The first day of school. Welcome to Year 1, RJ. Welcome to Year 4, LR!

Everything was all very friendly until we reached the school gate... and then LR insisted that she not be followed to her classroom. Parents are just too embarrassing.

RJ waits at the door to his classroom. He's totally ready for Year 1, but are they ready for him?

RJ's friend C visited for a sleepover. The next morning, the two of them insisted on pancakes, the internationally recognised breakfast of bloodthirsty pirates and fierce centurions.

At Grammy's birthday party, RJ taught Great Grandpa Maury everything you need to know about Bakugans.

RJ and Great Grandma Dot have a detailed discussion about garden snails.

LR contributes to the huge painting by adding the symbols for river, sun and lots and lots of fire.

There were also people dressed up as wildflowers. Zamia, the poisonous warrior wildflower was our favorite.

A picture... of us... sitting in wildflowers... again?

One of our close friends had a baby and she brought him over for a visit!

Mom went into school for another big science afternoon with RJ's class.

Mom pops some dry ice bubbles, releasing little clouds of mist.

The kids had to line up at each of the stations to get the parts for the next stage.

Now that Winter's over and the weather has cleared up, we can head down to Cottesloe for fish and chips at the beach.

The best thing about fish and chips at the beach is running around and playing on the edge of the wall.

LR and RJ sprint around the corner, then throw themselves off the edge.

Jump, LR! JUMP!

RJ and Mom enjoy a quiet moment while LR does a few more crazy jumps.

Mom and LR wave a final goodbye before getting in the car. Say HI to everyone for us!

RJ and Dad spent a bunch of time running around the different local parks.

You can run...

...but you can't hide, RJ!

RJ reads through the secret messages in the geocache.

Dad and RJ went on a photo excursion out at an orchard. There were flowers everywhere!

Just about to head home, but it looks like there's still time for ice cream after all!

Grammy and Poppa's house is still under construction.

... but that just makes it more fun to climb through and explore.

PB, and MS follow RJ across the park to the secret hidden location.

RJ shows PB and MS the geocache and helps them get the logbook out.

MS takes a moment to sign the geocaching logbook.

Poppa and Grammy hanging out at their new park.

Come on, Poppa! We're dying to get some food!

PB shows RJ the best tricks to reach the top of the mountain while waiting for dinner to arrive.

RJ does his own special dance during his school concert.

After spending the night in Denham, we got up early the next morning and drove to Monkey Mia. Every day, a crowd gathers on the shore to wait for a pod of dolphins who have been fed there, every day, for years.

LR and RJ try to spot them from the jetty.

The water was incredibly still and calm... Dad had the rare chance to get some early morning photography done while waiting.

LR stands knee deep in water as the pod arrives.

One of the park rangers hands over some of the delicious booty.

The kids spent some time snorkelling and exploring the shallow waters of the bay.

LR and RJ discovered hermit crabs near the shore... There were hundreds of them!

LR heads off to collect another handful of crabs!

Mom booked us onto a boat cruise. It was a great way to get out into the bay and see some sharks, turtles, dolphins and perhaps even a dugong.

RJ and Dad rode in the net, trying to spot sharks as we cruised the reefs.

The boat stopped by a pearl oyster farm where we learned the ins and outs of farming pearls. As we watched the presentation, RJ suddenly darted forward between the speaker's legs to save this tiny crab from being stepped on.

RJ had an audience as he practiced his surf moves!

On the ride back, LR and Dad made up their own jokes to entertain themselves.

One of the wild dolphins had great fun riding the bow wave from the boat.

Once we left the reef area and returned to deeper water, the captain loaded the net behind the boat with passengers and took off -- the ultimate ocean cold-tub.

The next morning, we were off again, heading north past Carnarvon and on to Gnaraloo Station. We stopped along the way to watch the blowholes, as whales happily flopped about just off the coast. Despite the best efforts from the blowholes, with deafening roars and tremendous columns of water blasting from the rock, the kids were still way more interested in the tidal pools.

LR did her very best to break her ankle by leaping maniacally from rock to rock across the puddles, but failed miserably.

At this point, we had 80 km (50 miles) of this kind of track ahead of us. Every few hundred metres, we would encounter another massive bog which would require getting out and inspecting. We very seriously considered turning around and not continuing on.

We arrived, triumphant, but utterly nervewracked and exhausted. We took our place amongst the four wheel drives and tried to pretend it had been great fun.

At the base of the cliff in front of camp, there's a famous surfing spot. It was pretty spectactular, with great waves rolling in continuously, all day long.

Dog digging competition!!! On your mark, get set, go!

What's that, Mom? The water's a bit cold?

RJ really enjoyed snorkelling too. He spotted all kinds of fish, and thought he had made friends with two, but discovered they were just damselfish trying to scare him away from their algae farm!

At every opportunity, LR hunted for the most precious shells on the sea floor.

At low tide, we could explore the safer sections of the cliff face. There were lots of little caves and rock pools along the way.

We hiked lots of trails around Gnaraloo, climbing cliffs and exploring. It was a terrific place to watch whales happily flop and splash about, with a few showing up every ten minutes or so.

Some awful, terrible, bad parents set an awful, terrible, unsafe example for their children by jumping down into this sea cave to pick up some pretty rocks, and then frantically scrambling out before the waves came crashing into it.

RJ and his new favorite pet... A 'cuddle' fish.

Big news!!! We discovered RJ's first wiggly tooth!

These super cute bearded dragons were everywhere. They were incredibly curious and had absolutely no fear of people, but at the speeds they dart around, they have no reason to be.

Gnaraloo Bay is absolutely stunning -- some of the most spectacular coral and aquatic wildlife in the world, just a metre below the surface of a huge expanse of crystal blue water gently lapping against perfect, white, fine-grained sand, and aside from this amazingly great family that showed up, almost completely deserted.

RJ and LR gathered shells and rocks built an enormous city that spanned the beach.

These huge sand dunes were just a short hike from the campsite.

It took a while to climb to the top; they were bigger than they looked and we were weighed down by an impressive number of dead crabs.

We finally made it to the top, where we watched more whales springing about.

LR and Dad wandered off with their cameras to get some pictures of the surfers. They had to be pretty brave to attempt the entry from the reef into the crashing waves.

The kids made friends with the boys at the neighbouring camp. Ledgy, their dad, even set up a totem tennis set for them, which our kids promptly dominated.

Oh no! Camping hair!!! (and she still looks gorgeous.)

Being wintertime, we were allowed to have a campfire. RJ worked on his marshmallow chargrilling technique.

LR, to Mom's delight, worked on a careful, slow-roasting technique, producing a series of perfectly toasted marshmallows.

Seven hours in the car? There's definitely time for a pit stop along the way. Hello, Cervantes!

After a delicious picnic lunch, we ran down to the beach to explore and get rid of some energy.

The magnetic sands at Cervantes are amazing. After searching around for just the right spot, LR was able to float about 6 inches above the ground!

RJ didn't have the patience, and jumped instead.

Mom had a problem after her lower legs disappeared.

And Dad.... Dad's just a goofball.

We arrived at the caravan park in Geraldton and discovered a giant jumping pillow. The kids immediately disappeared while Mom set up camp.

It seems that the rules are just meant to be broken... No inverted maneuvers when LR is involved? That's just not going to happen.

Later that night, we joined our friends for dinner and watched the huge ships drift into harbour.

LR and RJ watch passers-by on the streets below.

The next day, it was off to the Hamlet at Greenough to see some history.

RJ, LR and E. sprint across the grass to the hall. Most of the buildings have been restored and filled with turn of the century antiques.

E. and LR sit down in the old school to take a test. Lucky kids got to use ball-point pens instead of quills and ink!

LR was a severe judge in the court room. RJ was sentenced to live out the remainder of his years in the colonies.

The day-care facilities were just fantastic... and conveniently just out of hearing distance from the cafe too!

Mom and LR wait outside while RJ and Dad explore EVERY SINGLE ROOM.

After Greenough, we stopped back at a playground for lunch. LR clutches tight to the swing as RJ does his very best to throw her off.

At the Geraldton Museum, for good luck, RJ and LR rub the head of Max Cramer, the discoverer of the wreck of the Batavia.

RJ explores an interactive map in an exhibit about the Shipwreck Coast

RJ also made friends with this guy (super huge thanks to the Gero museum staff who helped us take this).

LR, E. and RJ make a pretty mean work crew.

The next day we travelled to Shark Bay. After a long stretch in the car, we finally reached the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool!

Nothing like watching mats of bubbling cyanobacteria photosynthesise away while slowly building their layerd accretionary structures, eh LR?

RJ and LR relax, watching for fish and tiny bubbles of oxygen drifting up from the stromatolites..

Almost to our destination and we reached... THE BARKING FENCE! To protect the delicate ecology of Shark Bay from introduced species (feral cats, foxes, goats and rabbits) this fence was constructed dividing the peninsula from the mainland. The only way through is via the highway, which is protected by a large, animal-proof (and nearly human proof) metal grate covering a deep pit in the road. When anything approaches the opening, this white post suddenly launches into a terrifying cacaphony of barks and growls. The kids loved it!

Immediately after the fence is Shell Beach... Like many places in Australia, it has a remarkably creative name -- this one apparently being inspired by the fact that the beach is made up completely of shells. There is actually no sand here along this bay, covering a few kilometres, several metres deep and up to about 100 metres from the ocean -- nothing but billions of tiny, white shells.

A typical afternoon on our holiday... RJ jumping on Dad's back while RJ stuffs Dad's pockets and underpants with shells. Meanwhile, Mom sits, relaxed, enjoying a book, a few metres away.

Underneath the shells? More shells, shells and broken shells...

RJ took flying lessons at one of his friend's birthday parties. That trampoline practice came in handy!

LR and RJ treated Mom and Dad to their own magic show. Nothing in the hat, right LR?

Abracadabra! And a necklace magically appears!

RJ says to watch his hands carefully... and again... Nothing in the hat! DON'T LOOK IN THE HAT!

LR performed in a piano concert for a hall filled with people.

LR plays the amazing Alma Mater Blues for the crowd.

The kids played in the park, during breaks in the rain.

RJ continued his endeavour to be the weirdest kid in Australia.

Some friends of ours invited us on a traditional German lantern walk through King's Park. We didn't have lanterns prepared, so we had to borrow theirs.

Surrounded by home-made lanterns, RJ, Mom and LR huddle down together and try to sing along in German. Who knew there were so many songs about lanterns?

LR takes her time exploring the cerebellum. Mom has been teaching some science classes at the school and brought some lambs' brains. We got to dissect the extras at home!

RJ was able to identify several different structures in the brain. This frontal lobe looks a little underdeveloped.

BRAAAAAAAIIIIINNNNNSSSSSSS! RJ does his best zombie impersonation.

Mom and the kids sit down for a little bit of reading before bed.

Scarlet and Dad collapse, exhausted, at the end of a long day.

Citrus is in season at the moment, and the trees are totally loaded with fruit. LR gets to work picking some mandarins. Delicious!

Some were too high to reach -- good thing Kerry was around to help out!

RJ gets involved in a game of giant pinball.

LR and B. played a few holes of golf. We're pretty sure B. has played before -- he was scarily good.

M. and RJ watch on as B. fixes something for them.

Mom had everyone working hard in the orchard. The fruit trees have been pruned and there's a whole new garden bed planted now.

Whoa, that’s so intense! Whoa! Man! Wow! It's full on. What does this mean?

LR's friend L. from school came up to join in the fun. LR was thrilled to have her around, we were happy to have someone else help with the trees.

B., L., and LR try on the wreaths made for the evening's festivities.

LR balances on the wet cable, wearing wet, sandy shoes. What can we say? The kids really wanted a challenge.

RJ leaps off the cable, just in time!

Mom and Molly went for a spin around the fields in the buggy. She must be responsible for the torn-up tracks all through the front paddock.

RJ... Wearing a hat... No surprises here.

Pizza making time! Kerry helps M. find the best tool for the job.

Mom tries to take all the credit for the fresh pizza dough, but we know that she had everyone helping.

G. and B. compare their circuit designs and try to get their glowies working reliably. Glowies are little flashing lights that you launch through the air from rubber bands. We discovered them in Bali and Dad helped everyone build them.

Despite the intermittent rain, the bonfire burned all through the night.

Mom holds the torch for LR so she can read to the group. Each year at the solstice we pause and think about things to be thankful for and things we'd like to go better in the coming year.

G. brought along his didgeridoo and played for us in front of the fire.

The kids decided roasting marshmallows would be more enjoyable inside, out of the rain.

With all the inside spots taken, RJ found his own uncrowded location at the pizza oven.

The following morning, despite the night of drenching rain, the kids managed to get the ashes lit and a fire burning again. Note to self, purchase additional fire extinguishers for the house.

Dad wearing a hat... Somehow, RJ just manages to pull it off better.

After driving into the park, we saw a tiny, tiny bison far away in the distance so we excitedly stopped the car and got out to take pictures! Wow! Wildlife!... Of course as soon as we got back in the car and drove around the next corner, we were greeted by a massive herd of them, right by the side of the road.

A buffalo, up close and personal, in all his bisonic glory. They looked kind of ratty at this time of year because they were changing their coats.

One of the rangers shows the kids some of the animals they might encounter during the day. The kids joined in the Junior Rangers Program, which involved completing a series of worksheets, colouring in, and exploring certain locations of the park.

Junior ranger test 1: How far can you jump? Further than a pronghorn antelope?

Junior ranger test 2: How long can you stare? Longer than an owl?

Junior Ranger Test 3: How fast can you run? Faster than a bison?

Junior Ranger Test 4: How well can you smell? Better than a grizzly bear?

RJ takes a stop at the brilliant blue Celestine Pool, near the Fountain Paint Pots.

A very, very rare picture of the four of us in front of Clepsydra Geyser!

DD and C. were both wonderful hosts and terrific tourguides. They spent the entire week exploring with us.

After passing through incredibly thick clouds of steam, we made it through to the Grand Prismatic Spring. The range of hues and the intensity of the colours was just fantastic.

LR strikes a pose in front of a glorious blue sky and and the vivid orange of the Grand Prismatic Spring.

You can find all the colours in the rainbow at the edges of the pool.

The kids stopped by the Ranger's Station to pick up their hard-earned Junior Ranger badges. The rangers were surpringly thorough at checking the kids work!

We arrived early at 'Old Faithful' so we wouldn't miss the show.

The kids and I defended our seats, while the mums walked off to get some much appreciated ice cream.

Old Faithful blasts a massive fountain of water into the sky, right on schedule!

RJ waits for the others to check out the gift shop at the Old Faithful Inn -- basically the biggest log cabin we've ever seen. It was unreal seeing such a large structure with such huge interior spaces built from logs.

DD and Mum sport a couple of cheesies for the camera.

After a huge day, RJ waits for his dinner at Lake Yellowstone. The kids were absolutely exhausted after everything we'd done, but still managed to have enough attention after dinner to listen to a lecture by one of the local naturalists.

Even quick photos taken from the car window as we drove along turned out amazing. This is just one of the many beautiful fields that we went past.

This huge steaming blue pit created enough fog to cut visibility on the path down to just a few feet in front of you.

Busy little bacteria have stained the area red. A lot of the trees in this area were damaged in the recent fires.

At the end of the day, while the kids were finding out about birds and wildlife, Dad had the chance to explore Lake Yellowstone with his camera.

This incredibly calm lake was full of trees chewed down by beavers. I even spotted one of the little guys cruising off in search of something else to munch.

We were treated to a fantastic sunset over the lake as we were leaving.