The most wonderful time of the year

All of a sudden it’s December and Christmas is coming up fast. The other day mom called me to ask what my gift plans were and my reply was “uhhh, I haven’t thought about it yet…” which of course, is kind of dangerous since it’s already December 7th. Which means there are only 17 shopping days left before the big day.

Unfortunately, shopping is not high on my priority list right now, that spot belongs to school because there are only 10 days until my last final exam is done for this semester. Yikes! I’ve got a couple of papers and projects to finish or get close to finished this week alone (of course, this means that I just had to get online right away and update our family blog with a Christmas theme!). Dale, I’m sure, has an equally large workload as he finishes out the semester. John, Christopher and Jennifer…well, I’m sure they are very pleased to not be dealing with the pressures of college yet. Speaking of the rest of the family, how about a quick update from the last month or so? In handy bullet point fashion:

  • John and Christopher’s competitive soccer teams won First Place in each of their respective age groups! It was an exciting season that went all the way down to the wire, both of the boys’ last games were must-win, and they did!!
  • Jennifer is currently on the soccer All-Star team for her age group. The All-Star tournament is this coming Saturday. She also has a dance recital coming up in a couple of weeks.
  • John just had his birthday, he’s 17 now!
  • Christopher also had his birthday (on Thanksgiving day) and is now 15!
  • Dale is back for his second season coaching the local high school’s freshman boys soccer team.
  • Melodie is working hard at the radio station and at school and work. Nothing terribly interesting here.
  • Last night the whole family drove up to Los Angeles to visit Melodie (aka me) and attend the premiere of Deuce, a short film she worked on over spring and summer this year. You can watch the trailer below.

Quick update

Well its starting to get hot around here which means that its summer time! well, in a few weeks. Christopher just had his first soccer tournament, his team got second place. Christopher and John also have summer camp for Boy Scouts at Catalina Island, which is just off the shore of California, and they will be gone for one week. Dale is enjoying summer vacation with Melodie. Jennifer is just playing around with friends.

Its Almost Summer!

Hi all, well Dale is back from rugby playoffs in Texas, and he lost his first game 18 to 17. So his team is out of the championships. He played a second game and his team lost that game as well. As well as I did not make the u17 regional rugby team, but that’s fine I’m only 14 and gives me two more years to try to get on the team.

In other news, It is almost summer, which means SCHOOLS OUT in a few weeks, I can smell the freedom, and soccer season is going to start very soon for John and I. I’am also taking a soccer referee course which means that I can referee soccer games and make money while having fun. Our garden is beautiful thanks to our mum. She’s got fruit trees, strawberries, blueberries and many other things. Jennifer’s leg is almost fully recovered and she is participating in dance class and just running around with the animals.

Any way that’s all I have time for, Until Next Time.

Playoffs and stuff…

Sorry for not blogging lately, it’s not that nothing has been happening, just that so much has been happening. Well, a few weeks ago Dale won his first rugby playoff game in L.A. The score was 31 to 28 North County Gurkhas. Dale played at wing(#14) and played very well. Dale’s next playoff game is in Texas, which he will be leaving for tomorrow (Friday)morning at 7:20 am. Hopefully, I can get dale to blog while he is in Texas, most likely he will not, but I will do my best to try.

Well, John and I(Christopher) had rugby playoffs last week at San Luis Obispo, which is about Five hours drive. John played at fullback which he is getting better and better, but John’s first game was against the winner of last year, and well his team lost. As for his second game his team lost 10 to 5, it was a alright game and sand lose for his team which would have put them is 3rd place. As for me, my team won its first game at which I played fly half the first half. The second game for my team was against a team that had a undefeated season, and well we lost but I had allot of fun playing fly half for the second half. Also wile we were there, John and I got invitations to go and try out for the under 17 Griffins rugby team. which is a regional team for California. So this Saturday I will be in L.A. trying out for a regional rugby team.

Theme Parks and Sports…

Well, our family just got back from Disneyland a few days ago. It was a blast, we stayed for the fireworks and left about eleven thirty. As you probably know, Jennifer broke her leg a few months ago, so she needed a wheel chair when we went to Disneyland. Well, it turns out that when you have a wheel chair with you, you can skip almost all line, which means no waiting in line for an hour like other people have to do, so that was very nice.

This week are rugby club has pictures and Johns team has a game, but my team does not have a game and I don’t known why. Dale also has a game after Johns game and will most likely be playing wing or out side center. John also has a soccer game this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. John and I have State Cup which is a soccer tournament next week, and I will be missing my rugby game that week end, which will be very sad for me, because my team is very close to getting into the playoffs.

Rugby Saturday

Well, today Dale John and I had rugby games. I played first and I was playing flyhalf, a position that I have not played before, but was eager to try it. I learned that it is not a position for me!

John played fullback and scoring allot of points off of place kicking. He is also becoming a great open field tackler, and does very well under presser with the ball.

Dale played wing(#14) and scored two tries, but on the inside of at #13 is a cook island Maori, His name is Matt Malloney and he is from Rorotanga, but was living in New Zealand and came over here to visit or something like that. So we are going to try to have Matt over for feast before he goes home, which will be in a couple of weeks.

I will try to post soon!

Rugby in San Diego…

I think I forgot to write about the Sevens tournament in San Diego. Of course New Zealand won against South Africa 27 – 12. I think the score speaks for itself. South Africa came out strong, but in the second half it was a bit sad after South Africa got a yellow card. We stayed for the end of the game and for the trophy ceremony. But back to us, Dale is a utility back for his rugby team, usually playing fullback, but he would like to play 1st 5/8 or midfield. John is playing Fullback and is the kicker for his team. As for me, I’m playing Tight Head Prop and I am the kicker for my team(what, a prop kicking?!).

Any way thats about it. I will blog as soon as I have something to blog about(which should be soon)

Cheers, Christopher

It’s Been a While… Part 2

Hi all,

This is Christopher, and I wanted to update the website. Melodie is at school in Los Angeles (Biola University) and visits us occasionally on weekends. She was accepted last fall into Biola’s film program and is now a film major. She is also the general manager for Biola radio. Dale, he still going to Palomar collage, and is also playing rugby for the North County Gurkhas. (you can visit the website here) Dale just finished coaching the freshmen soccer team at Valley Center High School and is now coaching for the middle school 8th grade soccer team. John, is playing rugby and soccer. He has earned the rank of Eagle Scout in boy scouts and is now driving. As for me, I am playing rugby and soccer. I’m also trying to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Jennifer of all people broke her leg the day after her birthday while riding her scooter, but she is doing well and has a re-movabl cast for her leg. Dad(George) is the coach for my rugby team and shifting his business focus to drafting. As for mom she is still teaching us at home, milking her goats, tending her chickens and garden.

We’re fine…

Hey there,

I just wanted to leave a note for any family overseas that has heard about the wildfires in San Diego and is checking to see how we are. We are fine, prepared to evacuate should the fire come close enough, but as of this moment, we are all good. Of course, I am not with the rest of the family but at school up in Los Angeles.

 As always, you can email us if you want to chat: family@turori.com

It’s been a while…

I don’t know if I ever told you, but I am a terrible blogger. Or at least I was during the last couple of years because I was always so darn busy with school. Add in to the equation that I never seemed to remember that I needed to write a post until I was in my car, half way to wherever I was going, without internet access and enough time to forget all about blogging by the time I reached a computer. Yes folks, that is the only excuse I have. I’m glad to say that is no longer the case, I now have free time (what a luxury!) and will be writing on a more regular basis – like, at least once a month.

I think it’s only fair for this post to be a big “catch-you-up” one, where I briefly go over the life activities of each Turori family member since, oh, last July. In the interest of displaying no favoritism, we shall go in order from oldest to youngest (parents included!)

Mom – Suzye continues to homeschool the three youngest, while running the household and making sure everyone

Dad – George has been working on jobs around our house for the last couple of months.

Melodie – I’ve “moved” to Los Angeles county to finish my Bachelor’s in Arts degree at Biola University. It’s very strange to be living 1.5 hours away from home with a person I’d never met prior to coming here. Despite the difficulties, it’s been a good experience overall, and I manage to head down the highway to see family and friends every other weekend (or more often!).

Dale – Dale is in his second semester of full time college, he’s given up on gridiron football and taken up rugby with a local men’s team. To say Dale loves playing rugby may a bit of an understatement. He talks about the sport constantly with the boys and dad, and mopes when he gets a little injury that keeps him from playing. Life is good when you’re playing rugby.

John – John is the same old John. Though quiet and unassuming, he loves to rock out on the drums – much to the dismay of everyone else’s ears. John is playing rugby on an Under-19 boys (men’s?) team. He’s also just started practice with his soccer team for the upcoming State Cup tournament, all while maintaining a presence at Boy Scouts and karate. I tell you, nobody is busier than this kid right now.

Christopher – The rugby bug has also bitten Christopher, who is playing for an Under-14 boys team called the Bar-Bear-ians. In addition, Christopher takes guitar lessons once a week, and is currently teaching himself to play banjo and harmonica. He would like to learn the bagpipes, but thus far those plans haven’t quite worked out.

Jennifer – Cute as a button, bright and bubbly – that’s our Jennifer. She has enjoyed moving into Melodie’s room now that Melodie is mostly living in L.A., and goes to ballet lessons once a week. She plays with neighborhood friends, and works on her school with mom. Ah, to be nine years old again!

Well, that’s the short version of the update folks. Pictures will be updated soon (you can already see some photos of the apartment I live in!) and I think Dale wants to write about his passion for rugby, and his efforts to organize touch games with the local Boy Scout kids.

Don’t forget, you can email us: familyATturori.com. 🙂