Mother's Day

Jack and I headed out to the Perth Zoo this morning on Mother's Day!  We packed a picnic and arrived there a little after 9am, Mum's had free entry for Mother's Day and Jack was free since he is under 4 so...SCORE!  We had to wait in line for a while to get in, it was a little bit crowded but beautiful day outside. 

This is one of my favorite birds that we saw, he was called a blacked winged stilt bird.  Check out his legs, aren't they awesome!

Jack walking along the railing of the water, promising not to get wet, which of course he did! Oh well!

This animal below is called a Numbat, they are specific to Western Australia.  I think they used to live all over Australia but in the past few decades have been only in Western Australia?  He was a weird looking fella, kind of like a rat with a squirrel face and kangaroo ears and a long tail?

I fell in love with the Orangutan in the picture below.  He was such a performer, he would play games with all the people watching him.  Can you tell what game he is playing with us?

 Peek-A-Boo

And of course one of my favorite animals.  The Giraffe.....Tall, Strong and Steady, they are beautiful creatures! I could stand around and watch them for a long time.  These pictures don't do the any of animals justice.

After seeing all the animals we lounged out on a picnic blanket and had a lovely lunch.  It was a great morning.  We made back to the house just in time for a long nap.  It's been a wonderful Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mom's out there.  What an honor and a blessing it is, I can't imagine my life any other way.  Jack has enabled me to grow and become a person that I never knew I could be.  I never knew how much my heart could feel love until I became a Mother.  I thank God for blessing me with Jack everyday! 

Lots of Love from Australia,
Kim
xxoxo

The rest of Rottnest Island

After a long, much needed sleep Jack and I woke up bright and early Wednesday morning.  There are no vehicles allowed on the island so the only source of transport are either your legs or a bike!  I opted for the bike.  We hired a bike as they say over here.  Jack really, really, really wanted to ride his own bike, since all the other kids were riding one.  I got him his own bike with training wheels like he has at home, but the hills were steep and he got frustrated about 1/2 a mile from the bike shop so....we turned around and I got a bike with a carrier on the back. Let me just tell you that he is a heavy dude to bike around! He loved going for bike rides. 

We hit up the general store and the liquor store for groceries and beer.  Since you are on a bike they deliver the goods to your chalet and even put them in the fridge if you aren't there!  Now that is what I call service!

Ready to build a castle

He is the light of my life, he brings me SO much happiness!

Running from a wave

Covered in sand!  At one point he had it in his ears for two days!  He was making sand angels! On another note the sun is potent here, you have to wear screen and a hat.  It is so close to the equator and much more intense.  If we were out for more than 2 hours I would get red shoulders.  

This is the beach where we spent most of our time, it is called Pinky's beach and apparently it is where all the underage drinkers come to hang out at night?  I don't know about that, but during the day it is peaceful and quiet!

Just playing around

Jack on the back of the bike.  I almost dumped him out taking this picture because there was not a kick stand.

Our Chalet on the beach! 

Jack met a little guy on the Ferry over, his name was Zack and he was 5, Jack immediately became his shadow and we hung out with his family a lot!  Great people.  It was so funny because Zack walked up to Jack while waiting on the Ferry and literally said, "Do you want to be my friend?" Jack of course said, "Yes!" and off they went!  We met them in the park and for lunch and on the beach several times!  Very nice folks!  Jack asked me when we got back if Zack could come to his house and play with his toys sometime?  Sure...Jack! Kids are amazingly sweet an innocent!

We attended mass at this beautiful Catholic Church on a hill in Rottnest called, Holy Trinity!  I took a picture but for some reason it won't upload!  It was Thursday morning, just Jack and I, the priest and two other ladies.  Amazing service!  It felt really peaceful and quaint!  I was very glad we went! Jack kept talking to the priest during Mass and he started laughing!  It was really funny! Also...I saw a sign in the church garden that stated that congregation members who wish to be buried under the hill on the church were welcome too.  Then it listed their names!  Different but neat at the same time, I bet the people buried there have been on the island for their entire lives!  

What an amazing trip!  So glad we went!  We are here at the Gallup's for one more week and then off to the Gold Coast of Australia for 7 days and then onto Sydney for 5 days before heading home!

I love it here!  If you haven't made plans make them NOW to come to Australia and visit.  It is a beautiful place!  

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:34  

Much Love,

Kim and Jack

Rottnest Island - Day 1

I had planned a short getaway for Jack and I to head to a local island called, Rottnest Island.  Let me begin by saying that I had NO idea how amazing and wonderful it would be. Everyone told me that it was awesome but I guess you have to experience it to believe it.  I'm so gratefully that we went.

We headed out on Tuesday morning bright and early to catch our Ferry which left Hillary's Boat Harbour around 10:30am.  It is about a 30 minute drive but I needed to stop and get some things at the Big W, Australia's version of Wally World.  Got what I need, got back on the road, headed the wrong direction!  I'm super directionally challenged.  Then Jack had to stop to poop.  After finding a place, parking, etc...We missed the boat!  It was my fault but I think I'll blame it on Jack because he had to stop to use the toilet.  Never mind that I got us lost 30 minutes out of the way. 

I walk to the Ferry counter, "Is there another boat today, we missed the 10:30?" Its 11:30 buy now.  "No, I'm sorry that was the last boat out from our harbour today!"  Piss the bed! "Okay, can I have my money back, no sorry we don't do that but I can give you a voucher!" "Sure, that would be super since I live here and all and I'll probably NEVER use it!  Thanks, appreciate it lady!" I didn't really say that.  I acted like a dumb tourist and she helped me find another company that travels to the island.

Drive 30 minutes to the  next port, pay $80.00 more dollars with another company to catch the next ferry at 2:00. I'm learning so much!  My patience level has increase dramatically.  Normally I would be flipping out but I felt pretty cool with it, nothing I could do anyway!

We made it and it is amazing!  Check out their site if you have time. http://www.rottnestisland.com/en/pages/Home.aspx

The Knuckle Head waiting for the Ferry.

My dream boat....literally!  I'd love to cruise around when I retire, on one of these babies!

Our view at dinner, Hotel Rottnest, excellent food and great atmosphere. 

We stayed right by the lighthouse so you know my obsession with lighthouses!  We walked to it the first night as the sun was setting!  Beautiful!

 Jack approaching the beach!  Doesn't he look so small, comparatively speaking?  He has been a little timid around the beaches here, slightly scared of the waves so I was curious to see how he would act at Rottnest.  The water is really calm and I wondered if that would make a difference to him.

I'm fully dressed but these kids beside me make it look fun.  Should I get it??

Getting Braver

"Mom, take my shirt off, I want to swim!"

Body Boarding!  He loved it!  We hung out on the beach until almost dark then called it a night.  We stayed in a chalet it was cozy.  Great for a family vaca. 

Hugs from Rotto

Kim

Kings Park

David and I set out to Kings Park with a picnic for the kids.  Kings Park is in the actual city of Perth and it overlooks the Swan River in parts.  All I can say is that it is beautiful and even that is an injustice!  This place is amazing.  The kids loved every second of it, playgrounds, water areas, hills to roll down.  They were in heaven!

DD the Monkey!  This child is a fearless climber!

Jack running through the sprinklers getting wet, he was one happy kid.

I was lounging on the picnic blanket in the sun about to take a snooze when I heard some obnoxious child screaming.  YAY, it's mine!  He climbed up onto the Dino statue and couldn't get down!  Oh Joy!

Kings Park Memorial Statue, it's a tribute to the service men and women that have served in various wars.  Karen's Grandfather (Nola's Dad) was on a ship serving and didn't make it home.  David and I located his name. I love going to places like this.  Every time I have been to Arlington National Cemetery or others like it, it gets me all choked up.  What a great honor to have served your country.

I made the kids sit down by these flowers to take a picture because I thought they were so pretty.  They were screaming about the sun being in their eyes! It was comical! I told them to toughen up, I needed a picture!

This is the park!  I mean really....can you believe this.  People lounging, reading, lovers talking, children laughing!  It is truly something!  If I lived here, I would be a park junky.

The outlook over Swan River, so pretty!

Dylan (aka. DD) loving on Jack!  DD got these rain boots for his birthday and he hasn't taken them off since!  So cute!

Shannon doing some hill rolling! Fun stuff!

Jack attempting to roll down the hill!  He's just learning!

The kids were having races down this huge hill.  Hailey was smoking them and soon enough she tripped and fell (I knew this was going to happen).  Jack did his manly duty and went to help her up and held her hand back up the hill!  Such a gentlemen.  Doesn't he look so serious?

  
Sweet children....Most of the time! :)

Lots of Love from Down Under!
Kim and Jack

Caversham Wildlife Park

On Dylan's actual birthday we all loaded up and headed to Caversham Wildlife Park.  David and Karen wanted to take Jack to pet some Kangaroos to celebrate his birthday too.  Also, petting a kangaroo is all Jack has talked about since I started telling him about the trip to Australia.
Caversham is a really neat place, it is so much fun to be able to interact with the animals!  I've attached their website if you are interested in checking it out!  Very cool!
www.cavershamwildlife.com.au/

Shannon heading into the park

Jack and Hailey pumped about seeing the animals.

Bottle feeding a baby Kangaroo.  It was really cool to watch!

This owl is for you Kelly, it's eyes were bright yellow!  Beautiful! HA! :)

Us with a Wombat!  Very neat, strange animals.  Jack was a tiny bit scared at this guy!

The Kangaroos are just laying around, chilling in the grass and they let you walk right up to them and pet them.  It is truly amazing!  Jack LOVED it, he couldn't get enough of them.  It was really neat!

Jack and a Kangaroo! He probably would have sat down beside them if he could have.  He loved them. 

Shannon, Hailey, and Jack with one of their kangaroo friends!

Their fur was super soft.

I was trying to get pictures of the kids with the kangaroos and I got too close to the fence and this Emu below bit my ear!  I screamed, it hurt, and Karen laughed!  I think he was going after my shiny shiny silver earring!  I'm not an Emu fan!

Mean Animal.

We also got to hang out with the Koala Bear's, they were really beautiful, soft and sleepy!  They sleep almost 20 hours a day! 

Jack was able to pet one of the Koala Bears but you have to be careful to not touch the leaves as they can smell human on the leaves and they will not eat them after they have our scent on them!

Very neat day!  Jack could barely sleep for talking about the Kangaroos! 

Pizza and an ice cream cake followed that night for Dylan's birthday party with the family along, with more presents!  Sweet DD raked in the gifts! It was a very great day! 

"Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8

Dylan Turns 3

Sorry that I have been MIA lately, Jack and I have been busy people this past week.  We have been going lots of places and seeing many new exciting things.  I am going to go back a week and start from there to catch up. 

Last Friday we had Dylan's 3rd Birthday Party at Whiteman Park.  Karen does such an amazing job making the kids birthdays a special celebration for each of them.  She really goes above and beyond and the kids LOVE it! 

After much prepartion for the party we all headed out to the park on Friday morning around 8am.  I took Jack and Dylan with me and we headed to pick up some last minute ice and then onto pick up Karen's Mum, Nola, before the party.  After getting the ice, I see some lights flashing behind me....CRAP!!  It is the police in an unmarked car.  I am dying inside, scared,  my hands were shaking.  I pulled over in the dirt, there was not much of a shoulder, and rolled my window down.  Lady officer approaches my window and says "Did I know why I was pulled over?"  Shaking and nervous I said "No, I didn't think I was speeding?" She says, "No, you are not wearing a seat belt."  This is unlike me, I normally always wear my belt b/c I know that it saves lives, etc...but I guess I was in a hurry.  "Did you know that the ticket for no seat belt is a $500 dollar fine?"  Me, "No sweet lady officer, I did not know that.  I would really appreciate if you didn't give me a ticket b/c I am here on vacation and that is a lot of money." "Can I see your license?" "Sure officer you could see it if I had it on me however, it is with my passport at the place that I am staying."  In my mind I am thinking, I'm so screwed!  So, she takes my Oklahoma license which I did  have and walks back to her car.  Comes back with a contraption and asks me to blow in it.  "Um...okay, what is that before I blow in it?"  "I'm just gonna check your alcohol level."  AT 8:15 am!!  "Sure officer, I blew in it, I blew a 0.00 and she handed me a voucher to enter to win free gas for blowing a 0.00, told me to buckle up and be on my way!  I was SO relieved.  Thank you to the very kind Aussie police woman who let me out of the $500 dollar fine. 

Off to the party!

Dylan and Karen on his birthday!  Karen did a fantastic job!  And this little guy loves his Mum!

Dylan got so excited when opening presents!  Check out that face!  Priceless excitement!

Airplane races in the park! 

All the kids with the b-day boy!

The Gallup Family celebrating Dylan turning 3!  Great picture of a beautiful family! 

They have been amazing host and we have had such a great time here!  Everyone is so relaxed!  It is defenitely refreshing! 

Happy Birthday Dylan Patrick!  You are a joy!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11