Highlights from Christmas continued

Grandma's house is perfect for riding bikes and after spending a few days on a running bike, Kate learnt to ride a bike without training wheels.

This was a big achievement for her and she was very proud of herself.The running bike was a hit with all the kids even though it took some getting used to.

Lachie stuck with Grandma's cool motor bike.

The esplanade in Palmerston North was a still favourite place to visit. Everybody loves the park, pool and train that are there.

We also took Grandma, and went to Taupo to visit with Aunty Faith, Uncle Hamish, James and Bruce. Taupo was a fanastic place to visit! The weather was stunning and the kids had their first swim in the lake. It was very refreshing! Lachie lasted the longest out in the deep.

What an adventure.

The AC baths were another big highlight. This is Kate whizzing down the grass water slide. Daddy and Uncle Hamish had a lot of fun on this too!

We had lovely picnic dinners outside our motel in the shade (it was far hotter inside).

The park in Taupo had something for everyone.

This is lovely smiley wee Bruce.

Sam and Kate particularly loved this enormous spiders web.

Both of them made it to the top sitting perch.

James and Kate enjoyed their hot chocolates at a cafe.

Back in Hawera, there were lots more adventures to be had.

We had a trip to Opunake beach although the highlight was definitly the pool and playground to be found there, rather than the sand and surf.

Bradley, Jack, Kate and Sam climbed to the top of the Hawera Water tower.

Lachie and Mum watched from below.

And Kate, Bradley, Tom, Uncle Si and Grandad climbed the mountain to Wilkies Pools. What a cool experience that was and it was definitley a highlight of Kate's christmas adventures.

Highlights from Christmas

Kate's first tooth fell out on the 17th December. It was VERY exciting! Even though Dad accidentally put it down the sink, a tiny part of it was rescued from the U bend and the tooth fairy still came. We left a note explaining about the accident for the fairy and she wrote back to Kate in teeny tiny writing with fairy dust all around it.

The kids decorated Nana and Grandad's beautiful christmas tree!

Lachie got a wiggles sleeping bag for christmas. Once he had opened this present, he wasn't interested in any further unwrapping and snuggled down on the floor with his two favourite things, his dog 'Woo woo' and his 'hop hop' dvd (which is Kate's Peter Rabbit ballet concert recording).

We stayed with Uncle David, Aunty Jaime and gorgeous wee Connor in Wellington! This was a lot of fun. We especially enjoyed our trip to Te Papa.

We had a lovely time staying with Grandma in Palmerston North too.

The Christmas Tree,A Train Trip and Some Baby Bunnies

Putting up the christmas tree was a lot of fun this year. We are very lucky because Nana and Grandad are getting a real christmas tree for us to decorate when we arrive in Hawera too! Hooray!

Sammy had the time of his life riding on this train with the kids from Playcentre.

This is Mr Hall. He built the train, carriages and track all by himself and in his retirement, occasionally allows groups of people to visit. He has taught his Grandson how to drive and help out.

Sammy started off sitting toward the back of the carriage but by the third time around the circuit, he had managed to get right up behind the driver. Mr Hall noticed his enthusiasm and gave Sam the opportunity to sit right besdide the driver! Sammy put coal in the coal box and blew the whistle too. Wow!

Kate had her first Ballet concert on Saturday. She and her classmates were Baby Bunnies in the tale of Peter Rabbit. It was an amazing exerience for her! The boys were enthralled watching the show, which involved the whole dance school, jazz and ballet girls from 3 to 18. Lachie was quite upset when Mr McGregor sprang after Peter Rabbit into the wings and he called out "Uh oh, Hop Hop, Uh Oh!!"

School Disco and Mischeivous Boys

On Thursday night we all headed off to Kate's school disco, we tried to take some photos of all of the kids together before we left...

When Mummy turned around from the sink, she found 2 boys perched on the end of the bench watching her. The wee rascals.

The Kitchen

Just a couple of pics of the new kitchen (walls and foor to come). Lachie and Kate are sitting in one of the cupboards before the shelves were put in.

Great Friends!

We have been able to spend our school holidays with some of our very best friends. Paula, Mat, Jessica and Zach came to say visit from Wellington and Aunty Sarah, Mackenzie and Alex came to stay from Hamilton. Everybody got along really well. It is very quiet at our place now and we miss everyone a lot.

Kate and Mackenzie having some quiet time together.
Lachie (20months) Zach (2years 9months), Sam (3years 7months), Jessica (4years 9months), Mackenzie (4years 3months), Alex (1year 3 months), Kate (5years 2months).

The Mums.

Good friends.

The big girls.

Alex loved living on a farm. Here he is with his favourite toys, the lambs and the tractor!

Milo and Pyjama got lots of love from everyone.