We're HOME!

Well... after 3 years of living abroad, we have finally moved back home to Houston!  However, before we moved back, we kept quite busy preparing for the move.  With packing the house, selling furniture, having friends get married, and friends visit from Sydney, we were busy bees. 

Our close friends, Claire and Rob got hitched the last weekend we were in Perth.  It was a beautiful ceremony and the reception was just perfect.  Claire looked stunning in her dress and Rob looked great in his kilt. We will definately miss them and look forward for their visit state side in 2011.

A few weeks before our departure from OZ, friends of ours threw us a going away party.  We had a chance to chat with our friends, and enjoy those last moments before we left.  I'm really going to miss you guys from Perth!  Candi....thanks for all your great advice and your friendship.  Our stay in Perth wouldn't have been the same if I hadn't of met you and your family!  Judy, Lisa, Diana, Veronica, Evelyn, Mary I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you.  From walks around Perth to Bunco to AWC events to just hanging out I've really enjoyed it.  I will defiantely miss that.  Claire and Jacqui... I've really enjoyed just getting to know each of you and your other half.  I look forward to future visits here to the USA, be sure to look us up!!!!!!!  And finally, my scrapbook friends!  Rebecca and Christell, don't forget about me!  Make cards and be creative with stamps :) LOL  You'll dearly be missed!

We were lucky enough to have the Batman's from Sydney fit in one last visit before we left.  They arrived 2 weeks before our departure and spent the weekend getting to know Kyle and saying goodbye.  We shared a fun-filled Valentines with them and the Smith Family at one of our favorite restaurants:  2 Fat Indians.  YUM!  Kyle made dad a neat photo box with an imprint of his hand and foot at 2 months old.  He enjoyed it and looks forward to bringing it to work.



Steve and I decided to bring some Aussie wine back with us to remember some of our favorite moments in Perth.  In order to accomplish this we bought over 80 bottles of wine home with us.  Can't wait for the shipment to arrive, especially since I was pregnant when we bought most of it and can't wait to taste test!!!!



On February 23, 2010 we boarded our flight home.  Flight one....11 hours to Dubi....layover in Dubi  14 hours....16.5 hours from Dubai to Houston....3 hours to Copperas Cove, TX....HOME!  It was a difficult trip b/c it was so draining, but to be absolutely honest, Kyle did fantastic and Steve and I worked together to make it the best experience it could be considering.  But now that it is all in the past, I can say it was just fine.



As for the here and the now.... we are living in a 2 bedroom 'apartment' for the next few months until our house gets finished.  It is coming along nicely and they project it to be ready mid-April.  Steve started back at work and is looking forward to his new work projects.  I am staying at home with Kyle and am busy trying to find things to fill my day.  I've found 2 playgroups that I'm going to be trying out and I've enrolled Kyle in a gymboree class every Tuesday.  Steve and I have enjoyed shopping at stores past 6pm and have definately enjoyed our favorite places to eat... LOL!!!!

We will be making our way to Ohio in April to see my parents, I know that they are really looking forward to seeing Kyle.  We were able to spend a week with Steve's parents when we arrived back to Houston.  Oma spoiled him rotten and so did grandpa.  I think that we got to hold him about 3 hours in total :) LOL  But honestly, they were fantastic with him.  From constant dialog and cooing with him to food being served warm instead of room temperature!  (Had to put that in Paul/Ilse :) LOL) We had a fantastic time and look forward to their next visit. 

Finally, I wanted to put in a few pictures that we had taken by a professional photographer before we left.  We loved so many of her pictures and look forward to putting together a family collage. Enjoy!



Love,
Steve,Stephanie, Kyle and Zoe

The New Year 2010

WOW! I can't believe it's 2010.  We've been quite busy for new parents.  Now, don't get me wrong, we are exhausted...but we still need to have a social life!  We rang in the New Year by being in bed by 10:30 :) LOL Maybe we will be a bit more fun for 2011...
Kyle has been a busy bee as well.  We took him to Cottesloe Beach, a Hawks Basketball game, and Swan Valley.  I'm very excited to also include some pictures from the photo session we had.  The pictures turned out fantastic.  We are having another session next weekend so keep your eye out for some more pictures!


We also have some other FANTASTIC news!  We have just learned that we are finally COMING HOME!!!!!  After 3 years of living the life of an expact, we made the decision to return home to the states to start our family and to be closer to home.  Steve was finally told he has a new position in the Houston office so we are scheduled to leave Perth for good at the end of February.  We can't wait!  I'm thinking the next 6 weeks are going to fly by.... Look out Houston, the Waggoner's are coming home...