Taryn's 9th Birthday

Caitlin was very excited to attend her friend Taryn's 9th birthday party yesterday. After getting decked out in feather boa's and sun glasses, a limousine cruised into town whilst Taryn and her 7 girlfriends sipped apple cider from champagne flutes.

First stop was the Portland Sky Tram for a death defying ride to the bottom where the limousine collected everyone for a trip to an ice cream shop in The Pearl District which they proceeded to run off by playing tag in Jamison Square.

After driving around for a while and much sparkling cider, each of the girls was driven to their homes!

Dorothy's Ruby Slipper's - Wizard of Oz!

One of the most asked about exhibits in the Smithsonian, and one I was excited about seeing were the Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland for the film "Wizard of Oz". The movie was based on L. Frank Baum's novel from 1900 where the original slippers were silver. They were changed to ruby red in line with MGM's Technicolor production.

First Lady Gowns - Smithsonian

This is every girls delight, to see ball gowns from all the ages. Caitlin and I loved all the glamor associated with these gowns and accessories. In fact, I think the boys half enjoyed themselves as well! The gowns were so delicate with such tiny waistlines.




Helen Taft's Inaugural Gown 1909



Martha Washington's Gown circa 1780's

Washington D.C. Julia Child's Kitchen

We just had to go back to The American History Museum to see Julia Child's kitchen!

Having just seen the movie "Julie and Julia" with Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci which I loved. In addition to my adoration of Paris and the sheer joy I receive from cooking, there was no missing this.

I also tingle at the thought of how completely adored and supported Julia was by her husband Paul down to the painstakingly constructed peg boards for all of her pans. They lived a ripe old age together. A true love story and I am simply a romantic.

Halloween 2009

West Linn 5/6 Navy versus Jackson

West Linn 5/6 Navy versus Sherwood

West Linn vs Wilsonville

Here are some photo's from yesterday's game and practice...Enjoy!~

Mrs Macquaire, Darwin and Modern Art

Today, Kevin visited with the President of Fuji Xerox and then golfed with his dad. I took the kids into town where we walked through the Botanic Gardens and along the waterfront to The Opera House.

We obserevd many very old and interesting trees (many of which Caitlin climbed!). I had a wonderful Vittoria coffee in the park basking in the sunshine whilst the kids played.

In the Red Box Gallery we observed the evolution of life itself. Through DNA we have discovered that we are closely related to Banana's!

This is a first edition copy of Charles Darwins "The Origin of Species".
After our science adventure we opted to get our fix of culture at the Art Gallery of NSW.

The children are huge fans of modern art so we indulged ourselves in this section of the gallery.

Brandon practically blends in to contemporary art!

Caitlin and Picasso!

Kevin arrives...

Tuesday, Kevin arrived in Sydney without his luggage. In his dad's clothes, we caught up with Cooper and visited the Power House Museum where the kids interracted with robots and learnt about steam trains and lots more fun. Then we had coffee at Darling Harbour. It was a gloriuos day as far as the weather was concerned. A balmy 24 degrees. Not bad for winter.

Friends, Family and Food!

The last few days have been spent catching up with friends and family at BBQ's, lunches and dinners. I have to say, some of the most exquisite food. Our chef friend, Sam served us Spanakopita, Tzatziki, lamb, chicken and topped it off with a fine macchiato. Pizza at Aunty Tine's. Spatchcock at Angelo's. Veal cappacio, twice cooked duck and snapper at Il Piave.

Oz Day Four

Taronga Zoo! We met up with Annette (my friend from High School whom I recently connected with via Facebook) and her three children, took the train to Circular Quay and then the Ferry to Taronga Zoo. The kids had a ball related to the Chimps and Gorilla. They saw the new baby elephant, Luk Chai.

Oz Day Three

Met my good friend, Carolyn at Bi-Centennial Park where the mum's drank coffee and chatted whilst the kids played. Patrick got reprimanded by another mum for knocking and kicking her son in the head. Then the kids played cricket, rode scooters in between lamingtons.

Later, we collected Cooper from his house and went to a cafe for food and coffee and a catch up chat. It was great to have all the kids together again!

Oz Day Two

Shopping at DFO...Australians are generally smaller so finding my size in so many fashions was fun. Then I took the kids to The Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. What an impressice centre. It has a 100 metre pool, a 50 metre pool and then a whirl pool with super slide and a massive toddler pool with playground. Brandon and I swam laps whilst and the kids played on the waterslide and whirl pool and Splashers Playground.

Where we are living.

This is Kevin's parent's house in Chatswood where he grew up for most of his life. It backs onto the bush and a golf course.

Oz Day One

After 23 hours travelling, we finally arrived in Sydney. Luckily for us, we had Premium seating so we slept most of the flight. Before we knew it we were watching the glorius Aussie sunrise. You have not seen reds or oranges like this in any sky (alright, maybe Indonesia).

On our way to Kevin's parents house, I pointed out the Opera House to the kids and they questioned "Oprah has a house here?" Can you believe it!


Following lunch, we went on a 2.5Km bushwalk. The weather was glorious. We walked in t-shirts but saw one guy without a shirt at all! This for winter! We saw Kookaburra and Cockatoo amongst other wildlife. Back at home, the Lorakeets came to feast. That's it for now, a brief nap before cocktails!

Caitlin's Eighth's Birthday

Caitie started her birthday with a family breakfast (sans Daddy) with her choice of waffles, maple syrup and mint tea. Then she opened her gifts which she was completely delighted with.

After school, Caitie got to play with her new games and then we had three dinner guests who shared in her request of Lasagne. We followed this with a heart shaped cake with pink icing.

Party day, we went with 13 friends to Oaks Park Skating rink. The kids had a blast. Three of Caitie's friends came back to enjoy a sleepover. Caitlin tells me that she is sleeping with Michael! OMG!

MISS CAITLIN

Brandon Cannot Find His Atlas!

I wonder why!

Patrick turns 11!

Patrick enjoyed his day very much. He awoke to his favourite breakfast. Then opened his gifts, which he was apparently thrilled with. Then he played a while then went golfing with his dad whilst I prepared his Birthday Dinner Feast and Brandon made him a chocolate fudge cake. He was very appreciative of spending the day with his family and of all his gifts. He is a sweet boy!

Happy Birthday Pat.

Little Miss

A typical expression from our Little Miss Caitlin who is currently exercising her right as youngest child to exhibit obnoxious and downright selfish behaviour much to the exhaustion of her parents.

Patrick and Redd

Patrick and his very lovable dog, Redd whom he mostly remembers to feed, occasionally remembers to give water but always remembers to love!

Kids Eye View of London

I'm always surprised when I look through the eyes of my children. They astound me, make me laugh. I simply adore them. Here is a look at London through photographs the children have taken.

Patrick's Double Decker bus view of the red telephone box. The box was to become our life saver. We got separated in London and I was able to use the red box to call Kevin on his cell phone and meet up again!

Pat's view of the tower that holds Big Ben.

The kids and Kevin went on The Eye whilst Norman and I visited Westminster Abbey where we saw tombs of many great (or not so great) Queens and Kings including Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scotts.

The Poets corner was extremely interesting with memorials to Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Charles Dickens and many more.

Brandon took this photo outside the Tower of London. Infamous home to many a scandalous murder and beheading!

It is also the home to the crown jewels which Kevin insists are completely fake!

It was here that we also met our first and only Beefeater and we witnessed the guard changing outside the vault where the jewels are kept.










Caitlin took this photograph of Janette pointing out the sights of the English countryside through the English rain.






This was on our drive up to The Cotswolds and the Lake District.



We are on our third day in Edinburgh and it has rained everyday. Makes us feel at home!






The homes range from sprawling country estates to row housing.