Breaking Dawn Part 1

I can't wait! It looks so good!

First day of school in OZ

The girls started to school today... They didn't get the long summer vacation they are use to but they will have another break in 10 weeks.

Don't they look cute in their uniforms? Amazing how much faster they can get ready in the mornings now! HAHA

What a change from just a little over two years ago.... 2008!!!

UPDATE: They both had a WONDERFUL first day. Each of them made lots of friends and could not stop talking about all the fun things they did during the day. I hope the "new" does not wear off too fast.

Home Sweet Home!

After a lot of looking we finally found a house that is going to be perfect for us! We move in on Monday. I say move in but it will really be more like "camping" as our container won't be here for another 3+ weeks.

The view from the street

The back patio - lots of space for entertaining

The kitchen. Much bigger than an RV kitchen. I can't wait to bake cookies, cakes etc... and NOT burn the bottoms. :)

The breakfast or TV room

And the very best part of all - THE POOL!!!

Give us a month or two and we will be ready for house guests, so pack your bags.

Typical Sunday in Australia

Today we spent the afternoon doing what most people in Australia do on the weekends.... BBQ'ing at the park or beach. You grab your pick-nic-basket, swig by the butcher shop and spend the day eating, relaxing and playing.

The parks here all have electric BBQ's for everyone to use. You just push a button, wait a few minutes for them to heat up and a bbq lunch is just a short time away. It makes it really easy since you don't have to bring along charcoal or a gas grill.

This is one of the MANY parks that are within a 5 min drive of where we are living.

Emily and Allie did most of the cooking....

And man they were some GREAT burger!

Allie found a spinning thing at the park and she didn't want to get off of it. I am surprised she kept her lunch down, but she did.

This shot is for Jared... do you miss it??? Ice cold Tooheys New!!!

The weather was pretty warm for a winter day and we mad the most of it - one of many more to come.

Our "First" Car

We made our first "big" purchase as Australian residents....



A Toyota Kluger...






Note the steering wheel on the right side of the car....




Not too shabby for a "first" car!!! :)

Inner Space

Allie, Amanda and I spent a fun day at Inner Space Caverns in Georgetown a few days before we left for Australia. It was really fun to spend the day together. Emily had other plans... :)

It was really good for these two to "bond" a little right before we left.

Lady In Red

I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight, I've never seen you shine so bright...you were amazing!!! Courtesy of Chris De Burgh ..... :)

Emily went to a military ball in Houston with her good friend Jack. He asked her to be his "date" in September of last year - which was great because she needed time to find the perfect dress.

After a lot of looking she found a pattern that she loved and had my Mom make it for her. It turned out fantastic and she looked absolutely beautiful in it!!!!

Emily, Jack, Jen & Paul

Monster Trucks

I know it is really “red-neck” but we had a great time!! It is definitely one of the things that you just have to do at least once in your life… just so you can say you have!

Snow Day (A little late!)

Here are some photos from the snow we got a few weeks ago. We did not get as much as last year but we still had fun in it and got a day off from school!

We all had fun playing in the snow....

Man Agro has grown a lot since last year.

The snow is nice, but I am glad we only get it every once in a while and it does not stick around too long. I can't wait for summer weather! :)

Happy 100th Birthday Edna Anderson

David's grandmother turned 100 years old on Friday. The family threw her a big party to celebrate.


She received a special letter from the Governor General of Australia.

Edna and her four kids

Front row: Gwenda, Edna (Birthday girl) Doug

Back row: Sam (David's dad) and Delma

She also received a special honor - A birthday letter from the Queen of England!!

Happy Brithday Gran! We miss you!!!