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

Christmas Day

What a cool day we had. It was neat this year as Nathan was a bit more clued up on the whole thing. He was such a good boy too, he loved his presents and played all morning with them. He also ate lots of chocolate and lollies :) I let him go hard for once.

We spent the morning at our house with my family and had a bbq brunch, with ham, tomatoes, mushrooms, croissants, salmon and cream cheese bagels and fruit. Yum!
After Nathan's much needed nap we headed over to Dean's parents to spend the afternoon with the Hilliards. Nathan and Ayla had lots of fun even though it was raining once we got there so they couldn't make the most of their new swing set. It was a long day but a very enjoyable one.

Nathan has headed off on holiday with my mum and dad to Te Kaha, and we will follow, via a couple of days in the Mount. So from about Saturday we will be in wop wop land so fo any regular visitors don't expect an update for a couple of weeks but check in mid January for our holiday pics. Until then hope you and yours have a great break if you're having one. Take Care!

My Pretty girl in her pretty dress

Mrs Claus spreading Christmas cheer

Hmm not to sure about this present business!

What could be in here?

Christmas Eve when he was a bit tired he kept saying "I don't want the big present!!" But on the day was right into it

A packet of golf balls for dad always goes down well

Well it's not so bad when it has a pretty pink bow on it

Nathan loved his car garage as he is just mad on cars at the moment, he got the Lightening McQueen car he thought Santa might bring

Poppa helping Nathan learn to ride his new trike, he got it in the end. But we'll be keeping the gates shut so he doesn't zoom down the hill

Some of the Hilliards enjoying Christmas dinner

Having a break from the rain

Ayla giving Kael some help with his new toy

Maia enjoying some of her new toys, and trying on a dress Nana gave her

Yay finally a turn on the new swing/slide set

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Well Friends it's that time of year again. Looking back we've had a great year. There's been lots of new babies, including our own beautiful girl. We've a new newphew and lots of close friends have had new bubs too, awesome!! Thats what life is all about, populating the world, making it a better place with these lovely new beings.

All in all things have been awesome. With thanks to our family and friends who enrich our lives and bring joy we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed, safe and happy New Year!!

Lots of Love

Dean, Janna, Nathan and Maia

Secret Swing Set Mission

Last night we had a bbq at Bruce and Miriams so the dads could complete there mission of putting up the kids Christmas Present. We managed to keep the kids oblivious to what was happening outside with a Mickey Mouse Christmas movie and a bath.

Animal Christmas

Dean and I went Christmas shopping on Friday night and left Nathan and Nana watching Madagascar together. When we got home he was still awake so Dean and Miriam took him up the road to what Nathan called the "Animal Christmas House". The whole house and yard is lit up with Christmas lights.

Pre School Christams Show

I wasn't very well yesterday but managed to get Nathan to his Christmas Show. I'm glad we made it as he was so cute being a Christmas Pie for one of the songs. I somehow managed to delete the video I had of it :( so can't show you. He was pretty stoked with his book from Santa.

"Well you see I was the 2nd Christmas Pie in the show, It was a challenging role but you know I rose to the part and, well if you want to book me for your Christmas show, just call my agent. Her name is Ayla. As you can see she means business!!!"

Having a laugh at Ayla, who I think might just be picking her nose part way through Jingle Bells.

" Look what I got from Santa"

Ayla and her present from Santa

Big Boy hairdo

Here's Nathan with his cool new hairdo taking his sister for a ride in his cool dude car :) Yes I finally got round to getting his hair cut. I was hanging on to those cute curls for as long as I could, but he can't be my cute little baby forever, he's now my handsome boy.

The Weekend

I had a great day on Saturday, I fed Maia in the morning and expressed some milk then left the kids with Dad so I could go Christmas shopping kid free. I had a 6 hour window of opportunity to get all my shopping done. Not that I did get it all done but it was great to be able to go to 3 different places and get in and out of the car without any hassle. Dean took them over to his mum and dads where the cuzzies were so they had fun.

On Sunday evening we went to Christmas at the zoo. We weren't fussed on watching the performances at the stage but could hear all the Christmas songs being sung as we walked around.

Solid feed of fish and chips

Nana has a good backyard where the kids can run free, in addition to the cool playhouse they are getting a swing and slide set for Christmas (sshh don't tell them, he he)

Maia having tummy time by the Christmas tree

Christmas at the Zoo

Nathan entertaining Maia

Christmas Tree Shopping

This year we decided to have a real tree as Nathan is old enough to know not to pull everything off it. We went out to the Christmas tree farm to get one freshly cut, there were so many to choose from it was quite hard. Nathan was very helpful when we decorated it, handing up the red balls. He also had lots of fun dancing to the Christmas music I put on to get into the mood

As you can see there are no presents underneath just yet. I have not done any Christmas shopping yet, ARGH!!! This weekend is the mission!

Mainly Music Christmas

Well we kicked off Christmas at Mainly Music last Friday. It is the first of many Christmas parties lined up on Nathans Christmas calendar :) He's a busy boy this time of year. This year he has more awareness of everything, Santa, Presents etc. I hope to also bring balance to that by teaching him the true meaning of Christmas also.

Keep an eye out for upcoming posts on his Pre School Christmas party and the Zoo Christmas party