30. July 2022 17:12
by Rene Pallesen
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This year we took the boys skiing for the first time. They had been practicing their roller blades at home to get used to the motion, so it was a bit easier to get them started on the snow. It was the first time for the boys to see real snow.
We went with another family and stayed at Thredbo.
It also happened to be on my fiftieth.
13. July 2022 15:07
by Rene Pallesen
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In mid July the instructors of the Sydney dojo planned to visit the Brisbane dojo. They encouraged me to come along as I will be up for the next big grading soon and it would be a great introduction to some of the best instructors and karateka's in the country.
I also found the official lineage of our style listed on one of the boards.
We just finished another grading as a family. This time the boys and Kim graded to their first brown belts and I graded to my third brown belt.
We were supposed to have graded about a month ago, but because of Kims dad's funeral we had to postpone it for a month.
It therefore turned out to be just a mini grading with just the four of us as a family.
Now it will be quite a while before any of us are grading again. The boys need to get a fair bit stronger before grading for the next belt based on the feedback. I will need to start working towards the black, so Kim will probably be the next one grading towards the end of the year.
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25. April 2022 20:04
by Rene Pallesen
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The boys putting up the tent.
Our campground from across the lake.
Teaching the boys to fish (only caught seaweed).
The kids spent hours climbing up and down this little hill.
Lots of brains trying to put up a gazebo. Eventually we had to consult the instructions.
Sunset scenery
It was raining so we gathered under the canopy.
Lots of curious ducks (waiting to be fed).
Spotted a 2016 vintage from Coonawarra...had to try it.
Scenery from our camp ground.
Great selfie with Lucas and I.
More spectacular scenery.
Cuties in the hammock.
I have seen steam tractors in museums before, but this is the first time I have seen one that is still functioning. This one is from 1913.
One day we went mushroom picking. These ones you definitely can't eat.
And these ones you can.
First time I have seen a Leopard Slug.
A pretty good picking...
The kids found a bird skeleton. It could be a dead lyrebird, or maybe a dodo.
20. April 2022 14:04
by Rene Pallesen
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While at Warilla Beach we one day did a walk at the Macquarie Pass National park. This was an easy walk with the reward of a waterfall at the end of the walk.
20. April 2022 14:04
by Rene Pallesen
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Here are some various photos from first part of 2022.
Here is one of Aiden in his happy space at the Piano and Guitar.
At Cabramatta we sat down having an asian drink. It looked so much like one of the birds from Angry bird that I just had to get a photo. See the resemblance?
This is a Lego truck that Lucas built.
At karate Aiden is sometimes asked to teach the newbies. It is great to see how it gives him confidence.
Aiden went to a birthday party with a Virtual Reality experience...a bit scary for him.
The local corner shop was refitted for a TV show.
Easter egg loot.
What do the boys get up to in their room sometimes???
Family photo at QVB
Having desserts in the city
A seal resting on the rocks at the opera house.
20. April 2022 13:04
by Rene Pallesen
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One one of our trips down south we visited the Nan Tien temple south of Sydney.
It is a Chinese Buddhist temple that is worth a relaxing visit for anyone with some time.
20. April 2022 13:04
by Rene Pallesen
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During the Christmas holidays we rented a place at Warilla Beach a couple of hours south of Sydney.
We discovered that the beach has pipies in the sand, so every day we made sure that we harvested a plate full of them for dinner.
We brought Aidens new guitar, so that he was able to practice his music while enjoying the scenery.
The kids also attended online drawing lessons.
It was a beautiful spot to sit on the balcony, enjoy the view and have some great food (including fresh pipies).
One day we also visited the Jambaroo Water park. This was a disappointment with long queues at every ride and Aiden was too scared to do any rides so it was a bit of a miserable day.
13. April 2022 10:04
by Rene Pallesen
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Last weekend it was Ethans 21st Birthday. He had a bit party with the whole family and his friends.
They had arranged for catering with lots of Cambodian, Laotian and other asian foods.
5. April 2022 19:04
by Rene Pallesen
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Kims dad passed away 92 years old. He will be greatly missed by his daughters, grandchildren, grandsons and friends.
It was a beautiful funeral following chinese traditions with wearing white clothes to celebrate a long life.
Aiden played a beautiful song on the piano in front of everyone and we had put together slides showing his life.
Day after we did the traditional cleaning of the tomb stone and also the burning of paper clothes and money (theory is that it will then go to the afterlife for him to wear).
I hope that the boys are old enough to remember their time with him.
Even though his old body was failing him, his mind was still sharp enough to play Mahjong and other games with us. These photos are from our last trip with him down to Bowral.