Christmas Fun!!

Yes, I realize it is now the end of January and I am only just now posting about Christmas - we have had fun-filled school holidays that have left no time for blogging. However, now I have more photos than I can shake a stick at, so sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy! Thank you Sam and Kate for the great photos from Tablelands :).

We had presents at home before heading over the hills to Rob and Liz's. Josie loves the Holiday Barbies.

Daddy always reads the Christmas Story before presents.

They are keen to get to the gifts!

Christmas at Tablelands. . .

A few nibbles as everyone arrives.

Chloe and Waka, Ridd's dog.

Mary, Ant, Debs and Rob.

Sam waiting for present time.

The lovely Emily and Hettie.

My fellow American - Abi.

Alex sorting out chargers for all the electronic devices.

Reuben.

Wills.

Andrew enjoying a coffee. . .

and telling Ant secrets.

The oh-so-fun Mary and Barry, Liz's parents.

Ben, Dugald's godson.

Liz, our hostess with the most-ess.

And her lively and lovely sister Jane.

Josie and Ellie enjoying their Karma Colas.

Me, Debs and Liz. 

Charles, Jane's partner, and his son Tom.

The young Hugh Morrison.

Tom and Em.

Ridd and Ant.

The girls with their new popsicle makers - they have been very popular items this summer!

Rob with his 007 Bollinger.

It had a special code to get it opened.

Dugs and Ben.

Our girls played Santa and passed out gifts.

Alex - so pretty!

The salads! The food was amazing - as always.

The meats.

Salad up close - all that green goodness. 

The dining room. We've graduated from one huge long table to cafe style.

Ellie opening her Christmas cracker.

Meggie, Kate and Hettie were at my table.

Someone let Dugald get hold of the bone.

A little dessert wine with dessert.

After all that goodness most of us needed a rest - but the girls had a swim.

Then the girls found us and put on a show. . .

Some quiet time together before dinner.

Pre-supper drinks on the back patio. . .

And so ends another beautiful Christmas day at Tablelands.

Stay tuned. . . next update will have Boxing Day cricket pics.

More pre-Christmas fun. . .

So just before Christmas our lovely niece, Alex Morrison, turned 21! For the Kiwis 21 is the big birthday and Alex's was certainly amazing. Everything Rob and Liz host is incredible, we were thrilled to be invited. The first few photos are from my iphone - the ones that suddenly look clear and sharp are from the professional photographer who was at the party, Mike Clare of Wellington (his website is www.mikeclare.com).

The dessert bar.

Alex, in yellow, with her mom Liz, her sister Hettie and her Grandma Mary.

My girls were dying over this and requested it for their next party.

The non-alcoholic beverages. It was a beautiful evening for a party.

In the foreground of this picture is the cider bar - gourmet ciders of various flavors and then you add your own fruit.

Dugs and I with the Howard girls Izzy and Charlotte.

It was an incredible night - there was delicious food, fun and entertaining speeches, a dj, great company and perfect weather. Happy birthday sweet Alex!!

In other birthdays my friends Jen, Catherine and Alison all had pre-Christmas celebrations. Jen and Catherine joined me and Nicky for lunch at our neighborhood cafe while the children all stayed at our house, then we came home and had cake together. Matt threw Alison a lovely party at their house with some of her close friends but I didn't get any pictures which is a shame.

And the soccer season has started again and Rob invited us to join him for a game. Go Phoenix! They won this one, but it hasn't been their best season this year unfortunately.

 And yes, these two are still doing fine.

Bits and pieces to finish out the school year. . .

Here are some photos from a few more events prior to school letting out for the year.

Chloe got herself stuck on the top of this shed as we finished up one of our walks with her on Wrights Hill.

Meggie and her friends Katie and Anna Reed were both installed as Scouts at the end of the term.

Katie and Anna Moore hold the flag - they were installed last term.

Anna, Meggie and Katie (from l-r) make the Scout oath.

The girls all got new haircuts before Christmas - Meggie and Katie had theirs while Josie and Ellie were at school so we went and got some lunch afterwards and took pictures.

Mr. Whippy made a surprising visit to our street - so even though it was 5:30 and I was about to serve dinner we indulged. Katie was spending the night out but we had Pippa for the night at our house.

Ellie did a great job as the model for her class in the Karori Normal Wearable Arts show. She was reluctant but she did it anyway and did a great job.

It's hard to see her but here is a short video clip of Ellie in the show.