Busy,but fun times.

Whew, what a crazy couple of weeks it has been. Jayden got sick with a virus a couple of weeks ago..She was down and out for 4 days with a fever and lots of coughing. Granted we haven't been sick since we have been to Australia, so we were probably long over due. 

After Jayden got better we did some pretty fun things over the weekend. It's spring in Australia and the weather has been gorgeous and all the trees are budding and wildflowers are blooming. So we decided to take advantage of the weather and head down to Swan Valley to The Laughing Barrel Winery. The girls ordered a wood fired pizza. They got to actually got to wear aprons, roll out the dough, and make the pizza. The food was excellent and the winery even had a playground for the kids to play at. 

On Sunday we went to Cottlesloe Beach. We brought a picnic,some sunscreen, and sand buckets and met up with another Kiewit family. We all had so much fun looking for seashells and playing in the ocean. But after 3 hours of being in the sun we were beginning to get a little red. So we packed up and called it a day and when home and we all washed and waxed the car together.

We also had a very busy week at school this week.

 Jayden had a mini track and field day and her first field trip. Jayden had a blast playing all the games at the track and field day. Some of the events included: sack race,egg and spoon race, and a rubber chicken relay race. Jayden got a ribbon and a metal. Jayden also got to got to go on a field trip this week to the Western Australia Museum in Downtown Perth. She had so much fun going to the museum with new friends and seeing the butterflies on display.

Hailey also had a track and field day and a field trip to the Perth zoo. The Australian's call Track and Field Day here, sports carnival. This is the event of the whole school year. Parents are invited to come and watch their child all day as they take part in the carnival. Hailey did very well she got: 2-1st place,1-2nd place,3-3rd place,and 1-4th place ribbons. It was so fun to watch her come out of her shell and do all the events. In between taking pictures and watching the events I had fun chatting and meeting parents from the school. It was a long day but we made it though with no sunburn and seven ribbons to show for it. Hailey went to the Perth zoo on Friday and she was so excited about the day she was up at 6:30am! Hailey got to touch all kinds of fun furs, eggs, and pet animals that she would never got a chance to do in the US. 

Kiewit had three more engineers transfer from the US from the mining department. We have worked with three out of the four guys,that are now in Australia, in Sheridan,Wyoming. So great to see familiar faces in a a different country. I am looking forward to showing them the ropes and learning and experiencing new and fun things with them. As we enjoy this adventure of a lifetime.

Making wood fired pizzas

Laughing Barrel Winery

Enjoying the day at the beach

Ahh, I could get used to this.

Cottlesole Beach

Jayden's Track n Field

Sack Race

Having Fun 

We passed a level in swimming lessons

Look at my ribbon Mom!

1st place in bounce ball relay

Flag Ball

Skipping rope race

Enjoying our first sports carnival

All decked out with ribbons

All dressed up for high tea

Yum, hot chocolate

Hailey and Grace (birthday girl)

Jayden at one of the many farmers markets here

Sunset walk

Some more fun things we did this week:

• We joined a old school video store (like blockbuster). It had been years since we have been in a video store and our girls didn't even know how the process worked. Australia is a little behind on the times.
• Hailey went to her first high tea birthday party. She got all dressed up and met her new friends at a local cafe. At the party they had hot chocolate and sweets. Hailey said the best part about the party was she got to have as many sweets as she wanted and visiting with the other girls from the other Year 3 class from school. 
• The girls both passed level one and two in swimming lessons. We signed both of the girls up for tee ball this summer and the first game is in October.
• Jason is gearing up to start rotations at the end of October at the Cloudbreak Mine. He will be on a 2 week on and 1 week off schedule. Jason will be living at a "Man Camp" during his 2 week rotations.

Spring!

September! For Australia that means spring is here! No more "cold winter" mornings. We still haven't turned on our heat is "winter". We just put on more clothes or grab another blanket to stay warm. 

The weather in Perth has been beautiful the last couple of weeks. Trust me I have the farmer's tan to prove it. 

Jayden 

Besides the everyday craziness with school and after school activties. We have been enjoying the sunshine!! Jason and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary on August 24th.Jason took the day off from work and we decided to go on a wine tour bus. The bus picked us up in the city around 9 am and took us all over Swan Valley. We went to five wineries, one brewery,and a chocolate factory. It was a great day! 

That weekend we went back to Swan Valley to "The Maze" The girls had a great time doing all the mazes,  playing mini golf,and looking at all the animals. 

Arts and Crafts Fair. 

Hailey

Sunset at the beach

Me at a winery in Swan Valley

Girls at "The Maze"

Jason at a winery

Jayden with her award

New Australian Friends!

Hailey 

Hailey with her award

Jayden playing mini golf

Me enjoying the sun.

Crazy glasses day at school

Rainbow

Some other fun things that we did the past few weeks are :

• Went to our friend, Lily's 2nd birthday party at a park near the city.
• Went to our first Arts and Crafts fair in Australia.
• Both Hailey and Jayden got awards from school! We are so proud of them!
• My friend Lisa and I took a bike ride up the coast, while the kids were at school.

Yes, I did get a little carried away with pictures..But, that's okay! You only live in Australia once. 

The month of August, so far!

I can't believe that it been two and half weeks since I last did a entry in the blog. Time really does fly!

Since school has started back up with Term 3, we have been busier than ever. 

Hailey and Jayden all ready for swimming lessons

On Tuesdays after school we are doing swimming lessons. We are doing the lessons at a local pool, near the girls school. Jayden is getting the hang of swimming. In fact all she wants to do is swim underwater since she learnt how to put her head underwater in Idaho. I have to remind her to focus and to listen to her teacher about 75% off the time. All she wants to do is, do her own thing and swim.

Hailey is also learning some new techniques and gaining more and more confidence at each session.The school has a swim team and her goal is to be on the school swim team one day.

Hailey is in a after school program at school on Thursdays playing soccer. But, they are doing more then soccer, with is program she is also learning to play Field hockey and Lacrosse. While Hailey is at after school sport I take Jayden for "Mommy and Jayden time." We normally go over to the shopping mall and I get her a cookie and a milk. After that we normally meet up with friends or go play at a park. Jayden loves "Mommy and Jayden time" She looks forward to it every week.

Jayden's picture of her cousins in the states. 

The girls are still doing great in school. Jayden is working on sight words and starting to learn how to read. She is very eager to learn how to read just like Hailey. Hailey is also doing very well. Hailey is learning her times tables and still is reading above her grade level. She is still making new friends everyday. 

Jason has been busy with work,working on getting a FMG contract signed.We now have a signed contract with a mine up in Cloudbreak. Jason starts working on site at the mine in October. He will be on a 2 week on and 1 week off rotation.

I have also been busy helping out at school in the classrooms, going to a dietitian (already lost 2.2 lbs), and getting my RA checked out (Which is great!).

Hailey and Jayden at AQUA 

In addition to all of the craziness during the week on the weekends we are still exploring the City of Perth. 

Last weekend we went on a dolphin cruise to see dolphins. The dolphins however had different plans. N o luck on seeing any dolphins but it was fun to be on a boat and see the sites. Last weekend we also went to the Aqua aquarium. Aqua is a nice aquarium but really expensive $75 just for the four of us. EEK!

Modern Day See Saw

Surf's up dude!!

Double rainbow 

Jayden 

Girls in Manudrah

Girls helping me make pizza dough

We are also planning are first trip back home to the states since we have been to Australia. We will be in St. Louis September 22-October 5. We have many fun things planned already. A trip to the American Girl store, shopping spree (because clothes are alot cheaper in the states), Jayden's 6th birthday party, and a camping trip with Grandma and Grandpa B.

We can't wait to see you all in September! Have a great day! 

Back into the swing of things

The girls are back into school and we are starting to get into the swing of things. The last four days of holiday break were jam full of fun things to do.

Girls taking a water break at Crystal Cave before the tour

Friday 20th of July Hailey was invited to her first birthday party since we have moved here. It makes me feel so good that she is making new friends and getting invited to parties, playdates, and sleepovers. Hailey went to the local movie theatre and saw Ice Age 3. They got popcorn and a drink plus hungry jack (burger king) and cake after the movie. Hailey had a blast and didn't want to leave.

Saturday the 21st we went to Yanchep National Park. This park is only 20 minutes from our home. We went hiking, went on a cave tour (the girls first time being in a cave), and stopped at the beach on the way home. It was a great day.

On Sunday the 22nd. Jason and I got a sitter for the afternoon and went to our first footy(Australian football) game. It was a blast! We went with two other couples though Jason's work. We got to be in the Docker Den( A private box). Where there was all you can eat and drink. The game is really simple to follow. Actually it is easier to follow then American

Footy game

Wild Kangaroos!

Girls at Yachep Park

Footy goal post

football. The guys on the team wear NO padding! You have to basically kick the ball or hand pass the ball. There are no time outs and the coaches (in the orange) are allowed on the field with them to call out the plays. The field is about the size of one and a half American football fields. The goal post are much different looking. If you kick the ball in between the middle two post that is call a major, worth six points. If you kick a goal on the out side post that is called a minor,worth one point. The game is very fun to watch.
Finally, school has started back up. The girls started their third term. We have the girls both in swimming lessons this term. I signed Hailey up for after school sport again,that is on Thursday afternoons after school starting this week. In between all the craziness Hailey got her head gear to fix her under bite. She has to wear it 14 hours a day mainly when she sleeps at night.
Last week was also a busy week for me I am slowly getting to know other Mums here and have been going out for coffee and going out to lunch with new friends while the girls are in school. It's actually really nice to have a events that don't always involve kids.
This weekend we went lawn bowling for the first time. It is played a lot like shuffle board only thing with balls. The balls have numbs and lines on them so they swing a different way depending on which way you rotate the ball when you roll it. Let me tell you it is a lot harder than it looks. Great way to spend a beautiful 70 degree sunny afternoon.
Have a great week everyone!