Marrieds Vs Single

 Last year my brother in-law set up a tradition that all the men in the stake would have a rugby game.  He made it YSA VS Married.  Now last year we got a bit of a scare at the start but comfortably won in the end and these pictures were from that game.  However yesterday was not the same story.  The YSA came out firing and scored the first points.  We knew they meant business.  We were winning at one stage 17-19 but that YSA just kept firing.  The were up at one stage by 10 points with 10mins.  I used my motivation from the relentless cleaning that I had done that week and put it in my playing ability.  We were about 5 meters from the try line they ball starts to be passed my way.  One person receives it and draws in a man then passes to me.  I weigh up my options and print for the corner.  After doing a spectacular dive I put the ball down that brings us 5 points down.  I called it the 'motivational try', because it gave everyone the belief we could win it.  So by this time the time is winding down, we are exhausted and we are about 20m away from the try line, and we make a break and score the winning try and make it a draw, it was all up to the final kick.  We gave the responsibility to our bishop who was leaving to kick the winning goal, we knew time was up and before he kicked it we wanted us all to start cheering.  As we started the chant he boots it right between the posts and wins us the game.  We put the win down to our mental toughness because of the experience marriage brings and also to our wives for giving us our pass for the afternoon.  It was a game to be remembered.

Rugby World Cup Champions!

Well, that was one of the most intense games I have seen in awhile.  It was an awesome moment watching them grind it out for the last 5mins to beat the french.  I  don't want to say much but it was a proud moment of mine.  Proud to be a New Zealand and proud of the boys who won the cup.  Here are some pictures of the Parade.

No your Dad is a clown!

Let me tell you a story.  As a family we decided to go down and see all the RWC activities down at the water front in Auckland City.  We came across a balloon maker and Jessie insisted I lined up to get one for Gracie.  I waited patiently until it was my turn and asked the girl "So did you have to go to school to learn this or watch youtube?"  She said "a DVD actually".  I responded "Was it hard?" She replied "nah quite easy".  I thought to myself "hold up a second, I have the potential to be the coolest Dad on the block?"  So I did it.  Mum got me Balloons and off I went.  Now Gracie got a flower so I thought I would start there.  Then I thought to myself "Ohhh a Sword would be cool".  Then I got the comment "Oh you will never be a real Balloonist until you can make a dog".  I said to myself "I'll show you a Balloonist!"  So there ya have it.  I am really happy with myself to be honest.  I can hear the stories now "So what does you daddy do Gracie?"  "He can create anything you want out a Balloon"  "Wow can I be your friend cos your Daddy is the coolest Dad I know".  Even when its her Birthday I'll be making Balloons like there is no tomorrow.