Easter 2013

We hit the road for the long Easter weekend and headed to the Morrison Family Bach in Waitetoko on Lake Taupo. We all love it there and this trip was extra fun because we had friends also staying in the area and the weather was warm enough for some swimming in the lake. We took Chloe along - a little unsure of how she would do on such a long trip - and she loved it too. On the way we stopped in Palmerston North and had a visit with Grandma and Grandpa over lunch - always a treat. I need to take more photos when we are with them!!

Ellie and Chloe LOVED swimming - they did eventually get chilled but it was still hard to get them to come out of the water. Meggie wasn't with us for Easter this year - she and her friend Katie went to Scouts camp and had a great time but we missed her like crazy.

Playing a fun game - you had to guess what the card on your head said by asking questions.

Thank you so much to all the grandparents for the cards, eggs and presents! The girls were completely spoiled.

We got together with friends for an afternoon Easter Egg hunt - the second of the day for our girls. I still can't get over the fact that we can hide chocolate eggs here - that would never work in Florida and rarely in Texas, the eggs would be a melted gooey mess.

On our last night there Katie spent the night with Emily and Josie, Ellie, Dugald and I enjoyed the scenery while walking the dog after dinner.

Here are a few shots of Meggie at camp that I took off of her ipod . . . she was disgusted by the toilet situation but she and Katie R survived "Survival Night" when they had to set up their own bivvy, make their own food and generally look after themselves for 24 hours without adult intervention.

With Richard - the troop leader.

Punga Cove

My girlfriends and I took a lovely trip down to the Sounds for a weekend "glamp" in March. I always look forward to these weekends away with friends!

The view from the ferry. 

Our water taxi ride.

Walking the first day.

These guys were quite friendly!

View from the top as we walked.

Arriving at our destination after a four hour walk - ready for a drink!

Some of the girls jumping of the pier after running back - I was in the spa having NOT run. 

And now for March. . .

Well hello there!! I think much of the reason this blog is so behind is because of the amazing weather we've had in Wellington the past few months - I just don't get on the computer because we are outside as much as possible. Autumn is here, but so far its been gentle with us and the summer was amazing. Thankfully we have had a few days of rain because Wellington was critically low on water - which is just unheard of - and I lost a few plants in the yard due to restrictions, but all is well for now.

Anyway, here is a glimpse of what we got up to in March - part one!

Ellie's art work displayed at school and her hat decorated for "Purple Cake Day".

Many moms (and some dads) baked for ages to make these! Purple Cake Day is a fundraiser started by a New Zealander to support education - link is here if you are interested. 

Meggie had some friends over to get ready for a dance at St. Pat's. 

I spent a great deal of time in March helping get ready for the Marsden school gala - and the girls pitched in a bit too! The gala happens every second year and this year we raised $63,000 for the school so it was a big success.

Katie and friends help hang bunting in the old gym.

Meggie helping put home-baked cookies into bags for the sweets stall.
 

My neighbor Jen headed up the deli stall this year and that is where I spent the most time - she made everything look so cute!! We transported a LOT of jam, chutney, preserves, cordial, nuts and other deli items from her garage the morning of the gala!

Our helpers taking a lunch break.

Some of the deli sales team.

Meggie and Katie Reed worked in the Sports Stall for the first few hours.

Ellie shopped and enjoyed getting her face painted.

Ellie and Vita

Josie and Ellie had their paintings displayed for a contest - you voted for the one you liked most by paying a dollar a vote. I did my best but sadly the girls didn't win this year - two years ago Uncle Rob was at the gala and not surprisingly Katie won!

I never even saw Josie and Katie at the gala - they were shopping and running around with all their friends so no pictures of them but they came home with some treasures and had a lot of fun.

Katie and her Cricket Team at Western Zones.

Dugald took Katie and Lottie to the Year 7 Father/Daughter breakfast because Lottie was staying with us that week. 

Katie and Josie have started doing the school crossing guard. Here Katie mans the gate.

And now Josie.

February Wrap-Up

Well here we are in April and I'm blogging photos from February - pathetic!! I think I mentioned that I managed to break both of our cameras back in February on our summer holiday so you will probably notice the pictures are fewer and of poorer quality. I intend to remedy the situation when we get to the States in July but in the meantime it's iphone/blackberry pictures. We had a wonderful February - this year's weather has been divine, it actually feels like we've had a summer. I had a great birthday, 29 again, celebrating at a lunch with my girlfriends during the week and with family on the actual day. Then we were so excited to welcome our good friend Donnie Lewis from Texas who came to visit. He was only here a few days but we packed them full of fun - including the girls skipping school one day so they would have time with him too. He came bearing gifts of Pop Tarts for the girls which were eagerly received! 

Now that the little girls are at Marsden they have homework too!

Ellie gets her reading homework done. The timer is to make sure she does her full 15 minutes.

Just because she's cute.

Ellie and "Uncle" Donnie at the Maranui Surf Club. We saw hundreds of dolphin frolicking but they were too far out for me to get a photo.

Breakfast with Donnie on his last day.

Valentines Day

Daddy surprised us again with a 7 am delivery of five sets of roses for his girls. We love that man!

I made cupcakes for the little girls to take to school and share with their classes.