Goodbye Pa

Two weeks ago we got the call that my Grandfather was not doing so good and maybe we should head down. We went to see him in Rotorua hospital that evening. Most of the family were there as we were not certain how much time he had left. The next morning (Friday) we took him home to Taupo to be with him and care for him the remainder of his days. We had lots of good moments with him for the first few days he was home and he was in good spirits. He spoke to us, his grandchildren about different things. We had lots of family staying in the house and lots of visitors coming through the house. We drank lots of cuppa teas, we sang his favourite songs, we laughed, we cried, we got in each others spaces and faces, we fought we made up. It was good to be together through it. From about Tuesday onwards, Pa mostly slept as his body slowly lost the ability to communicate, although we knew his mind was still sharp and that he could understand us. Each night we would have Karakia (prayer time) and he would mouth Amen when he could.

Pa passed peacefully early hours of Saturday morning, we had him at home one night, and took him to the Marae for one night.

We don't often get the chance to say goodbye to loved ones, I'm glad I got spend some time with my Pa and say goodbye.

Pa pretending to eat Maia's foot

Pa and his youngest Great Grandchild Ngahaka Anetta-Maui Rolleston (My cousin Jamie's daughter)

Maia 9 months and Ngahaka 5 months old

Jalyn putting gel in Nathan's hair

Jalyn proud of her hairdressing skills, Nathan and Ruka not so sure!

One of the Sunny days we had

Dani mowing lawns in her bare feet

Getting the kids outside to play while the sun shines

After going stir crazy inside with some bad weather, we took the kids out to the park for the afternoon! Was good to get out!

Maia and Jamie

The Cuzzies and the Kiddies

Fish and Chips at the Lake

A bit of Texas Holdem between a couple of the Uncles and Cousins

Some of the Cousins at the Marae after saying goodby to our Pa

Maia and Nan having cuddles before we pack up and head home to Auckland, we were in Taupo for 11 days, it was a long time to be away from home but I'm glad we were there

School Holidays - Tuesday

Today we were on Parent Help at the Toy Library, wish I took my camera to take a pic of all the cool toys that are available. Here is two of the cool things we got out. Nathan loves it, too bad he can't peddle himself around or somthing, he has to be pushed, hmmm.

School Holidays - Day 1

Nathan doesn't have preschool at the moment as they break for the holidays. He was going to go on holiday with his Nana but he seems to be going through a clingy phase and wants to stay with Mum, Dad and Maia. Monday we stayed home and fun around the house, you know loads of washing, cleaning etc etc. I think though with the day that we had we should have got out as I think they are going to become few and far between now. We still had fun outside though. Here is Nathan with his buddy Ernie, who seems to have developed quite a weird way of talking, so excuse him!! And also Nathan zooming down the hill.

The Weekend

Saturday was a very busy day with Dean doing lawns etc etc and me doing a big clean inside so the house was nice and tidy for my Ladies night. I had a group of friends around to play Cranium, which is lots of fun, but instead we just ate and chatted, gee typical ay. Dean settled the kids in with a movie - Ratatouille - and then put them to bed before leaving the Estrogen zone to go and watch the Warriors.
Sunday was just more home stuff with a bit of fence painting.

My Westie Bogan Boys

Surely you can't call yourself a true Westie until you've been to the Stockcars?! Dean and Nathan ventured out to Wakaraka Park on Saturday evening. Nathan enjoyed the cars, and seeing Mater (the tow truck) tow all the crashed cars. He enjoyed his carton of chips and also managed to score some coloured popcorn. It was a real boys night out. He raced inside when he got home to tell me all about it.

Our fun day at home in the sun

Again such a beautiful day today, we didn't venture out but had a picnic on the lawn and blew bubbles. Aunty Lisa came over later in the day so we left Maia with her for a bit as Nathan and I zoomed up to the Library to get his 'Horton Hears a Who' book. I want to read him the book a few times and then maybe take him to the movie, that way he'll know the story a bit and might not lose interest half way through the movie. He loves movie's but sometimes he loses interest if it's not something that tickles his fancy. His favourite movies to date are Cars, Curious George and Madagascar. We had Uncle Reid over for his weekly Thursday night dinner and he read Nathan his book and Nathan zonked out straight after, chasing bubbles must have pooped him out.

Can you see my two teeth? And my lunch?

Picnic on the lawn

With MumFunny Faces

Out for a walk

This Morning being such a lovely morning I decided to go for a walk after dropping Nathan at Preschool. When we lived in Brisbane I walked a lot as the area we lived in was lovely and it was always a pleasure. These days I'm a bit lazier, and my suburb isn't exactly 'come and walk around me' material, but the one where Nathans Preschool is, is (Te Atatu Peninsula). As much as I miss Brisbane at times and think Auckland can be a hole at times, how can I complain with surrounds like this.

Kael's 1st Birthday

Nathan's cousin Kael turned 1 on Sunday. We had a lovely lunch at Nana Miriam's, the weather was awesome, the kids had a good time, the food was beauty! He got some cool pressies, so all round it was a top day.

The Birthday Boy playing with the pegs
Nana and Poppy's house is as good as any playground!

Present time! Yay!

The big kids wanting to help

Miss Maia eating some grass

Mmmm I like grass!

Two Weddings in One Week

On Saturday we headed up to Whangaparaoa, north of Auckland for Dean's cousin Christine's wedding. It was a lovely day, and nice to attend another family members wedding. We stayed at my Aunty and Uncles house and they babysat the kids so we could have a relaxing time.

Dean with his Mum and Sister
Dean and his Nana

The happy couple, Christine and Carl

Tyler, Dean's cousin David's son - soo cute!

Nathan taking my Aunty and Uncles dog for a walk

We were all pooped out after a busy weekend and here's Maia getting a comfy nights sleep??

Kirsty's Wedding

We had an extended Easter weekend by cruising to Waiheke Island on Tuesday to attend my cousin Kirsty's wedding. The day was a bit overcast but was still lovely down on the beach. It as a beautiful wedding and the reception at Mudbrick Vineyard was great. Dean's mum came over to watch the kids which was awesome, then she and Nathan had to catch the early ferry home to work and preschool. We stayed a bit longer and caught up with the family before heading home.

My Cousin Cameron and his two kiddies, Jake and Zoe. Waiting for their Aunty to arrive.

The Ceremony at Onetangi Beach

Mum and Dad

Reid and Sasha
Dean and I

Kirsty and Andy with Aunty Wendy and Uncle Kerry (Aunty Wendy is Dad's sister)

This little dude had the cutest suit on, and to see him charge into this big puddle for a swim in it was hilarious.

At Mudbrick Vineyard

Zoe making Maia laugh

Maia takes after my Dads side in lots of ways, I think she and Zoe have similar eyes.