Christmas 2010

Our Christmas for 2010 was spent back in Perth for ten days.

Christmas day started off with present opening at home then we visited our friend Zoe and her family for Christmas morning to wish them a Merry Christmas.

We had Christmas lunch at home where we were joined by my mum and Matthew and friends Alison and Dave. I was in charge of the cooking which it was nice to have some traditional Christmas foods, plum pudding is always what I love at Christmas and Ben loves the fruit minced pies.

In the afternoon we lounged around by the pool as it was really hot in Perth. I enjoyed the vasts amount of sunlight as for many days in Indonesia it's been over cast so it was nice to see the sun shinning.
We couldn't of asked for a better Australian Christmas.

Our tree and Christmas presents

Matthew pop playing with Paige's things

Zoe and the kids

All the kids

The three good looking blonds, Bernadette, Alison and Zoe


Our neighbours, The Norths

Christmas lunch table

Ben, Paige and Bernadette

Ben, Dave & Paige


Mum, Paige & Matthew

Christmas Is Nearly Here

With Christmas nearly here we have had a busy time to the lead up to Christmas. The housing complex where we live had a Christmas carols night and a children's Christmas party. Paige also had her class Christmas Party and her grade two Christmas performance.

Picture: Paige with her friends from the housing complex

Picture: People attending the Christmas carrols

Picture: Paige at the Christmas Carrols

Paige's Class Party

Picture: Paige getting a washable tattoo



Picture: Paige's tattoo

Picture: Paige with some of her class mates

Picture: Paige playing one of the party games



Picture: Paige with the assistant teacher and friends

Picture: Parents get in on the party action

Childrens Christmas Party

Picture: Paige decorating Christmas cookies


Picture: Finished Christmas Cookie


Picture: Lisa and Paige riding the road train

Picture: Santa arriving at the childrens Christmas party

Picture: Santa and Paige

Picture: Santa having a beer after handing out presents

Paige's at her class performance

Picture: Paige waiting to sing

Picture: Paige wearing her Christmas hat

Picture: Paige's class

ABRI (Armed Foreces of Indonesia) Museum

In this blog sees us visiting the ABRI (Armed Forces of Indonesia) Museum. The entry fee was really cheap only about 7,ooorp per adult. The building its self was showing it was in need of maintenance and the most of the displays were in need of a good dusting. The displays lacked information in English and the dioramas were old and a bit cheesy.

As you walked through the museum you got the idea that if someone in the armed forces in Indonesia sneezed they would get a metal to pin on their chest.

From the metal displays, the armoury, the planes also the tanks in the out outdoor area if you are interested in this type of history then you might find this museum interesting but if you are someone who isn't into armed forces items I would spend your time somewhere else.

Soeharto display

Display of uniforms

Dioramas

Arm rank pins

Armoury

Armoury

Plane on display in the outdoor area

Ben standing in front of a plane on display

A tank on display

Bonfire Night

Last week end we attended the Bonfire night at BIS where Paige goes to school. BIS being a British school there are traditional celebrations which we have never had the chance in celebrating.

Traditionally in Britain once a year bonfires are lit to celebrate "Guy Fawkes Night". Originally known as Gunpowder Treason Day, the celebration can be traced directly to the events of the 5th November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot was caught guarding a hoard of explosives placed beneath the House of Lords and arrested. Celebrating the fact King James 1 had survived the assassination attempt, bonfires were lit around London and now the day is a public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.
Leading up to the bonfire Paige's class was involved in making "Guy" out of paper which would be thrown on the fire at the Bonfire night.

The evening started out with lots of games which Paige had a good time playing then we headed to the bonfire where "Guy" was thrown onto the fire and the night ended with a display of fire works.

Its always interesting to celebrated other countries traditions and even more interesting doing the research to find out the reason where the celebrations first started.

Picture: Paige taking part in the lucky dip

Paige having a go at the hoop throw game

"Guy" ready for the bonfire

Paige and her friend Jessica

The bonfire

Bernadette, Paige & Ben

Paige and Ben


Guy on the fire

The fire works

More fire works