No white Christmas for us today, we had our snow a couple of weeks ago! The recent cold snap was enough to convince us we're probably better off on this side of the country, without having to worry about digging out our driveway each morning.

We had lots of fun opening all the presents I brought home from Australia - lots of CDs, DVDs, books and desk calendars. No wonder my suitcase was heavier on the way back! The big gift this year was a diamond necklace and earrings set from Andy to match my engagement ring - a combined anniversary/Christmas present ... he'll keep .

Off to Steve & Di's place in the afternoon for a late lunch - turkey, ham, roast veg and all the trimmings! Yummo. Great to spend Christmas with friends when family is too far away ... Merry Christmas, everyone!

What a long day - a lot of familiar sights today from our own wedding nearly eight years ago, however I was on my own at this one!

An early start for hair and makeup at home - Jo's friend Megan arrived just after 8am and expertly conducted two blowwaves, two updos and three makeup sessions in record time! I was amazed to see her wielding a latch hook of all things when putting Jo's hairstyle together - just the thing for looping and pulling finicky bits into position. A liberal application of shine and spray and we were done - Jo's hair was up and mine was down, in an attempt to reduce our chances of being mixed up again .

We also managed to beat Justin to the church, which allowed us to watch him pull up in the cars ... very black, very Holden . Time was ticking on, so we all piled into the church, just as well as Tania defied tradition and turned up a couple of minutes early - she'll get along well with Mum!!

To my amazement I teared up almost immediately - not good when one has a speaking part shortly afterwards!! The service was beautiful - I managed to compose myself and didn't stuff up the lines too much, and Justin even admitted he was nervous .

The clouds cleared just as the wedding party left the church after the service - perfect timing! Lots of GPSs in the group shots from all the cachers in attendance, to meet the log requirements . I think there were a few onlookers wondering why all these folks in suits were holding up mobile phones in the wedding photos ...

Back home for intermission - and the chance to log a 'first to find' on the event cache!! I don't think they'd even finished the photos at the church by that stage . Lots of relatives and cachers stopped in to grab a quick drink and a feed before heading out to Sunbury for the reception. I was on the 'cousins' table - Emma, Alex & Ellie from Sydney, Frances, Andrew & Justine from Melbourne, Jo & I, plus Best Man Chris' fiancee Sarnie - soon thereafter known as the 'karaoke table' ... well, they would choose 1927 for their first dance!

The food was great (no chance of an arty-farty menu with Justin in charge!), and the speeches were both funny and touching. Justin dragged me up for a dance and the Sydney gals kept me on the dance floor for a few more numbers. Managed to catch up with lots of family friends and relatives, who were all keen to hear how we were doing in the US. Before we knew it the bouquet and garter had been tossed, and we were waving them goodbye - time to collect the presents from the table and head home.

... jiggity jig! Arrived safely in Melbourne this morning after leaving Seattle on Sunday night - Diane was kind enough to pick me up from home and drop me to the airport, saving a taxi fare .

LAX was frantic, as usual - had to get a new boarding pass from the Qantas counter for some reason, but it was only a short wait. Eventually found the lounge, after walking past two other Qantas lounges - they must have been for the 'special' passengers!! Another group of travellers whingeing about the delay in getting the new boarding passes and how much of a cluster the situation was - they must lead charmed lives, if that's the worst thing they have to complain about!

Unfortunately I didn't get my upgrade to business class, so I had to slum it in cattle class  - luckily the flight wasn't completely booked out, so I managed to end up with a spare seat next to me. I must have managed to get a bit of sleep on the flight, as I don't (yet) feel as tired as I was expecting to ... maybe that'll hit later this afternoon. The caterers must have known I was on the flight - the dinner entree was marinated beetroot slices!! Yummo ...

Only took about an hour to collect bags and clear customs - a bit of a record, apparently! Mum & Dad very glad to see me home, and apparently I have a swag of travel bugs looking for a ride back to Seattle next week - hope I have enough room in my suitcase . I don't think I'm ready to drive here either - feels very strange being on the right side of the road again!

These lights put our meagre effort to shame:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/arts/xmaslights.asp

Good grief, is it December already?

Apparently it doesn't snow in Seattle very often, so we were stoked to arrive home tonight and find the yard blanketed with about two inches! It was amazing to drive home and see the difference made with just a few feet in altitude. Not enough for a snow day, though - we've got a Jeep, so it would take about a foot of snow to stop us from getting out of the street and into work .

We'd put some christmas lights up in the front yard a few days ago, which looked particularly speccy from under a layer of snow. Andy grabbed his camera and ran outside to grab some photos, until it got too cold . He even managed to take one of us!