Post-Christmas

We were thrilled that Uncle Stephen, Aunty Elizabeth & cousins Alisdair & Fiona travelled down to spend 5 days with us in Wellington before heading back to Toronto. We had a busy few days - rock climbing, bungy jumping, visiting Staglands Wildlife Park, going up the Cable Car to the Botanical Gardens - and a good ole simple barbeque on the beach one night with a portable barbeque, a slice of bread & a sausage - and then watched the most gorgeous sunset !

Fiona & Josh climbing up the rock wall

Look at that glorious sunset & rainbow - made even the more enjoyable because Josh had his lovely friend Enzo with him! If there is anyone Josh looks up to ..... it is 'his' Enzo!

'Formal' Photo shoot

Grandad kindly organised for a 'professional' photographer to come and take photos of his family to commemorate Grandma's birthday this year. Don't you just love the way a professonal can make us all look so good - love the filters and airbrushing !

Christmas Day

Wow, the day finally arrived. Josh was up super-early and was the first one to run into the lounge to look for his Santa 'sack'. Seeing his excitment truly makes one's heart leap - having a child is the greatest gift, it gives us the chance to yet again view life through the eyes of a child - thank you Josh!
Look, look, look at all the gifts inside my sack Mummy & Daddy !
Are you sure there is nothing left in the sack - I will just double-check!

Look at all the presents - let's start unwrapping before we burst!

Mmm, we know that Daddy has very little hair but do you really think that this wig is going to help him ? What was Santa thinking?

Christmas dinner with all the trimmings !

Christmas would not be the same without Grandma's homemade Christmas Mince Pies - truly divine, thank you Grandma

Christmas Eve

There is always much excitement on Christmas Eve - firstly it is Grandma's birthday and then of course that big fat man in red is due to fly across the sky with Rudolph & the gang and squeeze down the chimney !! Suffice to say Josh was VERY excited !Grandma opening her birthday presents with some help from her grandchildren
Josh taking the lighting of Grandma's birthday candles very seriously!
I hope Santa & his reindeer are VERY hungry this year!

The few days before Christmas

Well, what do you do when you are in Hawkes Bay, bathed in warm sunshine with children - swim in the pool at Capesouth and then go visit Splash Planet .... fun, fun and more fun !













And who says that Daddy can't swim with a broken arm ?







Mummy & Joshie on the bumper boats - see who is driving!













Tarzan Junior!











Josh & Daddy on the jeep - again, note who is at the wheel ?!?











The 2 grandmas simply enjoying watching all the antics !

Uncle Stephen & Daddy playing in the water - I think they are practising weight lifting!

Christmas 2008 - Cape South

Welcome to Cape South ! Grandma & Grandpa managed to discover this most gracious homestead in Havelock North. It offered 6 large bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, outdoor swimming pool (heated), gorgeous front lawn & gardens and stunning coastal and rural views. From an interior design perspective, the house was gorgeous to put it mildly ! Just divine - we thought we had died and gone to heaven, albeit for only 7 days!
Just perfect for the 11 of us - Grandma & Grandpa, us 4 (including 4-legged Hudson), Grandma from Wellington and also Aunty Elizabeth, Uncle Stephen, cousins Alisdair & Fiona from Canada. Sadly Uncle Mark, Aunty Juliet, cousins Olivia & Jack could not make it this year from the UK.