We've been a bit under the weather. . .

Oh my, the flu hit our house hard this year!! Ellie and I caught it first and I was sick for a good 10 days, and now Katie has it. Meggie and Josie must have super-immune systems since they've managed to not catch it and Dugald has been away more than he's been home the past couple of weeks so I reckon that's how he's stayed healthy. All that to say I have a lot of catching up to do here! Here are some random photos to get us started. . .

First up are a few pictures I took with my phone of Katie at Prep Market Day this year. Marsden Primary teaches the girls about enterprise through their PREP (Primary Enterprise Programme). The girls have to create CV's, write recommendations for friends, get recommendations written from their parents and interview for the job they'd like to have. Last year Katie was the CEO of her group and they published a magazine. This year she was CFO of the film group that they called Hot Chili Films. They created a video of all the other groups singing their jingles and then sold the videos at market. They also charged people to have their jingle filmed.

Katie, Zoe, Imani and Kylie

Next is a sneak preview really - Dugald has finally found a permanent home for his company, Resimac. I snuck into town and had lunch with him and got a quick tour. The offices weren't quite done so I only took a picture out front, but I'll get more for later as they look really nice. He's on the 10th floor in downtown Wellington and has a great view and it all looks very flash.

Oh and here's a cute picture of the day we arrived back in Wellington from Florida. . .

Finally, we enjoyed watching the Olympics very much even though I personally find it a teensy bit annoying watching them in another country. However, we all wanted to watch the equestrian events and New Zealand actually took the bronze so we got some good coverage. The dog was pretty funny though - she kept barking at the horses!

Hope you are all well - I'll try to keep up a bit better here on the blog. We've had a few false alarms where we thought we were getting a foster baby but it didn't work out - the first time CYFS found a permanent placement before the baby was born, the next time the baby was much sicker than we had expected and we were still ill so we didn't take her. We are now waiting on another baby that is due to be born any time but anything could happen. We have what we need and our hearts are ready so we just trust the timing will work out as it should. Meanwhile I've had a few house projects I'm trying to focus on and get handled before we have a little one. It would be much easier if the trades people I'm trying to work with actually came when they said they would. Argh.

Lots of love from all of us!!

It's time to say goodbye. . .

Our last evening with all the Florida cousins was a dinner at Will and Jen's. Will was working but Jen was game and had us all over to play in the pool and share one last meal together.. . bittersweet but very fun, thanks so much Jen for having us, and thanks everyone for making so much time for us all to be together this year.

Carlouel with Metz's

The Metz's invited us to join them for a day at Carlouel before we left Florida. Mom and Mrs. Metz are good friends and Melissa, Ali and I all knew each other in high school. Melissa's girls are in the same age-range as mine and Ali's, and her brother Bobby's wife was also there with her little girl. We enjoyed re-connecting and having another day at the club.

Samantha, Lilly and Josie

Katie and Anna, Megan, Grace and Poppy, Meggie and Lilly, Samantha and Josie.

Kayaking at Papa and Mama's

Cousins Camp - Final Day

Good Morning!! Rise and shine girlies.

A little morning exercise to start the day.

Painting their shoes.

Lilly working on her masterpiece.

Mixing the batter for the rainbow cake.

Meggie's frame - they all painted one.

Ellie's shoes.

Katie's picture.

Josie's picture.

Meggie's shoes... a cheer theme of course.

Ellie presenting to the parents at the end of camp.

Katie showing her easel - they all made one.

Singing the camp song.

Samantha got the "Best All-Around Camper" award this year - well done sweet girl!!

Show time!

We also had a synchronized swimming show -it began with them splashing us which is why Shannon and I are both holding up our hands to try and stop them.

Dinner time - prepared by the girls.

Delicious rainbow cake dessert.

Time for a game of "Art Bingo".

My girls had a wonderful time - thank you so much Mimi and Big Daddy for ALL your hard work!!