I even took a "Master Barista" course, which was a 5 hour training that also certifies me to work in Australia as a barista. I have no intention of doing that, but I wanted to learn a bit more about how to make decent coffee at home. It's been a lot of fun so far, but I'm definitely still learning.
Monday, June 2, 2008
I've had my new toy for a little over a week now...

I even took a "Master Barista" course, which was a 5 hour training that also certifies me to work in Australia as a barista. I have no intention of doing that, but I wanted to learn a bit more about how to make decent coffee at home. It's been a lot of fun so far, but I'm definitely still learning.
I even took a "Master Barista" course, which was a 5 hour training that also certifies me to work in Australia as a barista. I have no intention of doing that, but I wanted to learn a bit more about how to make decent coffee at home. It's been a lot of fun so far, but I'm definitely still learning.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Day at the Wiggles
A couple of weeks ago, we took the kids to another Wiggles Concert. They had a really good time, as you can see...
Ethan Dancing:
Emily Dancing:
"Wake-up Jeff"
Ethan Dancing:
Emily Dancing:
"Wake-up Jeff"
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Mother's Day Presents
More Pictures
I found several pictures on Sue's computer that I didn't have on flickr yet. I've uploaded them now, so there are so new ones if you haven't checked in a while. You can see them all here, but here's a few of my favorites:


Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day Humor
I stole these from another blog entry I read today. Fortunately, Mom didn't use/say any of these, but it's still some fun for Mother's Day. I've bolded a few of my favorites :-)
(Happy Mother's Day, Mom -- I love you!)
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
# 10 Edited by Chris...
10. Mymother (father) taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until allthat spinach is (of those onion rings are) gone."
Love you Dad! :-)
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
Note from Chris... Now, I do :-)
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"
(Happy Mother's Day, Mom -- I love you!)
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
# 10 Edited by Chris...
10. My
"You'll sit there until all
Love you Dad! :-)
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
Note from Chris... Now, I do :-)
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"
Monday, March 31, 2008
Going to The Wiggles
So far, we've taken the kids to two different big shows: The Wiggles and Nemo on Ice. In the last month, Emily has told us several times "I want to go to a show again!". So, Sue worked hard trying to find a good show/event for the kids, but we weren't able to find anything decent.
Until now! As a proud member of The Wiggles Fan Club, I was one of the first to hear about the upcoming tour to Melbourne and Sydney in May. We called as soon as the tickets were made available (9AM) and the lines were jammed. Then we tried buying tickets online, and on first couple times, it said the seats were no longer available (about 9:05 AM). We quickly tried a few other show times and seat options, and got lucky -- We've got tickets!
Even though Emily has somewhat outgrown the Wiggles, she's so excited to be going to another show. Ethan will absolutely love it, we're sure!
Until now! As a proud member of The Wiggles Fan Club, I was one of the first to hear about the upcoming tour to Melbourne and Sydney in May. We called as soon as the tickets were made available (9AM) and the lines were jammed. Then we tried buying tickets online, and on first couple times, it said the seats were no longer available (about 9:05 AM). We quickly tried a few other show times and seat options, and got lucky -- We've got tickets!
Even though Emily has somewhat outgrown the Wiggles, she's so excited to be going to another show. Ethan will absolutely love it, we're sure!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Emily's School and Artwork
Emily started preschool (called "3 Year Old Kinder" here) in mid-February. She only goes for 2-3 hours, twice a week, but it's been a great experience for her so far.
Originally, we were worried she wouldn't adjust very well, but she has really liked going to school. On her days off, she still asks if she can go to school that day. It's so nice hearing her tell us stories what her and "all my friends" do at school. It's particularly nice, since her main social group is Sue's mother's group and their kids, which are all children Ethan's age. Being the oldest in the group, she's used to being the boss, but she's done very well with kids her age too.
Here is the artwork that she brought home last week:


Originally, we were worried she wouldn't adjust very well, but she has really liked going to school. On her days off, she still asks if she can go to school that day. It's so nice hearing her tell us stories what her and "all my friends" do at school. It's particularly nice, since her main social group is Sue's mother's group and their kids, which are all children Ethan's age. Being the oldest in the group, she's used to being the boss, but she's done very well with kids her age too.
Here is the artwork that she brought home last week:
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Emily Starting Dance Classes
I can't believe how fast Emily seems to be growing up. Sue just enrolled her in dance classes last week. The first visit, Emily was supposed to just watch and see if it was something she might like, but she ran out there and did everything they were doing.
She absolutely loved the whole thing and kept asking us to go back. We had to tell her that she goes back on "Wednesday". So, everyday since then, she tells us "I go to dance on Wedndesday!".
Fortunately, Wednesday came along, and she got to go again... Here she is in her new outfit.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Visit to Cebu
I haven't posted much since my trip to Cebu a few week ago. It was a short trip over a business week, so I didn't get to see much as a tourist. Hopefully, I'll be able to take my family next time and stay a bit longer.
View of the office from my hotel room:

Dinner with some of the team and their wives/family:

Most of the dev & qa team:
View of the office from my hotel room:
Dinner with some of the team and their wives/family:
Most of the dev & qa team:
Friday, February 8, 2008
Chinese New Year
We went to a local event to celebrate the Chinese New Year. They had lots of free activities for the kids, so they had a great time.


Ethan's Shoes
Becky, I had to post this one for you -- in your weblog, you had the post about Bryson wearing your shoes, so here's one with Ethan in Sue's house shoes :-)
Smiling for her picture
Just a short clip where I'm filming, but Emily thinks I'm about to take her picture:
Monday, January 28, 2008
Computer Games
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Australian Open - Day 7
Learning the Alphabet
We started practicing the Alphabet with Emily again:
At the end of the song, I love how Ethan claps for his sister!
At the end of the song, I love how Ethan claps for his sister!
Emily Painting Fireworks
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ethan's Turkey Dance
Sue's father bought a singing & dancing Christmas turkey for the kids last year. It's crazy how much they love this thing. Emily and Ethan both love singing and dancing with it:
I started singing Jingle Bells to Emily a couple times, and she always tells me "that's turkey song!".
I started singing Jingle Bells to Emily a couple times, and she always tells me "that's turkey song!".
Sarah's First Day of Work
Monday, January 21, 2008
Lots of Pictures
I'm trying to catch up on loading all of my pictures to Flickr before I start posting again.
Click here to see what I have so far.
Click here to see what I have so far.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Fun in the Sandbox
Here are some pictures of the kids playing in the sandbox in our backyard. You can see the whole set here.


Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Werribee Zoo - Rhythm of Africa
This Sunday, we took the family to the Werribee Open Range Zoo and met some friends for the Rhythm of Africa night there. We had a great time, and we'll surely go back again. It was especially nice since we were able to go without charge as part of our Friends of the Zoo membership.
Some of my favorite pictures are below, but you can see the whole set here.


Some of my favorite pictures are below, but you can see the whole set here.
New Year's Resolution
This year, part of my New Year's resolution is to create a family weblog and keep it updated regularly.
This one's for you, Mom! :-)
This one's for you, Mom! :-)
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