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After more than 24 hours of travel we finally arrived in Melbourne. Brett and Beau picked us up with packages of Tim Tams, Savoys and BBQ Shapes in hand. They dropped us off in Boronia, and then we headed off with Vicky (Scott’s mum!) to Shannon Bennett’s Piggery Café for lunch in the hills. We had barramundi burgers, pork belly BLT, and lots of salad. It was lovely.

We had a night to adjust and then the next day we drove to Phillip Island to join the rest of the family at the holiday house they rented. Brett, Michelle, Noah, Beau, and Seth were all there, along with Jemma, Damien, and April, and then Scott and I and Vicky. FAMJAM!

Scott and I meet April for the first time! She was pretty aloof with us at the beginning. Lots of side-eye, haha. It was also my first time meeting Seth, who seemed pretty excited to see me, especially since I was carrying a big bag of presents.

It was hot the first day so we spent the day at the beach. Scott played a lot of beach cricket with Noah.


We played a lot of games while we were there. Scott and I got the boys kids Carcassonne, kids Wits & Wagers, and Forbidden Island. Kids Carcassonne is fun, even for adults, although it’s best when you play with people around the same strategy level because I had to sort of restrain myself from SMASHING 4 year olds. Kids Wits & Wagers is pretty much the same as the adult version, except slightly easier questions, and an easier betting system. Everyone liked it, we even played it after the kids went to bed. And Forbidden Island is a cooperative game, similar to Pandemic.

We all went out for dinner at the Cowes RSL.

I think Scott took this picture when he was waking April up from her nap? Pretty dang adorable.

One afternoon Scott and I went for a drive around the island. We ate pies and went out to the Nobbies. We didn’t see any penguins (not the right time of day) but we did see the blowhole blow. And got so blown around by the wind that we felt sick afterwards. It didn’t feel bad as we were walking around but when we got back in the car we both felt awful. So weird, it was like a wind concussion. I do love those pictures though. I look like a troll!

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I finally got around to getting a photostitch program (free and legal I LOVE LINUX) and made up a few panoramas from the past year or so. Check them out.

The MCG in Melbourne


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On the West coast of Australia


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From the lookout between Kailua and Honolulu, Hawaii


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A beach in the North part of Oahu, Hawaii


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We kept the festivities fairly minimal on Wednesday since a lot of people had to work the next day, and saved the partying for Saturday.

Saturday was a big big day.

We checked into our hotel in the morning (thanks Rhiannon!) and then headed out to Boronia for the family party. There was about 30 of Scott’s family there, mostly cousins and aunts and uncles. We ate party food and cakeS (so many). It was the first time that I’d met some of these people.

Favourite quote from the party: “When are we singing Happy Birthday??” -Noah (Scott’s nephew)

After the family party we took the train back into the city for our other party. We’d booked the upstairs area of a bar in Richmond for all our friends. I was a bit worried since we didn’t really plan much for this party besides the super cool cake that one of our friends made for us, but it turned out fun. A LOT of people showed up! I think there was about 60 at one point, in a pretty small area! It was really good having all our friends and workmates all there for us!

I don’t have many pictures from this night yet, but I think lots were taken so I’ll try to track these down. Along with the video Brett took of the actual ceremony! I’m on it!

Sunday was very relaxed. We didn’t do anything actually. I played Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 for a LONG LONG time. It is addictive.

Today has been quite productive though. Our visa paperwork is quite close to finished now, which is good. We can pick up the official marriage certificate this week and I want to send off the package right then.

We’ve got curling tonight. I’m extra excited because they finally got enough rocks for us all to play a proper game (we were only doing 4 rock ends before). It’s going to seem so crowded, I know it. But should be very fun.

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Wow what an amazing week. Everything went so smoothly and I’m so relieved and happy.

Now for everyone not there…

The Big Day. Wednesday the 14th.

Scott had to go in to work a little bit that morning so I spent the morning relaxing and getting ready on my own. I went out to get my make up done and pick up the cake and Scott came home and cleaned everything up and got it all ready for everyone coming over later. I got home, we got dressed and then headed into the city (by tram of course!) for the ceremony.

We had only booked the small room at the registry office for the wedding, but since there was no one else there they moved us into the big room! This was good since we had a few last minute extra guests (the nephews). The ceremony went smoothly (except for the lady saying ‘Perkins’ instead of ‘Perkin’ even though we’d just gone over it in the other room!!!) It was really great that my family got to listen in on speakerphone! It was a last minute suggestion by Kate but I’m so glad it worked out! They stayed up until 1:00 AM and had a little celebration at home in Ottawa!

This is what Rosemarie had to say about it:
“listening to the ceremony was nice. it was kind of peanuts teacher style but we could understand what was going on and tell who was talking. and we could hear the vows and things. it was really nice being able to listen to it though. after we ate fondue and had champagne. kate got really into everything. she even wore a dress!”

I was only kind of nervous the whole time and I didn’t get teary until right after the vows when dad told me (over the phone) that they could hear everything and there were some tears there and they would have a toast for us. So great.

After the ceremony Rhiannon took a bunch more pictures for us around the city, and then we took the tram back to the house for some drinks and cake. There was 14 of us that day (Scott’s parents, both Scott’s sisters and a boyfriend, Scott’s brother and his wife and two children, Rhiannon, and my friends Chris and Trang). We drank lots of beer and champagne, and WAMPAGNE (when Jessie accidentally topped up my wine with champagne) and devoured our delicious delicious hazelnut cake from Ganache (my favourite chocolate place everrrrr), looked at the pictures, and then headed down the street to Fiesta for a Mexican feast.

The meal was nice and so were the enormous margaritas. I had prawn fajitas and Scott had the veggie combo plate, like usual.


(NEW SISTERS!)

We all ate too much and headed home after the meal. And to bed early since a lot of people had to work the next morning!!

On to part 2….

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Monday now and I am finally feeling better!

The past few days have been pretty rough in the digesting department.

Today was very good though and I got a lot done. Just two days until we get married and I think everything is under control now for Wednesday and the parties on Saturday. Got both the cakes sorted, my outfit is ready, hair is behaving. I even booked a makeup appointment! We even were given a night in a really nice hotel for this Saturday.

Doesn’t look like web broadcasting is very feasible, but we will definitely have lots of pictures and I’ll post them as soon as possible. Our friend Rhiannon is photographing for us. Also, if you want to talk on the phone, I can use my Skype credit to call you, or you can call us at any time (although day-time is much preferred!) My phone number is +61 435 297 755. We usually find that your late night-my early morning works best, or vice versa.

I can’t really think what else to write about right now. I’m very excited and only nervous about turning too red in front of everyone!!