Imogen's Make a Wish Day 5, 6 & 7

Wednesday our 5^th day was our quiet day, the weather was bleak. Mum, Dad and me went to Pacific Fair Shops again for a look and a few purchases, like some extremely cute bathers for Ashton : ). Meanwhile Jason and the tinlids swam and watched tele. In the afternoon, we relaxed. Later on My Aunty Anne and her grand daughter Erina arrived for a visit. They both live in the outer suburbs of the Gold Coast an Hour and half drive, a fair trek from our hotel. It was great to see them both, it has been a long time since I saw my Aunty Anne, but an even longer time since I had seen my cousin Erina who I remember as a little kid. Another day came to an end on Imogen’s magical Make a Wish.

For all the relaxing we did on Wednesday, Thursday our 6^th Day at Dreamworld made up for it. Dreamworld was awesome; there really is something for everyone. From Wiggles land to Motorbike racing to Nick world to Tiger Island, everyone was covered.

We spent a lot of time in Nick world, where Imogen and Kody test trialled every ride at least 3 - 4 times. Imogen must have gone on the ride Angry Beaver’s Fishing over 10 times, she actually did not get off for about ½ hour : P. The tigers were gorgeous and very clever at their show, jumping and catching, just like “extremely” big kittens.

n Wiggle world, Ashton and I had a photo taken with Dorothy the Dinosaur. Both of the big kids had a heap of photos taken with Sponge bob, Patrick, Dora and Angelina.

The highlight of the day was when Kody entered the “Slimebowl”. This live TV show involves a red and blue team fighting it out through mini competitions, with the ultimate prize of being slimed. Yes, I know to any adult this sounds crazy…you get slimed for winning…but to an 11 year old boy named Kody this was an awesome idea. Anyway, first you must get picked to be one of team captains out of a crowd. Kody was going to make sure it was him picked, by jumping up and down and pleading with the hosts to pick him. Luckily he was chosen : ) for the red captain, now he just had to cheer his team on and hope they won the competitions that would allow (??) him to get slimed. Game one, red was winning, game two, blue was winning and game three red WON!!!. Team Red won the whole competition, and Kody GOT SLIMED!!!!. He was so happy to be slimed and I think he thought he could have now walked on water, taken by the huge smile on his face.

It was great to see Kody get to do something he really wanted to do, without the influence of his little sister’s illness. At times even though he knows Imogen has been very sick and had to endure many procedures it is hard to watch her get so much attention. Getting slimed was a win for Kody, which made Jason and me very happy.

After a few more rides and purchases, the day came to a close, with everyone leaving the park with beaming smiles.

WE LOVED DREAMWORLD!!!.

The next day it was time to pack up. We had an early check out, so we walked down to Broachbeach shops. While Immie and Jas hit the beach for a swim with no bathers, hence rudey girl, Dad, Mum, Me and Kody hit the shop for a few staples for a Virgin Blue Flight.

The airport transfer arrived at 12, to the airport for a big delay. This then made our stop over in Sydney, extremely short – woo hoo. Ashton was a saint the whole way home, Imogen made a new friend and Kods went and sat with Mum and Dad. For some reason the company who organised the flights for Make a Wish thought it would be a good idea to place me, with all three kids about 20 rows apart from Mum, Dad and Jason…hahahaha…I don’t think so, I was quick to swap some seats around.

Finally home, we were greeted with the Perth Airport beginning to shut down due to a fire alarm. Luckily the kids and Jason got out before the entrances were closed, which just left me and the old folks to walk out to the entrance. We arrived home and collapsed, very grateful for an incredible once in a lifetime Make a Wish for Imogen and Us.

More Pictures Here -

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang

Seaworld - Part 3 of Imogen's Make a Wish : )

I am finally going to blog about our and Imogen’s most special though rushed day on her Make a Wish Holiday. Tuesday was SeaWorld - the place of Imogen’s dolphin swim/pat. We started the day by getting transferred by bus to the park, which seemed to take forever to get too. (Thanks to all the people who didn’t seem to think the pick up times actually referred to them..grrrr).

In the gates we went to pick up all our passes for the special events we were doing during the day. I then also found out that I was going to get to pat the dolphin with Imogen : ).

Off we set towards the Dolphin swim area, when I suddenly decided it would be a good idea for mum and dad to have a SeaWorld experience too. So I sent them on a joy ride on a helicopter right there and then : P. They had a blast, check out the gorgeous pictures of the Gold Coast sky views on the Picassa Web Album.

We continued on to the dolphin swim, quickly hopping into our beautiful “get up” gear supplied by the park. After a while a lady dolphin trainer met us and took Immie and me to met our dolphin for the swim/pat. At first Imogen was a bit scared of the big dolphin, but after a while of patting, throwing him a ball, watching him gracefully swim and having a splashing competition, she was over the moon. We all had a gorgeous time with the dolphin.

Next stop the dolphin show – amazing. Then Shark Bay for the snorkelling for the boys, which we missed for a second time (whoops), so instead it was time for lunch. After lunch and a ride on the dragon ride, it was back to watch the guys get up close with the fish, sting rays and baby sharks.

Then we headed to Sesame Street Beach, for more rides, under the carefully watch of the Granpa. The rest of us hit some of the other rides. The day came to end with the running collection of the many park photos and videos (hahah..including one of dad and mum on the helicopter). We quickly dashed out the front to find I had rushed and gathered everyone together an hour early – whoops. We waited around taking pictures of ladybirds and long legs, and then jumped on the bus back to the hotel. What a Day!!!.

Check out the incredibly big Picassa web album of Day 5 at SeaWorld, I could not decide which photo to pick; I have included all of our favourites.

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang

A quick update from the gang

Hi all

Just a break in the updated version of Queensland..I promise I will finish it. I just had to share with all our delightful sneak peak of some very gorgeous pictures we had taken of Imogen and Ashton yesterday. A lovely lady named Brandy and her “spot” helper Kasey : ), offered to take some pictures of us and my gorgeous kids. Yesterday was Immie and Ashton’s turn, as Kody was away at his Nana & Pop’s. I can’t really explain how lovely they are so here instead is the link

http://www.dilkarraphotography.com.au/

Thankyou so much Brandie and Kasey – we all love them.

Once again since we have been back we have been extremely busy. Imogen and I attended (well actually gate crashed) a Halloween Party. Thanks must go to Karen for getting us the invite and Kath for having the Halloween party and helping put a huge smile of Imogen’s face.
We have as I said in previous blogs the silver chain nurse visit and then followed by the silver chain doctor. We are still doing swimming lessons on Mondays with my two fish. A visit from my cousin Karly, apparently my favourite cousin ( sorry Sharon and Lisa : P). A trip up the hill to Mt Helena to see Nana and Pop and play a game of very one sided cricket and footy.

A huge highlight of the week was last night attending my mum’s exhibition of her glasswork. Included in my mum’s glasswork she produces glass ladybirds to raise money for the Childhood Cancer Research Institute.
We are all very proud of you mum – WELL DONE!!!.

Well this week is not that different …busy busy…Ashton had his 6 week (though he was 8 weeks) check up and needles. Our little chubbier has put on a kg in 3 weeks, that why I thought he was getting heavy carting him in and out of school. Today I found out that our Immie is going to be a star in her Pre Primary Christmas concert – too cute. Kody has once again been asked to Peac Art..and now has to pick three pictures he has drawn to talk about them.

Well better go make some dinner
Love and Hope to all
Fee, Jas, Kods, Immie and Ash

P.S. Guess what is penned in to arrive on the 28th of November...yeap a very big duck pond : P

Imogen's Make a Wish Part 2 : )

Now where was I, day three, Monday, was rest day, I hear you laugh, The Holmes Gang – REST!!!. Well you got it right, Jason and Ashton would have loved to be snuggled up in bed, but unfortunately in our family that generally does NOT happen : P.

We hit the bus to Surfer’s Paradise, once again the weather forecast was predicting rain and miserable weather, but instead Surfer’s greeted us with sunshine. First thing we did when we got off the bus was do the tourist thing and hit the tourist bureau to book a ride on the Aqua Duck (thanks for the recommendation Sam : ). We then had till 1.45, to find something to do.

Within a few minutes in the shopping centre Imogen hit the jackpot (in her eyes) a Teddy Bear Making Shop. With the gorgeous girl that worked there she set upon choosing the skin for her new friend (a bunny), installing his button containing 5 phrases, stuffing him to her preference of softness or hardness, conducting a heart ceremony, the bunny getting sewn up, having his hair fluffed up, outfit picked and birth certificate print up. After this funny and thoroughly entertaining experience (the heart ceremony was very cute), we went to get a disc of the ton of photos we had already taken just at Movie world (who would believe, me with tons of photos). For lunch where else could we go to, but The Hard Rock Café. The food and service was great.

By then it was time for the Aqua Duck, we ran down to our meeting spot to find everyone was there and waiting for us : P. Hoped on and Ashton had a very bumpy feed all the way down to the river. The kids thought in was amazing how the bus turned into the boat. They then got to steer the boat, we got a tour of the canal and then when we exited the water a tour of the streets of Surfer’s included the car racing course. It was heaps of fun, and something we too would recommend.

After that it was a coffee buzz, and the bus home for a little rest. Another gorgeous day on the Gold Coast came to a close with kebabs and salad.

Imogen's Make a Wish Part One

Wow where do I even start this blog update..Imogen’s Make a wish trip was awesome, super fun, relaxing and full of big belly giggles.

We left on the Friday, at 8.30am from Perth, arrived in Sydney at 2.05pm and then after a few plane shuffles and delays got on the plane to the Gold at about 6.30pm. We arrived into Gold Coast and were transferred to our accommodation, arriving there at 8 pm.
Our shack for the week of fun was a penthouse in Broadbeach, 316 sqm floor space for just us, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, three toilets, panoramic views of the mountains to the sea, white carpets (very funny with kids), plush everything…far away from our normal life.

Saturday we spent the day adapting and catching up on rest, by the pool, then on the beach…then a little trip to the Oasis Shopping Centre and Pacific Fair Shops.

Sunday was the big guns..MOVIEWORLD!!!. The look’s on Kody and Immie’s faces was priceless they were so excited and happy just to see the front gates. Once inside we spotted Tweety Bird and Bugs Bunny, after travelling all this way Imogen would not even have a bar of them, so hence there is a picture of me, Imogen, Tweety and Bugs.

Just a skip down the streets of Movie world Imogen was in her heaven, rides everywhere and you could go on as many times as you liked. Her favourite was the Little Bummer Cars. We dragged Kody on a few rides too (he is a bit more hesitate than Immie when it comes to rides etc.). After Jason, Granpa and me ventured on the Scooby Doo ride it was time for lunch. Junk..Junk..and more junk, isn’t that what holidays are about : P. After that everyone had a go on the White Water Raft Ride, with everyone's funny faces photo snapped and plastered onto key rings and in albums.
Then it was time for the Stunt car drivers show, an action drama involving Batman, more rides for Imogen, 3 D Shrek movie and the end of the day parade. Granma, Ashton and me thoroughly enjoyed a coffee and ice cream, while the rest ran around like crazy people. The day come to a close with two,,ok six happy smiley people (Ashton was not that appreciative being dragged around – funny that!!).

We went back to the hotel and collapsed, with a yummy serving of Chinese : ).

This is the first instalment of Imogen’s and Our Make a Wish Trip, we had way to much fun to post it into one blog update. Continue to watch this spot for more updates and photos to come.

On a slightly back down to earth note, we had our first visit from the Silver Chain nurse today. This was to admit Imogen to Silver Chain. They will come every Tuesday after school to check on Imogen, this allows us to escape the walls of the resort. The nurse who came was very nice, and only stayed a short time. My favourite moment of it all, (yes you have to look for the silver lining in every moment) was when the nurse filled in the routine chart on pain levels etc. and all the scores were 0. The nurse said “I never have filled out this form will this many 0’s before”.

It has now been 2 months since we received Imogen’s relapse news, she is still going forth into the world in “Imogen style : )"

Please keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming,

With Hope and Love

The Holmes Gang

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang