Catching Up/Dates

Other than the Weird Japanese Thingy post - which turned out to be some really tasty, not in the least bit scary chewing gum, btw - and the occasional Tweet, I've been a bit remiss in providing updates in the past few weeks.

So, in an effort to try and make up for it a little I figured I would lump a bunch of stuff together in this one post.

First off, I am pleased to share that Neil is now the Head Physio of Derby County Football Club. And, while he looks a little uncomfortable in this official team photo, I hear that he is thoroughly enjoying the new role and the challenges that come with it - even though it meant that his usual longer summer holiday is shorter this year as he and the team gear up for a big 2010/11 season.

Paul and Steph have just bought their first house together and are in the middle of the renovation process. I don't have any pictures to share as yet but I'm hoping that this post will motivate them to send us some of the work in progress. I was very happy to learn that he followed in his big brother's steps and got his priorities straight by buying a home theatre system early on in the process. As I always say - you've got to have some tunes playing to motivate everyone to do all the hard work. ;)

Nick has not only switched jobs but has taken on the creation of a kids football school program that he and Kate will be running in their spare time.

Work continues on our back yard - with decking, rocks and tiling now in place around the pool. We're just waiting to see if it's really going to rain this week or not before the interior surface and all the machinery is installed and plumbed.

Once that is all done the rest of the landscaping can commence. We'll be doing that in phases as, with a fairly large backyard, it's expensive. The area around the pool will be getting first dibs on the budget allocation and then we'll expand east from there.

And last, but by no means least, I am pleased to share with you all the video of M singing a song in Japanese at Tsugumi and Nathan's wedding in Toronto a few weeks ago. In case you're wondering how such a thing could happen - the arrangement was that every time we wanted the couple to kiss we had to nominate people from our table to go up and sing a song that included the word love in either English or Japanese. With a couple of the other ladies on our table being Japanese they chose the latter and M - emboldened by a couple of glasses of wine and a generously poured gin & tonic - agreed to join in (dance moves and all).

And with that special treat I will sign off for now. There's quite alot going in UlloaSullivan land over the next few weeks and we'll be sure to keep you posted as it pans out so keep checking back often.