On 13 May we set off to Los Angeles to start our 45 day road trip in the USA.
The attached will show you our route and give you a sense of the scale of the trip we are about to undertake....with three kids....and a large car.
To watch this hit the PLAY button and select FULL SCREEN....and turn up the Volume.
Ken
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
A traditional Easter weekend
Easter Weekends are by tradition now, spent in Sydney. Despite the temptation to head off camping or to Fiji - we enjoy our Easter weekends at home.
We've kept up our traditions this weekend with a Family Bike Ride and our now famour Easter Egg hunt at Chinaman's Beach on Easter Sunday.
Good Friday
The Easter weekend kicked off with a trip into Sydney to enjoy the free Hoopla Festival - a series of circus events staged in Darling Harbour. We had a great time watching lots of different acts do tumpling, trapeze, slightly weird dancing and a cabaret act that was almost funny. The kids got taught how to spin a plate on a stick and walk on stilts (while I had a beer) and the ice creams from the Lindt Chocolate shop marked a good end to a good day.
An impromptu visit to the Underhills resulted in a 'come in for a cup of tea request' - we were there for 4 hours....playing Bridge of all things.
Easter Saturday
Despite the torential rain all night we met up with the Kelly's and the Sherry's at 10:00am for a family bike ride. Our friend Helen has a torn calf muscle so she pushed the pram as the rest of us set off on a 15 km ride through the bush, alongside Narrabeen lake, through the campground and all the way to North Narrabeen beach...and back....via the cafe for hot chocolate and muffins.
The kids got wet and muddy - they were happy.
Emma got mud thrown at her by the kids (at the suggestion of another dad) - Emma was not happy.
Saturday night was back to the Underhills for a 'games night' with three other couples. The games involved more Bridge (glad I learned the rules the night before), Rummikub, Cribbage and more. I think I lost more than I won. A few too many beers, Pinot Noir's and Shiraz's meant the night went quickly.
Easter Sunday
The traditional Easter Egg hunt was under threat from rain....but we set off for Chinaman's Beach at 9:00am with sunshine in the distance and dark clouds threatening. I am glad to report - the sunshine won! It was a glorious day filled with Champagne & OJ; Bacon & Egg rolls; Easter Eggs galore; lots of games of rounders, cricket, soccer; Swimming, kayaking and sand castle making competitions.
I think we max'd out at 6 families.
Olivia and Stuart Hoffman spent ages building elaborate castles on the beach.
Emma does not believe me when I tell her she sticks her tongue out when she plays sport....
and James closes his eyes when he swings....
Our good friend Deb Kelly with Jack.
Olivia looking for eggs left by the Easter Bunny.
Chinaman's Beach has a fantastic park just behind it - which is where we spend the morning (in fact until 3:00pm today).
The Easter Bunny cannot cope with the number of kids we had - so Emma helps out a bit.
A rare photograph of me.
Our Easter princess - with bunny ears and pretty dress. Olivia had a great day.
Well Easter Monday is actually on Tuesday this year as tomorrow in Australia it is ANZAC Day (our equivalent of memorial day). We are attending a Dawn Service at 5:00am...James is taking part with his Cub Scout troop....so it will be a long day....
More next week.
Ken
We've kept up our traditions this weekend with a Family Bike Ride and our now famour Easter Egg hunt at Chinaman's Beach on Easter Sunday.
Good Friday
The Easter weekend kicked off with a trip into Sydney to enjoy the free Hoopla Festival - a series of circus events staged in Darling Harbour. We had a great time watching lots of different acts do tumpling, trapeze, slightly weird dancing and a cabaret act that was almost funny. The kids got taught how to spin a plate on a stick and walk on stilts (while I had a beer) and the ice creams from the Lindt Chocolate shop marked a good end to a good day.
An impromptu visit to the Underhills resulted in a 'come in for a cup of tea request' - we were there for 4 hours....playing Bridge of all things.
Despite the torential rain all night we met up with the Kelly's and the Sherry's at 10:00am for a family bike ride. Our friend Helen has a torn calf muscle so she pushed the pram as the rest of us set off on a 15 km ride through the bush, alongside Narrabeen lake, through the campground and all the way to North Narrabeen beach...and back....via the cafe for hot chocolate and muffins.
The kids got wet and muddy - they were happy.
Emma got mud thrown at her by the kids (at the suggestion of another dad) - Emma was not happy.
Saturday night was back to the Underhills for a 'games night' with three other couples. The games involved more Bridge (glad I learned the rules the night before), Rummikub, Cribbage and more. I think I lost more than I won. A few too many beers, Pinot Noir's and Shiraz's meant the night went quickly.
Easter Sunday
The traditional Easter Egg hunt was under threat from rain....but we set off for Chinaman's Beach at 9:00am with sunshine in the distance and dark clouds threatening. I am glad to report - the sunshine won! It was a glorious day filled with Champagne & OJ; Bacon & Egg rolls; Easter Eggs galore; lots of games of rounders, cricket, soccer; Swimming, kayaking and sand castle making competitions.
I think we max'd out at 6 families.
Well Easter Monday is actually on Tuesday this year as tomorrow in Australia it is ANZAC Day (our equivalent of memorial day). We are attending a Dawn Service at 5:00am...James is taking part with his Cub Scout troop....so it will be a long day....
More next week.
Ken
Sunday, April 17, 2011
It's almost Easter - where is the year going!
It's been a hectic few weeks.
School holidays have begun and the kids are busy at Golf Camp, sleepovers and lots of fun & games. We had planned to go away over Easter but decided that with our two month USA trip only four weeks away we need to spend some time at home and get organised.
Emma is doing all the organising - she is constantly at the computer booking accomodation, planning our route, checking out tours/trips and activities in the USA.
My task it seems was simple - book the cars, book Las Vegas Hotel and San Diego hotel. I did all that last week.....and then today had to re-book the car hire as we discovered we have an extra day in the USA.....check the Las Vegas booking as we never received a confirmation and finally change the San Diego Hotel as we have discovered the one I booked was at the end of the main runway of San Diego Airport......
So Emma is back in charge of the trip!
It's been a very, very wet weekend no sport so we spent Saturday at the mall doing lots of shopping and had a long walk today. A quiet but pleasant weekend.
Olivia continues to do Ballet/Jazz twice a week. The video and picture below give you an insight into her performances.
Balgowlah Heights Primary School has an end of term disco. This year the kids could all buy headbands and the proceeds went to the Japanese earthquake appeal. The kids always have a great time at the disco.
School holidays have begun and the kids are busy at Golf Camp, sleepovers and lots of fun & games. We had planned to go away over Easter but decided that with our two month USA trip only four weeks away we need to spend some time at home and get organised.
Emma is doing all the organising - she is constantly at the computer booking accomodation, planning our route, checking out tours/trips and activities in the USA.
My task it seems was simple - book the cars, book Las Vegas Hotel and San Diego hotel. I did all that last week.....and then today had to re-book the car hire as we discovered we have an extra day in the USA.....check the Las Vegas booking as we never received a confirmation and finally change the San Diego Hotel as we have discovered the one I booked was at the end of the main runway of San Diego Airport......
So Emma is back in charge of the trip!
It's been a very, very wet weekend no sport so we spent Saturday at the mall doing lots of shopping and had a long walk today. A quiet but pleasant weekend.
Olivia continues to do Ballet/Jazz twice a week. The video and picture below give you an insight into her performances.
Our Friends Helen & Nigel Peach were clearing out old kids toys and were about to get rid of a blue kids car. We rescued it and thought it would be great for Jack in a year or so. Well, Olivia decided to have a shot and I could not resist putting Jack in the back for a ride - he had a great time.
Balgowlah Heights Primary School has an end of term disco. This year the kids could all buy headbands and the proceeds went to the Japanese earthquake appeal. The kids always have a great time at the disco.
Well in four weeks time this Blog will be written from Las Vegas - and we be at the start of our trip. We fly out of Sydney on May 13th.....LA, Death Valley, Las Vegas is the start....cannot wait!
Ken
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Winter sports have started.
This week involved a series of firsts.
Emma's first sail on Brindabella.
Olivia's first netball match (in fact first competitive sports game)
James' first game for this new Soccer team.
And my first game of the new season for O35's.
Brindabella
Brindabella is an 80 foot Maxi Yacht that a few of my fellow partners and I got together to sponsor as "KPMG". The benefits of sponsoring her is that we get to sail on her every week. Wednesday was the last of 15 races so I managed to get Emma out. As the serious sailor in the family it was only right that she got a chance to sail her. Brindabell is a legendary Australian yacht - that holds many records for a variety of races, has done 15 Sydney to Hobart races and is about to set off to beat the Round Australia record (37 days).
I think Emma had a good time, despite the lack of wind (we drifted around a lot) - but eventually we got moving and came 4th over the line - just beaten by a $12m/100 foot yacht....it is serious stuff on a Wednesday night.
Seaforth Nettas
Olivia had her first ever competitive sports match on Saturday morning at 8:15. She took to the field in her netball uniform as GK - Goal Keeper. The opposition were very experienced and it was a tough match for Olivia and her team. They learned a lot, tried really hard and all had a great time. The score was a little one sided - but Olivia's team had a few shots and Olivia played really well and is excited about game 2 next week.
James - Seaforth Wolves
The Wolves are one of the top 2 graded teams in Seaforth (10 teams in total) and demonstrated the pre-season excitement with an 11-1 thrashing of the Hardbord Seasiders.
James had a great game - scoring two - and playing a critical role in midfield and later in defence. He had a great time and is part of a great team. The coach (me) tried to claim the credit but the kids reminded him that it was all down to their skill and hard work.....
James at Luna Park
Slightly late but James eventually found a spare night in his busy schedule to take 5 friends to Luna Park - Sydney's poor attempt at a theme park.
The boys had an amazing time. They did every ride (many twice) and shrieked and screamed their way round them all.
They ended the night back at our house for a sleep over. Much to our surprise they actually slept!!
A great night - "Best party ever" was James comments this morning.
Emma's first sail on Brindabella.
Olivia's first netball match (in fact first competitive sports game)
James' first game for this new Soccer team.
And my first game of the new season for O35's.
Brindabella
Brindabella is an 80 foot Maxi Yacht that a few of my fellow partners and I got together to sponsor as "KPMG". The benefits of sponsoring her is that we get to sail on her every week. Wednesday was the last of 15 races so I managed to get Emma out. As the serious sailor in the family it was only right that she got a chance to sail her. Brindabell is a legendary Australian yacht - that holds many records for a variety of races, has done 15 Sydney to Hobart races and is about to set off to beat the Round Australia record (37 days).
I think Emma had a good time, despite the lack of wind (we drifted around a lot) - but eventually we got moving and came 4th over the line - just beaten by a $12m/100 foot yacht....it is serious stuff on a Wednesday night.
Seaforth Nettas
James - Seaforth Wolves
The Wolves are one of the top 2 graded teams in Seaforth (10 teams in total) and demonstrated the pre-season excitement with an 11-1 thrashing of the Hardbord Seasiders.
James had a great game - scoring two - and playing a critical role in midfield and later in defence. He had a great time and is part of a great team. The coach (me) tried to claim the credit but the kids reminded him that it was all down to their skill and hard work.....
James at Luna Park
Slightly late but James eventually found a spare night in his busy schedule to take 5 friends to Luna Park - Sydney's poor attempt at a theme park.
The boys had an amazing time. They did every ride (many twice) and shrieked and screamed their way round them all.
They ended the night back at our house for a sleep over. Much to our surprise they actually slept!!
And what of the Seaforth O35's???
Well, we were 3-nil up with 15 minutes to go.....and ended with a 3-3 draw. Not a bad result as they were a better team!
A little stiff and sore today - but a Thai massage including the girl walking up and down my back seems to have helped!
More next week.
Ken
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