Down Under 2013

We were so lucky to be able to return to OZ this past January! Australia holds for us many loved ones who've become like family. Dean has been to OZ several times but in 2012 he took me along with him! It was my first ever visit to the land down under & I absolutely loved it! I made so many new friends and got to see a part of the world I honestly thought I never would. In 2012 we were able to be a bit touristy and visit some sights in Sydney! It was absolutely amazing & a trip I will forever hold in my heart. We have hundreds of photos posted up on Facebook (Stephi Shoog Richardson & Dean Zeligman), but to keep it simple and current, I'll just be sharing our 2013 trip which was one to remember as well! In this blog you'll find a few of my faves..."good on ya, mate!"

This is Me with my second mum, Miss Chris. I love and miss her dearly! We met Chris, her lovely husband Tez and precious pup Bella in 2012 when we were housed by them. Dean was the headliner at the Elvis Festival in Parkes, Australia where they live & were kind enough to let us (complete strangers at the time) stay with them! It is a gorgeous home full of character & life!  

Here we are trying to take a pic before one of Dean's fantastic shows & Bella photobombed us! haha

Hanging out at Joe & Lynn's house with Marina & Matt! These people are our Aussie fam for sure!  I love their back deck because it feels like a treehouse oasis!

The theme for the Elvis Festival this year was "Aloha, Hawaii" so here we are in our best  Hawaiian  gear! I got "leid" by Elvis ladies...so be jealous...be very jealous! haha

Kisses from MY King! 

I am only posting this pic because I was very proud of my eyebrows & hair! First of all, it was 120 degrees...literally...so keeping the makeup perf was next to impossible. Also, I have naturally curly hair so to get my hair styled the way I wanted was quite a task! I actually used good old fashioned sponge rollers!

Dean bought me this dress at a little boutique in Coolangata called "That Shop!" It's by one of my favorite designers, Micheline Pitt, owner of Pinup Girl Clothing & Deadly Dames. The shoes were a gift as well! I felt like a rockabilly queen, if ya know what I mean! 

Here is Dean and our good friend Terry molesting the statue of Johnny O. Yep.

Here is Dean posing with a fan, but I have to say that the true star of this photo is the pup all decked out Hawaiian style! She was so sweet despite the recent loss of her playmate so we had to get a photo!

This is a very tired me sleeping on a very handsome Dean! We were driving from Parkes to Sydney to catch a flight home to then turn around and fly to Japan, Hawaii & back home again. I'm tired just typing that sentence!

TamTam!!!! I love this gal & she loves me! Her & her husband Terry (who you saw molesting Johnny O. earlier) always take such good care of us when we visit! They are amazing people & we are so blessed to have them as friends...and family!

Stephi & Dean::Australia 2013::car ride to a pool day!

Waiting for the train in Burpengary! I LOVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

I loved these few days! Tam & Ter took us to Cooly to have some fun in the sun & a little beach time! It was an incredible little mini getaway thanks to our friends!

Bella! She is our little teddy bear!  I wish so badly that Memphis & Bells could meet because I know they'd be life-long friends, but Australia is too far away for puppies :(

I don't remember the name of this beauty but she & I had a nice moment together. She was so calm when I spoke to her and looked me straight in the eyes. Horses really are amazing creatures!

Good luck kisses before the show! 

The very first Grumpy Cat.

Yea, I could get used to living on the beach!

Quick pic before we head to the show! It's a tradition to take a photo in the front yard before the show!  Did I mention how much I love this house????

Ralphie & Jean! This is a pair that everyone should meet! We just love them to pieces!

Watching "Blue Hawaii" outside, under the stars, in Australia. Is this real life?

Uh oh! Ya'll better watch out! We've got some new bikers in town! haha

Taking a walk on the beach....

I love my baby!

Skipping around like the giddy kid I am....at heart ;)

Classic Yard Pic! Duh! 

Elvis lip meets duck lip.

Oh, just a typical snack in Australia :)

Trying to keep cool in the hot Aussie weather! 

Dean & the man responsible for our travels to Australia, Mr. Matt Morrison of matmanpromotions.com.au

Pucker like a cat's bum, eh? Yikes.

Seaside in Cooly. I love this picture....

Taking it all in...

Taking the train into Brisbane!

Arriving into Australia!  A little collage of the landing::arriving at the airport, tons of luggage & our sweet Gary driving us to Matt & Marina's!

How to style your hair in Australian heat!

Here is a little collage of our train trip from Burpengary Station to Brisbane!

a Z family Christmas!

We've finally made it! Christmas Day with the Z's!  Unfortunately I am still new to this blogging site so none of my pics are in order. Since I'm so far behind, I'm not going to worry with it! So please, just enjoy & forgive my  "outoforderness." This is the first Christmas (2012) I got to celebrate with the Zeligman family so it was a very special occasion for me! 

Me & Barkley (Tori & Daniel's puppy). Who does he remind you of? If you said ToTo from the Wizard of Oz, DING DING DING...you are CORRECT! :-) I love him.

The whole family: Marie, Nathan, Dean, me, Tori, Daniel, Jackie & Walter

Christmas crackers!

This is a glimpse into what our 2012 Christmas card was all about....yep....this is real.

After a full day of food, music & presents, the 4 of us went to go see Les Miserables!!!! Ah May Zing!

Meet me under the mistletoe....or by the pretty window for a kissing picture....lol

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!!!

Me & TorTor waiting in line at the movies! PS I'm wearing my new Xmas top that she gave me!

Two Z's & Two Guitars :-) it's a recipe for awesomeness!

Tori & Danny's main tree!

Santa brownies made by Tori!

Our tree!

Cookies!!!!!!!! (made by tori, of course!)

Tori & Danny's OTHER tree!

Tori= super wife. super host. super sis. super entertainer. super friend!!! love her.

Cutie Pie Berkley!

Uncle Dean & Nathan!

Santa's Little Helper!

Two Bad Dudes with some Tats!

Christmas Crackaaaahs!

Hobbit & Walter stopping to smile for the camera before popping their Christmas cracker!

Christmas Kings!

Poppa Z!

Go Marie Go!!!!

Pretty as a princess!

Danny is very excited about his new crown! lol

None of the notes made sense to us....lol

King of the castle!!!!

Jackie was nearly brought to tears with this gift from Dean. He took a photo from when she was a little girl, restored it, added color & put it on canvas. Truly a beautiful & thoughtful gift!

Matching scarves...and crowns!!!!

What can we say? The man loves some Nerds! haha

"oooooo peanut butter peanut brittle" said in a way that only the Hobbit can! :-) 

Meet the Z's!!! :-) First Christmas as a husband & wife AND the first time hosting a family gathering in their new home! Well done ya'll! 

Yay for fun tights!!!!! 

Dean & I had our own gift exchange at home on Christmas morning. Out of all the wonderful gifts, I'd have to say that my infinity ring is the winner!  It matches the bracelet I had engraved for him. I haven't taken the ring off since he slipped it onto my finger!  We call it a "space saver" :-) Christmas 2012 was simply MAGICAL! We got to travel to my hometown to enjoy some time with my side of the family & then come back to Branson to have my very first Christmas with the Zeligman's! It was a holiday full of love & laughter which only makes me believe even more that FAMILY is truly the greatest gift of all!