Serviced

Josh still had paint on his face from "Athletics Day" at school. My boys are real monkeys. They can climb like crazy. I just watch and say "be careful". We try to go to a park everyday after school before we go home for dinner.

Sam enjoying the play equipment at the park across from the place we're staying.

Can you see how much time we spend outdoors here. Lots.

We have been staying at these serviced apartments for the past week. I told John that I think by "serviced" they mean that they have all the things you need (like pots and pans) not necessarily that they clean. We get the key to our place tonight! hooray!

Ticky Boo

Rosie had a great time getting her energy out at the indoor play place "Ticky Boo".

I'm sorry there are not as many pictures of the boys. I will have to get some good pictures of them at school.

Rosie having fun with Elly in the "germ pit"! I took Bec to the hospital yesterday and Elly is now a proud big sister of baby Henry. Congratulations Tim and Bec=)

Sam's tooth

We had fun teasing Sam that day and calling him a "hillbilly". He wouldn't let us pull that wiggly tooth out!

Our big boy Sam with a gap in his front teeth! With the high cost of things here in Australia the generous "Tooth Fairy" gave Sam a $2 coin=)

Running with Rose

Gorgeous skyline view of Melbourne from Royal Park. Can't you just feel the cool breeze?

Just wanted to give you a little feel for the landscape here. I enjoy running around Royal Park. The Royal Children's Hospital, where John is busy at work, is in the background=)

The Waiting Place

For the past 3 weeks we have been staying at Tim and Bec Iseli's house. To give you a little background, Tim and Bec are from Melbourne and they were in Iowa City for a year. Tim worked with John at UIHC doing an fellowship. Bec is also a doctor but taking time off with her little girl Elly and soon to be baby boy. They have been so gracious to welcome us into their home for so long. The kids just loved Elly and were tickled at how cute she sounds when she talks. They really made our transition to a new country easy. Thanks a million Tim and Bec, you are a wonderful family.

We are now staying at a serviced apartment for one week while we wait for our house to become available. I'm probably feeling a little more homesick because Bec was such nice company. Keep the e-mails coming, I miss you all.

1st Playdate

Rosie had her 1st playdate with her friend Raquel. They had a great time eating crackers and playing dress-up and coloring.

Raquel has a fluffy jumpy little black puppy that Rosie stayed away from. She does miss her own dog Abby (who is being spoiled at Grandma and Grandpa Rentons). Thanks for the fun play date Raquel.

Museum anyone?

There's one thing we have learned about Melbourne weather, it can go from sunny to raining to sunny again all in a matter of a short time. Layering is the way to go.

Melbourne Museum

This picture didn't quite capture the vibrant colors of these sails. Can you imagine a time when people sailed the seas by only the stars as their guide?

What shall we do today..

Rosie and I had fun at the zoo with Elly and Tim's mum. (John's at work, boys in school)

Monkey love.

Melbourne Zoo has a beautiful butterfly garden. Didn't God do a great job!

Rosie Turns 3!

Bec made a delicious chocolate cake for our little 3 year old.

Little Miss Independant

August 5th Rosie turned 3! She had fun at an indoor play place with her friend Elly.

Mt. Martha Beach

We had a lovely time at the Iselis' family beach house near Mt. Martha Beach. There's something very calming about the ocean=)

Sam searching for treasures at Mt. Martha Beach.

Mt. Martha Beach has the British beach huts, so pretty and colorful.

13.5 hours to Sydney

As we walked down the corridor to the international terminal I felt like we had just been admitted to a secret club! All of a sudden everything was so nice. Gucci, Burberry, TAG Heuer were just a few of the stores. Even the restaurants were swanky. I can never go back, I'm hooked..

By the time we left SF it was 2 am eastern time. Rosie layed her head down and fell fast asleep. 13.5 hours later+lots of sprite+movies+uncomfortable sleep+not so good food+brain numbing ds games we arrived in Sydney.

A short flight later took us to Melbourne and our friend Bec Iseli met us at the airport. How nice to be met by a friend to show us the way.

San Francisco Stop

Me and my sweet Grandma.

Emily, thanks a million for bringing Grandma to the airport=)

It was wonderful to see my cousin Emily and my Grandma Clawson at the SF airport before we left for Sydney.

Denver Layover

My brother Ken drove down from Evergreen to see us at the hotel for an hour. Tonya and the kids were with her family in Estes Park. Wish we could have seen you too, Tonya.

Our overnight layover in Denver allowed us to meet with my Aunt Yvonne, my cousins and

their families at Panera Bread for lunch. I wish we had been able to get a good photo of the kids.

Flight to Oz

We left Columbus, OH on Tuesday heading for Denver to San Francisco to Sydney to Melbourne. With two tight connections we knew we would possibly miss one or more flights. It was a win win situation, missing a flight in Denver would enable us to see my brother Ken, Aunt Yvonne, and cousins and second cousins. A very brief LeVos reunion!