents gave Jared and I each some little gifts and cash! I NEEDED clothes so I bought some. Jared used his cash to buy me something that I have wanted for awhile now, but was a luxury more than a need like clothes. He bought me some Ugg slippers. We found some while in Park City and I thought we were just trying another pair on, and he bought them for me. THEY ARE WONDERFUL!! They are super soft, and warm! I love my husband, and his thoughtfulness towards me!