OMG why did I volunteer to do the trip rehash while Em, is flying home LOL

Well I had better start with this is probably going to be long. Skip ahead if I am repeating myself!

Em arrived last Tuesday at 4pm, her plane was delayed an hour and by the time she arrived the boys were more than ready (pic of them waiting)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/Picture247.jpg

When they finally arrived there were hugs and hellos, they were not that tired and we proceeded home and had some dinner and a few drinks, that is the night we got on the internet here and posted some pics!

The next day we started out early, to go and get some breakfast and see some beaches, unfortunately we didn’t check what places would be open so we went to three beaches before we found one which was open for breakfast, all of us went down to the beach and Jack had a great time seeing the ocean for the first time, he didn’t want to leave.

Pic of Em and Chris at one of our beaches (Cottesloe)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/1.jpg

Then we went to Kings Park and the kids had a play, and Jack chased ducks LOL he has no fear that boy and tried running several times into the lake without stopping.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/2.jpg

We then went home for the kids to have a nap, and came back to the Belltower
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/3.jpg

My kids with the city view
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/4.jpg

And to Fremantle (it was all about the Ocean LOL) here is a pic of Jack and his icecream, gee that kid rolfed down food, it was so good to see! Came home via my mum and dads and ended up home late exhausted.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/4b.jpg


On the Thursday, we traveled ‘down south’ as we call it, after the previous days debacle where Em and I had to crawl into the back seat of the car in a less than lady like manner, we decided to take 2 cars, so Em, me and the boys, and Dan and Chris in the other car- they were so lucky, we had screaming pinching kids (don’t put three car seats together) for three hours, but finally we arrived, and Em and I had a spa day, we had a massage, facial and pedicure, it was fantastic.

We went to dinner that night at Busselton and then back to our hotel for drinks on the patio, it was a great laugh and Em found out about the Aussie Male Lariken, as a man called Donkey proceeded to give her his card to hook him up with a US woman LOL

Dan and Chris drinking
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/5.jpg

The next day after minimal sleep, we did the winery tour and light house tour, and wondered if it was wrong to be drinking at 11am? ROFL Dan was skipper but I don’t think he really cared as it was a big night before. So we did a few wineries and some tours, and Em got to see a kangaroo in the wild, she was so excited!

Pic of Em, Chris and Jack at the top of the lighthouse
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/6.jpg

The rear view of the car, and my exhausted kiddos, LOL better this way than crawling in the boot!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/8.jpg

We went back to the hotel and had a slightly early night LOL, and started heading home the next day, we went via the Busselton jetty, which Cooper and I got half way, as soon as it went from solid to wooden and wonky both Cooper and I wanted out LOL, so the rest went to the end, and came back and played in the sand and surf, again Jack was in his element
Pic of Jack in Busselton
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/9.jpg

Pic of Em under the Jetty
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/10.jpg

We then drove to Rockingham and the kids got in the sea not once but twice more, before we started for home.

Em, Chris and Jack at the Penguin Island sign (we were 20min late for the last ferry over)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/10b.jpg

We got home and had an early night, and got up the next day to have a look at our Weir, we had breakfast in an old hotel in Mundaring

This is Jack in an old phone booth
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/11.jpg

Then Em and I proceeded to hit the shops in town, and have a look around!

That night, we went to a restaurant called C restaurant, this restaurant revolves around our city and we had cocktails galore and then went to the casino and had a great time doing a little gambling, we came home loosers but it was so much fun.

Me and Em at dinner
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/13.jpg

All of us after the casino (pretty messy LOL)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/14.jpg

The next day we got up to go to the Wildlife park, where we got to meet Amy and Miki, and see all the Australian animals we have to offer. We had heaps of fun here.

Jack with a kangaroo
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/15.jpg

Chris and Jack with a koala
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/16.jpg

Em and Parker
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/17.jpg

Amy, Em and me
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/18.jpg

Amy and Miki
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/19.jpg

We then went up to my parents farm to stay the night, we taught Em to ride a motorbike LOL

Em on the bike
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/20.jpg

And showed her the farm, we chased kangaroos on the motorbikes (though the boys were better than us later on in the night) and we had an early night (as the farm does that too you!)

Chris and Jack at the lake
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/21.jpg

Parker and Jack
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/22.jpg

Chris catching a fish
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/cooperandparker/23.jpg

We left the farm on the Tuesday, and then came home to pack up Ems stuff, Em and I then went to the movies and a little more shopping, it was great to have some girl time, and I haven’t seen a movie in absolutely ages! We came home and the boys went to the pub, but came home early cause they were freezing, and sat half the night in the spa (Jacuzzi) LOL

Em and I headed off early and Dan and Chris stayed up chatting (it was great they got along so well) and in the morning it was so sad, we were all a bit quiet and waiting for the time, Em and I went and got some breakfast together and just pottered till it was time to see them off, it was so sad, Em and I were bawling, and I cried more once she left, Parker kept telling me don’t cry mummy! They are going to miss them too, they already are, it was a total blast having them, and although this is long it couldn’t begin to explain how much fun and the laughs we have had. It is amazing that I met someone from so far away and she came so far to see us.

Thank you so much for listening to our adventure, it was great to share it with you all :hug:

Sounds like you guys had a great time. What an action packed trip! You are are a regular travel guide, LOL! How awesome!

Awww Rach, I got chills reading that and looking at your pics! It looks like you guys had such a great time and everybody looks awesome! The kiddos are adorable and getting so big! Wow, can you actually pet the animals at that zoo? Now you will have to come to the US and have some fun with Em:D I'm so glad she was able to come out and you guys had such a great time. Thanks so much for sharing your pics, I really enjoyed them!!!

Rachel

Thanks for the re-cap Rachel
LOVE seeing all the pics
Looks like you guys had a BLAST!!!!

:yahoo: I'm so happy you guys had such a blast. Great writing Rachel, I felt like I was right there w/ you guys!!

Rach,

Picures never do the justice. But you were still able to paint the perfect picure of how great of a time you all had.
I am sure you guys had an absolute blast together. You are a match made in heaven. You and Em. :rolling: :rolling: :drinkalot: :hug:
I am so glad the boys (big ones) got along so well and the kids too.
Like I said earlier, now it's your turn. You let me know when you are back in the States, there is no avoiding Kentucky ;)

Oh and btw, thanks for posting the picture of Amy and Miki. Miki is an absolute doll of a baby. Gorgeous!

Awwwww....I wish I could have really been there to share it w/ you guys, but pix will do for now! Thanks for rehashing the trip for us, Rach!!!

BTW, I've missed you both terribly!:sad5:

Thanks for posting, looks like you guys had a blast!

Rachel those pics are fantastic and you certainly were an outstanding hostess, you planned a great adventure for them. I was smiling all through your post, it looked like a great time.

Saying goodbye at the end of such a great trip must have been hard. My best friend lives 3 hours away by plane and we always bawl like babies when we leave each other. I can't imagine if she lived on the other side of the world!

I am so glad you all had such a great time together!

Looks like a great time!

The pics and little story were great. Thanks for sharing with us so we can all live vicariously through you guys.

Great pics girls and an awesome trip and story told of the trip :yahoo:

Looks like you all had such a wonderful time!

Thanks for the recap, Rachel! It was fun "listening" to you talk as I read the narrative, and could hear the bits of Aussie words thrown in there...like wonky, lol! :)

Loved seeing the pics of Amy and Miki too! We don't see nearly enough of them.

AWWWWWWWWWWWW!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
for sharing this with us.

Made my whole day!

I was gone all day at Mom's and all I kept thinking is I HAVE to go home to check IRD. Rach is going to post!

I'm green with envy!

It sounds like you had an awesome time!

Wow, Rachel! What an action-packed trip! Sounds like you all had a lot of fun!

Thanks for sharing, Rach!!! You all must have had such a wonderful time!

This was really nice Rachel ...thanks....I too was smiling at your narrations....I was just as sad when it was time to go....but like I said before, you are all so lucky to have found each other and become such dear friends....it is so sweet.

Rach it looks like you all had a great imte. Love the pics. I am so glad everyone had fun. I love all the pics but the ones with the Kangaroo and koala were so cool.

wow Rach, you have been busy. the pics are great and so was your trip. Great to see pics of little Miki and Amy too...wish I could have come over, but next time hey?! Maybe we should organise our own trip to the US lol...just the girls!!!

cool great pistures rach

I'm sitting here crying now.
Thanks Rach... :sad3: :smt036 the bawl bag that I am. *sheesh* lol...

We had such a great time and maybe that layover wasn't so bad! :evil4: