Wet & Wild August; End of Soccer

This August has been extremely wet and cold.  Meterologists confirmed Sydney had it's wettest and cloudiest August since 1998.  The last 30 days have been the wettest in a long time.  Usually winter is dry and sunny, so this weather is extreme.

The ocean has been very rough and stormy, making for dramatic views.   On the day I took these photos, Dave and I were on our walk on the beach in the sun.  The rain clouds moved inland and we were drenched before we arrived home.

Rain falling over the ocean 

Dramatic rain clouds over rough sea

Blue skies with cloud cover overhead

Because of the big storms, the tidal lines along the beach have been especially heavy with washed up sea life, including these bluebottle (Portuguese Man of War) jellyfish.  

Neo's team with Coach at Soccer Gala day

 Zoe and Neo's soccer season ran for several months prior to this streak of wet weather.  Fortunately, they were able to complete most of their games.  Zoe's team did remarkably well this season - they made it into the Grand Final.  It was an exciting season.

Zoe played goalie in one of the final games of the season (a first for her)

Zoe's soccer team took 2nd place in the Grand Finals for U11s

Christmas Eve Ice

It snowed yesterday and overnight. The rain began this morning. It was freezing rain at first, then changing over to rain as the temperatures rose. The forecast is for more rain into the night then changing back to snow as the temperatures fall below freezing again. What a mess things will be on Christmas day!

Our neighbor was on his roof removing snow!



Neo and Tristan used the new snow to build snow folk.


I must be distracted by the ice and snow this year because I forgot about my appointment for one of my favorite events of the year: the Christmas Eve American red Cross blood drive at the Alliant Energy center. There is music, Santa, a festive atmosphere. Really a wonderful event - and I missed it.

While Neo was outside in the morning, he was waving a stick around. A piece of ice and the stick caught him in the eye. After Christmas Eve church service at Blackhawk church, I took him to the Urgent Care. He explained to the doctor what happened. He was very brave while they looked for any foreign matter. But he began to cry about 1/2 way through the eye irrigation procedure. What a way to spend Christmas Eve.

I think I hear Santa arrive about 11pm. Norad Santa watch confirms that.