Stockton Sand Dunes

Going to switch it up here and head back to some of our Australian adventures back in April for the last post of the year (these pictures of some of my favorite from the year and I just couldn't wait any longer to share!). After we spent the first three days in Sydney, we picked up a rental car and started out on the road trip portion of our trip - we were driving Sydney to Brisbane and I was so excited. I had done a ton of research, picked out fun activities/beaches along the way and we were so excited to explore the stunningly beautiful Australia coast. 

The was our second stop on the road trip, the Stockton Sand Dunes. This was the only thing that we had pre-booked before the trip - I am so glad we did, it turned out to be one of my favorite parts.

We took a 4WD vehicle to the top of the tallest sand dune and it was practically untouched. Just the girls and their footprints.

We were all feeling pretty giddy (and by the end of the day, pretty sandy ;)).

Surreal.

Traveling with these two is one of my favorite things to do.

I want to figure out how to use some of these pictures in our house when we get back - they are some favorites for sure!

After so much playing, time for some sand boarding.

Those two tiny ant looking things in the far right are Wes and Emma!

Wheeeeee!!!

Such a fun, magical day!!!

She got the captain seat on the way back and was thrilled about that.

Those big brown eyes!

Such a fun, unique experience!!

Gingerbread Houses and Pajamas from Snowflake

When Snowflake dropped off the gingerbread houses, the girls couldn't wait to get down to business (we tried unsuccessfully to get them to wait until after we finished our first cup of morning coffee) and as soon as we finally said go, they were off!

One of these years, I will get my act together and make the houses the night before so they are all glued together and ready to go. But for now, I will let Wes take over the building process ;).

No surprise here, Emma organized all of her candy on plates while Ev's placed hers haphazardly together more interested in sneaking bites of icing :).

Finished products :). Love this sweet tradition!

The night before we left for Auckland (our flight was at a painful 2am in the morning), Everly reminded us that Snowflake hadn't brought their pajamas which in our family comes with a major prize - the one chance to get to hold Snowflake during the Christmas season. I remembered that I had picked them up some extra Hanna Anderson jammies last Christmas so we got them out and when the girls were done with their bathes they came down to this surprise! Snowflake is so timely ;).

I will let these pictures speak for themselves, but you can see the pure joy and magic that Snowflake brings to our family year after year. The girls love her and talk about her all the time!

Emma wanted to take her skirt off!

Evsie's reaction was the best!!

My girls :).

And just like that, hugs goodbye. Emma literally cried on the way to the airport because she knew she would have to wait until next year to see Snowflake again :(.

Snowflake, you are such a special bonus member of our family.