Kia Ora!
Happy New Year!
May 2014 be a bounty for us all!
Sometimes things happen so fast around here it is hard to keep the blogging up, so I will resign to let the photos say a thousand words-with maybe a caption comment or two from yours truly.
As previously remarked, Xmas in Summer is such a plus, warm weather, low key, flowers blooming, even Santa found us here much to everyone's surprise! The arrival of AW on Christmas Eve was a huge plus as then things felt a bit more complete, and the fun could be begin in earnest!
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| Hydrangeas-my favorite flower that blooms everywhere here! |
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| Our version of Christmas tree this year, more of an essence of tree, leaving plenty of room for presents! Maggie and I even made our own hula hoops! |
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| Happy Noah with new tea mug! |
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| Happy Jack with new hoody from AW and boys! |
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| The lovely little darlings! |
We spent the morning hanging out at home, watching the rain fall, waiting until we could load up for the rest of the day at our friends' house. Santi Lala, my colleague from work, and her family-husband Laurie Jones, sons Hemi (17) and Jaz (14) and daughter Aneka (18) who has been sitting for Maggie this past month since Lina left. They live a bit out of town on a section on the water in a home that Laurie built, so cool, and time seems to slow down out there. They have horses, boats, and many motorized toys. We joined them for the Xmas feast!
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| Here is beautiful Aneka and her Auntie in the kitchen |
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| This is the family bus they travel around the country in. Laurie used to lead groups of Americans touring in it |
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| Here is Jaz, the boys' new BFF, who greeted us as we drove up by pelting us with water balloons. Soon we were all chasing after each other with water guns, balloons and then hoses and then into the pool! |
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Here is exterior of their home, lots of windows/doors opening up to the outside, just so cozy and cool!
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| Here is some of the feast which included Ham, Roast beef, Salmon caught on holiday and then smoked on sight, lamb curry, prawns, pork loin, potatoes, salads, roasted veggies-ridiculous amounts! |
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| Happy diners! |
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| Before we knew it, Santa joined the crowd and was passing out gifts to all! |
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| Then it was time to test out the new boat, recently purchased for fishing, but good for other more adrenaline laden uses as well. |
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| Maggie befriended Pup who joined her in digging holes on the beach. |
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| And it wouldn't be a day at the Lala/Jones' without some time on the motorized vehicles!! Noah managed to run through a cow patty at one point and get sprayed with cow poop! |
Boxing day, the 26th, a national holiday here as well, saw me off of work, the arrival of Ed who was here to take the kids traveling for a couple weeks, and some amazing shopping deals to be had! First the boys had to get in one last row before their trip away. Looking good, though what you don't see is them dripping wet at the end of this row after tipping the boat over when they lost their balance. Gets tricky out there, esp when cooperating and working WITH your twin brother is not really your forte.
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| Out for dinner with Ed and the entire family before they left for South Island. |
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| Who can resist a sweet moment climbing a tree?! |
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