Katie and the Duck

When we arrived in New Zealand we spent time with Dugald's parents in Palmerston North, about two hours from Wellington, because we couldn't get into our Karori house yet. I blogged earlier about Katie catching the duck when went to feed them, here is the photo -
She cracks us up - whenever we are around a group of birds, whether ducks, seagulls or pigeons, she takes off after them and usually catches one. The other girls thought it grand that their sister was so swift because they then got to pet the duck, how thrilling!

I had to include the above picture because if your computer screens are calibrated correctly you will notice the green tint to Josie's hair. All of the girls were sporting green hair after our time at Aunt Kate's thanks to all the time swimming in the pool. I remember having green hair at the end of a summer of swimming, but mine wasn't quite so bright nor did it turn so quickly. I'm not sure what these Kiwis are putting in their pools. . .

For those of you who may not know - Aunt Kate and Grandma are both award-winning quilters. Aunt Kate has lovely quilts all over her house and here is a picture of Meggie and Katie in front of one. One of my goals for our time here in New Zealand is for the girls to learn to sew and quilt and if I could learn too that would be a bonus!

A picnic on the lawn at Grandma and Grandpa's after a swim and some time on the slip-n-slide.

Here is a photo of Meggie and Katie picking out squares and pinning them to a board for their quilts. Grandma let them choose fabrics and design a quilt for their dolls so they are laying out the patterns here, then Grandma will sew it together for them. Grandma has an entire sewing room which we all think is awesome.

A picture of the big Kiwi in Ekatahuna.

Josie and Ellie just being cute.

Josie and Grandpa enjoy a coffee at the Esplanade in Palmerston North.

The girls splashing in the Esplanade wading pool.

Last night Dugald and I had a date and went to dinner and a movie. While we were at dinner we heard some American accents at the table behind us so as we left we asked the three gentlemen there if they were American. It turns out they were and we had met two of their wives a few days earlier on the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens. Small world! Their wives are here on a fellowship and are working at the Ministry of Education and they are from Vermont. The third gentleman was originally from Tallahassee, Florida. We didn't talk long enough to find out why he was here, but it was fun to hear a familiar accent for awhile:).

Tomorrow I will post pictures from riding and ballet. . .and we still welcome input on the dog choices!