Getting a turn at the wheel on the Tall Ship

Robyn and Mark bought us all a trip on one of the old Tall Ships that cruise around Sydney Harbour. I remember them from the big bicentenary celebration in 1988 where they were an integral part of the festivities on the Harbour that day. It was a blast to be on it, particularly when they cut the engine and we just sailed back on the nor-easter.

Jude with the Levitating Gold Man at Circular Quay

We caught the ferry to Circular Quay a few times during our trip. And every time we saw the Levitating Gold Man doing his thing on the east side of the Quay. Jude wanted to tip him and when we did he invited Jude for a photo. We also walked around the Botanic Gardens while we were there and saw them setting up for the big NYE fireworks celebration.

Near Mrs Macquarie’s chair with the iconic Opera House/Bridge view

We had a very interesting New Year’s Eve. First, I played golf with my old mates Tim and Matt (I first played golf with them in the early 1980s) at Wakehurst, a local course. Meanwhile, Marcy and the kids went into the city to visit the Australian Museum and …

That night we had decided to go watch the fireworks at North Head, just like we did two years ago. But Tim had also invited us to watch the fireworks from his house in Seaforth which has beautiful views of the city fireworks. So, after the 9pm show at North Head, we walked back to our place and then drove to Tim’s house for the midnight celebrations.

Midnight fireworks on New Year’s Eve from my friend Tim’s house

A few minutes after we toasted the New Year we noticed that our car wasn’t there. Sure enough, it had been stolen while we were inside celebrating, Anna had left her AirPods in the car so we were able to track the car so we chased the car all around the North Shore but were always 10 minutes behind so we never caught up with them. We called the police but it was a busy night for them. We had left our keys in the car so we had to spend the night at Tim & Jo’s house – they were super helpful during this time. The car was found just before we left and returned to Avis with Anna’s AirPods intact.

Jude learning to surf

Our place came with a surfboard that Jude and Anna both tried but it was not really a beginner’s board. So, we decided to get surfing lessons one day for all four of us. We all got to stand up on these beginner boards and it was a blast. So, we decided to rent boards the following day. Surfing has a steep learning curve but both kids were able to stand up while catching a wave at least a couple of times.

Anna catching a wave

On our last night we decided to eat at the Pantry Restaurant which is right on the beach. It opened in 2010 (in the old Beach House that was built in 1919) and so we have been past it literally hundreds of times over the last 14 years on our stays in Manly. We have always been curious about it and so we decided to give it a go. The food was excellent but the view is what enamored me. We were able to get a window table with the best view in Manly.

Our last night in Manly, dining at The Pantry

The two weeks were over too fast. We had a fantastic time. The weather was perfect, we loved catching up with friends and family and enjoyed our beach time every day. The Manly to Shelly Beach ocean swim was done numerous times, including on our last morning where it was a picture perfect sunrise.

Playing bingo on Thanksgiving Day

Last Sunday we drove to Iowa to spend Thanksgiving week with Marcy’s family. We had a lovely visit although it was a little colder than I would have liked.

The kids got to hang out with their cousins and grandparents. They went bowling, to a movie, shopping. watched football, and, of course, lots of games were played. We did the now traditional game of bingo on Thanksgiving Day and lots of prizes were won.

We had a Thanksgiving feast and this year, we ordered the turkey and most of the side dishes from Hy-Vee. The quality was fantastic and it made for a much more relaxing Thanksgiving Day.

Relaxing on the couch on Thanksgiving

Jude has been wanting to know how to change the oil in a car and that it not something I ever do so Grampsy offered to show him on the MG. So one morning they spent in the garage and Jude got his first hands-on motor mechanics lesson.

Changing the oil in the MG

We drove back yesterday, it was a smooth and uneventful journey. Today, Anna was back to cheer practice and lifeguard work and Jude spent time in the park. The next big trip is our Sydney vacation that starts in less than three weeks!

Jude defended well against a great striker from Regis

When Jude started the varsity soccer season at South High School he had one major goal: to make the playoffs. And he was able to achieve that with the team coming in 27th in 5A. They were matched up against Regis Jesuit who came in fifth in the regular season. While South were able to hang with Regis for the first 20 minutes of each half, in the end they were much too good and defeated South 5-0.

Jude was not that disappointed. He played really well and was able to handle a striker headed to a D-1 school. And they all played their heart out so they knew that there was nothing more they could have done. The four years went by so fast and it is hard to believe that Jude has played his last high school soccer game. He had a great run with two years on JV and then two years on Varsity.

Maggie, Isla and Anna dressed up as characters from the Wizard of Oz

Halloween was a low key affair at our house this year. We had the neighborhood kids parade and then we had a few kids come by but it was not busy. Anna got dressed up and went trick-or-treating with some school friends. We only saw her briefly that night.

Anna’s Avalanche team at Blue Debut

There was not much going on this weekend. On Sunday Jude had soccer tryouts with Réal and Anna had the annual Blue Debut where all the Cheer Athletics teams do their routine in front of an audience but it is not scored. Anna was filling in for her old Frost team from last year and she also performed with her regular team: Avalanche.

Jude and Anna at the lake in Wash Park on Homecoming night

This was Homecoming Week at South High School and it was a big week.

Jude played in the Homecoming soccer game on Tuesday night, playing against the number one team in the competition, Broomfield. They played their best game of the season and only lost 1-0. It could easily have been a draw but for a lucky shot.

Anna has been talking about Homecoming for weeks. We bought her a new dress and she was excited about the big night.

Many of the students were gathering at the Boathouse in Washington Park for photos. Marcy and I decided to go check it out and there were hundreds of kids taking photos by the lake.

Maggie, Isla and Anna at the Wash Park lake

After photos it was off to dinner. Jude went to a friend’s house and they Doordashed Thai food. Anna went to a nice restaurant in Cherry Creek. They all went to the dance but didn’t stay very long as it was super hot in the gym. They spent some time in the park and then went to a party. Anna stayed over at Maggie’s house.

They both said it was a fun night and they all made it home safely.

Doing the Centennial Cone hike on our anniversary

Wednesday was our 20-year anniversary so Marcy and I decided to take the day off and go for a good hike. We chose Centennial Cone Park where they have a 12-mile loop hike I have been wanting to do.

There were possible afternoon thunderstorms and the weather looked a little iffy for a while but somehow we made it through without getting too wet. We went pretty fast, finishing the 12.2 miles in just under 4 1/2 hours.

The restaurant bought us a dessert cocktail for our anniversary

That night we went downtown for dinner at Jax, one of our favorite restaurants, where we had a sumptuous dinner. Across the street from Jax is the Oxford Hotel, where we spent our wedding night. We left the kids at home and spent the night there.

Jude made a great move down the right side in the first half

Meanwhile, soccer continues at South High School. They had their third game of the season on Thursday night and suffered their first loss in a game where South was clearly the better team. But Jude played well.