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Friday, May 30, 2008

Geek Monkey

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Hands on Heads

Jack was being particularly cute this afternoon.



Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Wegmans on Memorial Day

Jack and I took photos of our favourite supermarket when we went shopping today. It was crazy-busy because of the public holiday today. Memorial Day marks the start of the summer in America and it was 30c today and it was beautiful. All of the public pools open today which is fun and the days seem so long as the sun rises at 6 and doesn't set until 8.30pm. Thankfully, Jack has block-out blinds so he doesn't rise until 8am.


Jack has been a great helper when it comes to shopping. He drives the cart around Wegmans (usually eating a spring roll) and then he helps to pack the shopping onto the belt and even signs his name for the bill.


Thanks big boy.
Love, YOUR MUM

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Bbq at Lynda & Col's Place

Thanks Lynda and Colin for hosting the bbq for the birthdays. The celebrations are finally over!

The food was delicious and the mint and chocolate ice cream cake from cold stone was superb.




After a very long night we managed to drag ourselves out of bed and make our way to the historic battlefields of Gettysburg for Grandma and Grandpa's souvenirs. Grandma and Grandpa would have loved Gettysburg with it's hundred or so antique stores, museums, battlefields and cemetery. We found the perfect Southern doll for Grandma and the confederate flag for Grandpa.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

All you can eat meat

We put our nice shirts on and off we went to Texas De Brazil - this one's for Jules.



Jack's excited.

Spit Roasted Lamb

The boys - Belgium on the right, US on the left and can you spot the Aussies in the middle?


The Belgium guys were equally scared of the plastic desserts as we were.

Happy Birthday Stu - Brazilian Cheesecake.

Happy Birthday Dad Do

The birthday festivities have begun and there are plenty more to come. This morning Jack took great pleasure in dishing out the presents to 'Dad Do' and he helped A LOT when making crepes for breakfast.

The most special part of this morning was when Jack gave Stu his card which he had signed himself and he was very proud. He knocked on the bedroom door (when I wasn't looking) and woke Stu up saying 'Dad Do, Dad Do.'


We are going to Texas De Brazil for the birthday dinner and Jack is feeling a lot better so it should be fun.

____________________________________________

Happy Birthday Stu

xxxx

Love from your wife,

Bec

____________________________________________

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

DAD DO

JACKO


Friday, May 23, 2008

Mr CCNA



Yay for Stu and Wells for passing their CCNA certification!


We celebrated with Indiana Jones and Fuddruckers
in true American style.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Vitamins and Vegetables

Just a quick update to let you know that we have been to the farmer's markets and bought some fresh, organic vegetables and fruit today. I wish we had found this place earlier because the produce is beautiful and there is also a big toddler playground. It is located on a farm so all the kids go and see the animals and the gardens where the vegetables are grown. The strawberries are something special because they are the sweetest I have ever tasted. Unfortunately, the bread is so sweet it tastes more like pound cake. (this has been an ongoing issue) Needless to say, Jack is the only one that likes it with vegemite on toast.

We have had some trouble giving Jack his liquid vitamins so we have only been pushing the point on a weekly basis however considering all of his illness lately we have found some new multi-vitamins in the form of gummy bears and he is loving these everyday. We are eating only organic vegetables and only eating at home for the next two weeks before our big holiday(except the big birthday on Friday). Jack is still tired and sleeping at least 4 hours a day. He is even sleeping in until 8 most days. So hopefully with all of the vegetables and vitamins, Jack will soon be bouncing back.

That's the plan.

Here is Jack taking his Vitamins like a good boy.




Notice how he follows them with his eyes and keeps track of where we put them.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Under the Falls

Taken with the underwater camera. This is like standing under the shower. We did get closer than this but this is the clearest photo.

The roar of the water was loud and the spray of the mist hit you in the face. It came from below and above.


You could almost reach out and touch the water as it was falling. Stu was disapointed that we didn't take a water bottle for him to fill.

We will upload the rest onto a web album so you can get the full experience but these are the best.



Sunday, May 18, 2008

Niagara Falls

Here is the view from our room after a big 8 hour drive. We are just in awe of it's beauty but it doesn't look really, real - does it?

So we went for a 5min walk and there it is. It is so real that the spray of the mist can be felt from here.

After Jack's visit to hospital he spends the next 36 hours right here. He looks exhausted and beat up but he finds some energy in this cinnamon scroll.


The hotel restaurant served a delicious meal which introduced us to a whole new set of taxes in Canada. The meal was beautiful, here is Stuart enjoying snails among other French cuisines. Really, it was disgusting even just to watch him enjoy this.


We enjoyed the lights on the falls and the fireworks with cocktails in hand and Jack was warm and fast asleep in bed.


The falls were most beautiful at sunset.

Just before we came home we went on the 15min 'Maid of the Mist' boat. Jack was seriously unimpressed and he stayed warm and dry in his pram and under the lower level of the boat. Stu & I took turns in going to the upper level and it was just amazing. The power of the water within 3-4 meters of the flow was incredible. This was absolutely an amazing experience and as the raincoats were all one size, Stu got soaked on he arms and legs.

This was as close to the USA side of the falls as the digital camera could get without getting wet. We also took an underwater camera so hopefully some of those will work too.


Our last stop was the butterfly conservatory and it was really amazing to see thousands of species of butterflies under one roof. We were not allowed to touch them of course but they landed all over us. Jack loved this part of Niagara the most and he reached out to touch them and pointed and smiled. He was asking, 'Wa dat?'


View the web album below. I hope I don't bore you with too many photos of the same waterfall but it was incredible. It was something you really have to see to appreciate. There is at least 5 videos in there so check 'em out.


Niagara

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Feeling Better

Jack has been tucked up in his King size bed all day on the 21st floor of the Marriott hotel overlooking Niagara Falls and being lulled to sleep by the roar of the water below.

Stuart and I have just enjoyed the fireworks over the falls from our hotel room with room service and cocktails in hand.

Jack is resting and sleeping a lot, his fever is much lower and he had a few nice moments enjoying the falls in between sleeps.

Wish you were here.

12 Hours Later

Hi from beautiful Niagara.



We have the most beautiful hotel with a perfect view of the falls and Jack was a perfect boy for the 8 hour drive to get here.

We have just got back from spending the last 12 HOURS at the lovely Niagara Falls Hospital. ($700)

Poor Jacko has 2 ear infections and bronchitis. We had to stay in the hospital over night until his fever came below 38 and his heart rate came below 120. When we arrived at the hospital it was 170 and his temp was 39.1. He has since had 2 chest x rays, 2 IV antibiotics, 3 blood tests and 3 new teeth are coming in all at once.

Jack didn't give us any warning that he was going to get so sick. In fact, we had a beautiful dinner ($230) at the Marriott restaurant just an hour before and he had no fever and a large Mac & Cheese.

We are back at the Marriott now, with medication and Jack is going to sleep in Niagara for the next 2 days with a cot overlooking the falls. I can't think of a better place to be resting. It is truly beautiful.



......................about 14 hours earlier Stu said, 'Even I am jealous of me. This is so cool!'

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mom's Day

These were delivered today, on Mother's day (Australian time.)

The card reads, "You're the best Mum a son could have. Jack"

We hope all the mums back home have a lovely day today and the 'soon-to-be mums' enjoy their last sleep in on Mother's day for the next 6-8yrs at least!

Also we sent some cards to the Nan R & Grandma and Jack did help a lot with those. It was great to be able to chat to the great-nans on Skype too.

Happy Mother's Day

Love, Bec, Stu & Jack


Saturday, May 10, 2008

Essential in Virginia - Raincoat and Gumboots

This cute little spot is just next to the car park near our apartment. Jack and I decided to go for a muddy walk to test out our new boots after the big storm. We saw little bunnies and squirrels of course and late last week we saw a raccoon down here too.


Now that we have tested the boots, we know to tuck the pants into the boots!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

By request from Aunty Ren...

Jack wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty as usual.

And the sound of the tractor brings the fish to the tractor for some food. The kids fed them pellets, this happens 5 times a day. No wonder the fish are so big!

Who thought we would find Royalla in the USA?

Aaron says, 'Wass is?' Jack replied, 'Du Duck'


Sorry we don't have Picasa going at the mo so this will have to do for now.

Leesburg with Lynda

Here is the Leesburg Animal Park. It is only a 15min drive from our apartment. We saw heaps of cool animals with Lynda, Aaron and Evan today.

Jack's favourite part of the park was the big sand pit full of trucks and toys.


Evan's favourite part of the day was the tractor ride. We saw ducks and some huge fish in the pond.


We also fed all of the animals their breakfast.

The boys had such a lovely day, it was sunny and 30C so perfect for a day at the animal park.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Washington DC Monuments

Click on the map to see today's walk, almost 6kms.

We made the most of the beautiful weather today by doing a tour by foot of the Washington Monuments. We walked and we walked for 3 hours!

Here is the editor in front of the Lincon Memorial and in the background you can see the Washington Monument, the Reflection Pool and the White House is just behind that.

No swimming in any fountains or ponds today for Jack.

Guess who found the ducks?

The World War II Memorial.

The Jeferson Memorial had a huge brass band out the front, it was just a lovely day.


These are my boys just out the front of the Jefferson Memorial.

View the web album here