Just Generic Info......

Just some generic thoughts and a few updates for all you fine folks. We're back into the work mode again. Karen has a 9 week job substituting 4 days a week at Kyle's school in Health/PE. She doesn't have as much time for those private surf lessons from the 22 year old tan charming Aussie dude anymore. Those used to take at least 3 hours out of her day. Now she has to face 30 fourteen- year olds bent on testing her toughness. She's doing very well. I hear about her through the Taree grapevine....One of Kyle's female friends said, "Your mom looks like a supermodel!" Of course, I've known that for years.

The kids continue with track, soccer and basketball, but I had the unique experience of watching the younger 2 play rugby. It was so much fun for me. Mariah played 'touch'. It has 7 on a side and moves very quickly. Mariah scored both of her teams two 'tries'. She even completed a pass to the very surprised referee on one occasion...Their school team lost the game and thus ended her competetive career. She does have a gala day coming up which includes several short games and then she's done. She really liked it. Her speed is a great asset in all sports. Jake played full tackle with mouthguards, soft helmets and lots of grunts and groans. Jake played American football a couple years ago and we thought it would be a perfect outlet for his energy/physicality. It didn't work out that great because he was pretty tentative. Not any more. He loved hitting guys and didn't seem to mind getting hit. I will love showing you all the video when we get home. It's the best video we have of the whole trip in my mind. He scored one long try, had lots of good tackles, and met a local professional rugby hero who signed his shirt. He talked about it non-stop for 2 days. He's excited to give football another try back home.

I played basketball with Kyle on my team last night in the men's comp. I really enjoyed that. I loved getting assists to my own son. Good times. I wanted to have a beer with him afterwards, but that's a few years away I suppose...By the way, he's 5'9"-140 pounds now. I wasn't that big till I was 17. He's 14.

I'll attach some photos of some of our recent outings. One to the Newcastle Knights rugby game and others from all over. Unfortunately we don't have a single photo from the rugby. Rumor has it some parents are going to e-mail us some. If I get them I'll attach them to this later. I enjoyed sharing this with you, let me know what you think. Mikey