We’ve been taking things pretty much as they come throughout all of 2012. Looking back, I think we’ve managed to pull off a pretty awesome year abroad. Here are a few of the highlights of our great Australian adventure.

• Left Canada on New Years Eve 2011.
• Started a new job with a new employer.
• Moved twice.
• Logged 13 one-way flights across the Pacific Ocean.
• Took six weekend vacations to places like: Wollongong, Canberra, the Hunter Valley, Jervis Bay, the Illawarra region, the Jenolan Caves, and the Blue Mountains.
• Took a longer vacation to Napa Valley, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Reno.
• Visited two Zoo’s, an olive farm, and a distillery.
• Watched fireworks nearly every weekend.
• Tasted a LOT of wine – including degustations at three wine festivals, two wine regions, and ~14 wineries.
• Xavier learned to: Roll over, sit up, stand, walk, run, talk (just a few words), turn on the TV, sign, call grandma on the iPad (and the phone), feed himself, get his own snacks from the kitchen, mock people, kick a ball, draw with crayons, and tire out his parents.
• Xavier had his first hair cut; and Sarah both cut her hair short AND dyed it blue!
• Attended:
  • two weddings – one in Sydney, one in Vancouver.
  • an online cooking class.
  • a chocolate making course.
  • four live concerts.
• Had lunch at some very cool places, including:
  • Quai – a high end Sydney restaurant.
  • Bouchon – a great restaurant in Napa.
  • The Governor General’s house.
  • A fancy restaurant only accessible by float plane.
• Finished four video games; including one indie title (yes, this is an accomplishment).
• Saw a giraffe, kangaroo, wallaby, wombat, kookaburra, platypus, and koala. About half of those in the wild.
• Discovered a new favorite author, after first meeting him in person.
• Hula danced in front of an audience. (That was just Sarah.)
• Evolved to a whole new level of coffee snobbery.
• Attended a giant conference in the US.
• Worked on some insanely popular software products.
• Completed our Christmas shopping, and cards, on time. For the first time. Ever.
• Met so many new friends!
• Watched absolutely incredible fireworks to close out the year.

In all, it’s been a pretty amazing year.