The unexpected suprise!

So, as many of you probably know by now, we didn't tell any of our family that we were coming back to America. I just found this photo posted on Kim's parents blog the night we suprised them. Here is the story so you all know what we are talking about here:

The day after we arrived in America, (we had to get a good nights sleep as we hadn't slept in over 24 hours) we drove down to Kim's parents house to suprise them. Much to our dismay nobody was home. After making a few phone calls and carefully looking at the family calendar we learned they were all at a big multi-stake dance festival thing at Spanish Fork High School football field. So off we went to see if we could find them.

Lucky for us just as we arrived on the football field they announced that the next dance would be a Mia Maid/Teacher dance. And sure enough Kim's little sister Kristen was dancing. After the dance finished we waited and watched to see where she we go because we knew she would point us in the direciton of the rest of the family. After she was seated for a little while we started approaching her slowly at first to see if she would recognize us. It took a little while, but of course she would recognize her own sister. And then came the waterworks. Kristen started bawling. We finally calmed her down enough to point her in the direction of Kim's parents seated across the field on the very top row of the bleachers. Kim's dad had the video camera out and was zoomed in all the way. We knew we were toast. So we started running as fast as we could thinking he couldn't stay focused on us if we moved fast. But by the time we made it around to the bleachers they had already punched and kicked their way through the crowd to come down and meet us. Again...more waterworks! It was great. We spent a little time explaining to them about the flight and all that and then we realized that Korbin was missing. On a desperate search to figure out where he was, we ran into a friend of his that quickly gave him a call on his mobile (cell phone.) We then discovered he was in the toilet (restroom) so we ran all the way around to the other side of the field, with Mom, Dad, and Kristen close in tow and caught Korbin as he was just exiting the restroom. I think it took him the longest to recognize us. It was great! So we chatted for a bit then went back up to the bleachers because Korbin still had a thing to perform. Afterward it was back to the Bluncks house to catch up a bit and help them get ready for a youth conference they had coming up the following morning.

Aren't suprises great?!

At the Sydney Airport

The morning of June 28th came way too soon! Thank you so much to Sam Hayden-Smith and Paul and Sharon and Isobel Smith for taking us to the airport bright and early!

Brad waiting to check our luggage with Paul, Sharon, and Isobel


Kim had to jump in too!


Sharon digging for Isobel's breakfast.


Isobel finally able to enjoy a healthy biscuit for breakkie.


One last group photo.

Good Morning, Isobel!

Here is Isobel the morning before we left. She was so kind to give up her room and let us stay there between the time we moved out and flew out. She was able to stay in the room next door with Mommy and Daddy (Paul and Sharon). Thank you so much Isobel! You're the best!

Final Farewells

Our last Sunday in Oz! It was an emotional day, there was lots of love to go around!

Andrew Sung waving goodbye.


Kim with a few of the young women.


Brad posing like a missionary again.


Kim and Laura Wineera.

Goodbye Party!

This is a goodbye party that the Guo's were throwing for us and President and Sister Elmer (Mission President and his wife.) This was the same day we were moving and were an hour late to our own party! OOPS! But we had a very enjoyable time and will truly miss everyone in the Summerhill ward!

Peter Smith (England)


Brad and Pita Teaupa (Tonga)


Hazel Sung (Australia)


Brad and Naveen Komakuri (India)


Sister Sung (Korea) and Sister Guo (China)


Sister Elmer (Texas) Isobel (Aus/English), Sharon (Tasmania), & Paul (England)


Katherine Zhou (China) and Penny Guo (China)


Kim and Isobel


Andrew Sung (Korea) and Brad


Josh Shea (Brisbane), Naveen (India), and Brad

"The Empty Case" Day 4: Leaving for the Art Auction

On day 4 we shot the opening scenes. This is where Ms. Chapman leaves to take her painting to the art auction with the careful help of Charles Weatherall. Yes, that is a 7 series BMW. We were very lucky to have Sam (Charles) on set who has a friend that was willing to let us borrow the car for a few days. If you think the car is cool on the outside you should try taking it for a spin! It has voice activiated everything: GPS, TV, Radio, and all the other cool stuff that guys drool over.

Ms. Chapman

Charles Weatherall

Brad prepping the steadi-cam

Brad showing Charles how the scene will play out.

Ms. Chapman asking a few questions.

Charles plotting over his next move.

Lights, camera, and....

action!

Time for portraits

As everyone else breaks for lunch during "The Empty Case" shoot, Kim, Sharon, and Isobel take some time out to take a few photos with the winter leaves. Here is Isabel having a blast throwing them around...and eating them.

"The Empty Case" Day 3: Doctor's Office and More Dungeon Madness

Today we began our shoot with Cruickshank interrogating Dr. Bewley.
"So...rumour has it your broke. What exactly were you planning on bidding with?" - Cruickshank.
After some delicious Thai and a quick shot with Mr. Underwood, "The deal's off, Bewley!" we climbed down to the dungeon again to re-shoot the scene where Jessica first meets Cruickshank (our lights died prematurely last time, and it gets a tad bit freaky in the dark: "Are you moving?" "Moving in as a matter of fact. I'd prefer a room with a view, but the rent is wonderfully cheap here."
For those of you uninformed regarding the history of the Sydney College of the Arts campus of the University of Sydney (where Brad spends most of his class time), it was originally a mental asylum/hospital for those convicts from England deemed too "unsafe to wander the streets of Sydney" back in the 1800's. The dungeon was a holding cell for those who had no hope...even after labotomy treatments. They would be brought in from off the boat, and stuck down there till they died. What a wonderful place to make a movie. (It's even better when you turn out the lights and take a torch (flashlight for those American's reading this) around all the caverns! ooooooooo!)

Brad giving Dr. Bewley a few directions.

Cruikshank interogating Dr. Bewley

Mr. Underwood...our auctioneer.

Kim and Bizzers playing around...get back to work!

Sharon and Bizzers doing a great job of guarding the equipment.

Cruikshank and Bewley chatting between shots.

Brad shares a laugh with the crew after the shot.

Brad and Bonnie. (Bonnie volunteered to help with sound today and did a great job.)

Brad working.

Brad playing.

Kim showing off the dungeon.

Anyone home?

What it really looked like without the flash.

A sliver of daylight shines through.

Jessica goes to meet Cruikshank.