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

A Camping We Will Go

Day One:
I woke up Monday morning and decided that Jack and I should have a camping trip by the beach.  I  had been planning on taking him but I hadn't made resevations yet so I decided that we should just go for it.  I reserved a camp site for $38 dollars per night.  That is paying for the dirt that I put my tent on, and the toilet that I use. 

Packing up the supplies we will need, tent, chairs, cooler, swim suits, etc...Heading out!  Jack is pumped the sun is shining.  Life is good.  As we head down the road, in Uncle David's Ute, I'm thinking to myself, this is going to be SO much fun, I haven't camped in a long time.  Yay me!  Bonus that we heard Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie on the radio too!  They play the best music here! 

Stop at the grocery store to stock up on camping essentials.. (Read...Chips, Sandwich Stuff, Soda, Cereal)
Get to our camp ground.  Deep Breath, I can set a tent up.  I can do it!  3 LONG hours later, a couple nasty words, a few bags of chips for Jack and here she is people.....is it a beauty! 

Our two man tent, Momma's Chair and Jack's Chair.  PS - When camping be sure to pack something to help you put the stakes in the ground.  A hammer would work, I improvised with a large cinder block borrowed from the wise RV couple beside us. 

Of course Jack brought his trusty traveling companion, Rowdy.  Rowdy has been lots of places, that will be another post but...Jack had to take a picture of Rowdy in the tent. 

Mister Man enjoying some chips and salsa in the back of the truck since we didn't have a table to eat on.  We are roughing it people! 

This is where we went to eat dinner, it is beautiful and I love all the people bustling around!

Not sure if you can see but Jack loved feeding the seagulls.  They were swarming him and he would just giggle!  It was sweet! Then as we were leaving I saw the sign that said, Please Do Not Feed the Birds.  Opps!

The first night passed with out too many major events.  Jack kept whispering, "Mommy what was that?  Did you hear that?"  I was slightly freaked myself and trying to stay calm.  I didn't bring any weapons.  BUT...daylight came and we survived.   

Up and at em. Breakfast and coffee with the trusty neighbors who informed me that it would rain tonight and rain hard and I should think about putting a tarp up over our tent.  TARP??  I didn't bring one of those!  Nah...it's perfectly sunny.  It'll be fine!  Let's get suncreened and off to the beach!

We played around on the beach and Jack loved playing with all the dogs that we saw stolling along the beach after their owners.  He didn't last too long in the sun.  So off to the street festival.  They had the roads closed and all kinds of street acts.  People juggling, musicians, etc...it was cool. 

Jack wanted to take a picture with this statue but this is as close as he would get! HA!

I enjoyed a few cocktails at the markets and the bartender made Jack a "Fire Engine" (Sprite and Cherry).  This was after someone came by while we were in the bathrooms and disposed of his chocolate ice cream.  He flipped OUT and the bartender provided him this as collateral damage.

Back to the camp site....It's about 5:00, starting to get a little dark.  Slightly windy.  What are we going to do if it rains.  Sleep in the truck??  SO after conversing with the RV couple, I decided to go to the office and see if they had any bungalows/chalets left for the night.  Thank you Jesus, they do.  We'll take it.

Down comes the rain, up comes the tent and in we go to our warm comfy chalet!  Jack says, "Wow, Mom, there's a TV and everything!"

I'm so thankful that I decided to get the room because it stormed.  Not like it storms in OK but it rained really hard and it was windy.  We would have been miserable in a tent.  Well, I would have been okay but I was thinking of Jack.... :)

I was too busy packing and unpacking to take pictures.

Glad to be home (at the Gallup's). 

I think I'll leave the camping to the boys.

Happy Trails,

Kim & Jack

  

Camping Trip

Jack and I are taking off to go camping for a few days by the beach!  Wish us luck!  It has been a lifetime since I set a tent up, not sure that I have ever set camp up all by myself!  I'll take lots of pictures!  This should be very interesting.  Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Bye for a few days, we are off to have more Australian Adventures!

Kim

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter!  Hope that everyone is having a wonderfully blessed Holiday!  We woke up this morning and SURPRISE the Easter Bunny even comes to Australia!  Amazing huh??

Jack with all of his Easter goodies, from the Bunny, Aunt Karen and Co, Gran, and Grazie!  Life is good here is Australia! He was SO happy and really wanted to open every piece of candy BEFORE church!  I talked him down to only a few pieces.  I love the joy on children's faces!  Jack said..."Momma that bunny is so nice!"  HA! 

Jack and I leaving to attend church!  Thank you once again self-timer function for helping me document this trip!  You have come in handy! 

My handsome boy, standing outside of church.  He is seriously getting tired of all the pictures at this point but he is still being a sport.  I ironed his pants and shirt the night before and this morning he said "Uh, Mom, there are some wrinkle on this shirt."  Wonder where he gets that??

The mass was beautiful, I really enjoyed it, and although it is different then mass at home, the message is the same!  Jesus Christ has risen today! 

Jack enjoyed it because the priest called all the children up to the alter to offer them an Easter blessing and he also passed out more chocolate eggs!  Jack was thrilled!

We went to the park with Karen's Mother, Nola. She goes by Gran!  I cannot say enough, I know that I have said it before but the parks here are amazing!  People are everywhere, playing ball, grilling out, talking, relaxing.  It is wonderful!  After church Jack and I picked Gran up and we headed to the park.  Yes...I learned to drive!  It is different and liberating all at the same time!

They have propane grills here at all the parks.  It cost $1 to grill your food! It's awesome! I marinated some chicken breast, made a salad, Nola brought sausage to grill, and hard boiled eggs!  It was a wonderful picnic!  And we had Easter sweets that thoughtful Karen left for us to munch on!  Banana, Chocolate Chip bread....need I say more! YUM! 

After our picnic we head to the splash pad at the same park, Jack splashed around for a while and then hit up the sand pit!

"Mom, seriously with the pictures!"

Jack and Gran on our walk through the park!  Gran is a wonderful woman and so full of life! Jack loves her!

The park had a train, water area, picnic area, kid rides, hiking, animals, bridges, etc....Everything you could ever want in a park.  Impressive! 

I gave up potatoes for Lent this year.  Potatoes of all sort. (i.e., chips, french fries) SO...Sweet Aunt Karen left a package of assorted chips for me to devour today!  If I had taken a picture I would post it but I destroyed the evidence!  Let me introduce you to the Honey Soy Chicken Potato Chip.  Holy Mary....Mother of God! These guys are GOOD!  Like hide in the closet...eat the whole package good!  And I don't think it was just because I have been without chips for so long!  I even tried to not share with Jack!  HA!  Sweet, yet salty, with a hint of soy!  Ahhhhmazing!  I'll be purchasing more tomorrow!

I took a picture of this tree because it sheds it's skin (aka. bark).  I've never seen this.  Do we have these??

What a great day!  I know that Easter is just beginning for those of you in the wonderful USA!  Lots of love and hugs to you and your families on this most sacred Holiday!  Enjoy every minute...we have to wait another year!  And.....let them eat one more piece of candy, I promise it won't make a difference! 

Goodnight and Happy Easter!

Kim & Jack



Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Easter is on it's way!  What a beautiful time of year!  It is a season full of life.  Rivers and streams come alive, flowers blossom, birds sing and new life is all around us!  I love spring, for many reasons, but Easter is the main reason.  It brings a feeling on newness and sense of peace and an understanding of how small and insignificant our lives are when you take a look at the larger picture. 

It feels like Spring here in Australia because their weather is currently a lot like what we call Springtime.  Technically however, it is fall here.  The weather is unbelievable.  There really is no way to describe to you how perfect it is.  Nice and warm during the day, mixed with a perfect breeze.  Night is wonderful , cooler, yet not even cool enough for long sleeves.

This is a picture of one of the trees in the park during fall.  The leaves have turned colors and fallen to the ground, yet not the same way that ours do. Some of the leaves are still green even though they are on the ground.  It's beautiful!

Jack and I went to an Easter outing with a few friends.  We traveled to a local park.  Spread out a blanket, had tea and sweets and the kids played and hunted eggs.  It was a really great time.  I was curious to see how Jack would get on with the kids and people here but, no worries, he has attached himself to many of them and acts like he has known them all along! :)  Kids are SO resilient!

Jack and Jessica, running around the park.  He attached himself to her and she was kind enough to let him tag along.  She even made him a very sweet Easter sack to hunt eggs.  Australians are so welcoming!

In Australia they hunt chocolate eggs.  However, Jack and I brought some larger plastic eggs filled with chocolate!  The eggs are tiny and hard to find.  Jack did well considering that he was the runt of the group and the other kids played SO nice and accidentally dropped some at his feet! :) He was elated when he found one.

After hunting the eggs, all the kids laid their goods on the blanket and we divided them evenly!  What a novel idea!  Everyone was happy.  Jack proceeded to eat about 100 chocolate eggs and passed smooth out on the ride home.  What a great day! 

Tomorrow is Easter, and I know it will be another great day!  Happy Easter all!

Kim & Jack  



Fremantle

Jack and I caught a Ferry Boat over to the City of Fremantle on Thursday.  It takes about 1 hour to get there via Ferry Boat, not sure how long if you where to drive it?  Fremantle is the largest shipping port in Western Australia.  So many neat things to see and do there.  I was really impressed.  Jack enjoyed the boat ride and we walked all over the city checking things out.  They have a prison where convicts where once housed, huge shipping boats, lots of cool shops and lots of great food.  It was a long day of walking around the town but worth it. 

I've attached a link to the city if you are interested in checking it out.
http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/Home


Jack started the Ferry Ride off with a heaping pile of pancakes!  The kid can eat! 


This is a picture of a huge boat that they export live sheep on.  This thing was massive!! We were a ways away from it on the boat when I snapped the picture.  HUGE. 

This was snapped in the Marina.  Plenty of people lounging around, eating Fish N Chips and having a cold drink.  It was HOT...about 95 degrees.  Which might not seem to bad however there isn't the Oklahoma wind either so it is just HOT.  I've tried some great Aussie beers to help quench my thirst. 

After lunch and walking the streets, and bribing Jack with M&Ms so I could shop he spotted an Arcade.  For $8, they had 30 minutes of all the games that you could play.  Jack enjoyed the break from shopping and I enjoyed the AC!  I think he might want to be a race car driver.  I had to pry him away from the cars and cycles.

I'm teaching him young, check out this follow through!

It was a really great day!  Jack and I had so much fun.  He was waiting for the boat to take us back to Perth in this picture.  I am trying to let him be brave and explore but still scary when he runs right up to the edge. He is getting so big, it's awesome and sad at the same time. 

This was a jellyfish that we saw swimming in the water by the back motor of the boat on the ride home.  Jack was amazed.  They say not to swim in the Swan River as it is dangerously ruled by jellyfish.  You'll see why.

What a great trip this continues to be.  So exciting and fun for Jack and I. 

It is Good Friday here and how nice that all places acknowledge it.  I wish it was that way back home.  Everything is closed in respect and honor of this most special day.  I hope that everyone back home has a wonderful Easter Holiday.  I will certainly miss singing "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" along with Rudy and the St. Joe's choir but Jack and I have our Easter outfits ironed and will attend Mass here! 

Blessing and Prayers sent to the Krause family over this Holiday, for they lost a very dearly loved friend and family member.  You will be greatly missed Uncle Richard and you always gave the best, strong hugs! I know Pat will be thankful to have you by her side again! 

"Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Happy Easter! 

Kim & Jack