Just arrived at Hamilton Island, on Australia’s northern coast. Warm and humid up here, but after our 1.5 hour flight from Sydney we’re ready to see those white sand beaches!

Unfortunately, kangaroo meat doesn’t taste like chicken. Got some of these about 6 months ago to try, but never again.

All dressed up and ready to go!

I arrived home to a non-working airconditioner….so not fun! So this morning I have opened the windows to let the cool breeze flow through the house. Mads and I were watching Mythbusters: Shark Week when I mentioned to her that while I was gone, the Kookaburras have returned for the summer. I was so excited – they have quite chaotic bird calls but are fascinating to observe. Just then I heard one that was far closer than we have experienced at this house. Low and behold there was a Kookaburra on the fence around the spa FIVE FEET from our sliding glass door. I was able to walk to the window to take a picture but unfortunately one of the plants on our back deck was in the way. Following is a Wednesday good morning picture from one of the many Kookaburras in our backyard.

Kookaburra on the spa fence.

TCU vs OU 01 Dec 2012

It was a respectable game for a tough fighting group of freshmen against the #11 BCS team. We had a field goal that was inaccurately called “no-good” and we had a freshman holding on the second to last play when he didn’t need to. If those 2 situations were their exact opposite, we would have beat OU 27 to 24. Oh well, there is always next year.
I’m heading back Down Under tomorrow on a 10:00PM flight and will commence the last twenty something days of Madelyne’s Year 6 school year. Then we are off to the Whitsundays for Christmas. Check it out here: http://www.longislandresort.com.au/
Enjoy the rest of your 2012; I know we will!

Hard to believe, but it was exactly 1 year ago today when The Smiths set foot in Australia as a family. So much has gone flying by! No pictures to show this time; just an acknowledgment of a significant milestone. One year ago I was concerned about whether MBD would adjust. Turns out she has done just fine this year, and is ready to start high school at the end of January after a long and well-deserved summer break. MBW has had a good year as well, helping out at Manly West Primary School and will move on to something new and interesting now that MBD has almost completed her studies at that school.

So I’ll keep on posting to this blog because there’s always something intriguing to report about our life in the wonderful world of Oz!

MWH

Well, MBD is off for a 3-day adventure to the Australian bush. To be honest, we’re not quite sure where the “Bush” is, but years 5 & 6 are off to a grand adventure this morning!

At the Four Olives Restaurant, in downtown Manly, NSW. MBD had french toast and TWO milkshakes! LBT waited on us!

It’s a good thing when you can celebrate your birthday on two different continents! Photo by MBD’s iPhone.
Lookin’ good, MBW!

Celebrating in Sydney!