Saturday -
Jolene is always asking if the uncles have to go to school today. Today is her special day, they get to stay home.
Today is also my sister Eleni's bridal shower at the SSRP church. I leave Gids with the uncles and grandpa. My girls come along to the shower.
It was so nice to be able to go to the shower. We don't get to participate in many family events. iI'm glad I was able to go to this special one. Oh, and the wedding :-)
The rest of the day was spent relaxing. Did we go to the park too? I can't remember, I think we did because Charlotte went with us and she left on Sunday. So yes, we did go to the park. It was a very nice afternoon. The park had a cycle cross race going on. Cycle cross is kind of like a steeplechase for bikes. Interesting to watch. We don't do much in the biking area of sport. Always good to see something new.
The leaves have all turned color and are now lying sadly on the ground. Just waiting there until the bugs turn them into compost. The leaves make lovely crunching noise when stomping through them. My girls enjoyed the stomping and the throwing.
28.11.09
Day 8
Friday -
Today is library book sale day. I am excited. It might get a bit hairy taking all the kids with me, but I don't really have any other option. So, they are coming no matter how bad it gets.
Awesome.
hardbacks are $0.50
paperbacks are $0.25
I buy 18 books. Maybe I should have checked to see if they will all fit. Oh well.
The girls behaved well. They grabbed some books and camped out on the floor while I browsed. Gideon was not very excited about the prospect of sitting in the pram the entire time. Too bad, here is an apple. Gids decided that throwing the apple was much more exciting.
Today is library book sale day. I am excited. It might get a bit hairy taking all the kids with me, but I don't really have any other option. So, they are coming no matter how bad it gets.
Awesome.
hardbacks are $0.50
paperbacks are $0.25
I buy 18 books. Maybe I should have checked to see if they will all fit. Oh well.
The girls behaved well. They grabbed some books and camped out on the floor while I browsed. Gideon was not very excited about the prospect of sitting in the pram the entire time. Too bad, here is an apple. Gids decided that throwing the apple was much more exciting.
Day 7
Thursday -
The Fishers came and visited today. They held out as long as they could :-) It would be hard seeing your grandkids at the airport and then having to leave and not see them for another two weeks.
My parents and brothers are all at school during the day. It works out well to go and come during the day and then be home in the afternoon when everyone else come back from school.
Jolene told me today that she doesn't want to go back to Australia. At this point I don't either. Adele has already said a few times that she wants to go home. Gideon could care less.
The Fishers came and visited today. They held out as long as they could :-) It would be hard seeing your grandkids at the airport and then having to leave and not see them for another two weeks.
My parents and brothers are all at school during the day. It works out well to go and come during the day and then be home in the afternoon when everyone else come back from school.
Jolene told me today that she doesn't want to go back to Australia. At this point I don't either. Adele has already said a few times that she wants to go home. Gideon could care less.
Day 6
Wednesday -
Went and visited my college friend Melissa. She has a little boy now named Noah. He is very cute and smiley. It is always nice to catch up with old friends and see what directions their lives are heading in.
At this point all the kids are sleeping through the night, hooray.
Driving hasn't been as confusing as I thought. The only warning signals my brain fired off were when I was driving around a round-a-bout in the opposite direction. We would go around one in the clockwise position where here is it counter-clockwise. Feels very strange.
Went and visited my college friend Melissa. She has a little boy now named Noah. He is very cute and smiley. It is always nice to catch up with old friends and see what directions their lives are heading in.
At this point all the kids are sleeping through the night, hooray.
Driving hasn't been as confusing as I thought. The only warning signals my brain fired off were when I was driving around a round-a-bout in the opposite direction. We would go around one in the clockwise position where here is it counter-clockwise. Feels very strange.
23.11.09
Day 5
Tuesday-
I was supposed to meet up with a friend today but her little one is sick so we had to postpone. I took the kids to a library story time instead. I am starting to notice accents a lot more. The librarian's was quite strong. Funny, how your ears change.
The library was great, sooo many books. I had fun looking through and finding all the old titles that I used to read as a child. I have noticed that in Geelong there are hardly any doubles of books and not many of a series in the same library. I don't find many books that I used to read either. Maybe they favor the British writers more?
The corn has turned a nice golden color. Just sitting around waiting to be harvested. Sadly the apple orchard near my parent's house closed for the winter the day we arrived. No more fresh apple cider.
In the evening I drove over to the school my brothers go to. My parents both work there as well. I met up with my oldest brother and played soccer with him and a few other guys from school. My brother is trying to get a guys team started. Unfortunately they care more about gridiron than soccer. If he can get a good showing at practice this year then they might be able to start a club next year. The year after that they would be able to officially form a school team. I hope it comes together for him.
I have to say at this point my girls are in love with their uncles. Jolene can hardly wait until 3pm rolls around and the uncles staring walking through the door. They are playing a lot of chassie, hide N' seek, and wrestling.
I was supposed to meet up with a friend today but her little one is sick so we had to postpone. I took the kids to a library story time instead. I am starting to notice accents a lot more. The librarian's was quite strong. Funny, how your ears change.
The library was great, sooo many books. I had fun looking through and finding all the old titles that I used to read as a child. I have noticed that in Geelong there are hardly any doubles of books and not many of a series in the same library. I don't find many books that I used to read either. Maybe they favor the British writers more?
The corn has turned a nice golden color. Just sitting around waiting to be harvested. Sadly the apple orchard near my parent's house closed for the winter the day we arrived. No more fresh apple cider.
In the evening I drove over to the school my brothers go to. My parents both work there as well. I met up with my oldest brother and played soccer with him and a few other guys from school. My brother is trying to get a guys team started. Unfortunately they care more about gridiron than soccer. If he can get a good showing at practice this year then they might be able to start a club next year. The year after that they would be able to officially form a school team. I hope it comes together for him.
I have to say at this point my girls are in love with their uncles. Jolene can hardly wait until 3pm rolls around and the uncles staring walking through the door. They are playing a lot of chassie, hide N' seek, and wrestling.
Day 4
Monday -
Girls slept mainly through the night, except for a few moans and mutterings from Adele. Gideon woke up five times and ended up sleeping with me.
We mainly just hung out at the house. It was cold and yucky. The girls had a fun time playing with our old toys. Gideon loves Cameron's car collection.
Girls slept mainly through the night, except for a few moans and mutterings from Adele. Gideon woke up five times and ended up sleeping with me.
We mainly just hung out at the house. It was cold and yucky. The girls had a fun time playing with our old toys. Gideon loves Cameron's car collection.
21.11.09
Day 3
Sunday -
We all slept until 8am. I had to wake the kids so that we could get ready for church. Day one and two after a long flight are hard. Your body is so confused it is almost funny. The best thing to do is push through and go about as if you had never crossed so many time zones. I have to remind myself on these days that the kids attitudes should be almost completely overlooked, unless they are doing physical harm.
Church went well. Gids was loud as usually and went off to the nursery and then fell asleep in grandma's arms. Oh, I am at my parents for the first two weeks.
Visiting Southside RP church was weird. The building has been redone and there are lots of new people. That is good, I just felt like a visitor in my home church.
That afternoon we went to Southeastway Park. The kids needed to run. I love the smell of fallen leaves.
Kids in bed by 8 and I was in bed by 10.
We all slept until 8am. I had to wake the kids so that we could get ready for church. Day one and two after a long flight are hard. Your body is so confused it is almost funny. The best thing to do is push through and go about as if you had never crossed so many time zones. I have to remind myself on these days that the kids attitudes should be almost completely overlooked, unless they are doing physical harm.
Church went well. Gids was loud as usually and went off to the nursery and then fell asleep in grandma's arms. Oh, I am at my parents for the first two weeks.
Visiting Southside RP church was weird. The building has been redone and there are lots of new people. That is good, I just felt like a visitor in my home church.
That afternoon we went to Southeastway Park. The kids needed to run. I love the smell of fallen leaves.
Kids in bed by 8 and I was in bed by 10.
Day 2
First flight - Melbourne to Sydney 1.5 hrs.
had to catch a bus from the domestic to international
Only one bus was working so it took a long time. We had to race walk to catch our next flight.
Second flight - Sydney to LAX 14 hrs.
Kids slept for about 6-7 hours. Out of the whole flight I was able to watch 45 min. of a movie. The kids did great, prayers were answered.
Once in LA, Brandon's uncle picked us up and took us to the LA Fisher household. We ate, had baths, slept, ate again, went to the park, talked, and had a great time.
Third flight - LA to Las Vegas 1 hr.
Short enough that know one freaked out.
Saw the Vegas strip, very sad and ugly. Of course the Vegas airport was littered with slot machines. Gideon was very restless. We were all tired and hungry. Gideon cried the last 45 min. waiting to board the plane. Everyone was giving me looks. I told a few of them that we were traveling from Australia and they lightened up a bit.
Fourth flight - Las Vegas to Indy 3 hrs.
A hard flight. We were over flying. The kids slept for the first two hours. The last hour seemed to last three times the true length. Gideon was not happy. The playdough given to me by a friend in Melbourne saved us. Thank you!
Got to Indy at 11pm safe and sound. Got to bed at 1am.
had to catch a bus from the domestic to international
Only one bus was working so it took a long time. We had to race walk to catch our next flight.
Second flight - Sydney to LAX 14 hrs.
Kids slept for about 6-7 hours. Out of the whole flight I was able to watch 45 min. of a movie. The kids did great, prayers were answered.
Once in LA, Brandon's uncle picked us up and took us to the LA Fisher household. We ate, had baths, slept, ate again, went to the park, talked, and had a great time.
Third flight - LA to Las Vegas 1 hr.
Short enough that know one freaked out.
Saw the Vegas strip, very sad and ugly. Of course the Vegas airport was littered with slot machines. Gideon was very restless. We were all tired and hungry. Gideon cried the last 45 min. waiting to board the plane. Everyone was giving me looks. I told a few of them that we were traveling from Australia and they lightened up a bit.
Fourth flight - Las Vegas to Indy 3 hrs.
A hard flight. We were over flying. The kids slept for the first two hours. The last hour seemed to last three times the true length. Gideon was not happy. The playdough given to me by a friend in Melbourne saved us. Thank you!
Got to Indy at 11pm safe and sound. Got to bed at 1am.
19.11.09
Day 1
I am trying to catch up and keep a record of all we do. Here we go.
Our calendar
So we went to the beach before we left on Friday. It was very nice and relaxing pre-flight activity. Came home from the beach took showers, gave the kids lunch, gave the kids a sleep, headed to the airport.
At the airport we met up with our traveling companions. There were three of them to LAX and then only one all the way through to Indy. I could not have done it alone.
Our calendar
So we went to the beach before we left on Friday. It was very nice and relaxing pre-flight activity. Came home from the beach took showers, gave the kids lunch, gave the kids a sleep, headed to the airport.
At the airport we met up with our traveling companions. There were three of them to LAX and then only one all the way through to Indy. I could not have done it alone.
10.11.09
Ok, that wasn't true
The last post was about our last trip to the beach. I was wrong.
We went today and will probably go again tomorrow or Thursday.
It has been in the 30s (low 90s) all this week, perfect weather.
The ocean is beginning to warm up and the winds have died down.
Going to the beach helps keep the house clean until we go.
I have to say it is going to be hard going into a US winter while it is so lovely here. I just hope the snow comes early.
I am about packed. Actually I have had the clothes packed for a while but they were needing to be weeded out. I know I packed too much the first time. We forget how warm the houses are in the States. I packed a bunch of jumpers and then realized that we will be too hot inside to wear them. Brandon said he is going to pack shorts and t-shirts. I told him that was a little extreme. Well, maybe not the t-shirt part.
We went today and will probably go again tomorrow or Thursday.
It has been in the 30s (low 90s) all this week, perfect weather.
The ocean is beginning to warm up and the winds have died down.
Going to the beach helps keep the house clean until we go.
I have to say it is going to be hard going into a US winter while it is so lovely here. I just hope the snow comes early.
I am about packed. Actually I have had the clothes packed for a while but they were needing to be weeded out. I know I packed too much the first time. We forget how warm the houses are in the States. I packed a bunch of jumpers and then realized that we will be too hot inside to wear them. Brandon said he is going to pack shorts and t-shirts. I told him that was a little extreme. Well, maybe not the t-shirt part.
7.11.09
Last beach trip before we leave for the States
We found some cool things.
Fossils
Dead seal pup
and rock pools
see here
We leave in 5.5 days. Our bedroom is a complete disaster at the moment. Clothes everywhere.
At this moment in time I wish I could be Merlin from the movie Sword in the Stone. I would tap my wand and make everything dance into one suitcase that I could easily carry.
Fossils
Dead seal pup
and rock pools
see here
We leave in 5.5 days. Our bedroom is a complete disaster at the moment. Clothes everywhere.
At this moment in time I wish I could be Merlin from the movie Sword in the Stone. I would tap my wand and make everything dance into one suitcase that I could easily carry.
1.11.09
surprise!, rally driving-best date ever, good times
note: the best part is at the bottom, so don't stop halfway through
This year Brandon turns 30. So to celebrate this monumental event I decided to throw a surprise birthday party for him...two months early.
Here is the invite if you want to view it.
It didn't end up being a surprise for Brandon, here is why...
1. He saw a work mate's e-mail and noticed an evite from me.
2. He read our internet history the one day I forgot to delete the evite url from the history. Saw the evite url and the game was up. At this time he didn't know the date.
3. Friday when he got home from work, Adele spilled the beans.
Before Brandon could say anything after getting home from work on Friday...
Adele: "No, won't say anything!"
Brandon: "huh?"
Adele: "It's a surprise"
Brandon: smiles and winks at me
Me: smirk at him
Jolene: "the only thing we can talk about is that we had a bath"
Right so he knew at this point.
On the way over we decided that Brandon should try to sneak in and come up behind everyone and surprise them. Someone needed to be surprised after all this work, right?
So I dropped him at the corner and then waited a few minutes before I drove up to the house. Brandon meanwhile sneaked through the laundry door and into the living room where everyone was quietly waiting. He walked up behind everyone and quietly asked "is he here yet?" I think everyone was very confused for a few seconds, Brandon and I enjoy being devious every now and again :-)
Party details -
Venue - Alastair and Marg McEwen's house. Our house was going to be way to small for the 36 people.
Food - Wine and cheese tasting, homemade meat pies, sushi, dim sims, and other finger food. Oh, and of course cake...see below.
What we did -
Ate food
All about Brandon quiz
Pass the Parcel
Speech from Josh
Speech from Brandon
Ate, ate, ate, ate, ate
Voting on the best wine and the best cheese
Music -
A great selection from our iTunes library, see below
I know, this post is getting long but keep reading the best is yet to come!
The game pass the parcel is something we do not do in the States. So I decided that since Brandon has missed out for 30 years that we would play it that night. A parcel is made by wrapping a bunch of "gifts" (some were gags) in different layers of paper. The last gift was for the birthday boy. The funny thing is, we had agreed not to get each other anything for our birthdays this year. Well, Brandon bought me an iPhone and I bought him the surprise inside the parcel.
The surprise was a voucher to go rally driving in Werribee. We did the rally driving yesterday (Sat). Brandon got to choose two cars (evo and STI) to drive 12 laps in. An instructor sat in the passenger seat (where the navigator sits during a rally race) and gave him tips on how to improve his time. After all that the instructor takes you on a hot lap around the entire course. Brandon paid an extra $30 so that I could go on a hot lap too. Let me just say it was awesome and I want to do more. Speed is addictive. Brandon and I both agree that this was the best date ever.
For the hot laps Brandon and I were both hoping, hoping that we got the guy who is Australia's drifting champion, Luke, and we did!
We were going 150ks on the straights. My stomach felt like it was on a roller coaster. I told the instructor, Luke, that it was an addictive feeling. He agreed. Luke was threading this car through boulders and around hairpin turns with an ease that is quite amazing. At times I couldn't tell if we had our nose pointing down the line. He knew what he was doing. I lost all sense of direction. I will have Brandon do a write up of his experience.
Here is an album of the party and Saturday's rally driving
Here is a video of Brandon's last few laps. I took the video from my iPhone, sorry about the wind noise. I forgot to cover the mic.
This year Brandon turns 30. So to celebrate this monumental event I decided to throw a surprise birthday party for him...two months early.
Here is the invite if you want to view it.
It didn't end up being a surprise for Brandon, here is why...
1. He saw a work mate's e-mail and noticed an evite from me.
2. He read our internet history the one day I forgot to delete the evite url from the history. Saw the evite url and the game was up. At this time he didn't know the date.
3. Friday when he got home from work, Adele spilled the beans.
Before Brandon could say anything after getting home from work on Friday...
Adele: "No, won't say anything!"
Brandon: "huh?"
Adele: "It's a surprise"
Brandon: smiles and winks at me
Me: smirk at him
Jolene: "the only thing we can talk about is that we had a bath"
Right so he knew at this point.
On the way over we decided that Brandon should try to sneak in and come up behind everyone and surprise them. Someone needed to be surprised after all this work, right?
So I dropped him at the corner and then waited a few minutes before I drove up to the house. Brandon meanwhile sneaked through the laundry door and into the living room where everyone was quietly waiting. He walked up behind everyone and quietly asked "is he here yet?" I think everyone was very confused for a few seconds, Brandon and I enjoy being devious every now and again :-)
Party details -
Venue - Alastair and Marg McEwen's house. Our house was going to be way to small for the 36 people.
Food - Wine and cheese tasting, homemade meat pies, sushi, dim sims, and other finger food. Oh, and of course cake...see below.
What we did -
Ate food
All about Brandon quiz
Pass the Parcel
Speech from Josh
Speech from Brandon
Ate, ate, ate, ate, ate
Voting on the best wine and the best cheese
Music -
A great selection from our iTunes library, see below
I know, this post is getting long but keep reading the best is yet to come!
The game pass the parcel is something we do not do in the States. So I decided that since Brandon has missed out for 30 years that we would play it that night. A parcel is made by wrapping a bunch of "gifts" (some were gags) in different layers of paper. The last gift was for the birthday boy. The funny thing is, we had agreed not to get each other anything for our birthdays this year. Well, Brandon bought me an iPhone and I bought him the surprise inside the parcel.
The surprise was a voucher to go rally driving in Werribee. We did the rally driving yesterday (Sat). Brandon got to choose two cars (evo and STI) to drive 12 laps in. An instructor sat in the passenger seat (where the navigator sits during a rally race) and gave him tips on how to improve his time. After all that the instructor takes you on a hot lap around the entire course. Brandon paid an extra $30 so that I could go on a hot lap too. Let me just say it was awesome and I want to do more. Speed is addictive. Brandon and I both agree that this was the best date ever.
For the hot laps Brandon and I were both hoping, hoping that we got the guy who is Australia's drifting champion, Luke, and we did!
We were going 150ks on the straights. My stomach felt like it was on a roller coaster. I told the instructor, Luke, that it was an addictive feeling. He agreed. Luke was threading this car through boulders and around hairpin turns with an ease that is quite amazing. At times I couldn't tell if we had our nose pointing down the line. He knew what he was doing. I lost all sense of direction. I will have Brandon do a write up of his experience.
Here is an album of the party and Saturday's rally driving
Here is a video of Brandon's last few laps. I took the video from my iPhone, sorry about the wind noise. I forgot to cover the mic.
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