Happy Birthday Canberra!

In 1901 when Australia became a country they immediately had a problem. Where would the capital be? Both Melbourne and Sydney thought the answer was obvious, in their cities of course. After much debate, Australia decided to literally split the difference and build a new city between the two. They named that future city Canberra, or meeting place, in the local Aboriginal dialect. An international competition to design the city was held with Walter Burley-Griffen, from Chicago, selected. In 1913, ground was broken on the new capital. 2013 was always going to be a big year.

There have been celebratory events scheduled all year, such as Canberra's first time ever hosting an International One Day cricket match, but the big day was scheduled for March- Canberra's Centenary. It was imaginatively titled "Canberra's Big Day." We went, and parked in true Aussie fashion, in a make shift spot in a field.

The sun was out, and the weather was perfect, Canberra could not have asked for a prettier day to celebrate. Since it's us, we immediately went to the food area and loaded up on delicious eats and wine. Here's Imogen trying to stick her hand in Laurel's wine while we're all distracted posing for the camera. Sneaky baby!

Just hanging out with Dad! Immy is holding her best friend, Geoffrey the Giraffe. Geoffrey is an incredibly common toy that it seems every baby has although we're apparently the only people who didn't give it the name that comes on the box, Sophie. Geoffrey has it pretty rough. Immy's favorite past-time is to bang Geoffrey around on to everything. It's kind of an abusive relationship.

In true Canberra fashion, the food stands were completely unprepared for the number of people who showed up. The wine truck ran out of single serve wine glasses three hours into its planned eleven hours of operation. Here are Laurel and Olivia modeling their double tasting glasses being used until someone got back from the store with more glasses.

100 Years! Whoooooooo! Happy birthday Canberra!

Down by Lake Burley-Griffen, named in honor of the city's designer, was a bar truck serving fancy cocktails. Olivia is a booze head and double fisted it. Just kidding! One of those is Laurel's.

Immy dressed up for the occasion and had the best time seeing the people, soaking up the sunshine, and most of all, hanging out with her favorite aunt.

Well, Mom is pretty cool, too.

While Laurel and Olivia did some walking around, Greg and Imogen got some serious cloud watching in. All in all, a great way to spend a day in the park.

Jumping ahead a few weeks, it was St. Patrick's Day. Not a huge day for the Otey household, but Olivia was pretty excited so she made gluten free cupcakes. Greg was pretty excited to eat them. The one on the left mysteriously disappeared about 30 seconds after this picture was taken. Immy got in the spirit of the holiday and did her best Riverdance impression.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!