Life In The Gong

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Season's Greetings,

Here we are in the last week of school before summer holidays!(?)! Hope all is well where you are. Gabe, as you can see by the pictures, has been busy. Michelle has returned from a very successful data gather in South Australia, and I am even picking up some casual teaching days.

We are also taking advantage of living in an urban area by attending concerts/sporting events. Check out the videos below by two acts we saw recently, You Am I and the Living End. Arguably, they are Australia’s greatest live acts. Coming up on our concert calendar…The Wiggles and Neil Young. Life is good!

Rah, rah, rah. Here are some pics.

Cheers,

DMG

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Photos

Flagstaff Point
A great view of the gong from above, looking west from the Pacific. North Beach, our local, is to the right, and the Illawara escarpment dominates the background.

The Merit Award
...for settling into his new school so well. Good on ya, G!

Hawks Win! Hawks Win!
Gabe poses with Hawks centre, Larry Davidson, after a nail biter of a victory over the Gold Coast Blaze. Blaze were led by former NBAer, Shane Heal, with 21 pts, 11 assists.

"You Gonna Play Hoops, Kid?"
Hawks coach Eric Cook sizes Gabe up.

Thorpedo
Students in Australia can participate in a variety of school sports. This term, Gabe chose swimming lessons.

Master Bowler
Freezing Saturday mornings at the hockey rink have been replaced by warm Saturday mornings at the cricket oval. Gabe practices his bowling. Check out that form.

The Batsman
Not quite at the level of a Sir Donald Bradman but Gabe is developing quite the swing. Soon to be joining a Century Club near you! For more on Sir Donald Bradman, Australia's Great One, check out this link at: http://www.bradman.com.au/

North Beach
Here is a view of our local from the ground. This is where we spend our Sunday mornings.

Nippa!
As you can imagine surf culture is huge here. Gabe participates in Little Nippers as a member of the North Wollongong Surf Lifesaving Club. Activities include sprinting, relays, flags, swimming, and board riding.

The Starting Line
Gabe eagerly awaits the start of a heat of flags. Nippers race off to capture the flags at 50m. He has done consistently well, finishing in the top 3 several times.

Running Down A Dream
Good on ya, mate!

Happy Now
Sleepy head has gone to bed, makes me laugh, face turn red,
Giggling down on the ground, I'll pick you up and spin you around.
Happy now, happy now, happy now I'm on happy ground.
Happy now, happy now, happy now I'm on happy ground.

Heatblast!
Beware! Super Aliens in facepaint. He's hot!

The Spin Cycle
Heading out for a spin. My route takes me to the ocean for a swim at...

The Continental Baths
...the continental baths. And...

The Sun Bath
...after all that excercise it's time for a little rest.

Karly's Birthday
Gabe and the birthday girl race to the finish.

Hello Mia!
Mia, daughter of our friends Tim and Michelle.

The Living End
Chris Cheney at Waves on the White Noise tour. More music video excitement at: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=rLC1YOaGwRY

You Am I
Tim Rogers rocks out at the UniBar. Check out there latest single, Beau Geste, at: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=tpYVuHzw2LI&feature=related

AusRock!
One more for good measure.

Comments

[Theresa Crann]

happy holidays!
Hi guys! Have a great time down under for your Christmas holidays! We are getting lovely minus 35 windchills. Of course Dave loves it! We've done the boiling water trick outside and it goes poof! Instant cloud of crystalization! Loving your pics! Gabe looks like he is having fun! Don, you look like you are living the life! Good on ya! Theresa

[Laurie]

Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas Don and Michelle and Gabe! It's cold here but family and friends keep us warm inside. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday in the sunshine.

[Aunt Angela]

You guys look great! Gabriel looks like he is having the time of his life and Don I'd love to be in your shoes right now! Thinking of you and getting green with envy. We miss you.

[Linda]

Great update!
Hi Don, Michelle and Gabe! Glad to see you have been keeping busy and enjoying the warmth! All the best over the holidays (Christmas and Summer!) Happy New Year to all of you! The Wright's!

[benson]

happy wallabong...
...or whatever they call it there. hope you have had a great holday.