Nick & Kirby: September 2011

G'day!!!

So I have been really slack of late and have not updated our blog in quite a while.
Many things have happend since last time.

A few highlights:
* We moved into our apartment in Grand Rapids
* Mocha came home for the first time
* My parents, grandparents and brother all came out to the USA
* Nick was ordained at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Barrington, IL (wearing the stole Grandma Schumacher made just for him)
* We all travelled to Grand Rapids (9 in total plus Mocha) to see our new place, enjoyed Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Fourth of July celebrations on a bridge right downtown oh and Nick's installation into St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI.
* All but Nick went back to Barrington and said goodbye to the Aussies
* Nick went to work camp in Ohio with the youth from Church
* Went to the installation of our good friends - Daniel & Heidi Ross who are in Saginaw, MI
* Daniel, Heidi and their new puppy Edward came to stay
* Kirby found a part time temp job working in the HR department. After one week working at the part time job Kelly Services called and wanted me to work full time. Started the next week. I am a recruiter down at the Holland branch. I love it!
* After 2 weeks of work Nick and I travelled to Australia for 7 days. Dropped Mocha off at Barrington to stay with Mom and Dad Mullen
* Nick got his Aussie permanent resident visa initiated
* Stayed with my bestie Viv and John. We figured out that from bed to bed it was 49 hours!!!
* Played 20 (or so) games. These included Dominion, Dominion - Seaside, Agricola, Colosseum, Bohnanza, Settlers of Catan card game, Ticket to Ride, Puerto Rico. Please note that we did not play Carcassone or Legretto. These two games are our normal games and I was a little sad that we could not play these, however it was just so great to play any games. Next time we will play these first!!!!!!
* Caught up with some other great friends - Emma Graetz, Mel Graetz, Tim & Fluer Kupke, Kara Heinrich, Brendan Jaensch, Sam and Tara Modra. We were sad we could not catch up with everyone. With only being in Australia for 7 days we were limited in time. Please forgive us for not seeing you.
* Tasted some wonderful Aussie food. An AB at the Red and White cafe, pies, lollies, fish and chips at Barnacle Bill's, chicken schnitzel, steak sandwich - YUMMY!!!!
* Re-connected with our Aussie family - well the South Australian side anyway
* Partied hard with my Great Grandma for her 100th birthday. She has around 80 descendants and all but one or two were not at the party to celebrate with her. A massive achievement. We may not all get together again for a long time, if ever. So needless to say it was very special to be a part of the celebrations
* Hung out with our immediate family. Just a few people ... Ma, Pa, Mum, Dad, Martin, Steve, Rosanne, Nickson, Sigrid, Jenna, Nathan, Eszter, Justin, Sharon, Eli, John, Micah, Verity, Matt. Great Grandma, Aunty Ai also joined us for lunch.
* Found out that my parents car was stollen from the Seminary and was part of an illegal activity - naughty car! That was a fun start to the morning, then drove down south in the 1925 dodge to get the Triumph motorbike and the MG car and then hang out at a playground and had a picnic lunch. The kids loved it. A few tears when hurt on the playground but much laughter!
* Said a sad goodbye to my family.
* Sad goodbye to Viv & John
* Flew back to the States and saw Mom and dad Mullen and our little Mocha Moodle.

Uncle Nick and Verity

* Drove back to Grand Rapids and have started to settle back into 'normal' life.

So my friends and family, this is our life in a nut shell. I will add a bunch of photo's so you can see the adventures!

Love to you all

Nick, Kirby and Mocha!