The Helmer Family

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The kids got booked and thrown in a cell at the Old Melbourne Gaol. It was tempting to leave them there...ha, ha! Sorry the pictures were so crummy. There was a really long line and we were trying to hurry!

Rock Climbing

While I was getting a massage back at the hotel, Garrett and the kids went rock climbing in Melbourne. The kids loved it and had absolutely no fear. They all had sore arms the next day, though!

Avery climbed to the top of this wall about 4 times. She was amazing!

Braden was a super belayer!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent on a 14 hour train ride from Sydney to Melbourne. Garrett was working in Melbourne during the week, so the kids and I headed down to meet him for a long weekend and, of course, another Rubiks Cube Competition.

I had been saving this $12 can of pumpkin I found last year at an import store for this special occasion. But, I figured pumpkin pie on the train wouldn't be the easiest endeavor...

...So we made Pumpkin Whoopie pies instead! Thanks Crystal for your yummy recipe! I also packed a few turkey, cranberry, avocado, brie, and rocket wraps. Voila! Thanksgiving on a train!

Cemetery

Did you know we live across the street from a city cemetery? It is a very old cemetery, with dates back to the 1800's. My kids love to play in the cemetery. They look for lizards and bugs, they play Hide-n-Seek, and Tip (how the Aussie's say Tag). It's a bit creepy to me, but they sure have fun!

Jacaranda

We have a beautiful Jacaranda tree blooming in our garden.

It makes me so happy.

Until I look down and see this...

You can barely tell we have grass. And all those lovely lavender flowers end up everywhere! In the house and in my car!

Bubble Bath

This is what happens when the boys ask Dad if they can have a bubble bath.

Touch

Carson and Braden, along with mates from school, played in a touch Rugby League this spring. They both had a great time learning the game and even scored a few try's! Well done, boys!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Swimming

The Aussie's are serious about swimming. You pretty much have to enroll your child in swim school before they are even born. But, after about a year on the waiting list, Davis finally was awarded a spot! So with his speedo, goggles and a cap he wouldn't wear, he was ready to go!

Halloween part 2

Halloween costumes this year were a bit easier. Braden and Carson just wanted to be "scary" so they dressed in black and put on a creepy mask and called it good. Davis wanted to be some super hero and decided on the day to be Captain America. The day before he was batman. Thank goodness we had a few costumes in the toy bin! Avery was another story. She wanted to be a witch. But, not just any witch. A "pretty" witch. She knew exactly what she wanted and according to her, I was not understanding her. After a few trips to the fabric and craft shop, many tears, and a few revisions, we finally settled on her "pretty" witch costume. Sheesh!