Kieran on the front page of the Monroe Evening news

Annabel and I had a girl's saturday night out tonight and we went to the Saline Rodeo! It was lots of fun and Annabel rode a little horse, sat on the fence and watched galluping horses rush by, loved the bucking broncos and the kids riding the sheep! Oh, and the Fairy Floss ... of-course! We bought a horsey T-shirt and sat on a blanket on the grass right next to the arena.. FUN! You just know that next year Connor will be riding one of those sheep if given half a chance....

Enjoying the last days of summer in the back yard.... VERY humid today and 90 degrees! UGH

Today was a big day. Annabel and I went and bought all her supplies an her uniforms for her first day of school on Tuesday September 4th. She is so excited and is going to the same school as her friend Hanna, Fortis Academy. It was a lottery to get in, so we are very pleased that Annabel was accepted! Big girl now... doesn't time fly!

So here is our big girl in her school uniform...

Went bowling today with a bunch of our neighbours and it was such a hoot. Connor LOVED it and actually bowled a strike! Kieran also did Team Cusack proud as his very first bowl was a strike! I absolutely proved that I cannot bowl one lick... and Annabel takes after me.... so it was fun!

Email received from Victor

Green and Gold Malaria by Rupert McCall

The day would soon arrive when I could not ignore the rash.

I was obviously ill and so I called on Doctor Nash.

This standard consultation would adjudicate my fate.

I walked into his surgery and gave it to him straight: `Doc, I wonder if you might explain this allergy of mine, I get these pins and needles running up and down my spine. From there, across my body, I will suddenly extend - My neck will feel a shiver and the hairs will stand on end. And then there is the symptom that only a man can fear - A choking in the throat, and the crying of a tear.'

Well, the Doctor scratched his melon with a rather worried look. His furrowed brow suggested that the news to come was crook.

`What is it Doc?' I motioned. `Have I got a rare disease? I'm man enough to cop it sweet, so give it to me, please.'

`I'm not too sure,' he answered, in a puzzled kind of way. `You've got some kind of fever, but it's hard for me to say. When is it that you feel this most peculiar condition?'

I thought for just a moment, then I gave him my position: `I get it when I'm standing in an Anzac Day parade, And I get it when the anthem of our native land is played, And I get it when Meninga makes a Kiwi-crunching run, And when Border grits his teeth to score a really gutsy ton. I got it back in '91 when Farr-Jones held the Cup, And I got it when Japan was stormed by Better Loosen Up. I get it when Banjo takes me down the Snowy River, And Matilda sends me waltzing with a billy-boiling shiver. It hit me hard when Sydney was awarded the Games, And I get it when I see our farmers fighting for their names. It flattened me when Bertrand raised the boxing kangaroo, And when Perkins smashed the record, well, the rashes were true blue. So tell me, Doc,' I questioned. `Am I really gonna die?'

He broke into a smile before he looked me in the eye. As he fumbled with his stethoscope and pushed it out of reach, He wiped away a tear and then he gave me this stirring speech: `From the beaches here in Queensland to the sweeping shores of Broome, On the Harbour banks of Sydney where the waratah's in bloom. From Uluru at sunset to the Mighty Tasman Sea, In the Adelaide cathedrals, at the roaring MCG. From the Great Australian Blight up to the Gulf of Carpentaria, The medical profession call it "green and gold malaria".

But forget about the text books, son, the truth I shouldn't hide. The rash that you've contracted here is "good old Aussie pride".

I'm afraid that you were born with it and one thing is for sure - You'll die with it, young man, because there isn't any cure.'

We are home now to a long long lawn and lots of blooming flowers. My tomatoes are everywhere, and Snowy is happily back from the pet hotel. Jewel is happy we are home and has spent the last day in Annabel's room. Just put the last of the washing on and have the place tidy again.... well, guess it is time to get back to uni and the gym!

Here we are dining at a bavarian restaurant just an hour from home. It has been a great road trip!

Cheeky monkey!

The wonderful lobby at Great Wolf Lodge where the clock came alive each night and the woodland animals sang to the kids.

They have this game at the Great Wolf Lodge where you buy a magic wand from the shop and then you run all over the hotel on a quest. All these animals, boxes and pictures come to life when you point the wand at them. Needless to say the kids had a ball!

Swimming at North Bar Lake

The beautiful forest we drove through to reach North Bar Lake for more swimming

These photos were taken at The Sleeping Bear Dunes just west of Traverse City on Lake Michigan. Beautiful no?

Chateau Grand Traverse. A spectacular winery on the Traverse Bay Peninsula and boasts a fabulous mixed white named "Ship of Fools" as well as a gorgeous Pinto Grigio.

Hmmmmmmm Heaven!

cherry chocolates.... YUM!

Here is Great Wolf Lodge. A kiddy paradise with a HUGE waterpark and lots of fun things for the kids.

Made it to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City!

You can just imagine how happy Annabel was on Mackinac Island as there are no cars and just horses horses horses everywhere! You can ride, drive your own buggy or take horse drawn taxis. People also ride bikes... ok Lots and lots of people in August on a Saturday on Mackinac Island ride bikes!

Views of Mackinac Island from the Ferry

Heading over to the famous Mackinac Island

Here we are leaving the Upper Peninsula ... heading back onto the lower and our last three nights at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse Bay.

View from a lookout over Pictured Rocks Lake Shore