WINTER AND SUMMER IN ONE WEEK

I have been a busy girl this week. Mum, Dad and I all went to Bradley's birthday party last weekend which was lots of fun. Bradley is 1 year old. He is the coolest - I watch him closely to see what tricks I can learn from.

The cows have been in the paddock this week and Dad took me to see them. They came up to the fence to see me - Dad says they are heifers and young like me so that's why they're so nosy. They're really funny! It was cold outside and I had to wear a hat to keep warm.

The next day it was so hot, I didn't need a hat and my cat Jessie had to find places to sleep that were nice and cool. We found her sprawled out in MY BED! Jess didn't think staying in there when I hopped in was any fun though and went to play with mum instead. Sometimes Jess sits at the end of my bed when i'm asleep to keep me safe - she keeps a long way away from me though - I guess i'm a bit too wiggly and jiggly for her.

Today Dad and I had our lunch together. Mum and Dad don't have chairs like me but Dad told me he thinks that maybe mum should!!

DAD'S BABY PATCH

Won't Great Grandad Sid be proud. Dad is growing lettuce's, potatoes, tomatoes, silverbeet, pumpkin, cucumber... and Kate. So far he is very successful! All of these things are growing very fast!

Aunty Sarah sent us a phone pic of her cool new garden boxes. She has also been busy growing lots of vegetables ... and a baby too. We can't wait to meet their little one in June.

HOT HOT HOT

It is HOT, HOT, HOT in Vegas these days, so we're back in the paddling pool when we get the chance. Not as hot as our 'Great' Uncles and Aunties and cousins are in Sydney and Perth tho! They need a nice deep paddling pool each.

AT HOME WITH KATE

Aunty Susan and Kate after lunch.












Baby Push Ups










Mum and Kate at home

FUN IN THE SUN

Today Kate tested out her Christmas paddling pool for the first time! She had lots of fun splashing Mum and catching the toy fish. Jessie the cat really wanted to join in the fun but had to be content with watching from the safety of the umbrella table. Kate also loves her new beach towel and had great fun rolling around in it afterwards.

Kate at 6 months

CHRISTMAS

Kate's first Christmas has been a wonderful relaxing time for us all. Nana and Grandad arrived in Rotorua for Christmas Eve and Kate got her first Christmas present then because Nana couldn't wait any longer. Nana, Mum and Kate had a wonderful time rolling the new drum to each other.
Kate opened her christmas stocking with Dad while we waited for Bradley and Aunty Susan to arrive. She got a new rattle and cuddly toy for her cot, which she seemed very happy about.

When everybody was together we all had lots of fun watching the kids - big and small - ripping open their Christmas presents and playing with their surprises. Later that day we all headed back to Tokoroa to see Uncle Simon when he had woken from his big sleep after night shift. A wonderful day was had by all.












On Boxing day we headed to Palmerston North to celebrate Christmas with Grandma, Great Gran and Great Sid and all Kate's other Uncles and Aunties (except for Uncle David and Aunty Jamie who are in Ireland and Aunty Faith who was in Tokoroa - lots of love to all of them). On the way we stopped at Turangi for a picnic on the grass. Kate is getting very clever at sitting up all by herself.

We had a lovely relaxing holiday, both in Palmerston North and then in Hawera with Nana and Grandad. We also got to see Kate's Great Nana in Hawera and to visit Aunty Paula and Uncle Mat in Wellington with their 7 week old beautiful baby girl Jessica. Kate had lots of smiles for Jessica and even tried to 'pat' her.

Then it was back to our own home and to welcome Jess home from the Cattery. It is nice to be in our own beds again but we're looking forward to seeing everybody again in February.