More holiday festivities. . .

Ellie decorates Willow with a bow.

So of course Chloe got one too.

Ellie with her friends Maya and Pippa before Josie's ballet recital.

Josie our beautiful bonbon in The Nutcracker.

Unfortunately I didn't realize I could zoom in until well into Josie's performance. Sorry.

I took Ellie and her friend Ruth for our first swim in an outdoor pool but it was still a bit brisk.

We had our first meal outside as well - Dugs on the barbeque.

The girls and I took the dog for a walk up Wrights Hill.

For the past 6 years we have gone to the hospital on Christmas Eve to sing carols to the patients. 

There is always a large group and we divide up in order to cover all the wards. This year a family joined us that was in hospital last year and had really appreciated the carols - very cool.

Meggie's friend Harriett also joined us.

Christmas Eve dinner at Grill, Meats, Beer.

We gave the midnight service a go this year.

I thought it would end at midnight, but it was communion at midnight.

It was beautiful but we had some very tired girls.

Merry Christmas!!

Traditional read of the Christmas story book by Daddy.

Katie loves when I take selfies.

The girls were thrilled with all their gifts - yay!!

We arrived in Palmy just in time for a quick swim before dinner.

Even Chloe.

Ant carves the turkeys.

Watching the queen's Christmas address.

Kate and Ant share a quiet moment.

Then the girls come out for cricket.

And cheerleading. With Daddy spotting.

Grandpa watching from his chair in the sunroom.

Time for gifts.

Duet by Meggie and Ellie

Castle Point!!

My friend Nicki and I took our girls and friends to Castle Point the week that school got out for summer. We rented a fantastic house big enough for all of us and enjoyed a spectacular few days of surf, sun, walks and fun. Castle Point is a few hours from Wellington on the coast of the Wairarapa.

Meggie, Bria, Martine and Katie ready to go.

Castle Point sits on a reef and we could see it out of the window of our kitchen so we climbed up a few times a day to take in the view.

A friendly table tennis match.

Heading down for some sunset cricket on the beach.

The girls set their alarms and got up at 7 to go for a run. 

We also went for a lovely walk above the beach and climbed to the top of that bit you can see in the background.

It got a little scary at times.

I stopped here. 

Girls at the top.

Just chillin.

Dune surfing was lots of fun. 

Emily, Katie, Ellie and Josie

Bria and Katie warming up a bit.

Nicki, Emily and Ellie.

Meggie.

Katie and Emily playing lions.

Anna, Katie, Emily, Ellie and Josie

Bria minutes before she got hurt. 

Emily helping Nicki in the kitchen.