Big news in the Hindmarsh household at the moment, as not only is Bonnie due to deliver our third child in a few weeks time, but we are also engaged.

Yep, I finally popped the question over summer and we are looking to tie the knot sometime this year. Although I can’t believe the cost of weddings!

I’m pretty sure Bonnie just wants to have our third child as soon as possible as the hot conditions are not that easy to deal with when you’re pregnant.

We still don’t know if it will be a boy or a girl, so we’re in for a welcome surprise. As I have said before I would like another boy, because I have figured out to handle them, plus if we have a girl then when she reaches 16 or 17 I’ll have to put locks on the doors.

At least that’s what we keep telling Luke Burt that he will be doing in ten years time with his daughter, although I doubt he will.

The holiday season was a great time to be around as we had the whole family at ours for Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone together and all the kids running round with their presents.

Everyone was there except for my brother Ian who had to spend his time on the farm milking cows.

Bonnie and I spent New Years at Port Douglas where my brother-in-law had his wedding. I take my hat off to him for incorporating a sunny holiday with a wedding. I got some golf in while I was there, but still don’t think I’ll be turning pro when my league days are over.

Archie has developed into a bit of a soccer fan. While I can’t stand watching it on the TV I don’t mind a bit of a kick around with him in the backyard goals and I don’t mind what my kids play as long as they give their sport a bit of a crack.

Archie also celebrated his 3rd birthday on January 11 in a low key affair for him, but a good time was had by all.

I had my first full day of training with the boys today as I have been rehabbing my foot. It’s good to be back, although it was pretty hot out there and the heat, combined with the length and intensity of the sessions, is really hurting.

I would say this has been the hardest pre-season I have had in five years, but if it gets us into premiership contention I won’t mind at all.

A lot of the boys have lost a bit of weight over the off-season and are looking lean and mean this year. Even Fuifui Moimoi is looking lean since returning 10 days late from “flood stricken” Tonga.

Fui was sheepish to say the least when he rocked up to training this morning and he is usually pretty chatty. Maybe he has gone back to the ‘I don’t speak English’ mantra of a few years ago.

While all the boys have looked impressive at training I am tipping young front-rower Jeremy Latimore to be the one to look out for in 2009. He has some serious talent and I reckon he could be the best up and comer in the squad.

Kevin Kingston has also impressed since coming across from the Sharks.

Luke Burt has regained some form in training and is looking good with the ball in his hands and Ben Smith looks fitter than he has ever been. I’d describe him as a ‘big beach house on stilts.’

The board has also undergone a change at the club, but to be honest I haven’t thought about that much, if at all. They all came down to training the other day to say hello, which was a nice gesture even though I have known all the guys for a while.

Perhaps the funniest part of the entire saga was the Guru, Eric Grothe, coming to training reminding us to vote for his old man every day for a few weeks. Guess the badgering, I mean ‘how to vote’ lesson paid off.

As for Guru he is training well and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make a return to the top grade in 2009.

Hindy