Australia was Ausome

We just spent 3 weeks on the east coast of Oz. Two of them driving down in a camper van, from Cairns to Sydney. That's over 3000km, if you are counting. We loved it. Here's pics to prove it.

along the Bronte-to-Bondi beach walk in Sydney:

at the Billabong Sanctuary near Townsville

and in stinger suits, heading out to the Great Barrier Reef (we saw no stingers, phew)

more to come...

We've been quite a busy 4 lately. Since last post, we watched lots of Little League games, went swimming, and Sarah and I started tennis lessons. Alas, a shoulder injury has S on the shelf, but Desi makes for a good hitting partner. I get my exercise, for sure.

NOTE: This post was started in June, but for some reason I never posted it. Not sure what is up with that. Anyway, it's fall, the boys love their new teachers. Here's the look on Founder's Day, a couple weeks ago:

Spring Break on the beach!

We just got back from Vietnam. I love that place. The boys swam, I ate squid, drank beer and we helped renovate our friend's sand castle after it had a rough night of waves.

Shanghai is warm now, which makes coming home easier. Back to school tomorrow. No comment.

On the train to Mui Ne, some people slept. Not my sons! They saved Hogwarts from...I don't know, trolls or whatever was bothering it, on Lego HP for iPad.

While I've gotcha, here's a recent shot of the whole family in school spirit shirts.

Back to helping Emmett write his 5-book series about yikkits.

We need 2 hands now!

Emmett turned six. So we dressed up as superheroes and did art.

Before and during the party, Desi was quite the helpful big brother. We appreciate that.

Someone else had a birthday, too. So we had sushi downtown to celebrate (after seeing a funny talk by Matt Groening, of Simpsons fame).

More pics soon. Just wanted to get off the snide of no blog posts in March!

2 reasons to celebrate

First of all, happy birthday Janet. Your love, humor and energy light up our world. Here's to 39 more fabulous years! The boys and I are filming a video for you--check back here within a day to see it.

Second, I am proud to note that 20 years ago this week, Sarah and I laid eyes on each other for the first time. For me, it has been true love ever since.

For her, not so much. Apparently it took time for me to grow on her.

I found an old photo of us (circa March 1992) and scanned it, but now it appears the Great Firewall is hassling me. I'll try again later.

Let love rule!

Life is good (enough), can't wait for spring!

Weather here blows. Maybe you will read this and say "Yeah it does." In which case, you are right.

Or maybe you'll read this and feel jealous of Shanghai's temperate winters. In which case, I feel very sorry for you.

On an unrelated note...One staple of every English-native foreigner's blog about China is wacky Engrish signs. On this important subject, I have been remiss lately, so here's my attempt to catch up.

photo credit: Sarah Pearlz

Pick up the poop, I guess?

And please nobody panic and call Child Protective Services, but here is Emmett when he joined Desi for a little slow-motion boxing at the end of D's wu shu class.

video to follow soon.

UPDATE:

Speaking of soon, got some birthdays coming up. One of us will be 6. Another will be one year wiser and more beautiful. Emmett wants a superhero party. Sarah has not yet declared her wishes.

Take care, y'all.

Somebody just learned how to read