Finke 2012

Last year, we were very tame when it came to Finke and only went Saturday morning to the Start/Finish line to watch the Prologue (time trials).  There is a more detailed description of the race on last year's post.  This year we decided the boys were a bit older, so we could venture a bit farther a field.  Our neighbours join with her parents and friends and camp the entire weekend, we still weren't adventurous enough to tackle camping, but we did get up at 6AM to drive 30km out of town to their campsite.  Considering it was -1C I considered that a smart move.

Sunrise

Jamie with our neighbours Riva and Jake

First the cars

Soooo cool

I want Daddy to myself!

Their campsite was so close the track that we put up some tape to remind the kids to stay back.  More injuries at Finke occur when spectators get hit by vehicles that overshoot turns, so we wanted to safe.

Not sure if this is going to make it....

That haze is combination of smoke and dust

Laurie making damper (bread) using beer for the yeast

Cooking the Damper

Bikes and buggies time!

I prefer to watch from a safe distance

Bike and Helicopter - does it get any better than this??

The winter in Alice Springs is full of many activities and this day was no exception.  On our way home from Finke we stopped at the Road Transport Hall of Fame to see a special guest that was in town just for a few hours.

Mack the Transporter from Cars2.

Gavin is just too tired to think this is any fun.

Jamie's 4th Birthday Party

Last Sunday, we celebrated Jamie's 4th Birthday by inviting some boys from school and a few other friends.  We were able to borrow a bounce castle from the Rec Association and that kept the boys entertained for the better part of the morning.

Monster Truck cake

Fairy Bread  YUM!

Playing Pass the Parcel

Jamie helping his brother

Time to open presents!!!

Left handed clubs!!!!

Pedal bike

The Aftermath

Memorial Day Weekend 2012

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Ian and I planned to join another family and take the boys to Glen Helen Resort (using the term loosely) for the night and do some sightseeing around the West MacDonnell Ranges. Unfortunately, the day before we were due to leave Ian's grandfather died and he ended up having to go back to the States for the week.  I decided to stick to the original plan and join our friends for the weekend.

After the 90 minute drive out to Glen Helen, we all got out of the cars to check into our rooms.  As we walked thru the group of tourists gathered there on break from their bus tour, I heard one man say, "one has two children and the other has three."  It took a full second for me to realise he thought we were a polygamous family.

Marti and I got a kick out of it and referred to each other as "sister wife" for the remainder of the weekend.  Of course. Braden helped by calling both of us "mama."  :)

Here are photos of the spectacular scenery around Glen Helen and Ormiston Gorge.  I actually took some while on a helicopter ride Sunday morning.

Glen Helen Gorge at sunset

Aerial view of Glen Helen Gorge and "resort"

Ormiston Gorge

Ain't nothing but a hound dog. (listening to Elvis)