Sovereign Hills

Sovereign Hill is a re-creation of an old mining town and a living museum, which depicts life as it was more than 100 years ago. Locals dress in clothes of the period and run shops, businesses and a school. They also still mine for gold. We got to see them take some of the gold they mined melt it down and turn it into a 6lb gold bar. It was a very fun and interesting place. The kids loved it. There were horse and buggy's going up and down the streets Abby loved seeing the"neighs" she loves horses. We had a really good time.

Inside an old buggy. Blake thought it was the coolest thing that horses use to pull people around in buggy's instead of people driving in cars.

Looking for gold. People find nuggets of gold in this stream everyday, just not us.
This reminded me of the one they had at Pioneer Village at Lagoon when I was a kid.

Blake was very busy digging for gold he did not want any help.
Brady was sure we were going to find gold. No luck!!





Abby was looking for ducks.
This is inside where the machines are that mine the gold.

Go Hawks!!!

Saturday was Grand Footy Finals here in Melbourne between the Hawks and the Bulldogs. We went to our friends mountain farm for a playoffs party. They had a big area for the kids to play, tennis courts, and a big tramp for the kids to jump on. The kids had a great time. The Hawks won so Travis was happy. It was a lot of fun and very pretty up there.

Blake is throwing the footy even though you don't throw it you kick it or hit it with your fist kind of like a volleyball.

The Royal Melbourne Show

Saturday we went to the Royal Melbourne Show also know as the State Fair. It was actually a lot of fun. The kids went on rides and held lots of farm animals and played some games. The best part was the show bags they have. They have theme bags full of all different toys and costumes or candy anything you can think of. We had a great time.







Abby picked a Dora show bag and she is loving it!!!

Blake finally got to eat a corn dog in Australia

Teddy Bear Picnic

Blake had a special day at school today all the kids got to bring their teddy bear for a picnic and puppet show. Blake had a teddy bear all picked out and then at the last minute he decided to bring his penguin that Grandma got him. He said they had a great time and they got to have a treat at the picnic.

Chicken Pox

It turned out that Abby got chicken pox. She was just not acting like herself and she kept putting her hands in her mouth so I thought she was teething. Then she got spots all over her. At the end of the day Brady said his mouth was hurting and sure enough spots started showing up all over him. They really haven't been that bad its just the ones in the mouth that caused the most problems. They are both doing much better. Brady will go back to school tomorrow. We have all been stuck in the house, but they do a good job staying busy and entertained themselves.

Trav's Birthday

Saturday was Travis's Birthday the kids got up and gave him his gifts and we decided to go to the beach. It was such a nice Spring day the kids found shells and jumped off a ledge into the sand. Abby loved seeing all the dogs,the beach we went to has a section were the dogs can get in and swim and she loved watching them. We went and got some dinner and had apple pie and ice cream for his birthday cake. It turned out to be a nice day


Brady Jumping with a shell in hand

Travis playing his new wii game the kids got for him

Fathers Day

Yesterday was Fathers Day in Australia. The boys got up early and made breakfast for Travis. Brady's school had a Fathers Day stall so he got him a clock for is desk and a pocket board game. The kids also each pick out a tie for him. We had a very nice day hang out as a family. Below is a slideshow of many of the adventures we went on over the past year. Travis thanks for being such a fun Dad we love you!!!

Fathers Day

Friday night Travis took the boys to see an Australian Rules Football game also known as "Footy". They had so much fun!!! The team they are now cheering for is the Hawks but they don't say cheer here they say "bareck". It is playoff time here and the Hawks are in the playoffs. Travis and the kids are really getting into it, it's hard not to because Aussies love their Footy.

Blake got a Hawk stuffed animal and Brady got a hand clapper that is so loud. They were so excited when they got home at 11:30 Friday night it took awhile for them to settle down enough to go to bed.

Brady Swimming

Brady's been having swimming lessons everyday for the past two weeks with his school. Every afternoon they take a bus to the pool for an hour swimming lesson. Brady has loved it, and has had a lot of fun with his friends. They have focus mostly on pool safety so they will be ready for the summer.
Today was the last day so they let all the kids go in the wave pool. Brady thought it was the best. Travis has taken him to the wave pool lots of times but he has never been in as far has he did today. "It was awesome."
Heading back to school

Father & Son at Blakes School

Sunday is Fathers Day in Australia

so Blake's school had a Father's night

tonight. Blake was so excited to

spend the night with Travis and show him

his school. They played games, sang songs, and

did the hokie pokie. They said it was a lot of fun.

Blake made a nice card for dad