Toldja!

From here, I think (!), Jacki and Karen left for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. The boys came to basketball with Ross and went to school to see high school Aussie Style. I love their imitation of the girls' accents!

Ellen and Pat arrived midweek and, yes, got to see roos right away. The last time we saw them was in the drizzle and dark in Corvallis in December! How great to get together in Australia! Incidentally, speaking of which, each of our American visitors has been surprised to have the sun going down at 5 or 5:30 p.m. here. Well, it is winter! They've just come from full summer in Oregon where the sun is up until 10!

We didn't waste time, of course. They came and visited my school to see how great their idea way back really was! They called friends from their Ireland exchange 18 years ago who live just 20 minutes from us, and were invited for dinner. Bronwyn and Charlie welcomed us with Paul and Diana to their beautiful home that she designed. We looked through old photo albums and shared many laughs and even some Oregon wine - thanks Paul - er, me!

Besides making beautiful dinners for us and catching us up on news from home, Ellen and Pat were able to visit with an old childhood friend of Ellen's from L.A. who lives, yes, 20 minutes from us here! Who knew?

We had a potluck dinner the next night to introduce them all to our incredible friends here. More food, laughs, wine, and fun. Ellen and Pat learned what we have - that the Aussies love to stay and stay and have more and stay! It's terrific!

That night the girls arrived back from their snorkeling adventures up north - this time bringing two more gorgeous Albany girls! We were nine in the house with beds full, floors full and a waiting line for the bathroom! Just what I love - it was Pinecrest 2009 all over (okay, that was 19 and one bathroom, but still great fun!).