REPLACEMENTS HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED!!!

After waiting almost two months, we finally have a couch (or lounge sofa if you're Aussie)! Kev won't have to sit on the floor anymore to watch TV. Let me remind you of the story if you have forgotten the situation upon moving our furniture to Sydney the company somehow lost our couch and love seat - not really sure how you loose something as big as that, but they are somewhere in the world or maybe at the bottom of the sea. I guess it is possible that someone saw them and thought I really want two sage green couches with stains and rips in them, and no pillow cushions to lean back on while relaxing (we do have those). So after they spent two months searching every warehouse they could think of, the claim was finally closed and we were sent a check. However, I somehow forgot to claim the love seat on the insurance forms when we moved so we really only got money for a couch. Originally we couldn't find the music stand for the piano, but I found that stuffed in the wrapping paper box (why it was there is beyond me). They messed up on the claim and gave us money to replace that as well ($400) even though Kev told them that we found it. However, they didn't give us enough on other things so they called it a wash and we got to keep the money for the piano stand so they could close the claim. I am just hoping that when we move back everything will make it with us this time. It has been a bit of a pain to claim things that were broken and missing.

We headed out after talking to everyone on Thanksgiving (I guess we did go shopping on Black Friday after all) and this is what we found! I thought it might be nice to have a chaise lounge on the couch and we found exactly that. The best part, it was a floor model and therefore we bought it for a good deal! We were also thrilled when we realized that it is microfiber. Microfiber is the best - it is what our couch is made of which currently resides in John and Susan's basement. It wipes of easily and is virtually stain proof! With three littlies that is a big plus. They delivered it on Thursday! We all sat down yesterday to watch a little TV and everyone had a place on the furniture! We also got a Poang chair and ottoman from IKEA. Kev has always wanted one and we thought it would have to do to replace the love seat.We got the kids desks at IKEA as well. Madi's was broken in route to Australia and could not be fixed. She loves to go in her room and draw pictures, write stories, and make crafty things, so not having a desk has been hard on her. She has been bringing out all of her stuff and putting it on the counter where it stays for a few days (this was driving her mother crazy). So we decided to have a look at IKEA and see what we could find. When we got to the office section there was a simple desk for $30 - we snatched it up.

Cooper then decided that he needed one as well. Madi's is really just a small table and we added plastic drawers to the sides, but Cooper wanted something with sides down so that he could hide under it. We found a really cheap one and took it home as well. Now both kids can have a space to be creative and my counters are free of papers, crayons, scissors, tape, and glue!

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE! OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!

On Monday for FHE we put up our Christmas tree. The kids had been asking about it all day, and were so excited about it. As soon as Kev walked in the door and we had dinner the festivities began. The Christmas decorations I brought with us are few and far between, but we did bring the tree and all the ornaments (the kids don't seem to notice all the other "cutsie" stuff is missing). Every year the kids get to pick a new ornament for the tree (the thought is that when they get married they will have a whole box of ornaments to take with them), this year Madi picked a red ball with gold glitter on it, Cooper picked a glass snowman with snow inside, and I picked a cute little giraffe on wheels for Rylee.

The only mishap we had was that the top of the tree didn't light up. Kev jimmy rigged it to work and we were in business until the fuse popped on the converter. (Kev thinks he just needs to buy a new one.) Maybe we won't be able to plug in the tree after all. Which seems okay to me because it gets dark around 8:00 and the kids are already in bed by then anyway. It was a little strange to be decorating the tree with the kids in their shorts and the weather so warm outside. I know I have said this often, but my brain is having a hard time believing it is Christmas time. Cooper said he is sad because he likes to eat snow and he won't get to here. I told him we could shave some ice and then he could eat it - he didn't think that was a good idea either (not the same I suppose).

While decorating the tree we listened to a little Christmas music and we have found a really fun book here which has a Aussie version of Jingle Bells. It came with a CD so we can listen to it as well. The kids think it is a hoot. I am going to share the words with you because it is so funny:

AUSSIE JINGLE BELLS

by: Colin Buchanan

Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden ute,

Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot.

Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs,

It's summertime and I am in my singlet, shorts, and thongs.

chorus:

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day, hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden ute.

Engines's getting hot, we dodge the kangaroos,

The swaggie climbs aboard - he is welcome too.

All the family's there, sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Aussie way, by the barbecue.

chorus

Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and uncle Bruce are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes 'round to go; we take a family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through, before the washing-up.

chorus

some of the words you may need translating are:

ute - truck (not the football team that lost the big game)
esky - I think it is a cooler
boot - trunk (or back of the truck in this case)
singlet - tank top
thongs - flip flops (not underwear)
swaggie - I am not really sure (any Aussies can help with this one)
snap - picture

This year we sent home the Night Before an Aussie Christmas to the grandparents - next year we will have to send this book. Then you can all learn an Aussie song!

When the tree was all finished I was telling the kids about what we used to do growing up when the tree was all decorated. I can remember turning on the tree lights and all the others were turned off (except the strand of lights for the nativity on the fireplace mantle). We would lay on our backs with our heads under the tree and out feet sticking out and count all of the candy canes, while listening and singing Oakridge Boys Christmas. Last year at Tai Pan I bought some wooden candy canes to hang on the tree to keep that tradition alive in my family. (I don't like hanging the real ones because they never get eaten and we have them forever afterwards.) So after taking a few pictures Kev took Rylee off to have a bath and Cooper, Madi, and I got under the tree and tried to count candy canes and we sang Christmas songs. It was a fun moment for me. Too bad Kev missed it and no pictures were taken - but that is okay. I love Christmas because of the traditions. They stick with you a lifetime and then they get passed on to last another lifetime as well!

After decorating the tree we got out the Little People Nativity Set and Kev told the kids the Christmas story. We reminded the kids that they get three gifts from Santa just like Jesus got three gifts from the 3 wise men. Every year I am more impressed by my children and how much the soak up the Gospel and how much they remember of the story of the birth of Christ. I just love this time of year. You get to talk about the birth of the Savior for a whole month! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

THANKSGIVING DOWN UNDER

Thursday rolled around and since Thanksgiving is a US holiday I told the kids "Happy turkey day" and that was about the extent of our celebration. However, on Friday Kev took work off and we kept Madi home from school. Using the wonders of technology we talked to family back home with the web cam!! It was so fun to see most everyone (we missed a few of you). It worked out well this year since it was the year for both families to have Thanksgiving together.

First we called the Hutchinsons and talked for about 40 minutes. They had just finished dinner and were getting ready to decorate Grandma's tree. Madi and Kevin both got to choose where an ornament went! Kevin gave his parents a UofU ornament a long time ago and he always puts it on the tree at the very top where the star is for all to see. This year was no exception - that is where it got put this year as well. We also got to see baby Sydnie!! She is so adorable!!

After talking to the Hutchinsons we called the Cooper clan. We talked to everyone for a couple of hours and it was so much fun. The cousins had a great time talking to Madi and Cooper - we think that they actually liked watching themselves. Cooper made me laugh when he talked to Tyler for 15 minutes about trains. Those two know so much about Thomas. It was really cute to see them. They made plans to play trains when Cooper gets back home. We were a little sad to miss out on games and the Oakridge Boys Christmas. (BTW - I forgot to bring my copy of this beloved CD. If anyone wants to put one in the mail for me that would be super swell (hint, hint, hint). ) I was also sad to miss out on the traditional "black Friday" shopping. Since there is no day after Thanksgiving sales here, I have actually done all of my shopping. What a great feeling. No going to the shops during the Christmas season to find that much needed item.

We were then going to head to the beach to celebrate Thanksgiving. However, a storm had rolled in and it was windy and cooler with a possibility of rain. I told Madi that she could go back to school for the afternoon if she wanted. She was adamant that she should stay home since daddy didn't have to go to work. So we headed to the shops to run some much needed errands. One of which was to IKEA where the kids love to go and play in the play land - so they had a great afternoon.

Let me explain this picture. After talking to everyone back home and being told that it was cold and that it may snow soon Madi and Cooper went and put on their winter attire. Cooper actually wore a snow hat for two days and said that he was cold. It was really funny to see.

Saturday afternoon we headed out for Thanksgiving dinner. Another family in the ward was kind enough to invite us and the other Americans over for dinner. There were about 30 people there. We had turkey, green salad, potatoes, gravy, I made rolls, and pumpkin pie!! It was so good. The pumpkin pie was to die for. Since you can't find pumpkin in a can here she has to use real pumpkin - you really can taste a difference. Madi and Cooper had fun playing with the kids. The family has a cat so Madi was in heaven!! Madi made some new friends (surprise, surprise). At the end of the afternoon they uncovered the pool and Madi borrowed a swimming suit from her friend Chloe and they went swimming. Strange to end Thanksgiving dinner with a swim in the pool, but Madi had a blast!

This is Tess and Phoebe - Madi's new friends!

Although Turkey Day wasn't with family it was still a fun day (weekend). It was great to get to know our friends here better and remember what we are thankful for. We are thankful for family and friends and those wonderful relationships, but we are also thankful for this new adventure we are on. It is hard at times, but it is so much fun and such a learning experience as well. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?! We miss everyone at home, but we are thankful that you are all so supportive of us. Thanks to all of you!! We love and miss you tons!!

MORE EVENTS LAST WEEK....

....although we love rivallry week, life does go on. I have been waiting to post because the game poll was so much fun. Thanks to all who played along. It was fun to see the poll change every time we logged on and to read all of the comments. For those of you who are interested to know the end result on the poll: 38 uofu and 36 BYU, plus the comment numbers 4 uofu and 19 for BYU. (if the numbers are wrong you can blame it on Kev he added them up) You all got it right - BYU did win!!! Another good game to go down in history. The last three years have been so much fun - love it when both teams are playing well so we can watch a good game.

Last Tuesday Cooper got to visit his preschool, which he will be beginning in February. I thought this was a great idea. He didn't really want to go and has been a little anxious about going to school and meeting new friends. Going and playing made it all better. He got to see all of the equipment outside, play for an hour, and do an art project (which I think is fabulous). He is now so excited to go to school!! Yeah!!! He will get to go to preschool twice a week, Monday and Tuesday, and he will go to preschool all day (9am to 3pm). We also had to get him a little sleeping bag (it is a sheet sew together to make a little sleeping bag) because they rest for a bit every afternoon. He gets to bring morning tea and lunch, just like Madi. The only problem is that they said you can't bring any peanut butter (due to allergies) - that is all he eats. He told me that just jam sandwiches would probablly be okay. I am so excited to just have Rylee and me for two days a week. Shopping trips will be easier! It will also give Cooper something to do. He waits all day for Madi to come home and play. However, sometimes she comes home and wants to play by herself. She seems to need some down time and she loves to go into her room and write stories, color, and just be creative. I can only play trains for so long and I have other things to do as well. Anyway, preschool is going to be so good for my little man. He needs to make some friends that live close. He is doing well at making new friends at church, but they all live too far away to play with regularly.

This week Madi had penguin day at school. They got to bring a gold coin donation for the zoo, do some penguin activities, and watch Happy Feet. The most exciting part of the whole day was that she got to wear black and white instead of her uniform. She was so excited to wear "normal clothes." Although Madi likes to wear a uniform she gets "bored" wearing the same thing everyday. Who's daughter is this? She is much more "girlie" than I ever was.

Also, Sunday was the Primary Presentation. The kids all worked so hard to do their very best. I was called into the presidency after they had already done most of the work, so I can't really say I did much. They interviewed all of the kids to get their ideas on certain subjects and used that to write the presentation (I thought that was a great idea). The older kids wrote their own talk and they handed out parts to the younger kids. Madi was asked what she would do if she saw Jesus Christ - her part was: "If I saw Jesus Christ I would hug him and kiss him and be reverent to him. I would also make him dinner and set the table for him, and be nice to him." How cool is that? Such a great answer I thought. Cooper's teacher asked all of the Sunbeams what they were grateful for and of course you can probably guess what his answer was: his part was " I am thankful for trains!" All of the other sunbeams said their parents or Jesus -nope he is thankful for his trains. Love that kid. They called a new pianist to primary just a few weeks ago and she was struggling to play the songs so I volunteered my services. She played two songs, one of the primary kids played one, and I played the rest. I also played the organ for the congregational number. I was so nervous, but the girl who usually plays the organ gave me a quick lesson and set all the stops for me. Kev said that it sounded perfect. The only problem is that now people in the ward may think that I actually know how to play the organ - what have I gotten myself into? It was a wonderful presentation and the spirit was so strong - as it usually seems to be when the primary gets up to do anything. Become like a little child right? Does that mean we all have to be thankful for our trains?!

GO MIGHTY COUGARS!!!

THE COUGAR FIGHT SONG

Rise and shout, the Cougars are out

along the trail to fame and glory.

Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out

As you unfold your vict'ry story.

On you go to vanquish the foe

for Alma Mater's sons and daughters.

As we join in song in praise of you our faith is strong.

We'll raise our colors high in the blue

And cheer our Cougars of BYU.

RAH, RAH, RAH, RAH, RAH,

RAH, RAH, RAH, RAH, RAH

GO COUGARS!!!

So we got up early to watch the game (it started at 6am here in Sydney, we actually got up around 7:30am to watch it), you can see that we are all still in our jammies. However, we couldn't get the web site to work so we ended up just listening to it on KSL 1160. By the time we got to listening it was the third quarter and the score was 9 to 3 for BYU. We were actually surprised by the low scoring football game. The fourth quarter was so good - we wish that we could have actually seen it, but we will have to watch highlights. Wish we could have seen the game with friends and family (mostly so I could rub it in to all those Ute fans out there).

In the end, just like last year the cougars pulled it off!!!

After church me and my peeps (the other cougar fans in the house) changed into our cougar gear and took some photos!!

BYU vs. Utah Football Final Play 2006

I found this video as well!! Enjoy a recap of the entire 2006 game!!

BYU Utah Final Play 2006

Need I remind you of last years game?! Layne, Becca, Amy, and I all in a room full of UTES watching the game! OH, what a moment!!! What a victory!!! I could watch this video over and over and over again!!!

GO COUGARS!! TRUE BLUE THRU AND THRU!!!

BTW - the poll isn't accurate. Since you can only vote once per IP addres let us know all the votes in your household and we will update the poll!!

GO COUGARS!!!

2 DAYS 3 HOURS 47 MINUTES AND COUNTING!

Until the U of U vs. BYU football game! Guess who is going to win this year! Ha ha ha!

Make sure to cast your vote of who is going to win!!!!! -- Go Utes! ---

Post Updates (In case you didn't realize what has been going on!):

1) Kevin made this new wonderful post.

2) Stacy then changed all of the colors on the post BLUE.

3) Kevin changed the title of our blog to the U of U version of 'Hutch Down Under'.

WE FINALLY MADE IT...

... to the temple! It has only taken us almost four months to get there but we did make it. I got an email from Kev Worwood that said they were going to the temple that night and it made me realize how we had been slacking! So I talked with Stace and we decided to try and go in the next week or two.



Carmen (friend from church) was nice enough to volunteer to come and watch our kids while we went. So this was officially our second date with no kids since we have been in Australia!



They don't do sessions all day long so we had to make it before the last session at noon. We aimed to get there for the 11AM session but just missed, due to some bad driving on my part and trying to go a new way. When we hit the street that we needed to turn right on there was a sign that said, "NO RIGHT TURNS!" Go figure, since they are everywhere in this city! We ended up making the last session. Anyway we had a chance to check out the distribution center before going to the session.

A PACKAGE IN THE MAIL!!!

We got our first packages in the mail this week!!! Madi's came first so I held on to it knowing there was one more coming - I wanted to avoid tears. The next morning I had Cooper check the mail box after coming home from the shops. He took the stuff out and held it behind his back trying to be funny. I saw that it was a box and figured it must be his package so I asked him if any of it had his name on it. He looked at the box and then his eyes lit up and his smile grew so big. He ran inside and was so excited to open it. He guessed that the Warners had probably sent him trains - and he was right. Then he kept saying - "This was just what I wanted they are smarty pants!" He had to call Kev at work of course and tell him all about it! He got Mavis (which is a girl train, but he wants to call it a boy) and the Tonka train has a new name "coconut".

When Madi got home from school I gave her the package I had been holding onto. She was also so excited. She has actually been getting the mail for me after we pull up into the garage from school, and every day she reads the names on the letters. A week ago she said to me, "Gosh, why are they always for Kevin S. Hutchinson?!" I had to laugh at that one. So this time she was excited to see her name on something. Of course Dera hit the nail on the head by giving her pet shops. She did make me laugh when she said, "Mom, I already have these dogs, but can I keep them anyway and have twinners?" Of course you can keep them, we can't return them anywhere. Besides, who can keep track of all the pet shops she owns anyway? She was so excited about the soft penguin which has glasses and sits on a sled.

Thanks again to the Warners for bringing a little happiness to my kids this week. They love you guys and miss you tons!!!

LOOK AT ME!!!

After months of straining her neck to see what was going on around her - Rylee can sit up for brief moments on her own. She really mostly folds herself in half - but she can do it for a while so whatever works for her. Next comes movement all over the house - not sure I am ready for that, but we don't have stairs so I guess that is one less thing to worry about.

SUPER HEROES!!!

A few months ago we had rock stars in our family and this week we have

SUPER HEROES!!!

Cooper and Madi have been running around with capes on and new found super powers - they are super, double fast!!! Madi has even given Kevin and I super powers: Kev goes to work and makes lots of money so that we won't be poor (I like that super power) and I stay home and take care of the kids and I am nice to them. She also told me that I was super organized - don't know where she would have gotten an idea like that.

MADI MOVES UP IN PHONICS!!

Today Madi got to go up on stage and receive an award in school. She got a bronze award for passing level I phonics!! Congrats to Madi.

Madi says:

G'day Mates!!! I have a great time here in Australia. I lost the paper that went with my award, but I still have the button. I liked going up on stage. I was not scared even though the whole school was there.

OUR FIRST VISITOR FROM UTAH!!!

Okay, so Eric really came to Sydney for work - not just to visit us - but we were glad to see him anyway. He came to church with us on Sunday and then stayed for dinner and some tasty Aussie snacks (Tim Tams, ginger beer, and lamington). Also, a big thanks to JoLyn for some great American items that are missed here (dryer sheets, Crisco blocks, and Ranch packets). The kids enjoyed showing Eric their rooms, playing games with him, and talking his ear off. Cooper was especially excited to here that Jared (Eric's 4-year-old son) said "HI!". Since he has more trips here for business we may see him again in the next six months!! Can't wait to have more visitors from home!!!

P.S. Thanks Eric for being a trooper and taking home another suitcase full of Hutchinson stuff.

BINDEEZ CRAFT

So, if you haven't heard yet, these have been recalled. If ingested the glue turns into GHB (the date rape drug). I think in the states they are called Aqua Dots. Madi has been dying to have these since we came to Australia - they are everywhere and made by an Aussie company. I actually bought her some for Christmas - but have to return them now. Hopefully they can fix the problem because they actually look like a fun crafty toy.

MADI'S FUN AT SCHOOL THIS WEEK!!!

Madi's own words:

This week I got to go on my first excursion to a farm. I saw an emu, koala, some sheep, a sheep dog, kangaroos, cows, chicks, and pigs.

I got to pet the koala!!! It feels soft and cuddly. It was medium. It was super cute!!

I got to milk a cow by myself. It was easy peasy to milk the cow. The cow liked me petting it.

We watched the sheep dog chase the sheep into a gate. It was cool to see!! Then we got to go sit by a stage and see the sheep get their fur cut off.

One fun part was riding on the bus!! I got to sit by Allison.

I also got to ride on a tractor. It was bumpy and fun!!!

On Friday we had Chelsea Fair at school. There were lots of activities. I bought a teddy bear and a little pony. I played a ball game. I had to throw the ball. I threw it into a bucket that had colored pencils. I took the colored pencils!! I got some lollies. My mom and dad gave me money before I went to spend at the fair. I got to wear normal clothes - instead of my uniform - and pay .20 I went in the spooky house. It wasn't even scary!! I was brave!!

MISC NEWS FROM OZ

There have been a few little things going on that are not worthy of a whole post so I thought I would post them all together.

#1. We tried pavlova for the first time last week. Some friends came over for dinner and they brought us this authentic Aussie dish to try. It is a dessert and we all thought is was yummy!!! Even Cooper liked it - you know it must be good if Cooper likes it.

#2. On Sunday last week Kev made Cooper and Madi "houses" out of all the blankets in the house. They were up for a few days before I "demolished" them. I then had to make the "houses" again the next day and they were up for a few days again. I so remember doing this as a kid. It is so much fun. It actually gave the kids something to do since it rained straight for six days or so. Sydney sure needs the rain so it is good that it kept coming - but it does get old really fast and the kids got a little bored at home all the time.

#3. Cooper got a sword and a head band from church last week and was so excited about it. The only problem was the the sword broke before we even left the church - he was fighting with it of course. Kev fixed it with some electrical tape which helped for a few more days before it ended up in the rubbish bin. He was such a handsome Stripling Warrior, I couldn't resist taking a photo.

#4. I love this photos of Rylee and Kev. I made a scrapbook page of it that says "anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy!" Rylee is doing really good. She has even slept all the way through the night a couple of times this week. There has been a cold spell with all of the rainy weather and she has woken up cold some nights -we are hoping that the sleeping through the night thing becomes a habit. She has been eating a few solid foods. She only really likes apples and bread - rice cereal and pears she screams at now. She rolls over on her stomach all of the time and then gets mad because she can't roll back over. She likes to sit up, but really she just folds herself in half. She has started putting her feet under her and soon will probably figure out that this will help her move around. We love to have her around and she brings such a feeling of peace with her.

#5. I found out this week that Cooper will be going to pre-school in January. They had a cancellation and since he was #1 on the waiting list he is in!! We are hoping that this will help with the shyness that has come back a bit and with the anxiety of making new friends here in Australia. It is going to cost us a lot, but we think it will be worth it. I thought pre-school was bad back home - the $55 I paid per month there is nothing compared to the $32 per day here.

#6. Last, but not least, a guy in the ward who is also from Utah told me of a web site I can go to where I can watch the BYU games. Usually they are on really early Sunday morning here - but since Thursday was a night game I got to watch it on Friday afternoon. Awesome!!! You can't believe how excited I was to watch a little football - BYU of course is the best. They won, which was even better!!!

FAMILY PHOTOS!!

The Sunday before we left for Australia my cousin Devin came and took family pictures of the Cooper Clan. Here are some of my favorites!! BTW - if you ever need a photographer Devin is the man!!

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

SCRAPMATTERS.COM

http://scrapmatters.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=24&pos=5

Hey, everyone, I need a little help. I entered this LO (layout) in a challenge at scrapmatters.com and the more votes I get the better chance I have of winning. Just click on the link above and it will take you to the file vote by clicking on the stars above the LO (it is easy to see). While you are there you should check out my entire gallery - you can see what I have been up to digitally. Thanks!!

For those of you who like to digiscrap - this is a great web site. I love it. They just started about a month ago and they are great people and the web site is easy to use and fun!!

8 things you may not know about me... (Kev)

OK, apparently I have been tagged by both Stacy and Chelsea. Chelsea did it a while ago and I have to blame it on Stacy! I have been waiting for 5 minutes where I could get on the computer but Stacy wouldn't let me get on! I kept telling her that I have to answer Chelsea's 'tag' question but she was being whingy (Ornery is not a word that they understand in Australia!) and wouldn't let me. [Ha ha -- Just kiddin' Stace! Sorry Chelsea, I am really just a slacker!]

I will answer Chelsea's 'tag' first since I was so rude to make her wait for so long to get a reply! So here it goes... wish me luck!

4 jobs I've had:
#1- Construction: Mostly sofit, facia, and siding. This was during the summers in high school. I was fortunate enough to do it with Kelly Newman! I still remember shooting the nails from the nail guns at the wasps that were attacking us! We are just lucky we are still alive!

#2- Toy Shop: Yes this was one of the funnest and worst jobs that I ever had -- all in one! During the normal (non-peak) season we got to play with the toys in the aisles when there weren't any customers around. It was fun. HOWEVER, you will understand my pain when I tell you that the majority of my job was during the Christmas season. TIS' THE SEASON TO HAVE A TISSY... [If there isn't a song by that title there should be]. This is dedicated to all of the parents (mostly mothers) for when you are told by the poor little toy shop worker that they don't have any more of the toy that 'your child' [more like YOU!] need to have for the season to be jolly! Like it's going to help by taking out your frustrations on the 18 year old at the cash register!)

#3- Kev the Copy Maker [Yes, that was my official title :) ]: I think I made about $3.50 an hour in Jr. High working at the copy store. Apparently this store was exempt form paying minimum wage. The best thing about this was all of the R.S. teachers [That is a guess, but I bet I am right] banging on the door, just after locking it at 7PM and yelling that they just need two copies. Then we you have COMPASSION on them and let them in they keep you there until 7:45 or so trying to pick out the best handout!

#4- Slave to 2 girls and a boy! [I am leaving Stacy out of this because I currently don't have a couch to sleep on if I get kicked out of our room!]: Yes, those three would be Madz, Coop, and Rylez. Whaaaaaaaaaa!, Can you play trains with me?, and please dance with me! [Which is soon followed by my toes turning black and blue.] But who can resist, right!

4 movies I could watch over and over
#1- Better Off Dead!
#2- The Matrix Trilogy
#3- The Bourne Trilogy [No, I still haven't seen the last one but I have heard from many that it is the best one of the three so I don't have any problem listing it here.]
#4- Other Clean Comedies! (MP and the HG, Mobsters and Mormons, Princess Bride, etc.)
[I guess that is more than 4 huh! Oh well, I guess no one can stop me from putting them down! Ha! ]

[Intermission -- I guess I need to cut down on the commentating or I will never get this done. [And Stacy wants the computer back! Ha ha! Just kidding.]

4 favorite t.v. shows
#1- Heros
#2- Lost
#3- Criminal Minds
#4- The Chasers War on Everything - This is an Australian comedy show where the people on the show just basically make fun of everything. Ok, I have to tell you about one of the skits on the last show that made me laugh. They wanted to see if they could find a person that would stop for every type of solicitation that was put in front of them. They had a person that almost made it, she accepted all but the last one. The first person that approached her was an American Express solicitor saying, "Would you like a card?" The second person in a shirt, tie, and black name tag said, "Hi, I am from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...!" The third person was dressed as a big koala and said, "I am from the Koala National Wildlife Foundation [or something like that] would you like to donate?' And the last one was a big koala dressed in a shirt, tie, and name tag and said something like, "Hi, I am from the Koala Church of Latter Day Saints. Would you like an American Express card?" At that point the person finally ran away. I think it made it funnier just because they included Amex and our church in the skit. I was laughing out loud, which many of you know does not happen very often.

4 favorite reality shows
#1- Stacy the Super House Wife of Australia! [It's about a lady that can do everything! Even put up with her weird husband that is showing signs of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 31!]
#2- Mad Madz [It's a spoof off the old show Mad Max!]
#3- Coop -- there it is! [It's a show about trains and cars!]
#4- Rylee Smiley! [Need I say more!]


4 of my favorite places I've been
#1- Home!
#2- Australia
#3- Japan
#4- Hong Kong
#4- China
#4- Brazil
#4- England
[I am starting to count like Cooper!]

4 of my favorite foods
#1- Chili's Southwest Tacos [I think that is what they are called.]
#2- Katsudon - Japanese style [Breaded pork with an egg sauce over rice!!!]
#3- Bundagurg Ginger Beer
#4- Tim Tams! [Can't forget those!]

4 websites I check daily
#1- WWW.HUTCHDOWNUNDER.BLOGSPOT.COM [Isn't this on everyone's list though!?!]
#2- www.google.com [I like my iGoogle page that has all my gadgets on it.]
#4- www.stayingsain.com [OK, I am thinking of creating this one so I can go to it every day!]

4 hobbies
#1- Computers
#2- Basketball
#3- Soccer
#4- Kids

4 family and fiends I would like to tag
#1- Madz
#2- Coop
#3- Rylez#
[I just tagged them and they tagged me right back - I guess they don't know how to play!]
#4- Kev W [This just means you will have to come over here and tag me back, since you don't have your own public blog!]

Now for Stacy's tag:
8 Things you didn't know about me!
#1- My best friend'a name is Stacy! [And you all thought she was just my wife.]
#2- I fell through a window when I was 17 and cut through my upper left arm and muscle. I now have a 6 inch scar on my arm as a result. The doctor told me how 'lucky' I was because if the cut had been in any other direction or moved by even 1 cm I would have had permenant damage to my arm.
#3- I am the best singer in the world! [When I am alone in the car and the radio is turned up so high that you can't hear yourself think!]
#4- I took first place in a district school swim meet in high school in the 100m breast stroke.
#5- I still keep in touch with a number of my friends from high school and I love it! They are some of the best people in the world!
#6- My belly button hurts when I stick my finger in it and it has always been that way! [That last part was to fend off all the responses from people that are going to tell me that I need to get that checked out!]
#7- I am not wearing socks right now!
#8- Don't laugh, but some day I would love to write a book. [I don't know what it would be about but I would like to.]

Wow, that was painful! But I am done. I hope you enjoy learning more about me me me!

8 things you may not know about me... (Stacy)

Here are 8 things you may not know about me!

1. I can touch my tongue to my nose.

2. I have a "dent" in my shin of my right leg from running into a rock playing football at BYU. I was playing pass with some of the boys in my ward on Saturday afternoon and being a good football player I kept my eye on the ball and was running back to catch the ball. I didn't notice the huge rock sticking out of the grass and ran right into it. I took out a chunk out of my shin and hurt really bad - I still have a scar to prove it.

3. I was in about 6 car accidents in my early 20's (I have actually lost count) one of which we rolled and I have a bad back to show for it.

4. I have a degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training from BYU which I have never used. However, I watch sports mostly for the "good injuries" - LOL!!

5. I have a dream to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl (too back you have to be famous to do that).

6. I have an incision on my uterus which is very thin due to three c-sections. I can never go into labor or it may rupture. This may be too much information - sorry.

7. I am a sucker for reality TV - luckily they don't have much of it here in Australia (maybe this will help me get over it).

8. Last, but not least, I love to take long, hot baths to relax with bubbles and a good book!!

tag: Amy Glaizer, Kev, Kelli and Jessy Jones

HALLOWEEN AUSSIE STYLE :)

We had a witch, ghost, and fairy princess at our house for Halloween this year!! There really wasn't many choices in the stores (maybe an end cap with costumes instead of rows and rows.)

Originally I had planned just to have a little party at home with the kids to celebrate Halloween and I was a little bummed by that because I love Halloween and it just didn't seem the same. Not many kids here trick-or-treat. It is getting bigger they say, but not nearly as big as in the States. However, a friend of mine from the ward planned an impromptu trunk-or-treat (the day before literally) and it was so much fun. There were only 10 cars there - but not bad for the short notice. A few people kept saying what a great idea this was and we told them that we do them back home and explained how big they get - they were amazed. The kids loved it and it made Halloween more like back home!! The nice thing about having less cars is you have less candy to take back home with you and less to ration out for months and months. However, with less kids they get more lollies at each car than the normal one, maybe two, at each stop. I told Kev that next year he needs to plan a Elder's Quorum/ward Halloween party. It would be a blast and I could get my Halloween fix!! I also think that I will plan a party next year for the kids - the Jones' did this in Adelaide and I am going to steal their idea next year.

Here are some pictures that I love of our kids in their costumes:

THE WITCH

Madi's friend Antoi from church - she didn't know what she was

THE GHOSTCooper's friend Jocelyn from church - she was Shrek.

THE FAIRY PRINCESS

I have been feeling a bit homesick about Halloween and fall in Utah - but Halloween turned out better than I had anticipated!! Next year will be even better. I miss seeing all of my nieces and nephews in their costumes, the trunk-or-treat at mom's church (100's of cars - okay that may be an exaggeration), my Halloween party, and sloppy Joes and homemade rootbeer (mom, I still need your recipe) but all in all it wasn't bad. I will just be more excited when I get those things again!! I left all of my decorations back home though, and I am kicking myself. I really should have brought them with me -oh well, nothing I can do about that now.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!! EAT SOME SNACK SIZED CANDY BARS FOR ME (BUTTERFINGER AND SNICKERS ARE MY FAVORITE). We would love to hear about Halloween back home - let us know your costumes and you activities for the big night!