Labour Weekend Part 1

On Friday morning around 5am Dean had a brainstorm that we pack up the car and hit the road. I was a bit cranky about it at first being a bit tired and all, but luckily I had packed most of our stuff the night before so it didn't take long. We packed the kids in the car in their pj's and got underway, it turned out to be a pretty good idea as there was no traffic on the motorway and we got to the Mount in record time. Dean worked from there for the day, the bonus of his type of work, just set up the laptop and away you go. The kids and I went out visiting and caught up on some sleep in the afternoon.

Saturday we repacked our things into Dads car and headed over to Opotiki. That evening we celebrated my cousin Ari's 21st birthday and engagement announcement. It was great catching up with the whanau.

Smiley Maia with Aunty Connie

Check out the mop on the girl :)

The next Daniel Carter?? He'll win the World Cup for us!!

The kids at play

Nanny Louie with her mokopuna

These two had a good time :)

Where the food is at is where you'll find me - Was a good feed!

Me and my cuzzy Matiu

Lucky she's a cruisy old dog

The happy couple Ari and his fiancee Jess

Labour Weekend part 2

On Sunday we headed up the Coast to Te Kaha to plant some trees and tidy up a bit. Dean planted two Kowhai tree's where Nathan and Maia's Whenua (placenta's) have been buried. Hopefully the tree's grow well and the kids can admire them as their own special trees as both they and the trees grow.


We also planted flax and some fruit trees that we hope the possums don't help themselves to too much. Nathan had a great time hanging out with the cuzzies, and the little city boy even charged around with his bare feet like them.

At the nursery buying the trees, Nathans driving the trolley

Maia in prime position to oversee proceedings

Nanny giving out the lollipops

Cuzzie Luke Planting some Harakeke (Flax)



Dean working hard! Thats some long grass.

Maia's Kowhai Tree

Nathan helping Dad with his Kowhai tree

The Kids with Caleb

Maia and Riva-Jade

A visit from Bronwyn

Last Tuesday our friend Bronwyn came to stay. She got to meet Maia and see Nathan who she hadn't seen since he was a bub when we visited her in Brisbane. She's been back in NZ for a little while and is off overseas soon so it was good to catch up with her :)

Bubbles and Pink Hair tie

Maia's first BIG bath at Nanny Mardi and Poppa Dunc's house

The first time I've tied Maia's hair up, she's not too sure just yet