Bags were packed, kid plans arranged and we were off on our girls' weekend.  Echuka was the destination.  It's a cute little town 3 hours away.  We stayed at the spa and had great rooms thanks to a gift Tiz received.  We spent the weekend eating, shopping, and laughing.  That's all I can tell you....what happens at girls' weekend stays at girls' weekend!  That's the code; can't break it.  Definately super company and my favorite weekend in Australia so far.  Love you girls.  Thanks for the laughs!  xx

After turning the page to December last weekend, I had a conversation with 3 of the boys about being on "the last page" of the calendar.  We've finished 11 pages and have only one to go.  Kent, Colt and Khye all decided it was sad but it was Colt who surprised me with a few tears.  I told the boys that it was going to be a month with lots of goodbyes and it's ok to be sad.  Mom's even going to wear her waterproof mascara everyday this month because the tears come so unexpectedly!  Khye, with his 5 year old wisdom told us all, "It's ok to cry because then you feel better after."  Thanks, Khye.  I'll keep that in mind....

Our first goodbyes came this week when we met the Tervets for the last time in Australia.  If you've been following along, we met Steve and Rachel in Sydney way back in February.  They are from England and Rachel is teaching in Albury.  Steve has since been employed at the same school as a teacher's aide.  The Tervets have stayed with us at the farm in March and June.  We all met in Dubbo in September and then in Wagga yesterday to say our goodbyes.  It was a whirlwind trip after school and was just long enough for a picnic and a game of cricket but we're all glad we went.  Steve and Rachel are sporty, down to earth, honest and kind.  I appreciate their involvement with our boys and the way we all just sort of pick up where we left off the last time we met.  It was sad saying our first goodbyes but the Tervets are definately a family I think we will see again in the not so distant future.  Safe travels, our friends. xx

After another busy weekend of cricket and sleepovers, we found a few minutes to put up our Aussie Christmas tree.  We used Conlan decorations mixed with our own finds and it turned out awesome!  Opening the boxes of decorations was like Christmas itself because we didn't know what to expect!  Obviously the hats were a hit!  We also let Cody put the star on the tree.  He wanted to show how tall he's grown.  (Look out Grandma Pat!  It'll be close!)  He also realized that it's a bit harder than it looks and Mom got the final job of placing the star.  If we close the curtain behind the tree, it makes the house darker and it's easier to trick ourselves into feeling the Christmas spirit.....and then we walk outside into the summer heat!  **The last few pictures are to show that the boys were watching cricket instead of the usual hockey while setting up the tree.  As you can see, they were less than cooperative but funny as!  Gotta love boys!**

The weather in Canada has been cold and snowy for 6 weeks already and our boys are looking forward to returning to play in the snow.  Australians have a hard time understanding that!  In the meantime, we're literally soaking up the sun and loving it!  December 1 is the first day of summer and the day most of us usually set up our Christmas tree.  It's pretty hard to get in the Christmas spirit when the temperatures have been low 30s to low 40s for over a week!  Oh well....life is short and we wanted to experience a hot, Aussie Christmas so bring it on!  Happy Summer and Merry Christmas everyone! 

Happy 35th birthday to my Aussie partner in crime.  She looks innocent enough but don't be fooled! 

It was girls' night out for Louise's birthday.  We started the evening with a terrible chick flick and the usual Jaffas up Louise's nose.  We moved on to the Thai restaurant which was closing and so then ate at La Scala.  Luckily, things picked up after that with good food and friends and a beautiful birthday apron from Pam!  So glad we could spend the night with you, Louise.  You are a very special person to my entire family and we are grateful for you!  Happy birthday!  xx   (As usual, there are heaps more photos but, sadly, they are not posted anywhere on this blog because this site is censored!  You'll have to use your imagination...)

It's been 10.5 months since we've seen anyone from home.  This week we had a real treat!  My Aunt Judy and Uncle David joined us at Boongarra Farm for 3 days, just in time to celebrate Howard's birthday!

Auntie and Uncle were in New Zealand for the World Triathalon competition.  They had an excellent showing placing 2nd and 4th respectively!!! (Maybe the boys get their athletic abilities from my side of the family after all!?!)  After the competition and two weeks of touring, Auntie and Uncle flew to Australia for a quick visit.  They rented a 'cramper van' and made the 6 hour trek to the farm.  We all enjoyed the extra sets of hands and the boys loved the extra attention.

The moment that Dean met Uncle David he said, "He sounds just like you guys when you first came here!"  Does that mean that we sound Australian now???  Uncle David played mini sticks with Khye, Colt and Howard.  Auntie helped us make homemade pizzas for Howard's birthday and Auntie and Uncle both make pancakes for 5 boys before their early morning cricket games.  We took Auntie & Uncle to the meet some of our friends and to watch Khye, Colt, Kent and friends play cricket.  (Howard and Cody were both sick at home at this point.  It was a yucky weekend for Cody.  Howard powered through because he is too stubborn to miss his own cricket game and a birthday party!)    

After lunch on Saturday, Auntie and Uncle were on the road again heading back to the Sydney area.  They spent a few days at the water learning how to surf.  Auntie reported back that it's harder than it looks.  (Do I need to remind you that they are 65 and 66 years old and are incredible!?)  We appreciated the quick visit and are glad that you were able to experience our corner of Australia, Auntie and Uncle.  See you next summer on the other side in .......Vermilion, Kelowna, Italy?

Friday, November 9 was Howard's birthday.  He spent it with our family and Auntie, Uncle, Dean and Lucas.  After the men's Saturday afternoon cricket game, several of us met at the Exies for a birthday supper.  It started out with three couples and ended up with over 40 people.  There are lots of November birthdays including Howard and Tony (same day), Sue and Louise.

Cass and Cook bought Howard a very special gift because Howard is the favorite of the Jackson 6.  :)  He was very excited and appreciative!  Thanks, Cook!

November has been another crazy busy month.  We are busy with sport 5 or 6 days a week, are preparing for report cards and had just had company for a few days.  Throw in a family birthday and a sick kid and we've all about had it!  So....what's the solution?  Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon fishing, of course, and leave the Moms at home!

Howard, Jamie Bennett and Glen Fabris took our 9 boys fishing at the river at Darlington Point.  They were only meant to be gone a couple of hours in the afternoon but called at 6:45 pm and said that the fish were just starting to bite.  At 9:00 pm, they showed up at the farm, muddy and tired but VERY happy and excited.  The fishing had been a success.  Every boy had caught something and a few fell into the river repeatedly!  After a late supper and bath, they fell into bed exhausted but satisfied. 

We have such a busy calendar here in Australia and it's mostly because we're trying to fit a lifetime of experiences and memories into a few short weeks.  We do what we have to do during the week to prepare ourselves for the next big weekend where not a moment is wasted!  This week had been proof of that!

Here are heaps more photos taken this week.  Enjoy!

Happy Halloween, everyone!  What a great couple of days we've had!  Halloween in Australia has REALLY taken off this year.  It is only the second year that orange, carving pumpkins are available in Griffith.  The lady at the party supply store told me Halloween has increased 40% in Australia this year.  My teacher friends think that Halloween has gone CRAZY.  My response...."Seriously?  What part is crazy?"  (There are only 2 little stands in the middle of the aisle at the Big W(like Walmart).)  Anyway....it's been a blast!

As you know, Kent has been growing his hair since January.  It's really cute but is also getting hot and is in the way during cricket.  We decided he would keep it long until school pictures were done and his friend's Halloween party was over....Kent went as a cute little girl named Kendra!  I had to cut his fringe (bangs) and his hair looked great!

We snuck away from school in a hurry on October 30, and got the long locks cut off.  It was 32C and we had just spent 4+ hours outside for sport so I don't think Kent was too sad to see the hair lying on the floor!  Now...how long before Dean has short hair?!

I was very excited to be able to carve pumpkins outside this year.  The entire week has been mid 20s to mid 30s!  Cody was too 'big' to carve pumpkins this year but the three littles did a great job!  We lit them with glowsticks.  Do you think Kent has a crush on his mates?! 

Rather than go Trick or Treating around town, we had a family Halloween party at home.  We wore Halloween shirts, ate fingers, mummies, barf sauce and blood for supper, and then the boys went out trick or treating with Dad.  While they were gone, I had 28 kids come Trick or Treating to the house!  They were a very scary bunch!

Just when my bowl of treats ran out and I turned out my lights, my family returned from Trick or Treating!  They had a super night and had full bags to dump on the floor and sort through.  They were most excited about Canadian carmels, Coffee Crisps and suckers with big lips! 

After we looked through the boys' candy to check for poison and razor blades, the boys got to stay up late and watch a movie.  (Yes Grandmas....I know that says Rated M and I know that they're 5 and 7!)

It's now 9:30pm.  They are tired, full of sugar, no one has done homework (except Khye who LOVES writing about the pink bear!) and they are all happy.  Tomorrow morning WILL be a different story!  Wish me luck!

Happy Australian Halloween!

****Update****  After a couple of phone calls home, it is apparent that I need to clarify a few things!  The only real trick or treaters at Boongarra Farm were our own boys!  We took the costume boxes outside and they just kept changing and would return to my door for more treats!  Oops...guess my weird sense of humour was getting in the way again!  :)

I really hate to say it but our time here is winding down!  There are only 9 weeks to go until we fly home to the cold, the snow, 6 more months of school and...oh ya, our family that we miss so much!  (Ok, that part will be good.  The other stuff...not so much!  I also know that no one really feels sorry for us!)  We received 2 parcels on Wednesday full of Halloween treats, letters, pictures and gifts that we requested.  Thanks, Mom and Lori, for helping us out and for thinking of the boys at Halloween!

Sorry to everyone else at home, but I think we are all most excited to meet our little nephew and cousin, Kason.  Seriously, could he be any cuter?!  I just want to kiss that toothless mouth and squeeze him tight!  (Yes, I'm going to be one of THOSE Aunties!)

Since returning from New Zealand, October has been chaotic!  I was warned that Term 4 would be like that.  It's like May/June at home but with a BIG end of year concert to add to the pressure!  Actually, I'm feeling really good about everything at home and at school right now which is excellent because we are able to really enjoy our last weeks here.

The boys and Howard are playing on 6 cricket teams and 3 touch football teams.  Add another 4 practice days and it's a pretty full week.  We also have a list of things that we still want to squish in before we go and we had better start working on those!  Time is flying!

The boys have been spending every possible minute with their friends at play days and sleepovers.  They are trying to fit a lifetime into a few weeks.

The Griffith citrus sculptures were on display a couple of weeks ago.  We took the boys downtown after school to snap a few pictures. 

There has been a lot going on at school too.  We have had an Aladdin performance, another disco, and several assemblies.  Colt and Khye are taking swim lessons every Wednesday, Cody golfs and Kent has games both on Fridays. 

Assessments have started and Colt loves to show his perfect spelling tests.  Khye's class is taking turns bringing home toys that they play with and then write about.  On Friday night, I was about to give him heck for not getting ready for bed but he was doing his writing and had already finished 4 sentences and a picture without any help!  Cool!

We've had a fairly relaxed weekend.  Kent's best mates were both out of town and we told the boys that there would be no sleepovers this weekend.  We've caught up on lots of jobs around the house and yard and are getting ready for our own little Halloween party this week.  We might even have Canadian company next week, so we're getting ready for that too.  Five Irma boys are playing fastball with Team Canada in Argentina.  We're going to be watching and cheering for them. 

And so, that's what's going on around here.  We are trying our hardest to slow down the clock so that we can fit in all our last minute plans.  Looking forward to all of the exciting events on our calendar and we're going to pack in as much as we can!   JJ

After a campfire lunch, some boys took a quick swim, a couple went back to the track and most just lazed around.  We parents tried to collect and sort the treasures belonging to our 13 overtired cherubs and then we relaxed with dessert and (more) drinks!  It was a super weekend (was it really only 20 hours?!?!)  and something that we should do more of at home in Canada with our friends.  We all talk about spending more time visiting but we all go about our busy lives and just never get there.  Maybe next year?!?

Thank you, Tiz, Glenn, Nicole, Lucas and Reece, for setting up tents, arranging food and hosting all 22 of us this weekend.  I'll be ready to host anytime you show up on my doorstep!  JJ