Farewell dinners/Packing and Wrapping

On Monday, 22nd of July, we had our last dinner with Steve's Dad and Mum. We were served soup, roast with vegies, applesauce and fruit salad for dessert. It was also our time to say goodbye as they didn't plan on coming to the airport. 

We pray that God may continue to be with them in their aging years.

Dinner with Dad and Mum H

Monday and Tuesday were very busy days. On Monday we packed our suitcases and on Tuesday, the removalists came at 8am to start packing and wrapping all our possessions. They took all day and were finally finished at 5pm. They packed the container so well, it took up three quarters of it. Amazing!

On the last night before our departure, 23rd of July, we had dinner with my parents. Again served with soup, chicken roast and vegies and drumsticks for dessert. Connor was staying with Dad and Mum while Alex and Teresa enjoyed a week's holiday in Broome.

Taleesha, Connor and Shantel eating chips and nuggets!

After our dinner we headed to Alex and Teresa's house where we were staying and hit deck.

The next day was going to be an early awakening.

Tooth/Oma/Ice/Farewell coffee social

So many things have been happening, it's time to get them on the blog before I forget them. On Sunday, 14th of July, just over a week before leaving Australia, Shantel's first tooth came out. She was so excited! We put it in a glass water overnight, and the next day the fairy had put a $1 coin in there! And now the second one is loose too!

Shantel minus one tooth!

 We visited Oma Oma B several days before we left. She is 93 years old! We pray that God may continue to be with her in the years He has planned for her here on earth.

Oma and myself

Oma's namesake: Faytje Jacoba and Jaclyn Faye

And one morning it got to 0 degrees. We had ice on the roof. Very unusual for Perth but something we'll have to get use to.

On Saturday, 20th of July, we left we had a coffee social for anyone who wanted to farewell us. It was well attended. As a surprise, Anthea made a cake with three layers: one of us taking off, the second our holiday in Hawaii and the third one of us in America. It was very well done! Thanks Anthea!

The farewell cake made by Anthea

Stefan and Connor

Shantel with two of her friends: Elisa and Ashleigh

KFC and Chipmunks Play Gym

Last Saturday was Jaclyn's last day of working at her part-time job at KFC. It was a sad day because she loved her job there and all her work-mates and managers. They were like her second family! She had worked with them for six months and was just chosen to be promoted to a position under manager. She was very well liked and the best packer in the store. They will surely miss her! The sad part is that under the visa we are on, the children are not allowed to work in USA.

Jacky and the Colonel!

Then on Tuesday, big sister Anthea (who stays in WA) took her two youngest sisters to a play gym for the day along with Marlies, her friend. The place was huge and had plenty to occupy little energetic bodies. Slides, bouncy castles, hundreds of balls and lots more.

Taleesha and Marlies

Taleesha

Two sisters: Shantel and Taleesha

Anthea and Taleesha

Taleesha, Anthea, Shantel and Marlies

Shantel

And a treat to finish off the day at Maccas!

Sydney/Canberra/Ski Trip

This past week saw Steve off with the Year 12 students from JCCC for their annual trip to Sydney, Canberra and then Smiggens at Mt Kosciusko for the snow and skiing! Steve's 'job' was one of the bus drivers and left last Saturday in order to pick up the buses ahead of the students' arrival early Monday morning.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge or otherwise known as the Coat Hanger!

On Monday afternoon they all headed off to Canberra where they were delayed for about 2 and a half hours due to a truck rollover/fatality. They got to their campsite at midnight! The following morning was visiting the war memorial and visiting Parliament House.

Parliament House

Old Parliament

War Memorial

Poppies on the memorial wall

 Early Thursday morning they left to head down (or is it up) to Mt Kosiosko and

Smiggens. After lessons, it was head to the chair lifts and fly down (or fall down?).

Check him out!

Ready to ski!

Uncle Steve and Joslyn H.

 And a sunset on the ski slopes is very beautiful!

Thankfully no broken bones and good snow falls! 

Heading home tomorrow after a long drive back to Sydney and back on the plane!

Celebrations and a Farewell

Friday was day of mixed emotions. Not only did Steve and Shantel have their last day at school, but we also had a 'surprise' party for Dad B's upcoming 65th birthday as well as a last family get together before we leave. Mum arranged for us to meet at Jerry and Em's for entre' (prawn cocktail - yum!) and then head over to Jerry's neighbour who has a boutique style winery served with home cooked pizzas. We were in a protected area with cafe blinds and warm gas heaters and were served a gourmet selection of pizzas together with home brewed wine.

Not only did Dad get his gift of a Makita cap and orbital sander, we were also presented with a beautiful scrapbook with a page by each family! It will receive a prominent position on the coffee table with a great advertisement for Australia and a 'pull' to come back home! Thanks for the huge effort in putting this together. We love it!

Waiting for our pizzas

Dad with his new cap!

Jerry displaying a pizza ready for consumption!

The Scrapbook

We pray that Dad may have a nice birthday on Monday and may 

God bless both him and Mum with many more years together!

Last Day at KJCS

This past Friday, 5th of July, was Steve and Shantel's last day of school at Kelmscott John Calvin School. And being the last day of Term 2, it was closed off with an assembly. Part of assembly included a presentation by the preprimary students where they acted out the story of Hairy Maclary at Donaldson's Dairy! Shantel was the star of the show; she was Hairy Maclary and had to crawl up and down along with her doggy mates. Very cute.

Hercules Morse as big as a horse!

Steve was also given the opportunity to say a few words

Both received a scrapbook each made by the students and classmates.

Steve has been teaching at KJCS for 12 years and we give thanks to God 

for allowing him to teach covenant children. To Him be all honour and glory.