Farewell Australia

It has been a while since we have posted on the blog. We have been busy fitting in so much stuff before we head home.  We have been all over the map and here is a little list of what we have been up to.  Kids participated in an ironman race, we cheered on our Canadian friend, Wayne, in his first ironman and he rocked it!!!  we have been surfing and kayaking, sunset watching, kangaroo hunting (just to see them - not really hunting!!), dolphin and pelican stocking, crabbing, Matthew graduated from primary school (taking home the leadership award - he rocks too!), lots of parties, wine on the beach and trying to get a feel for an Australian Christmas - we even put up a tree!!  Still does not feel like Christmas though - it is too hot.  We are all packed and are heading out on the last leg of our year of adventures - Singapore first, then a quick stop in Shanghai and then Christmas in Pemberton/Whistler with the Cousineaus and our exchange partner Emma.  Feeling sad but excited to see everyone.

Our family Christmas Picture



Kade and Annabelle at the beach

We didn't swim at this beach today

Boys getting ready to start the kids Ironman



Just a sunset picture



A sunset picture with drinks!!!

surfing with Cathy



The Busselton Ironman start - Wayne is out there.  He rocked it
finishing 11 hours 54 minutes - first one too!!  Fun to be on the
support team

Matthew was a mascot at a professional baseball game

Matthew graduates from primary school
also receiving the leadership award
good kid that Matthew

Krystin finds Santa in Perth
Australian version

Our Outback Shack Gingerbread House

Enjoying the Christmas lights on the canals in Mandurah from the boat!!!!

Departure of the ANZACS

This weekend we were in Albany to participate in the departure of the ANZACS Centenary.  One hundred years ago on November 1st, 1914 the first convoy of merchant and military ships carrying the Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force headed out of Albany's King George Sound and into the First World War.  We also had a great visit with Karin and Mick and had the honour of being in the presence of our hosts father Eric Maxton and uncle Murray Maxton who on this weekend received France's highest military award for bravery - the two brothers were recognized for the role they played in helping liberate France from the Nazi occupation. The boys (and us) had the pleasure of hearing stories first hand from Eric and seeing his award. Made us very thankful for all the men and women that made huge sacrifices in WW I and WW II so that we could live the life of freedom that we have now - thank you.



Eric and Murray are in the jeep in the parade behind the boys.

the parade

Tony Abbott - Australian Prime Minister

Kade trying on some historical military clothing

This is King George Sound where the ships with troops left for WWI
to the right of Kade is a submarine and in the background are other military ships



close up of the submarine

The 30,000 represents the number of troops that left Albany in 1914
it is made of poppies



Kade checking out the submarine up close

Eric showing Sean and the boys his medals

The Maxton/Hilder family

Matthew, Eric and Kade

Eric's medals - the top award is the one he received this weekend
from the French Government

Lest we never forget

Canadian Birthday Weekend

Well this weekend was Sean's birthday - not a milestone birthday but because we were are in Australia we had to do something fun.  Since 4 of the Canadians here in Australia on exchange had birthdays at the end of October (Molly and Sean share the same day the 25th and Carmen is the 26th and Art was the 12th) we decided to have an 70's 80's party. It was a fun night full of drinks, including Caesars, and dancing oh and some great costumes.



Sean, Cathy and Art

Sean had a costume change



Patrick and Sean



Disco Girls

The boys (Terry, Wayne & Sean)
nice short shorts Wayne

The Girls

Getting the Caesars ready (Matt & Sean)



Caroline & Terry

Matching hair





enough said



Ladies in Pink

The Canadian gang

The Birthday cake

Caversham Park

We have been planning to visit Caversham park since we arrived in Western Australia but once we found out that Jim was coming for a visit we decided to wait until he arrived.  Caversham Wildlife Park is just on the outskirts of Perth and is sort of like a zoo and has all native Australian animals allowing us to get up close to check them out.

Koala - don't you just want to hug her?

Matthew getting in for a picture

Grandpa wanted one too - the koala is checking him out





Australian Ringneck Parrot
aka - 28



Australian Masked Owl




A Cockatoo




Blue Winged Kookaburra
sitting in an old gum tree



there were some pretty cute animals there

nap time - this joey is just hanging out!!!

Kade feeding a kanga

Peacock - we watched her protect her water source and she
did this crazy dance shaking her feathers to keep the
kangaroos away

This is a wombat

Kade holding a snake