Shelly Beach

The first few weeks we arrived it rained almost everyday, which was a nice change from what we were used to, however the kids were ready to hit the beach! So, on one of the first warm sunny days, we headed to Shelly Beach. This is a small little cove down from Manly Beach that is sheltered from the surf. It is also a reserve so it has been known to have some really neat marine life which makes it a popular scuba sight. We enjoyed the clear blue water and the beautiful beach! We could have done without the freezing cold water! It didn't stop the kids, though, they got in and snorkeled and played. We had a fabulous time!

Manly Beach is in the background...

4 boys sunning themselves on the rock like lizards!

Carson could climb up and down these rocks all day!

Here is Braden snorkeling. He was amazed at all the fish he could see. He saw big groupers and even a sand shark (the ones that bury themselves in the sand; they actually look more like a ray)

Looking back at Manly Beach...Braden is on the rocks looking for crabs. A few surfers were out where the waves were breaking.

Braden and Davis playing on the beach...it almost was like we were at a pool or lake rather than the ocean. The water was so blue, though!

Avery coming back from snorkeling...she was so excited to tell us about all the fish she saw!

More Nature Walks

We have decided to make our Sunday afternoon nature walks somewhat of a tradition. We really love getting outdoors and exploring the beautiful beaches, bush, and harbours (yes, that is how the Aussie's spell it!) of Sydney. The kids love seeing all the cool wildlife, marine life, insects, and birds, and of course, love climbing and exploring new places. There are endless trails and walking paths all along the harbours and beaches that we have been exploring parts of each week and have found ourselves looking forward to our "walk" each week and wondering what will be next!

World Record

Braden with Feliks Zemdegs, the current world record holder

Just shortly after we arrived in Australia, Garrett and Braden headed down to Melbourne for a Rubiks Cube competition. Braden was super excited to compete in his first Aussie Rubiks event, especially considering that the 2nd fastest cuber was an Aussie and would be at the competition. And it was especially exciting when that cuber, Feliks Zemdegs, actually broke the world record (7.08 seconds) set back in 2008 by another cuber from the Netherlands and became the fastest cuber in the world at 7.03 seconds! Braden's head was about to explode he was so excited! Although, later that evening after Garrett and Braden had left, Feliks actually broke his own record again with a time of 6.77 seconds and they were not there to see that one. Braden had a great time being a part of it and also set some of his own personal records in the 2x2 (4.23 seconds) and 4x4. Here are a few video links Garrett posted on YouTube...

New World Record

Braden solving next to the world record holder

Braden solving the 3x3 and 2x2

First Day of School

Davis strutting his "stuff" on the way to school...too cool for school!

Braden, Avery, and Carson started school on Monday at their new school just down the street. They have to wear uniforms and a hat, which I thought they looked adorable. They had a great time the first day, met new friends, and liked their teachers. Because we are considered temporary residents, we have to pay $4500 per child per year to attend "public" school! Ouch!

The teachers sent home a supply list and I had to figure out a few things..."Textas" are washable markers.

Nature Walk

I am still pinching myself that I live here. It still feels a little like a vacation or something we would only imagine doing. Sunday afternoon, we headed down to Manly for a scenic walk along Shelly beach and Harbour National Park. The kids loved looking for different insects and bugs they had never seen. They also loved the water dragons, which are huge lizards! The views were breathtaking!

As we headed down the path, someone was saying that there were whales off in the distance. When we got closer, that someone actually turned out to be my childhood neighbor from Nampa, Idaho, Diane Riordan Groves. I knew that she was living over here and even near where we live, but how random was it that I would run into her unexpectantly half-way around the world! She married an Aussie and has moved over here. Here we were neighbors years ago and now we are practically neighbors over here! Who knew! Oh, and we did see the whales!

Darling Harbour

Saturday afternoon, despite the weather, we boarded a ferry from Manly Wharf to Circular Quay to Darling Harbour to head to Wildlife World. We had a great time and got to see some spectacular things along the way. Braden was especially excited when he got to see the World's most dangerous spider and snake up close for the first time! We also got to see a few other of our favorite fuzzy Aussie animals!

Good Byes

Moving can be hard. Moving can be a burden. But, moving for us seems to be routine. It was hard saying good bye to so many wonderful and dear friends, which is always the case. We move somewhere, meet friends and settle into a wonderful little life...then we up and move! But, we feel so blessed to have met so many amazing friends all over the country and soon to be all over the world that have made our lives better! I wish I had so many more pictures of all the wonderful friends we had in Temecula, but here are a few...a few that make me happy and a bit sad to be so far away!

Fish and Chips!

Yesterday we walked down to the Manly Wharf to go to OceanWorld and have lunch. Avery, Carson, and Davis chose McDonald's and Braden and Mom chose fish and chips!

Dixie

We weren't able to take Dixie, our 4 year old Boston Terrier, to Australia with us because shortly before we left she developed a neurological problem which required treatment. We still do not know what exactly the cause for the issue is with out performing a $3000 MRI, but are treating it as a inflammatory disease of the brain. She seemed to be responding well before we left, but will not know if it is something more significant until she goes off the medicine.

In order to import a animal to Australia, the animal must be quarantined for 6 months and quarantine services would not administer medication. If anyone knows Dixie, you'll know she is quite a nervous and anxious dog due to her being blind from juvenile cataracts (another $3000 surgery to fix). So, we decided considering her situation that it was in the best interest for her to not subject her to a 15 hour flight over and months of quarantine.

We found a wonderful Boston Terrier Rescue that agreed to take her and continue her treatment. They also would raise money to get her the eye surgery she needed to fix her blindness. She is in very good hands and is in a very loving situation. She is in a home with 3 other "crazy" boston's and we heard she is fitting in great!

We love Dixie and will miss her dearly!