Wembley AUS to Alamo USA

Wembley AUS

We are now unpacked and have a home in Alamo.  We spent a few nights on air mattresses while waiting for our sea freight, but it was great to be out of the apartment and closer to school.  

Moving in day was hectic and everything was unpacked quickly, finding Cameron's big teddy was the priority.  He survived the journey.

More pictures to come, the house is really interesting.

Hayley's bedroom, Cameron moved in to watch a movie!

Alamo USA

Father's Day BBQ (nice ugh boots Hayley!)

Graduation

Hayley and Cameron haven't fast tracked through the USA school system, but I thought I'd share some pics from the St Isidore 8th Grade Graduation.

The final school mass was beautiful - fun, celebratory and inspirational for their years ahead at senior school.  The 8th Grade and 1st Grade buddies sat together, and some 1st graders played a role in the mass.  Cameron had a speaking part and he pulled it off beautifully.  (Will Terry would be proud of him.)

The highlight however was the 8th Graders Final Car Pool.  To the uninitiated the car pool is a sophisticated process in which children are dropped off and collected from school.  Cars form a queue in different driveways depending on the age and number of children to be collected.  (You should see the glares if you stuff it up, like I did on the 1st day.)  On their last day of school there is a Graduate Car Pool and the St Isidore tradition is to decorate your car.  There were pictures, paint, ribbons (colour themed to their next school), car honking, Mum's waving from sun roofs and loud music.

Brad was home from work on this day, and I'm glad he got to witness another "Only in America" moment.

Cameron taking a balloon to his 8th Grade Buddy

San Francisco Tourists

The American Hot Dog - Yum

All aboard the Double Decker Bus

We recently spent a weekend in San Francisco and it's easy to see why so many people visit.  The GGB (local lingo for the Golden Gate Bridge) is spectacular, especially when the sun is shining and the fog is no where to be seen.  We walked across the bridge and it provided us with great vistas to the City, Alcatraz, Marin County and the Pacific Ocean.  It was also good exercise, and we burnt off some Hot Dog calories.

There are so many interesting things to see - Pier 1 at Embarcadero was a highlight, especially on market day.  Preparation for the Americas Cup is well underway, it will be a buzz.

We got around the City on foot, on the double decker hop on hop off tourist bus and of course on the famous Cable Car.  We also spotted a Melbourne Tram (Green W Class for the Melbourne locals) rattling along the tracks.

Most days I have an "only in America" moment.  Walking back from dinner we passed a group of homeless people and we caught a glimpse of two homeless, African-American guys having a hug n kiss.

San Francisco is a fun city and we've only scratched the surface of things to see and do.  We will be back for more and we can't wait to visit with friends and family.  

When are you coming?