Boating with the Johnstones

Our sweet friends the Johnstones were also at Waitetoko in January and we had a very fun day out on their boat skiing and tubing on the lake. The girls decided not to attempt the skiing this time, but both Dugald and I managed to get up and have a go. The tube was very popular, unfortunately my photos are not the best quality. Thank you so much Johnstone family, we love you!!

William and Andrew loading the boat while Jen organizes Meggie and Ellie on the tube.

Lottie, Josie and Katie. Annabel was doing the Tongariro Crossing so wasn't with us.

My friend Jen.

Meggie and Ellie.

Dugald and William.

Dugs and Katie.

Meggie, Ellie and Lottie

Josie and Lottie

Josie and Lottie

Katie and Lottie

Meggie and Ellie

Ellie

Meggie, Josie and Ellie

Dugald ready to go. . . 

He's up!!

I can still do it too :)

Waitetoko Summer Fun

To start our summer right we headed up to Waitetoko for a few days. Kate and Ant were there when we arrived so it was great to see them and share a meal before they headed off to their river rafting adventures. We all love going to Waitetoko, as soon as we get there we all just relax - with no t.v. and no internet the kids enjoy playing cards, going for walks and swims and using their imaginations a bit more than they do at home.

Cards with Daddy

Josie reading one of her favorites.

I love the kids do the dishes when we are there, why doesn't this happen at home?

Roasting marshmallows.

Cards after dinner.

Chloe all tuckered out from a big day of travel.

Jenga dominoes after breakfast.

Katie and Josie sunbathing.

Meggie and Chloe having a swim.

The Sheppards came for lunch, then we all went to Bully Point.

The view from Bully Point.

Planning their jumps.

We went twice - once with the Sheppards and once with Ben and Wills. Here it looks like Josie is going to land on Wills but thankfully she didn't!

Katie and Pippa

Parental selfie.

The adults jumped too - it was awesome!

Apparently she can still play games without the internet.

Happy 2014!!

We had a fun-filled, family-oriented New Year's Eve with our neighbors and friends, the Moore family. Simon and Katherine kindly had all of us over as well as Katherine's parents who had just arrived from the U.K. that morning. It's never boring with the Moore family and this evening was no exception, after a lovely meal Katherine organized the kids into two groups and they had to make up a skit that included a prop she gave them and a line she gave them that had to be used. 

Katherine explains the rules of the skit.

Team 1

Team 2

Katie was still with Lottie so she's not pictured. Sweet Ruth made us all Christmas crackers to celebrate, so once everyone had opened theirs we had a race.

Ruth hands out the crackers.

Trying to stay warm.

Bubbles for everyone.

Here's to 2014!!

Taking selfies.

Thank you Moore family for a wonderful start to the new year.

Here are a few pictures Jen sent to me of Lottie and Katie having fun at Waitetoko: