I keep saying I need to do this more often, but apparently my ability to do updates on the regular is not so super. And boy or boy do I have a bunch of updates! This will be rapid fire and frankly kept quite brief as there is so much to cover.
First up: DISNEYLAND! After a few years of rescheduling due to pandemics and moves etc, we finally were able to do Joe’s 10th birthday trip with Jeff and Cathy. We packed up and flew out west for a week of Disney and California marathon fun! We packed in so much over the week I am still dizzy! In no particular order we went to a Dodgers game; and Angels game, 2 days at Disneyland, 2 days at Disney’s California Adventure and 1 day at Universal Studios. Add to that some site seeing and a trip to the beach and we’ve pretty much covered one amazing trip. DL is so much like WDW but different at same time. I could go to either and be just as happy. Both have perks and draw backs. One this is for sure, it will not be out last trip to the west coast. Thanks again Jeff and Cathy!
Next up: HUSKIES! Joe’s first year as a rep baller couldn’t have been better. The team of rookie misfits somehow surprised everyone and took the gold medal for league play as well as the season ending championship tournament in Ottawa. Not to mention finishing several levels higher than they started out. Each week these boys just kept getting better and surprising everyone. Season 2 has just started to get going and we’re stoked! Lets go DoGGS!
Rugby: Abby’s rugby team (yes! Abby plays rugby) had a great season as well! They finished second in COSSA and went on to compete in OFFSA. Sadly it didn’t go as well, but she got to go away over night with the team and made some fun memories.
Baseball!: Much like the previous summers, if you wanted us — you had to look no further than the ballpark. Between Joe’s house and rep team, Abby’s house league team and Joe’s time lining diamonds and umpiring, we spent a LOT of time at the diamonds this summer. Just the way we like it! Joe’s team won the ORSA championship and also the league championship. Abby’s came in 3rd. Proud of both the kiddos and their teams this year. We have a great time coaching and we hope you all enjoyed playing just as much!
House Updates: Not a great deal to report. Garage is nearly finished. Alex spent some time finishing drywall followed by Shannon beast mode painting has it looking pretty great! Still some trimming out to finish and work benches to build, but it’s nearly done! Only other big project was rebuilding of the pool fence and adding onto the deck. This was started last summer, but ankle injury kept me from finishing. Quite happy with the outcome so far. Still a bit of work to be done, but it looks a million times better than before and so much more functional.
Cars: Nothing much. Shannon’s Jeep is still doing the family truckster duties while I’ve been rocking the R32 full time for a few months now. The R32 has a bunch of maintenance items I’d like to clean up this winter to freshen it up. Suspension bushings, ride height tweaks and maybe a new exhaust. That and I should probably put my stereo in at some point. The Beetle hasn’t moved in a while. Hoping to resurrect her this winter. Finally Abby’s TDI has been busy playing the part of the school bus since September. Shes and old girl but she’s running like a champ.
School: In the blink of an eye, both of the kiddos are now in high school! Joe started grade 9 while Abby has entered grade 12! I’m beyond proud of these two goofs. Smart, compassionate, funny as hell and driven to succeed when they want something. On the topic of succeeding at school, Abby now has received honors in Grade 9, 10, AND 11. And she tacked on the Cosmo and Art awards for good measure. Great job baby!
Though the kids started the year on the bus, that only lasted 2-3 days! Abby officially passed her G2 test! Her and Joe take her Golf every morning and head to Simcoe for school. Not gonna lie, it’s a bit nerve racking at first, but shes gotten to be a very good driver. Alert, cautious and even patient. Keep being safe and going slow! You and your brother are precious cargo!
I know there are a million other little updates I could add, but I think I’ll wrap it up here.