Home after 3 Weeks away

We made it back to Auckland after a long time away. We had a great two weeks on holiday with the family. Sadly on our drive home we found out Trevor, my Aunty's husband had passed away. He had drowned while taking his long board out during a family trip to the beach. We were not far from them when we found out so were able to turn around and be with my aunty and the family for the duration of the funeral. It was very sad after spending a great two weeks with Trev down the coast. We will miss him!
The kids are home now and will settle into their normal routine. They did so well over the past 3 weeks, sleeping in different beds with lots of people around.

We look forward to 2008 and hope it is a good one for all reading this. Life is a blessing, please appreciate each day you have and take notice of those you love and give them the time you have. That is my goal for this year.

Another Awesome Te Kaha Holiday

Once again we headed East to my family's spot. A lot of work has been done this year levelling it out and getting it looking awesome. It was different having a little bub as it kept me more camp bound, but it is such a relaxing place I wasn't too fussed about getting out too much. We had a couple of cool day trips out which was good. She did great sleeping in the tent etc and took to camping well. She wasn't the only baby as there was Tipene who is about 3 weeks younger who was another camp baby. Nathan had a great time and it's always good seeing him run around and lose a bit of his city boyness for a little while. The weather was great with only one rainy day towards the end, so there was lots of swimming and fun in the sun.

Our home away from home for 2 weeks, very comfy!

Maia enjoyed camping, but we kept her lily white skin our of the sun!!!

Lots of fish to be eaten

It took Nathan ages to get into the water, but once he got in it was hard to get him out

Putting the Flu on the Bio Loo!! Our latest purchase for the camp, a composting loo. Much different to the long drop from the old days, it breaks down into compost and that big thing that looks like a aeroplane hazard takes the smell away - YAY :)

NEW YEARS EVE

Opening and gutting our freshly caught crayfish

Cooking our delicious crayfish with my very own made up fresh herb oil - Yum!

New Years Eve feed, Crayfish, Fresh Snapper, Kina, Potatos

Sitting around the fireplace

Good Times with Trev

Smiley Girl

A daddy and Nathan outing to the beach

Nathan with his battle wounds after tripping and going nose first into the deck, ouch!!

Winding down in the evenings outside the Caravans

Breakfast Time for the Kids, Nanny Louie is the pancake, Fried Bread Breakfast Queen

Sandcastles at Hariki Beach

Having a bath in Nanny and Poppa's Caravan

Nanny and Poppa with the kiddies

Trev, The Mounties and the kids playing cricket

The Mount Crew checking out the Kina action

Amadeus the exchange student trying some of the Kina he helped snorkel for,

He wasn't really into it :)
As for me, I love it :)

Stone skipping at Whanarua Bay

Nathan and Cadence, little buddies

The Mount Crew before they headed off home

The Kids at Whanarua Waterfall

The Cuzzies getting some board game action

Maia off for a walk with Nan