3 Years in the land down under

Just over 3 years ago, we arrived in Perth. Not sure where the time has gone, but it has flown by. Now that George is at school full time, the weeks just disappear into each other. He is doing fantastic, has started reading and comes home with new words to learn every week, the progress he has made since the start of the year amazes me and he still loves going which is great. George continues to make progress with is swimming and is confident in the water. He started soccer lessons at the beginning of the year and is really enjoying it. He is a normal 5 year old, outgoing, does not stop talking, full of cheek and very kind hearted.

Harry is fast growing up, nearly 18 months. He started walking the day Mum and Eily arrived which was fantastic timing and he has not looked back since. He is a total bruiser, a climber and into EVERYTHING! Harry shows no fear and is very cheeky. He is obsessed with the word 'dog', can also say muma, dada, car, truck, toot toot....so maninly vehicles then! He is very comical and know exactly what he wants. It is lovely to watch the boys play together and they love chasing each other all over the place.

We have had a busy few months since Christmas, that in itself is always mad with the Christmas parties and boys birthdays. (Really bad timing on our part!) Mum and Eily arrived at the end of January, Dad followed a couple of weeks later. We went camping with Mum, Dad and some friends up north to Jurien Bay for a couple of nights. We didn't overload them as much this time round and just appreciated having them here. At the end of the holiday, Eily flew back from over East with Dan and Rachel, to spend some time here before going home. It was lovely to see everyone and to spend some quality time with them. The house was certainly quiet when everyone left.

We went camping again at Easter, this time down south to Bunbury. The weather turned on us and we spent two nights clinging onto the tents in fear of being blown away. Camping in a storm is not fun! The days were nice though and the weather picked up, so we were able to visit a few places. Also managed to the see the Royal Wedding at some point, which was nice, there was huge coverage of it over here.

Not sure what the next few months will bring, the lease ends on our rental in July and we are still debating renewing or moving, so will keep you posted. I will try not to leave it so long til the next update!

Love to everyone x

March - May 2011

The Family Visit

Birthdays & Christmas Holidays

Camping and the build up to Christmas

We went camping a few weeks ago with friends, a couple of hours south to Busselton. The weather was hot and humid, we were lucky with the rain as it only really rained at night. The boys were up early, hard to keep them contained in a tent, so we had a 4.30am start on the first morning, which made for a long day. It was nice just to relax around the campsite where the kids had so much freedom to ride their bikes and know they were safe. We spent one morning at Yallingup beach, it was a little windy, but that did not seem to bother the kids as they were paddling and boogie boarding for ages, then lost their legs in the sand to Wes' shovel! It was a really nice, well needed chill out weekend.

George had his Kindy Christmas Concert yesterday, a real tearjerker, or maybe that was just me! They had learnt the words and actions to 3 songs and did a brilliant job, although George managed to yawn through quite a lot of it :-) All the children received their merit awards, which was a lovely surprise and we even won a hamper in the raffle, so well worth Wes taking the day off!

Christmas cards were posted last week, so you should all be receiving them any day soon. Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas and best wishes for 2011.

All our love as always, Wesley, Jo, George and Harry xxxx

September to November

It has been a busy couple of months, Wes has been flying in and out of various mine sites, usually gone for a week at a time, or the odd day here and there. It has been ok, have just got to be really organised with the kids and the dinner, bath, bed routine. The weather has been lovely so we have been able to get to the beach a few times and to the local pools. The boys both love the water and similarly the sand. Harry makes a bee-line for it!

We had a day trip out on a friends boat, they live on the river just outside Mandurah, about 40 minutes south of us. George loved the boat and immediately took to 'Pop', who was our captain for the day, he even got a chance to drive, loved it.

The boys and their friends went trick or treating for Halloween, all looking very cute dressed up in their outfits. We had a party at our friends house, so harassed her neighbours instead!

George had his first sleep over with Buster and James. They were actually very well behaved and although they were having teddy fights and hiding under George's bed, they were all asleep by 8.30pm. Unfortunately, they were up by 5am! Although, that seems the norm in our house of late, light mornings wake the boys and we are usually ready to leave the house hours before we normally would! It makes for a very long day. We still try to meet friends at the park or beach in the mornings, trying to keep them entertained and of course, burn off some of that energy!

In the run up to Christmas, we went to see Santa last weekend, George had a whole list for him :-) The tree is up and we are counting down the days (and eating the chocolates) until the big day. George has just two weeks left at school, (4 days), he will start full time in February, which is he really excited about and is so ready for. He has a Kindy Christmas Concert, which we cannot wait for and will be sure to film, plus the usual catch ups with friends. Not sure where the year has gone, Harry will be one in a couple of weeks. He is a very cheeky little man and into everything, crawling, climbing and walking around the furniture or pulling at your legs to get up. Am sure it will not be long before he is walking and then they will be no stopping him.

Sorry I have not had chance to put captions to the photos, but as you can see there are quite a few!! Happy viewing!!

Time Flies

Sorry it has been a while since our last update, not sure where the time has gone. We moved during June and were without the Internet for over a month, the phone company is in no rush here to get things sorted. We have been making the most of the dry weather with trips to the parks, bike rides, model railways and even managed the beach a few times. Not bad for Winter!
Wes has flown to a few mine sites, a whole new experience and some very long days. Driving between jobs could be at least 2-3 hours and directions are difficult. He was constantly watching the fuel gauage as the petrol stations are few and far between. He has taken some amazing views, along with the mamouth machinery.
The boys are both well, George is forever growing and as cheeky as ever, enjoying school and playing with his friends. Harry is also growing, mainly becasue he does not stop eating. We have nicknamed him the cookie monster because he just cannot eat things fast enough. He is sitting up confidently now and had 4 teeth. He is on the move, but just rolling everywhere, he has got up ricking on his knees a few times, but does not seem in a hurry....which is fine with us!
Will try to update a bit more regular, so keep checking to see what we are up to xx

June to August

Wes' photos at the Mines

A Day of Trains and a Winters Day at Rockingham Beach

A few weeks back we took the boys to Balcatta trains, paid $6 each and rode trains for the afternoon. This was the most valued day out we have had since we have been here....total value for money and the look on George's face was priceless. Bless him, he was getting excited at the signals, points, tunnel and bridge, not to mention the different trains he could ride. He rode trains for four hours, barely stopping for a quick bite to eat. Harry had a turn but was not overly impressed, he cried most of the way round. The trains run on the last Sunday of each month, so if we are not at home, no surprises where we'll be!

This afternoon, we took full advantage of a lovely winter's sunny afternoon and took the boys to Rockingham Beach. We spent an hour or so making tracks and digging in the sand before heading for ice cream and the parks. Harry had a great time feeling the texture of the sand and managed to stay awake the whole afternoon, taking it all in. Here's hoping he sleeps through tonight!!!

Day out to the Zoo

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated being in Oz 2 years, by having a family trip to the zoo. We thought we would make the day of it and got the train into the city, then got the boat back across the river with a short walk to the zoo. George was in his element on the train and made a point of shouting out 'Mum, why is that lady asleep???' (most of the train was laughing, at least he called her a lady, so could have been worse!) He loved being on the boat, although was a bit concerned when the captain had it on cruise control as he thought we were going to crash. We had a few showers in the morning, but it was funny watching the orangutans trying to shelter under cardboard boxes and towels. We stopped for a picnic lunch and then it was off to see more animals. George enjoyed taking some photos and could not wait to get to the zoo shop!! He bought two animals, (which subsequently got taken to school for show and tell, to tell the class about our day out) and had to hold then the whole way home. Yet again on the way home, someone was asleep on the train, but this time he woke them up when he shouted 'Look Mum, someone else is sleeping!' It was very funny.

March / April

Here are some recent photos, mainly of the boys, both of which are growing fast! George has shot up again and is towering over his friends, Harry is putting on weight and has now started on solids. He is very content, full of smiles and finally starting to sleep through the night (fingers x'd!!)

The past couple of months have passed in a blur. George finished his first term at school, he loves going and can't wait to get his bag on his shoulders and get out the door in the mornings. We had a few Easter parties and egg hunts, plus lots of chocolate. Over the Easter weekend, we went to Rebecca and Michael's wedding (Wes works with Rebecca). They got married on the beach and afterwards the reception was held at their house. It was very different to what we are used to, but still lovely. The weekends have been full of birthday parties, car racing, golf, night at the dogs, football, bbqs and generally catching up with friends. The weather has started to cool down now, although the days are fairly warm. Wes still managed to take George to the beach yesterday!

We will have been here 2 years next month, not sure where the time has gone, but it is great to still be in touch with everyone back home xx

Skydiving

Yesterday we travelled inland to York for me to throw myself out of a plane. The jump was a Christmas present from Wes and is something I have always wanted to do. I thought at some point I would get butterflies or be full of nerves, but I was surprisingly OK. George got upset in the morning as he wanted to jump with me and asked me if I was scared, but I told him I would be fine as long as he gave me the biggest cuddle ever when I landed. As you can see from the photos, he was running towards me as soon as I touched the ground. I jumped from 10,000 feet, with a 30 second free fall. It was totally amazing, a bit chilly when you first jump out and really noisy as you free fall. It was a tad painful when the parachute opened, as you are yanked upwards, but the views on descent were amazing. I landed safely and would definitely do it again.....and higher next time!!!

Camping

Last weekend we crammed the car full and headed away for the weekend, camping in Mandurah. It is just 30 minutes south, but close enough to pop home if we needed to! (Although there was no chance of that with the amount of stuff we brought with us for just 2 nights.) We had a fantastic weekend with friends, 20 of us in all. The campsite was perfect for the first time in our own tent, as we were all located next to the jumping pillow and park, so the kids were able to roam free and we could still keep an eye out from where we were pitched. We didn't realise how well equipped the site was with CLEAN loos, showers and a bath!! Plus a camp kitchen with 3 BBQs, sinks, 2 fridges, a freezer and TV!! Our next trip will have a lot to live up to !!

We were up with the crows, squawking overhead at 6am and with a couple of late nights, this week we have been playing catch up. Harry was brilliant and loved getting cuddles from everyone. George was in his element with all of his friends around him and actually asked to go to bed, because he was so tired. He is already exhausted from 2 days at school, so this weekend totally knocked it out of him, as you can see by the photo of him in his car seat ready to go home :)

Dancing George

A quick boogie before school!