Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Hilliards

2008

Well what a blessed year we've had.  There has been a lot of doom and gloom in the world but thankfully the Lord has continued to bless us with love, good health, family and friends (the most important things ay) .  The kids have brought us heaps of joy... and frustration!  Boy they like to test your patience!!  But it has been awesome seeing them grow over the year with Nathan turning 3 and Maia turning 1.  They have a neat little relationship with their moments of tension but plenty of moments of tenderness with each other.

Dean and I celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary in February and our 33rd birthdays in November.  

In amongst the joy there have been some sad times with the losses of two family members, the shock drowning of my Uncle and losing my grandfather to Cancer.  Both times the family came together and supported each other with strength, love and in the day to day stuff.

We look forward to the New Year and the change ahead, the new house when we find it, the new neighbourhood and new community as we head to Te Atatu, Dean's old stomping ground.  We like the community feel there but I think I will still be involved in the Massey community by continuing to attend Mainly Music with our friends there and I will also continue to attend church in that area.

We are off on Boxing Day for our camping holiday to Te Kaha, so unless I have some energy Christmas evening to blog our day, we'll catch you all in the New Year.

We wish all of you who check in to our little piece of blogland a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year!

Bits and Bobs

A bit of waterplay on a hot day

Nana came around with early Christmas presents as the kids will be away on Christmas Day.  Nathan was stoked with his T.Rex that growls and moves around.

Rutherford Preschool Christmas show and a visit from Santa

We gave Kael and Ayla their presents early too as we won't be with them on Christmas Day

Erickson Whanau Christmas

Luke preparing his yummy Prawn dish

Uncle John always does a mean ham!!

Having a kanikani(dance)

Maia getting some help with Lunch

Lollie scramble time

Arvo nap time

Off for a swim

No Pic Update

Hi Ya'll

Well my camera has died again - taking photos in the rain no go!!  But thought I would do a quick update even though no pics attached.

Last Thursday we moved out of 10 Sherpa Place.  We moved all of our things into storage for now and have gone roaming for 3-4 weeks.  It was a little sad leaving the house for good, the home we brought both our babies home to, our first home, it has been good to us.

Friday night we had a bit of a Christmas Dinner with the Hilliards as we won't be with them Christmas day.  

Saturday morning we picked Reid up and headed down to Taupo for the Erickson whanau Christmas.  First stop was to the cemetary to take some flowers to my Pa who was sadly missed at this years gathering.  Then off to Nana's house to meet up with all the Aunties, Uncles and Cuzzies.  After a big feed the Cousins ventured off to a hot (really hot) thermal pool we know of for an afternoon swim.  

The kids and I have been in Mt Maunganui since Saturday evening and Dean and my brother will be driving down from Auckland for Christmas then we are off camping in Te Kaha for two weeks from Boxing Day.

I have just got home from Pak n Save to do all the Camping food shopping and last minute present shopping, so I'm nearly sorted... Hmm nearly, I think.  Will I brave the shops tomorrow?

I will try and post the pics if my camera revives.