What's Been Keeping Us So Busy. . .

So things have been hectic since we arrived back in New Zealand - I had hoped we would be fully into school last week but I wasn't quite able to get all the luggage unpacked and school books sorted and whatnot, so today has actually been our first full day. This year we have a much tighter schedule than last year as I am increasing Josie's work-load and incorporating Ellie into the Morrison Academy for Girls.

I had the girls all tested when we were in the States and we got the results back earlier this week. I was pleased that everyone tested on or above grade-level with the exception of Ellie but that's because I tested her for Kindergarten (Year 1 for Kiwis) and we really are only just beginning school with her. We gleaned a lot of information from the test results - none of it surprising - which has helped me in my focus with each child this year.

Another thing that has kept me busy since our return has been cheerleading practice. What, you didn't know I cheered? Some friends organized a cheerleading squad and routine for our latest dance and they all were practicing while I was on the beach soaking up rays so I had a lot of catching up to do! The dance was Saturday night and we had a ball -but now that it's all done I can get back to the regular activities that fill my days.

Hope all are well - enjoy the pictures and the video if you want a laugh! xx

I came home after my first "dress rehearsal" and tried to do the routine for the girls.

Our new Morrison Academy for Girls school uniforms. You can't really see it in the pictures but the shirts have the MAG monogram.

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard came back for a visit the other day - does that mean Spring is coming soon?

The night of the big party - Dugald dressed as a hobbit with his buddies Richard and Matt.

Me with my sweet friends Alison and Fleur, below is Felicity with her husband Paul who thankfully dressed as the right team! Go Cowboys!

We Love Our Friends!

Our last week in America found us very busy catching-up with some of our far-away friends. Meggie's best buddy Clara flew down to visit us from Colorado and our sweet friends the Knights came all the way from Texas.

We had a such a great week together - it all went by way too quickly. It's so special when you have friends that are as close as family and you all just pick right back up where you left off. We were honored that the Knights and Clara took the time, expense and made the effort to come be with us, we love you so much!!

Can you see the water spout?

Meggie and Clara looking frightened. Well, at least Clara is!

One of the great joys for us was meeting the newest member of the Knight family - Mezekir Ayers Knight! We have joined with the family in praying for him since before he was even born and to see in the flesh God's faithfulness to all of them was incredible. He is such a sweet baby - he tolerated all the kisses, cuddles, crowding, holding and whatnot that we covered him in and it was precious to also see how his big brothers and sister help look after him.

Mez and his daddy, Josh.

Meggie and Clara in their "Nothing Can Split Us Up" t-shirts.

Clara, Hunter and Meggie working on their sandcastle.

Me and my sweet BFF Lori Knight!

Katie and Ann-Elizabeth, friends forever!

Preston Knight - also known as Tiger.

Ice-cream treats from Mimi and Big Daddy. Yum!

Our time in America was so special - we loved being with family and friends and in the sunshine! Thank you so much to everyone for loving us so generously, we love and miss all of you!!

Meggie's 11th!!

We made it home safely Tuesday morning after many, many hours of travel. Wellington even pulled off a sunny day to welcome us back! So now it's time to unpack, organize school and catch up here on the blog.

I can't believe that my baby is 11-years-old already - the time really does fly by. Dugald and I are both so proud of her and the beautiful young lady, inside and out, that she is now and is becoming even more each day.

Mimi invited us over for dinner to celebrate and of course with Mimi everything is special! I had already discussed with Meggie the fact that we celebrated her birthday early with a party in New Zealand so we wouldn't be doing anything big in Florida and she was fine with that - but we also couldn't let the day go completely unrecognized, so thank you Mimi for making it so special!

Mimi made one of Meggie's favorites - spaghetti - and had a darling cake for her too. Several cousins were there to make the night festive, they broke out in a conga line early-on in the evening, followed by a game of charades and all sorts of merriment.

Baby Baker is smiling on purpose and as cute as can be - we all enjoyed trying to make him giggle but his mommy was definitely the most successful.

Anna had spent the day at Mimi's and helped set the beautiful table - she made name cards for everyone and decided where they would sit.

When it came time for presents Mari was happy to help the birthday girl. Watching them together I was struck by how quickly the time really does go by because it wasn't that long ago that Meggie was Mari's age and now she's the "big girl" letting the little girl help her unwrap her gifts.

The biggest hit of the night was a much-longed-for stroller from Mimi and Big Daddy! Meggie was SO excited to get it, she has wanted one for months and spent lots of time on the computer researching and reading reviews to put the very best one on her Amazon wish list.

It was wonderful to see G.G. again before we left and we were honored she made the effort to come as she hasn't been feeling her best following a fall recently.

It was a great evening and I know Meggie felt loved and celebrated. Our celebration continued the next day with a special birthday lunch with Mama and Papa - all the girls wished they could have their birthdays in America and New Zealand every year!

Josie and Anna BFFs

So I'm posting this from the San Francisco airport where we are about to board our plane after a few inconveniences, one of which is the fact that when checking in I was told that my resident visa expired back in January. Oops.

Here are a few more pictures of Josie and Anna who just like last year were joined at the hip all summer. It's amazing that they can spend so much time together without a break and get along so fabulously, they really are best friends forever.

I'll check in again once we're resettled in Wellington but thank you to all you Floridians who went out of your way to make our time so special, and to the Knight family for traveling from Texas to spend time with us - we love all of you so much! There were lots of tears in Tampa as we made our way to the gate. xx

What The Little Girls Did

Josie and Ellie had a great time while we were in D.C.. They got to stay with Mimi and Big Daddy and finish out their Carlouel Camp with Anna.

They also got to have a special lunch with Aunt Lala, Mari and baby Baker - looks like they enjoyed some delicious cupcakes.

Big Daddy and Mimi took the to The Florida Aquarium which is awesome - the big girls and I are a little jealous :).

Finally, Mimi helped them cut out and play with their paper dolls. I don't think they missed us at all!