Missy and Emily's Christmas Down Under

If you can't be home for Christmas, the next best place to be is Australia.  It's summer, it's warm, it's light until 10 pm, and the animals look extra cute with Santa hats and Christmas sweaters on.  Missy and Emily came down from Malaysia to spend last Christmas with us and of course we had a wonderful time.

Our first stop was Moonlit Sanctuary, a small local sanctuary not far from our house.  The highlight by far for Missy and Emily both was being able to pet a koala.  Missy has been asking for this since her first Aussie Christmas and we finally found somewhere she was able to do it.
Emily, me, Missy, and Phil at Moonlit Sanctuary
Group pic with Roo Santa
Emu
Missy petting a koala
Koala selfie
Koala needs some shades too
Maybe getting some cuddles from one of her favourite people
Duck is loving life
 On Christmas Eve we always head down to Phillip Island for a picnic on the beach followed by watching the little penguins come in.  Missy was with us our first Christmas in Australia when we started this tradition and it was such a perfect way to enjoy Christmas Eve that we have done it every year since.  The weather is always a surprise, sometimes it's gorgeous and sunny, sometimes it's windy, sometimes it's gorgeous then windy then raining then sunny again but it's always nice.  Watching the penguins come in is always a treat.  They're a foot tall and waddle so fast back up to their burrows.  

Heading to the beach for our picnic

 On Christmas day, after opening presents we always go to our Aussie family's house for lunch.  They've adopted us since we've been here and it makes all the difference being so far from home having this family to celebrate Christmas with.
Maybe and Shirley opening their presents
Phil was pretty excited to get a ham bag in his stocking!
Christmas lunch with our Aussie family
 On Boxing Day we went into the city and wandered around enjoying the sunshine.  We watched the Boxing Day Test for a little while and then went to see the musical Chicago in the afternoon.  It was a great day to get out and enjoy the beautiful summer before we headed down to Tasmania for a few days.
Walking around the botanic gardens






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