Rainbow Valley

Ian and I have a "bucket list" of places to visit in Australia and particularly in Central Australia.  Many of them are within a couple hours drive, so now that the weather is getting nicer (warmer, but not hot) we've started to get back out there.  Last weekend we headed out to Rainbow Valley.  Honestly, I'm running out of adjectives to describe the scenery in this area.  It is truly not to be believed and as gorgeous as the pictures are, they simply do not do justice to this very special place.

Brotherly love...

Gavin really was happy to be there...:)

Would be really interesting to see this salt pan filled with water.

One cool dude!

My boys!

The view from under Mushroom Rock

The Australian Wave (lots of flies this day)

Mushroom Rock

Crazy Monkey

1 2 6 7 8 JUMP  (yes that is how Braden counts)

Off to do it again!

Gavin's turn!

Henley-on-Todd Regatta 2012

For those that don't know what the Henley-on-Todd Regatta is check out the post from Aug 2011. This year Ian wasn't competing, so we took all three boys with us.  It was quite a chilly day, but we still had a wonderful day.  We started out watching the parade (and catching candy) and then headed to grab a spot on the grass to watch all the different competitions.

Climbing up on a rock to watch the parade of boats.

The American team.

Taken by our budding photographer, Jamie.

Also taken by Jamie

Picture of his new cool shoes.

Last one by Jamie

I'm tired, but I don't want to nap!

Getting ready to race...

And the Aussies take back the trophy!  (Maybe Ian should've raced.)

Highlight of the day - Battle of the Boats

Braden is not so sure about the noise and flour flying around.

The Great Moscow Circus

Every 3 years The Great Moscow Circus comes to Alice Springs.  We were so fortunate to be in town the weekend they came and to get fabulous seats.  We were a little nervous about how the little guys would do at the show, but they did fabulous. 

Waiting patiently in line.

Waiting (not so) patiently (and not so) in line.

The only "animal act" in the circus. The handler is only 10yo.

So close, we could almost reach out and touch them.

The boys enthralled by the girl on the ribbons (see above).

Cool juggler!

Trampoline - fortunately the boys didn't get any ideas.

This guy was the "clown", but amazing.

  Gavin sat with his face buried in Ian's chest for all of the first act, but did much better once he got to wear a mask.  :)

Camel Cup 2012

Gran and Grump got to be here for the silliness that is the Camel Cup.  Don't they look like they're having fun?

Gavin LOVES the camera

Jamie having a blast.

Braden had too much fun.

Really, Mama, this is comfortable.

The "Honeymoon" Race:  the racers run the camels halfway around the track, stop and pick up their "bride."  Fortunately, this happened right in front of us.

The "brides" waiting.

The brides trying to get on their camels.

Some are off...

The last one heads off...