Our last Christmas at 238

We didn't know it at the time but the weekend we went to have an early Christmas at 238 would be our last. It was a beautiful day and Margaret and Hugh were both in good form - all was as it always was at 238 Victoria Ave. . . there was laughter, cricket, good food, funny stories, and love. Lots of love. We will so miss both Margaret and Hugh and the welcoming family home they opened to all of us all the time.

Ellie going through the pop outs Grandma had been collecting for her from New World (the grocery store). 

It was great to have Hamish back for Christmas - here he serves up some delicious salmon for a starter.

There was always cricket on the lawn.

Something's happened.. . . not sure what!

Grandpa holding court from his chair with Dugald and Ant.

Hamish entertaining the girls at the table.

We had presents and tea after our meal.

Who knew this would be our last photo all together?

The girls take a selfie with Uncle Hamish. 

More Christmas Prep

We drew names one night for Advent and then had to do a service or good deed for that person in the next 24 hours.  I drew Josie and made her breakfast in bed.

Another weekend Ellie opened "Rose Cafe" with Meggie as her very capable chef. 

My breakfast

Lloyd's foundation bought and donated an ambulance to the city of Wellington and Julie invited us all to see it presented.

Julie and her gorgeous kids - l-r Vita, Maddie, Julie, Ottilie, Elliott and Bella.

The girls with Ottilie- they adore her. 

Julie being loaded onto the ambulance.

Starting on our gingerbread house.

Katie starts the icing foundation.

Ellie not too involved - but her hair looks cool all curly now that she has taken her braids out.

We took it inside to decorate - didn't want the icing melting in the heat.

Dugald was in charge this year as in past years our house has completely collapsed.

So far so good.

Waitarere Weekend

To celebrate the end of school my good friend Nicky and I took our girls and their friends away for a weekend at the beach at Waitarere. It was the perfect getaway as even we couldn't get mobile service - so nobody was on the phone at all the entire time, it was beautiful!! It was a fantastic bunch of girls.

Putting up the tent on the back lawn - Katie and Emily, Josie and Sashi chose to sleep out there. Josie and Sashi moved inside after the first night but Katie and Emily stuck it out.

With a little teamwork they got it up - no help from us at all! L-R Ellie, Emily, Katie, Josie, Sashi, Katie R, Sariya with Meggie and Ruth in front.

Lunch buffet.

Heading down to the beach.

It was a tad cold and windy but they all got in eventually.

The Plank Challenge 

Katie and Emily were judges.

We played a lot of Twister - always good for a laugh.

Back to the beach - parental selfie.

Roasting marshmallows.

One day we spent ages on walking along the very windy beach to see a shipwreck. . .

This is it. Very disappointing.

On our last night we did something the girls had seen on the internet called the condom challenge. You fill a condom with water and then drop it on someone's head. It's hilarious when it works but we could only get it to work one time out of the whole box of condoms.

This is Sashi after it worked - it's supposed to end up over your face but most the time it just bounced off.