Weekend with the Dulaneys

We were fortunate enough to spend the entire weekend with our wonderful friends from Singapore. Scott had already been thinking about a trip to Perth to skydive when we found out we were moving, so that just sealed the deal. We were all thrilled to see Scott and Lou Anne on Friday afternoon, but one member of the family was almost beside himself. Ben and Lou Anne made quite the pair all weekend.

The guys went their separate ways (Scott to skydive and Matt to surf) and Lou Anne and I had a blast playing with the boys on the beach. I think she got quite a workout chasing the waves with Ben.

Ben would have done this for hours but we finally pulled him out blue and shaking from the cold , despite a wetsuit.

Alex enjoyed watching but preferred to eat and drink and check out the waves only when he was in between snacks. I used to laugh at the moms that dressed their kids in these crazy hats, but the sun is so intense here for several reasons (less ozone on this side of the planet and little pollution, to name a few) and I'm trying to keep the boys protected. Guess I won't laugh anymore!
It was a gorgeous weekend!

Alex found his best friend in Scott and would laugh at everything he did.

Our last dinner together at the beachside restaurant Indiana. We enjoyed the sunset and a lovely meal before the Dulaneys had to head home early this morning. I wish I'd taken more pictures but honestly I was just enjoying myself so much I didn't think about it that often. We are so blessed to have these beautiful friends and enjoyed every minute together. They're the closest thing we have to family over here and we love knowing they're "just" a 5-hour flight away. Thank you both for everything you did and sharing so much time with us. Can't wait till the next trip!!

The boys have been keeping busy with their usual antics. They're so funny because they spend half their day wrestling over the same toys (and thanks Lou Anne for being wise enough to bring two of everything for them!) and the rest of the day imitating one another.

We went to the indoor playground again last week and I almost had to pry Ben out of this car to get him home.

Alex preferred knocking over everything that wasn't bolted down. This child is like a hurricane!

Ben saying "boo!" like his shirt. Aunt Stacey sent this glow in the dark shirt and he pulls it out of the dryer to wear it again as soon as possible. We have made countless trips to the bathroom to make sure the eyes still glow and so far, yes, they still glow. Every time.

Look at these beautiful faces!


Alex has lost control of his little blue car (which seems fine by him since it's hard to roll) because Puppy drives it these days.

After a mom and kids activity at church last week, we went to a playground across the street and saw trees full of lorikeets. So far the birds here have been the most impressive to me because it feels like some place exotic when you see wild parrots and cockatoos from your front porch.


And afterward Ben asked to stop by the library so we checked out books for the first time. Each little suburb has its own library so it will be a fun outing for us to keep borrowing books and enjoying the tiny chairs.

Halloween is apparently not that big of a deal here, but we're still going to a playgroup and a little fair so here's a preview of the cuteness to come (but on the smaller Kirkham next time):

I think Alex is working on his first molars because he's chewing on things again, especially toothbrushes. His second choice is a kazoo but as a result he's learned how to play it already.