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.

December is here!! Last days of school. . .

Josie and Ellie have a crazy hair and mufti day at school.

Willow is enjoying the summer sun.

Christmas Baking with Josie

Primary Prize Giving - Josie sang the solo and did a great job!!

So proud of Josie, she won two awards!! 

Meg ready to sing at Carol Service.

Mom sent flowers for our party after the Carol Service.

Dugs, Andrew and Glenn.

Jennie and Catherine

Nicki and me. I didn't get photos of the table, the bubble bar or the kids - too busy I guess!! Dugald took these.

This is our party trick, all the Morrison girls can do the splits.

Floors finally polished!! What a difference. Next up is to return the floorboards, paint the cabinets and get new handles and figure out where I'm going to put my pantry and have one built to fit the space. Oh and add some sort of shelves to either side of the window above the sink and get subway tiles put in. . . all in good time.

My new fridge and oven have changed my life!! For the first time in New Zealand I feel like I have room in the fridge and enough oven space to cook for our whole family. So grateful!! 

The big girls had their Prize Giving a few nights later and Meggie was Highly Commended in Science, Music, German, Geography and History so she got an award. Katie received an award the next day at assembly - she was Commended in English, Design Technology (1st equal) and Mathematics. We are so proud of all the girls!!

Josie and Daddy were in the Christmas Parade so Ellie, her bestie, Alex, and I went to watch.

Ready to leave the studio.

Daddy was a miner.