We are home.

We arrived home on Tuesday night about 7pm. We were greeted by neighbors, family and friends. They had not only prepared the house so we could go right to sleep but also filled the refrigerator and pantry with food. That was a very welcomed surprise. All 4 of us woke up at 1:30 am hungry and it was so nice to have food.

We got the Internet and phones up on Wednesday. John's birthday was Thursday and we spent it looking for a vehicle. John purchased one on Friday. Our friends, Barb and Don came up on Thursday night and spent the weekend with us. It was so nice to see them.

We have been unpacking and visiting. Kait and Sam started school yesterday, Monday. They were happy to see their friends. They took TimTams and Vegemite to share with everyone.

Basketball and swimming practice starts tonight as well as John's band practice. So far I have resisted committing to anything. One week down the rest of my life to go!

I tried to put pictures up with our house and the fall leaves but it would not let me load them. I will have to check into that further.

Going Up Over

The movers arrive in the morning and the computers will turned off and packed up. So this is my last blog as an expat. It will be later in the week before we get the computers/Internet up. Goodbye for now. We will be home on Tuesday night.

St. Francis Xavier-Last Day

We had our last coffee at Litani's today. I have met some wonderfully amazing women whom have become good friends. It was sad to say goodbye.

At the Friday Morning assembly, the school had a very nice farewell presentation. Kait and Sam have made many friends and were sad to say goodbye. They will have many great memories of their year here.

Dinner with Edwards

On Thursday Night we had a farewell dinner with Pete, Jenny, Clare and Mathison Edwards. We will miss them. We got to know them 10 years ago when they were in Ohio. It has been wonderful to renew our friendship with them and hope we can get together again--maybe in 10 years?

Farewell Party--Helen's Family

We were given a farewell party at Alistair and Sue home in Towradgi, last Sunday. We had a great time visiting over lunch and enjoyed reminiscing about the past year. We met Helen's family last Christmas, and have visited with them throughout the year at family events that we were included on. We have had several Sunday lunch's at Sue and Alistair--always including a game of scrabble. We will miss them as they have welcomed us into their family this past year.

Helen's family: Sisters: Sue, Tricia, Shelley, Aunt Pat, Mother Betty, Alistair, Helen, Emma, Alex and Shaun.

We have only 5 days left in Australia and they are going fast. We leave early in the morning on the 4th of November and 29 hours later we will arrive in Napoleon in the evening of the 4th of November. Happy Melbourne Cup Day to our Australian friends and Happy Election Day to our American friends. Love to you all!

Going Away Party

The Friday Coffee Group had a party to wish us farewell on Sunday. The BBQ was at Marie and Greg Vitnell's home. The kids had a great time swimming and jumping on the trampoline as the adults talked and shared some wine. We had a great time! And I forgot my camera--sorry.

Coming Home

We will fly home on November 4th. That is in about 3 weeks. We will miss Australia, the great friends we have made and the wonderfully amazing year we have had--but there is no place like home! We look forward to seeing you all.