May 17, 2009

One month to go and we're making the most of our time.  The weather is absolutely perfect again so we're enjoying the great outdoors a bit more.  The markets are on full swing now so we've been back to Parap for some shopping and good eats and plan to hit Mindel Market next weekend.  We also found ourselves at the Seabreeze festival last week where there was tons of free activities for the kids and some live music.  We spent a few days along the coast beach combing,  hitting the bike trails, playing at the park, and swimming at Lake Alexander.  The pool's beginning to cool, but the kids are unphased by it--both of them swimming like fish now.  Ben and Thomas treated Bryson and I to a terrific river boat trip down the Coobooree Billabong where we got our first glimpse of crocodiles in the wild, tons of bird life, and lovely lillies. Then we took a much anticipated return trip back to Kakadu--this time we stayed at the Fire Station, a treat for the kids and a bit novel for me as well.  We got to join the firies for dinner one night, but mostly spent our time out and about.  We caught a beautiful sunset from ancient Ubirr on Mother's Day, then Monday, thanks to the Gouldy's and Mich,  I got to experience the most exhilarating helicopter ride over Kakadu and Arnheim Land complete with awe inspiring scenery, wildlife, and stomach churning low flying and steep banking.  Matt was treated to another flight the following day.  Although they went over a completely different part of the country, their trip too was filled with spectacular scenery, amazing wildlife, and some impressive flying maneuvers.  Matt and I took turns up in the air so that we could take turns down on the ground seeing the park with the kids.  We walked on woodland trails, billabong paths, river walks, and toured a few of the cultural centers.  The kids were troopers and unsurprisingly spent the next day at home resting up and getting back on track.  This past weekend  Matt and I actually had a date night--dinner out, live music, and a film.  It's been far too long since I've sat and listened to live music--what a treat.  Lastly, Sunday we took in the Fred Pass Show-- basically the equivalent of a county fair back home---complete with farm animals  which we loved and the same carnival rides that we avoid back home. Well, that's the long and short of it.

April 26, 2009

March and April have been full of fires, festivities, fishing, and flying. The dry season is upon us again so there are regular scheduled burns again for Matt and the rest of the NTFRS. We've seen plenty along the roads as well.  Since Jordan's birthday, we've celebrated 3 more--our friend Shelby's 1st, Matt's 36th, and, today, Jordan's classmates Will's 6th was celebrated in superhero style.  Over Easter, I took the kids camping to Kakadu with some friends --4 days at Gunlom Falls.  I thought we might have bit off more than I could chew by myself--Matt having to stay behind to work, but the kids were terrific.  The weather was perfect, and the falls were spectacular.  We swam each day and our amazing kids even managed to climb to the top of the falls with me on a rather rough trail--about 100 feet at the top--well worth the climb with a spectacular view and refreshing rock pools to swim in during the afternoon.  When we got back from the trip we had a belated Easter egg hunt--thanks for all the goodies Grandma Quinn.   As to fishing, after seven unsuccessful trips, Matt has caught his first Baramundi 71 cm and delicious. This week he managed to catch a thread finned salmon--nothing like the salmon back in AK, but tasty none-the-less.  I managed to have a try a net casting and brought in a few bait fish.  Now as to flying. Matt took a day trip to the Tiwi islands to watch a 

"footy" game--rugby that is, but his friend Sean got sick pretty much on arrival. They spent most of the day at the airport and the clinic, and are happy to report that Sean is back on his feet again after some major rehydrating.  In between shifts over Easter, Matt was able to fly along with his friend Drew and they took in some beautiful sights around the Darwin area. They even managed to respond to an EPERB and helped coordinate a rescue.  Our last flight experience was yesterday--Anzac Day (Australia's Memorial Day) Matt and I went skydiving!   We went along with our friends Kristen and Ben...and Drew, of course,  who carried us down the whole way.  We took turns with the girls jumping together then the boys while we traded off watching the kids at the beach and  watching each other land. Franky and Gurty and gang were there for Matt's landing as well--thanks for the support guys.  It's hard to sum up the experience because I think I went through the gamut of emotions, but ultimately it was exhilarating and yet much more serene than I ever anticipated.  We'll see what next month hold!

March 18, 2008

We're still in the wet season here. The temps are the 90's and the humidity is palpable--choking in the mid-day.  But, the evenings are lovely, and the afternoons are perfect for a swim.  Bryson and I had settled into a busy daily routine of playdates, library events, errands, and mini outings, but we had to slow up this week as we all were knocked down by a stomach bug--all of us that is but Jordan who is as strong as ever.  March has been all about  Jordan so far.  She got to show us around her school at the open house.  Then, last week she received her first merit award--proudly received in front of the entire school assembly--for "always trying her best in all classroom activities"--We couldn't possibly ask for more than that.   She also got to spend some time playing at the palmerston fire station with her Dad and Ben.  This month she also got to join her friend Jaxson at his birthday party and she celebrated her own both at school and at the water park on the weekend.  We had a terrific turnout for her #5  with 13  friends and their families.   Matt's been busy this month having fun as well with a boys night out, a day on the water fishing, and his first try at golf. He still hasn't caught a fish, but still hasn't given up.   After months without any of his own home improvement projects, Matt was able to help out Franky with one of his.  They managed to roof the carport in just a few days.  We'll we're not really sure what's next for us in the immediate future, but we'll keep you posted. 

February 16, 2009

Well, we've returned from our trip to the Murray River and  then the beautiful isle of Tasmania.  It's hard to sum up so much, so forgive me for rambling.  Our trip actually started with a week on a houseboat on the Murray River in southern Australia.  So first off we have to give thanks to our friends Kristin,Ben (one of our NTFS friends), and Sophie and Thomas Johnson and Kristin's folks Captain John and Di for one incredible time on the river. (We need to include Kathy and Craig (more of Kristin's family)in our list of those to give credit to--they came on their own boat and joined in the fun for a few days and their company was an irreplaceable addition to the fun factor. There's no way we could have done it without all of them.  We felt like VIP guests on a river safari with private rooms, catered meals, personal tour guides, and action adventures included.  Truly they did all the work while we reaped the rewards.  We saw enough animals to make our own TV show--kangaroos, emus, koalas, pelicans, black swans, kookaburras, giant goannas, and even a wild boar.  The kids fell in love with being pulled in "the biscuit" by the motor boats. We found out Jordan has a knack for paddling, and I'm not too bad on a knee board.  We got to feel some adrenaline speeding through the side creeks entrusting Captain John with many a blind corner that thankfully he knew by heart.  We saw brilliant stars.  And enjoyed a week's worth of relaxing days, and some quality conversation every evening.  After our all inclusive river trip we had one full day in Adelaide.  We got a glimpse of the coast, wore the kids out on all kinds of rides, and  we ended the night with a few rounds of bowling.  In the morning it was off to Tasmania.  The island weather was good to us--one drizzly day out of 20, but we were glad we brought some cool weather duds for the evenings.  We started out South and made our way clockwise around the coast, with only one real venture inland to see Cradle Mountain.  We saw pristine beaches, tubular surf, glacial lakes, rugged mountains, ancient forests, a cave, waterfalls,  paddocks of sheep and cows, countless wineries and orchards on rolling hillsides, historic sites, marinas, plenty of wallaby's and brush tail possums, glow worms, one bilby, one echidna--and when we went to the wildlife centers we saw platypus, seahorses, wombats, and the infamous Tasmanian devils.  The campervan was terrific, but in all honesty the windy roads didn't allow our fearless driver much of a chance to look around. We also have to admit that our little angels must left their wings on the luggage carousel, because they were just about as rotten as we've ever known them to be.  Fortunately, they seemed to come back around quickly enough. Today was Jordan first day of Transition (aka kindergarten).  She came home beaming and I'm happy to report I didn't hear a single scream or cry all day. 

January 15, 2009

It's been a fun packed stretch of days.  Have to admit I'm a bit exhausted, but all well worth it.  Wednesday we went to the movies to see BOLT.  Our little review group gave it a solid thumbs up.  Thursday we hit the water park--Jordan spending the whole day belly down in the water with her new snorkel--Bryson running mad through the water slides and fountains.  Friday we went to Litchfield park to see the waterfalls during the wet season.  The strength of the flow was certainly impressive maybe even more so having seen them when they were their weakest during the dry.  We were able to take in a swim and picnic while there with Detroit and Shelby and gang as well.  Saturday we headed back to the wildlife park with our new friends from down the street--Jeff, Shoni, Ashleigh, and Katie(who will be in Jordan's class in February).  The kids were stumbling tired by the end of that day, but Matt headed out that night to see his first rugby game.  Saturday started out with Bryson and Matt heading to the beach with friends, and finding some beautiful new shells.  Jordan and I stayed here for a playdate with another friend.  Then, in the afternoon we had an impromptu swim party ending with  Jordan and I down the street for a horse and pony ride.   It's nice to know your neighbors!!!! Today we headed to the museum.  What a treat that was--the kids are actually old enough to understand that they can't touch everything, and young enough to be totally excited to see what's around the next corner.  Yesterday Matt and I had a fantastic time wake boarding at Manton Dam. The kids loved riding in boat and swimming at the beach. Maybe those days of snowboarding and skateboarding translated to the water, or he just has some natural ability, but Matt did terrific.  I had my share of falls, but managed to get up a few times thanks to alot of good coaching from the guys from C watch. Today it's recovery day--I hurt just about everywhere imaginable.  Plus, it's time to pack.  Tomorrow night we leave for Tasmania  Yeah!!!  Tell you all about that when we get back.  

January 5, 2009

Well, the season came and went in that frantic manner that it does every year.  The kids met Santa at 9 separate events this year.  It seems when the elves let him out of the workshop, he likes to spend some quality time down here in the sun.  Right before the big day Matt and I had a night out-sans-kids for the first time since the horse races.  We went to the B watch Christmas Party and had a great time enjoying uninterrupted conversations (a rare event in my life lately) with some terrific folks.  While Matt was at work the kids and I took a driving tour of the homes that won the Christmas light competition.  Bryson was in awe of the millions of lights and decorations.  We spent most of Christmas Day with our friends the Johnson's eating, swimming, and playing.  They had a big crowd, and the kids had plenty of playmates.  The next few days we stayed busy swimming and riding bikes.  We also went to the wildlife park which had extra activities for the school break.  The kids spent at least an hour whizzing down a giant slip-n-slide.  They also saw their first real scuba diver when it was fish feeding time in the giant aquarium.  On top of that, the mother wallaby who resides at the park let us give her a pet and allowed us to get a close up look at our first joey.  New Years was spent with Franky and Gurty and a few more friends.  Now that they live next door we were able to ring in the New Year with plenty of libations--thus Matt and I spent our first day of the New Year as Gurty put--"Feeling far less than ordinary. "  We managed to pull through spending the day on the wharf with the kids  and some ice cream.  We also discovered some new walking trails downtown and explored some beautiful neighborhoods in Darwin.  Our last adventure this past week was a trip to the rocky shoreline of Nightcliff where we found new shells, trilobites(I think), and sea slugs( I think).  Off to a fun filled start this year

December,14 -tis the season

Well, it's Christmas-time with an Aussie twist.  Poor Santa's been sweating up a storm, the kids are sliding down hills on the slip-n-slide instead of sleds,we're riding bikes instead of skiis, wearing flip-flops instead of boots, and we're firing up the grill rather than the fireplace.  The monsoon rains cool us down once or twice a day, but we feel as hot and humid as rice in a steamer most of the time.   We opted out of the whole tree decorating thing for ourselves this year, but had a great time helping  Franky and Gurty and Detroit and Shelby (our now neighors) with theirs.   Also in line with the season we were able to catch "carols by candlelight" along with about 3000 other folks in Darwin--a terrific free event at the Botanical Gardens complete with Santa and a spectacular fireworks show.  Santa reappeared at the firefighter kids Christmas bash, play group, and Jordan's school.   We went to the end of the year school disco.  The kids had a groovy time dancing to the hokey-pokey and the like, but I still don' t know how to express how I felt about the whole experience.  I can't remember ever feeling so strongly equally old and young at the same time.  Anyway, it was the last day of school on Wednesday, and I know one little girl who can't wait for the new year.  As Laraine next door said, "you almost feel sorry for them not knowing they have at least 12 years more of the same to go."  But, for now,  the enthusiasm is strong and we're grateful.  Bryson, has gone through some serious growth spurts in between runny noses and we're discovering one of the other advantages of a warm climate-shorts fit a lot longer than jeans.  Well, we'll keep you posted after the holidays--have fun this season wherever YOU are!