B's New Sport

B's having a go at a new sport.  A sport unknown to the vast majority of Americans, but loved by those in Commonwealth nations...  Netball!

There are seven positions on the court.  Of those seven, B's played four. (I think).  She's learned the game quickly and ROCKS at the defensive positions she's played but prefers the attack positions.  She's not too into shooting...  I think it might have to do with the lack of a backboard and a totally different style to shooting than basketball.

Here are some shots of recent games.  

Getting positions and a pep-talk from the coach.

Each positions has certain parts of the court they're allowed in and restricted from, so they have to wear 'bibs' that identify their position.  B's wearing "WA" here which stands for 'Wing Attack"

Getting a pass, or intercepting one.

The passes are often thrown high.

She's got the ball...

and can only move one foot, the foot she didn't land on

and can't dribble (wrong sport)

and only has three seconds to pass

Looking to pass again...

The girls to the right of the line can't cross it,

so they'll help with a pass if needed, but otherwise just wait.

a different position... Goal Defense

B's the one with the "GD" on her back

a similarity to basketball...

throwing the ball in :-)

Now she's playing "GK" or Goal Keeper

and she's trying to block the shot,

but has to set her feet three feet away before she defends.

There you have it... a brief look at B's newest hobby.  :-)   It's fun to play even if it does take a while to learn the rules.  

A Championship Season

I've had this requested on a couple different fronts... so here's some pics of D and his NSW state champion football (gridiron for Aussies) team.

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Wollongong Brumbies

2011 NSW Champions

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Pre-game huddle... firing up the team

"Who are we?"

"BRUMBIES!"

 Cheering on the team

Brumbies' fans...

Yes, B and I made signs and a little pom-pom for the game!

I didn't get any game pics, 'cuz I was too busy cheering.

(read yelling loudly and jumping around)

 D listening to the trophy presentation.

 D and two of his fans.

The 'non-Griffith' guy is a friend from school...

gotta love that a friend wanted to drive up to Sydney with us to watch the game.  :-)

 Shawn and D

Love the photo... and their laughter in it.

 Me and my little boy...

uh... he used to be little. 

(it was a cold night!)

This season B moved from reading through the games to cheering along with me.

Another thing to love! ;-)

I'll try to add couple shots from earlier in the season in another post...  

(when I wasn't so distracted... or stressed)

Wordless Wednesday - in honour of Valentine's day

Shrimp on the Bah-bie

 In a time-honoured Aussie tradition, we had some barbecued prawn (among other yummies) for lunch on Australia Day last month.  (and in a Kendra-honoured tradition, it's a bit overdue) 

While one might think that prawn and shrimp are the same thing, in my humble opinion, they are quite different.  I am not a fan of shrimp (and never have been), but I have had some prawn here that is quite tasty.  And it's not just the taste either, the texture's different too.  Well, to me anyway. ;-)

 picture-perfect prawn

peeled, seasoned, and grilling to perfection!

 Our dear friend, the barbecue master!

note the cooked snags (sausages) and burgers on the side

mmm..

oh, and a little pan to cook some egg in for the burgers!

Ya gotta love an Aussie burger.

 Shawn having a go at the barbecue.

lookin' good, love!

 That's not good form.

Back away from the prawns.

;-)

Brenna's plate.

inspired by Masterchef, I think.

Darian's plate

it's got a bit of everything (except the snag)

burger w/ egg (on the bottom), prawn, fried rice

lamb, and a tasty salad  with a coke!

What a spread!

Thank you, Tyler family!

Back in Uniform

The kids have started back to school for the new school year.  They're both entering a new phase of schooling as well.  D is beginning his 'higher' school years (11 & 12) which will end in a big test.  B is starting high school at a new school.  So far, it's going well.  New adventures for both of them.  (and more letting go for me... hmmm...)

 

 First day of school

full uniform... well, except the hat.

 a closer shot

so far, favourite class = French!

 First day

thankfully, still humouring mum. ;-)

 getting closer

he might be laughing at me...

 They make me one proud Momma! 

The Dapto Show & my New Calling

Last weekend, Shawn, Brenna and I went to the Dapto Show.  This is similar to a county fair in the states.  You know, aiming for the prized tomato or pie, horse shows, rides, greasy food and hot weather.  It was all there!

We went because Brenna had a painting submitted from school.  It was wonderful!!  We saw a couple pieces from kids at her 'former' school and lots of baked goods, crafts, veggies, flowers and photos!  Lots of talent in the show.  We also enjoyed watching the show jumping and thought of family and good summer memories. :-)

Here are some highlights!

The three of us watching the show jumping and chopping.

 Taking a jump.

Looks good to me. They had to have a jump off!

but nobody's hair matched the horse... hmm...

 a bit of the long chopping competitions.

fascinating.  

hey, is that my brother there on the right??

although I did wonder about wearing the white pants....

 Humoring me with a pic.

Isn't she a sweetie! 

 a closer look at her painting.

 a local celebrity from "Junior Masterchef"

an Aussie cooking, elimination tv show.

 going for a ride

:-)

Oh!  And did I mention the camel racing??

I think it would be fun to have a go!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

and, now, I know you've been waiting to hear all about my new calling!!  

Well, check these out...

 what a shot!

 can't you feel the anticipation of the slam?

 such feeling and emotion here

 caught in the act...

Don't you think I have a future in wrestling photography???  ;-)

I mean, those are some fabulous action shots!!  with just a 'point and shoot' camera even!  Amazing.

Come on now... be honest...
;-)

Family Photo

don't be too critical... we did it ourselves. 
:-)

 

Us

2011

the kids

2011

The Eve and The Day

After a bit of a delay, here the rest of our Christmas celebrations.

In the States, Christmas Eve was a big family day.  Without family here, we were a bit sad and lost last year, so we opted to start a new tradition...  a family trip to the movies!  We enjoyed that even again this year. 

On Christmas Eve evening, we gathered with some friends for a 'picnic' dinner, carols, and some reflection.  It was a beautiful time.  Wonderfully casual with focus on community and love.

the kids with a friend and some Christmas bush!

a sweet friend brought me this bunch of Christmas bush flowers!

until then, I didn't know they excited

.

S and some mates

B having some fun and silliness

Christmas day, we woke up (I'm still telling the kids a 'wait till' time... of course it used to sound different... wait till 7 is the first number before you get up... now they tell time...) and enjoyed time as a family.  It's nice that some things don't change.  It was beautiful seeing the kids so thoughtful and caring with their gifts. :-)  Then we Skyped with some family.  I am so thankful for Skype!

our little tree

the tree skirt was a 'ham bag' that I got as a gift from work. ;-)

After a bit, we joined some friends at their family Christmas dinner/lunch.  What an amazing meal!!  There were traditional roast meats (but served cold, it was a hot summer day after all), chicken, pork and lamb.  Plus, the very Aussie, fresh, peel-your-own prawn (large shrimp).  But the star of the meal were the numerous salads.  Unbelievable!!  yummy spinach, roast pumpkin and other goodies salad; chicken, walnut and grape salad; green bean, sweet potato salad just to name a few.  Oh my!!

After some visiting, clearing dishes, playing for the kids, the desserts came out!!  Wow!  Traditional pavlova, trifle, and Christmas pudding/cake.  Better than the food though, was sharing the day with several generations of a fabulous family!

enjoying the fellowship and fun

all three desserts

Christmas cake, pavlova, and trifle

Pavlova

my favourite!

And we weren't done yet!!

We stopped home for a bit of a refresher, grab some drinks, and 'goodies', then we were off again... over to our friends, the Tylers.  The invited us to join them for a Christmas barbecue last year and we were welcomed there again.  Looks like another new tradition. The kids got to enjoy a couple of the Tyler Chrissie pressies... a slip-n-slide (I did say it was a hot day), a trampoline, and giant Nurf guns!  We had more good fun with great folks and yummy food.

hangin' out with friends

a repeat crowd from last year! :-)

the Shawns

my Shawn's shirt was a gift from his son

it reads, "Dads Against Daughters Dating"

D getting in on the fun...

he was a bit long for the slide, but enjoyed it anyway!

B after a good ride

she could aim the distance perfectly

even time for a bit of "gridiron"

D's big present this year.

 B enjoying the trampoline

with some squirt guns

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 the Nurf guns came out

and no one was safe!

Lots of food, friends, and fun.  Plus some family thanks to Skype!