January Draws to a Close

This little one is still very cute! She is a very good dog for the most part, but she still barks too much. And she's hopeless off the lead if there are rabbits around, chasing them is her biggest pleasure in life.

These are our over-the-fence neighbors, Tim, Jen and Maddie. Maddie isn't in the photo here but she's in the last one of this post. They are the best neighbors ever and Maddie has gone from being an only child to having four sisters named Meggie, Katie, Josie and Ellie this past year. We are so grateful for their friendship, love and hospitality. This was a thrown together meal we decided on at the last minute just because we were all home for the evening. I love that.

Tessa came to stay with us for a few days - Tessa is Chloe's friend from the farm where she stays when we are away. They are super cute together. Tessa belongs to our good friends the Reed family and I think if the truth be told Chloe would really rather just live with them, she is crazy about Nicky. I'm not jealous, though I pretend to be, but Chloe really does like Nicky better than me.

We took the dogs to the beach for a swim and they loved it. Every time I threw a stick Chloe would go get it, even if it was meant for Tessa. She even stole a stick being thrown for a labrador nearby. She was fearless about going out deep and didn't flinch when a big wave came.

We ended the afternoon with ice-cream from the dairy. So good!

A Day at the Races

Meggie has been wanting to go to the horse races for some time now and we finally made it happen at the end of January when we went to the Trentham Horse Races Family Day in Upper Hutt. The girls wanted me to buy them all a hat, but being as it was family day I wasn't at all sure people would be dressed up so we took the middle ground and went "dressy casual". As it turned out there was a huge variety of attire - everything from shorts and jandals to hats and gloves. Katie and Josie entered the "Little Miss Trentham" contest just for fun and we all got to bet on a race for $5 each. Ellie and I bet on Stormy Lass to place, I wish I had backed her for the win instead, and doubled our money, but sadly the rest of the family lost. It was a beautiful, fun, sunny day though and we all had a great time!

Checking out the horses pre-race.

Ellie and I happy with our winning tickets - the others, not so much.

Looking gorgeous for the Little Miss competition.

The judges.

Katie strutting her stuff.

I apologize for videoing and yelling at the same time! Turn the volume down to start and at the end of Katie's interview just as Josie enters.

Our last few days on holiday

Our last few days were spent much like the first - on the beach, taking walks, playing cricket, relaxing. We left Hahei and drove to Waitetoko where the Reeds stayed with us for a night before heading back to Wellington. The girls and I stayed another night before meeting Dugald in Palmerston North. I've put together a video that includes photos and short videos of our holiday and included it at the end of the post.

Last day at Hahei Beach

Girls playing games at Waitetoko

Acacia Bay on Lake Taupo

Ellie led us on a bush walk near Acacia Bay.

Mr. Whippy came by the Bach.

We had quite an adventure on the drive between Waiheke and Taihape. While on the desert road (for non-New Zealanders the desert road winds quite a bit and is only one lane each way) suddenly Meggie screams, very loudly, and jumps from her current seat behind the passenger into the very back row of the van. It gave me, the driver, quite a shock and it was suddenly difficult to concentrate on the road instead of whatever she was worried about. However, there was nowhere for me to pull the car over. Meggie, in between shrieks, screamed "Weta" and sure enough a giant Weta was making it's way towards me from the back of the passenger seat at a pretty good speed. It took everything in me to stay focused on the road until I could find a place to somewhat safely jump out of the car and get rid of the beast. We were all still shaken for sometime after it exited the vehicle and we made sure to search the car for any of its relatives once we stopped in Taihape.

This is an image of a Weta from the internet. No that is NOT my hand. Prehistoric ugliness. Shiver.

The girls with Soot - he is always outside the sports shop near the Brown Sugar Cafe in Taihape.

Hahei - Part Two

We did another short walk up from Hahei beach while we stayed there much to the girls chagrin. They are so predictable - they moan when we suggest a walk, but they end up really enjoying themselves every single time. We also went to Hot Water Beach but we had to wait until low tide in the afternoon. When the tide is out you can dig yourself your very own spa pool right in the sand due the the volcanic activity below. Given that the day was overcast and not particularly warm it was the perfect day to do it. It was funny how it worked, you had to dig in several places before you found one that was the right temperature - some were too hot and some too cold. Hot Water Beach also had some great waves so the girls would cool off in the surf then come sit in our little spa. Another highly recommended thing to do if you are ever that way!

Katie carving her name in the "rock" with a stick.

Ellie pondering life.

The cafe back in Hahei- I like the opening hours.

Digging our spa.

I'm sure the sand has therapeutic properties as well. 

Katie R.

Ellie, with Katie M and Josie in the background.

It was cold - look at Katie!

Ellie losing her footing.

Katie

Anna

Katie and Anna

Ellie loved it - they all did!

Meg

Anna