Margaret River

We spent two nights in the Margaret River region, staying in Yallingup at the Wyadup Brook Cottages. We visited the Flying fish, Howard Park, Brown Hill Estate and Laurance Wineries. We also made a stop at theHapp Pottery Studio and Sensei Pots.

Check out: http://www.happs.com.au/pages/pothistory.html

The pottery at Happs was gorgeous. Will definetly be making some purchases there in the future...

Also checked out and purchased some prints by photographer Christian fletcher-

http://www.christianfletcher.com.au/

Now the kiwis have headed home and we are sad and lonely...boo hoo. Lucky for them my husband just walked through the door with a big fat kite...maybe a melbourne rendez-vous sooner than later?

Thanks for a fantastic couple of weeks and a great Christmas guys!!! Our kids will not soon forget you! xxx JJHB

Swan Valley Wine Tour

We went to the swan valley and visited the Lancaster, Houghton and Jarrah Ridge Estate Vineyards. We had a customized tour that took 21 adults and 10 children to the vineyards, the chocolate factory, a brewery and an icecream shop. It was a stellar day.

Feliz Navidad

We had a quiet Christmas Day...It began with the customary opening of stockings from Santa and then on to the prezzies under the tree. Everyone was spoiled. The day was spent lazing around the pool and then for Dinner Tony's parents joined us for turkey. Johnny did the turkey on the bar-b...It was about 40 degrees on Xmas day...a mild 44 degrees on boxing day...ahhh.

Rotto with the Kiwis

We had a fun weekend at Rottnest with M&T. We rented bikes and toodled around the island, swam with the fishes and enjoyed drinks at sunset. The kids are taken with their Aunty and Uncle and are enjoying all of the hang out time.

Dancing Queens

Sweet Haven had her first Dance recital. It was so much fun for us to prepare for and to watch! She did a great job singing and dancing to "up in the trees".

Rusty Holden Ute

This is how Father Christmas arrives down under! Quite amusing. Aussies love their "utes" aka: el caminos...

Aunty Michelle and Uncle Tony in Perth

They have arrived and we are so HAPPY to have them here. So far we have been hanging out close to home. Too tall Tony, Aunty M & myself took our first kite surfing lessons...too much fun! John was one lesson ahead of us. I think we're all hooked. You wouldn't know it by the pics but we did actually get to go in the water and get dragged about- which is a lot more fun than it sounds! We can't wait to get kitted up.

This weekend we are off to Rotto, then Xmas day at home and off to Margaret River for their last weekend with us.

Merry Christmas Everyone!! xxoo

The Tree!

Well we made it out to the swan valley and chopped down our own australian pine at Joes Tree Farm. It's a beaut. It was hot and dusty and we wore flip flops and the flies were out in sticky droves. Did i mention it wasn't snowing, blizzarding or even a faint bit chilly? We forgot our toques, mitts and jackets...but we pulled through. The kids are very excited to decorate the tree!

Rottnest Island

We spent the weekend at Rottnest or "Rotto" as the locals call it. It is such a charming place. We snorkelled and took the kids on a glass bottomed boat tour- quite cool for them. Smith provided fun and frolic on saturday for the Smith Family Christmas Party. A great time was had by all. Rotto is neat because you can't drive so you either have to walk, bike or take the local island bus to get around. We spotted quokkas with their joeys...mini marsupials that the island is famous for- as well as an abundance of peacocks wandering about...The kids loved that the peacocks kept wandering in and out of the ice cream shop. Note the pic of Bronto enjoying a full on ice cream high. The Island has a laid back atmosphere and the beautiful thing is it is only a 25 minute boat ride from Fremantle. We look forward to heading back with Michelle and Tony Dec 22-24!

Christmas Kindy Concert December 2007

Haven performed like a little rockstar in her year end Kindy concert. She even got to introduce Aussie Jingle bells...sooo cute. Afterward we had a picnic in the schoolyard with a sausage sizzle, which naturally was Bronto's favorite part.

Sailing the Swan River

Who knew there was such a learning curve to sailing? Apparently it isn't so for the 8-year-olds out there kicking my butt...Johnimpey seems to grasp the concept of wind as a motor as well. It must be my genetics. It is not for lack of trying that I do not succeed...Ok so maybe i haven't reviewed ALL of the knots and terminology. We had H&B out with us and our coach on thursday night. They were great little passengers and were cruisy throughout the twilight sail.