It's been a LONG TIME!

So back in October, Doug and i briefly talked about how we can get this blog back up and running again...we want to hear from EVERYONE...not just Doug and Chrissy...we want EVERYONE to comment, Not just Doug, Chrissy and Malia...laugh.  If you know someone that is not on this blog...invite them...we want this to be a family thing...

The night of Uncle Craig's burial, i found a piece of paper on the table at Aunty Paula's.  Daniel had written a memory he had of uncle Craig.  At the bottom of the paper he wrote something along the lines of...that's my story...add yours next...i wanted to add to one, but...it got passed around, and got lost i guess...plus it was only a piece of paper, and wouldn't host nearly enough room for all the stories we have.  So i propose, that as it is the christmas season, and Uncle Craig was a VERY BIG PART OF CHRISTMAS...how bout we pay tribute to him, but sharing our favourite Uncle Craig moment(s). 

I guess i'll start.

I have many Uncle Craig moments...the infamous "Grandma and her twin" toast, being with him at the cafe when he wanted to make chocolate custard, and instead of adding chocolate sauce, he added gravy mix...having him come and stay with us in Auckland for the Christmas holidays.  We always looked forward to that each year...until that ruddy sewing needle came out, which he used to clean mine and my brothers finger nails (remember that boys?).  I could talk all day...most of my stories are funny...as im' sure all of ours are...but i guess today i would like to share a more spiritual experience i had with uncle Craig.

When i went to the Temple for the first time, i had invited family and friends to join me.  I left a message for Uncle Craig...but funnily enough...i never heard back.  Anywho, i went and received my endowments...surrounded by family and friends.  Uncle Craig wasn't there, so i figured he never got the message.  Anywho, the endowment session finished, and i was taken into the Celestial room...the first people i saw...and in order...Mum, Dad, Dillon...i gave my parents a hug...went over to give Dil a hug...and as i looked over his shoulder...Uncle Craig was there in the doorway with a huge smile.  He started to walk over to me...but then motioned that he'd wait...as i was a little emotional and overwhelmed...in a happy way mind you...after i went and talked to him...i told him i thought he never got my message...he said he had, but couldn't get hold of me to tell me he couldn't really do endowment sessions because he found it hard to sit for long periods of time...but he made a special trip up to the Temple to see me and let me know he was proud of my choices that day...and to congratulate me...and let me know...he got the message...bascially....  the Ordinance workers said he could get dressed in his whites and meet me up in the Celestial room...now...that was kind've a hard thing for someone to do back then...they were quite strict about that...but...Uncle Craig always got his way...haha. I really appreciated that.  I never really thought of myself as one of the favourites or special ones in the family (probably cause of my blunt nature...laugh)...but for him to say he made a 'special' trip up just to see me come through to the Celestial room made me feel somewhat of a favourite...hehe.

Fast forward to the day of his death.  Mum and i were in the Temple around about the time of his passing.  Whenever i do an endowment session i ALWAYS think about my wedding day.  That is the memory i have attached to the endowment session...because of the ordinance that takes place in that room before the sealing.  That was my favourite part...and i can think about it for a whole session.  This session was like no other...i began reflecting on my wedding day...when my mind was all of a sudden... cast back to my endowment day...and for some reason...the memory was always of me looking over Dillon's shoulder and seeing uncle Craig.  But the memory was kinda different in the ending...i don't know why...as in real life...uncle Craig began to walk towards me, he stopped as he did.  But instead of just standing and waiting where he was till i had finished debriefing with Dillon...he motioned with a smile..."i'll catch up with you later'...and walked out.  I thought...odd...it didn't happen quite like that...and my mind replayed that moment over and over again...little did i know at that same time, my uncle had infact...walked into the eternities.  Even though i am not a visionary person with a psychic ability...nor do i consider myself more special than anyone else in the family...I like to think that Uncle Craig, once again...made that special trip up to the Celestial room to let me know...he was in the right place...and that he would catch up with me later...in the eternities.

I miss my uncle Craig...i wish that i had've told him i loved him, but i never did...unless i wrote it in a card...i never said it out aloud...i just assumed he knew...i'm sure he did...but i still should of said it...but i've never really been able to express those kind of feelings, cause...well...i've just always found it hard...but contrary to popular belief...my heart is full of more love than the Tin man...laugh.  I love you uncle Craig...have a great well deserving rest...

that was my long experience/memory...what's yours? who's next????

My new photo blog!

If you get time...head on over to my new photoblog...i'm trying to get back into the whole photography buzz...

http://www.chrisdilmakphotoblog.blogspot.com/

Enjoy

Chrissy

ALL BLACKS FOR WORLD CUP

There is no guarantee that the All Blacks will win the World Cup. That much we know. But there are plenty of reasons for New Zealanders to feel confident that the All Blacks can do the business this time. I have joked that we have never lost a World Cup game at home (citing of course our dominant performance in 1987 when no team got within 20 points of us). Joking aside it is fact, and if you look back over the history of the World Cup you can see that the home side have performed better than expected.
The All Blacks managed to put the controversy of the Cavaliers tour to South Africa behind them to dominate the inaugural tournament. In 1991, England made it to the final despite their loss to the All Blacks in pool play, in 1995 South Africa won after a series loss to New Zealand a year prior, in 1999 Wales pushed eventual champions Australia to the brink in the quarterfinal, in 2003 Australia beat an All Black side who had, just months earlier put 50 points on them, and 2007... Well, good ol’ French, the exception to the rule. They lost to Argentina (twice!) and their historic win over the All Blacks took place in Wales. Go figure.

The point is, home field advantage in World Cups, and in most sports for that matter, is indeed an advantage. Unless of course you are the 2007 New York Giants who were 10-1 on the road and 3-5 at home, then they went on to beat a previously unbeaten New England Patriots team on neutral ground in the Super Bowl. But I digress. All the knockout games are at Eden Park, and we haven’t lost there since 1994. Is it any comfort to know that it was France who beat us in 1994, and on a Sunday? Maybe not, forget I said that.

Another reason for my optimism is our depth at the centre position, and the lack of full backs playing at the centre position. In 1999 we never came to grips with the retirement of Frank Bunce so we opted for Christian Cullen (stifling our most devastating full back ever). In 2003 Tana Umaga went down and no faith was shown in our back-ups (Ma’a Nonu and Dan Carter), so Leon McDonald took over, which begs the question: Why were Nonu and Carter selected in the first place? And then in 2007 Mils Muliaina played centre because no confidence was shown in Conrad Smith.

It’s interesting to note that Carter, Nonu and Smith will be key figures in our quest to win the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2011. Heaven forbid if Nonu and/or Smith was to get injured, let’s hope the coaching staff has enough faith in SBW and/or Richard Kahui to slot into the midfield. The last thing I want to see is Israel Dagg running around with a 13 on his back!

The third reason why we can win is because we have an experienced captain. I think Richie McCaw would admit that in 2007 he was still a little green. He opted not to adjust game tactics (i.e. take a drop goal) believing that just keeping ball in hand against the French would eventually pay off. It didn’t help his cause when McCaw stated after the game; “At least we played good rugby.” Taine Randell had difficulty leading a group of experienced players in 1999, and Gary Whetton failed to inspire, and was even outplayed by lock forward Kevin Swords against in a miserable game against the United States in 1991.McCaw is respected by all, he is still playing at a high level, and his experience will prove invaluable.

Finally, an interesting statistic was pointed out to me while watching Reunion (rugby talk show) this week. The winners of the last three World Cups were eliminated in the quarterfinal in the previous World Cup. Here’s what I mean. The 2007 winners (South Africa) lost in the quarter final in 2003. The 2003 winners (England) lost in the quarter final in 1999, and the 1999 winners (Australia) lost in the quarter final in 1995. Trivia question: Name the rugby power which lost in the quarter final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup? No prize for guessing that. I just love those kinds of historical statistics.

There is still quite a bit of negative talk out there about referees, injuries and choking, but I choose to be positive. It probably helps that I haven’t borne the brunt of recent World Cup disappointment due to a mission and living overseas, but I think we should all take this opportunity to support the All Blacks as we host the best sporting event in the world. Goooooooo All Blacks!

SIMPSONS MARATHON

Hear ye, hear ye,

On Friday July 29th at 7pm I will be holding a SIMPSONS MARATHON NIGHT at 3 Goodwin Terrace. We will be watching it on the projector downstairs. I have checked that there are no All Black games on. If you would like to come, please bring something to eat or drink. Doesn't have to be much maybe just a few munchies. I haven't decided which season/s we will watch, but I think it will be somewhere between 4 and 7. There will also be a trivia competition to see how much you know about the Simpsons. The champion will receive the "First Annual Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Simpsons Knowledge." If you dress up as a Simpson character you will receive a prize, otherwise just show up and enjoy the night!!

Douglas.

Any questions email me at elderstrother@yahoo.com or text at 021-032-1813

If you disapprove of the Simpsons, sorry but I can't help you out.

A hilariously horrible photo session with the Cassidy Grandkids!

So, Jaylah was blessed yesterday, and we thought...what a good opportunity to take pics of all the grandkids to date...WHAT A MISSION! all but two of the grandkids cried, screamed, moaned, didn't want to have a photo, didn't want to be next to anyone...and so the story goes on like this....only good old Dazza...a.k.a Darren and Jaylah...would you believe, managed to hold it together the entire time.  It probably didn't help there were 5 adults barking commands at the kids...it certainly didn't help me...the one trying to take the photos...laugh... the group shots were just tragic...haven't managed to upload them yet...but if nothing else...at least their individual shots came out somewhat good.  I thought i would share....them.

Starting at the oldest grandchild and working our way down to the youngest!

Darren

Alec

Danaka

Logan

Naima

Raya

Seddon

Jaylah

And that's all we got...thus far!

Noelani Julliet Lardelli

Well I thought I'd put up a more recent pic of Noelani Julliet Lardelli. I still can't really see any family resemblence and she doesn't look like Sam. Dad reckons she looks like Kaea and Jennae's baby Ashlyn, I can't see it? Her hair is rather light, lightish brown and when it is wet it curls on the end. So I guess we are going to have another curly mop. Tonight when I was straightening my hair Jason said, oh that will be Noelani in a few years time. Well I should be in bed as it is past midnight, but it is too tempting to browse the net while both children are fast asleep.

THANKS!

Aunty Puanani stopped by the other day with a fab prize for guessing (incorrectly) Malia's baby stats. I never win competitions...and even though i kinda won by default...i'm feeling pretty awesome right now...so Thanks heaps.  We definitely look forward to redeeming our prize at Hell's Pizza...which F.Y.I i only tasted for the first time a few nights ago and am now a fan!  On another note, thanks to everyone for the well wishes and to those who have been by to visit our newest edition and also for the lovely goodies...i never thought i'd appreciate nappies so much!