30 April - Day 78

Another great day and night with Dad & "T". Dad and I walked the bridges again this morning and then the three of us went to The Broken Hill Hotel for lunch. We ran some errands while "M" worked and then we all went to dinner at "J" & "C's." We had a fantastic time. "J" & "C" put on a selection of Australian beers and the food was wonderful! We had butter chicken with rice and a pear and almond meal dessert. They also opened the bottle of Woodlands red wine we gave "J" for being in our wedding. It was so nice of them to share that wine with us. We finished the evening watching a dvd slideshow of "J" & "C's" mission trip to the Sudan. What an amazing experience. Thanks for a wonderful evening!!

29 April - Day 77

"M" had to work today but Dad, "T" & I had fun! After walking the bridges, we headed to Hillary's boat harbour. We had a nice lunch looking out on the water and then went to the Aquarium. It was a bit difficult to get pictures with the lighting but we managed to get a few good ones. Dad & I also bought hats which Dad proudly wore on the way home : )

28 April - Day 76

We had fun showing Dad & "T" around the greater Perth area today. After walking the bridges, we headed to Fremantle where we ate at the Norfolk Hotel. We then went to Little Creatures to sample the local brew and enjoy the ocean view. On our way back home, we drove along the coast and stopped at Cottlesloe Beach. We also stopped at Matlida Bay so that they could see our wedding reception location. It's so nice having them here!!

27 April - Day 75

Today was another perfect day with my parents. We took them to the Perth Zoo. "T" really enjoyed the Australian Walkabout and was amazed how the kangaroos and other animals were able to roam free. Tonight we had a family and friend get together at a local pub so that Dad and "T" could meet some of "M's" family and also some of our friends. It was great to see everyone and we are very thankful that so many came out to welcome my parents to Australia. Yesterday we had a wonderful lunch with "M's" parents at their house. It has been a busy few days and we are looking forward to more exciting adventures tomorrow!

26 April - Day 74

We had a great day yesterday with Dad and "T". It was their first full day in Perth. "M", Dad and I started the day with a 10.5k (6 mile) walk around the bridges while "T" explored the area near the house. We then ate lunch near the Swan Bells and caught the City Sightseeing bus. After hopping off the bus, we drove to West Perth to show them our office building and then walked around King's Park. They were able to see where we got married and we got some nice family photos. We finished the day with a yummy lamb tagine that "M" made for us. Dad had never eaten lamb and "T" had never eaten a lamb shank. They both gave it a thumbs up!

25 April - Day 73

Dad & "T" traveled with a wedding gift for us, such a nice surprise! We thought their trip to Australia was gift enough. They, along with my brother and sister-in-law gave us a handmade quilt from West Virginia. The design is called "wedding rings" and they chose colors that go perfectly in our house. As Dad said "It's West Virginia!" He's right and every time I look at that quilt I'll think of home. We love it! Thank you Dad & "T" and "B" & "J".

24 April - Day 72

The visitors have arrived! My Dad and "T" have finally made it to Australia. They missed their connection in Sydney but thankfully were on a flight 2 hours later. They reluctantly allowed us to take a picture of them post shower : ) "M" is getting ready to make us a delicious beef curry for dinner and hopefully Dad and "T" will be able to eat it without nodding off.

23 April - Day 71

This is the very first picture I took the first time I came to Perth to visit "M". I remember getting off the plane full of excitement and with tears in my eyes. When walking from the plane into the terminal, this sign was overhead. The passengers behind me had no choice but to stop while I snapped this memory : ) Tomorrow my Dad and "T" will arrive in Australia for the first time and I can't wait until they see this sign. Welcome to Perth Dad & "T"! We can't wait to see you!!

22 April - Day 70

I'm surprised by the number of differences between the US and Australia when it comes to nursery rhymes, children's songs and folklore. My Stepmother ("T") is familiar with Waltzing Matilda but I don't know that many Americans would be. Maybe it's just that I wasn't? Waltzing Matilda is Australia's most widely known bush ballad, a country folk song, and has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia". The title is Australian slang for travelling by foot with your goods in a "Matilda" (bag) slung over your back - a bit like a hobo. The song narrates the story of a swagman making a drink of tea at a bush camp and capturing a sheep to eat. When the sheep's owner arrives with three police officers to arrest the worker for the theft (a crime punishable by hanging), the worker drowns himself in a small watering hole and goes on to haunt the site. The original lyrics to Waltzing Matilda were written in 1887. The song has its own museum, the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, Queensland. The pictures are of a swagman and the original manuscript of Waltzing Matilda. "M" and I bought "T" a Waltzing Matilda book last year to start her Australian book collection.

21 April - Day 69

Meet Slops! My friend "C" who is orignally from Tasmania told me about Slops yesterday. Slops is a beer drinking pig who can be found at The Pub in the Paddock in Tasmania. The pub has been licensed since 1880 and literally sits in the middle of a paddock in the lush green Pyengana Valley about 30 minutes from the east town of St Helens. Slops is the main attraction. Patrons of the pub are encouraged to buy beer for the pig, who lives in a pen behind a sign reading "Hi! Geez I'm dry. I'd luv a beer." When speaking about Slops, the bartenter was quoted as stating proudly: "He drank 76 full strength stubbies in one session. Mind you, he fell over after 54, but the little trooper kept on going lying on his side". I did a litle bit of research on Slops and there were some reports made to the RSPCA about animal cruelty but he can still be found at The Pub in the Paddock and now has a beer drinking friend named Priscilla to keep him company!

20 April - Day 68

The amount of work that we have done on our house the past 2 years is unbelievable! We (along with M's parents) ripped up every single plant/shrub in the front yard as well as the entire lawn. The lawn was then replanted bit by bit and new plants were added. It has been almost non stop projects since we moved in but we have enjoyed the challenge and love the results. The biggest project has been the picket fence M and his Dad built from scratch, complete with an automated gate! Although we have had fun, it will be nice when we move to Houston and live in an expat house that we aren't allowed to alter in any way : )

19 April - Day 67

We learned last week that our friends (and tenants of our rental property) will be moving to Groote Eylandt in north eastern Australia, approximately 600km south east of Darwin. "J" has been transferred with her company and she and "C" are looking forward to an exciting adventure. Groote Eylandt is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is the homeland of, and is owned by, the Anindilyakwa people (who still speak the isolated Anindilyakwa language). Groote Eylandt is an Aboriginal freehold land and an area of high conservation value. It was declared an Indigenous Protected Area in 2006. Visitors must have a permit to visit the island. Alyangula is the main town with a population of 670. Doesn't look like a bad place to visit!

18 April - Day 66

What a beautiful day in Perth! "M" and I went and watched the Red Bull Air Race today. Hannes Archer from Austria came in 1st place followed by Matt Hall from Australia. It was Matt's fastest career time so I'm counting him as a winner too! Unfortunately, the American didn't go too well and finished in 8th place. Click on the pictures to see more detail.

17 April - Day 65

It's amazing what you can see when you take an 11.5 kilometer (7 miles) walk around your city. The Red Bull Air Race is in Perth this weekend. When I got down to the river foreshore, the qualifying races had ended but I did get to see the Roulettes. The Roulettes are the Royal Australian Air Force's elite formation aerobatic display team that showcase Air Force flying skills to the Australian public. It was pretty amazing! I also captured a picture of the security team (Clydesdale and companion). It was a party atmosphere all around the river with people picnicking while watching the air race. A Hollywood style sign reading PERTH was also on display!