September 2016

Aika likes hanging out in the sun - a rare photo of her awake during the day.

These two are closer to each other than normal.

Josie helps Ellie do her "Living with Three Sisters" poster for her speech competition.

Katie volunteers to help welcome refugee students.

Katie and her debating team made it to the finals again at parliament - they did really well but QMC beat them by a hair.

Katie is a strong first speaker.

Tegan, Hannah, Saro and Katie

The girls with their coach Nicola.

Poker Night at ours with friends

Dugs going over the house rules for Texas Hold 'Em

I thought my main was so pretty - should serve it at Christmas with all that red and green. It was delicious too!

Great night with our great friends.

Wellington on a Plate - Great Gatsby Style

Meggie's Year 12 Semi-Formal

At David Jones getting makeup done with Annabel and Lily

Dinner and dressing at ours before heading over to Jamieson's for the pre-party. Claudia, Meggie, Katie, Martine and Sophie.

Meggie and some of her Young Enterprise team testing recipes for their "Sweet As Brownie in a Mug"

Ellie and Mackenzie waiting for hockey to start.

Ellie, Ava and Maya at a sports tournament

Josie and Sashi hosting a fundraiser movie for their AIMS games trip with netball.

Early morning start on the bus to Tauranga for AIMS.

Meggie's Birthday and a note from 238

Time for us to go back home

While the girls were at Cousins Camp Ali and I did our annual walk to the beach and had lunch at Frenchys. This year instead of walking all the way back - it looked like is was going to rain sooner than we could get to our cars - we took the water taxi. It was great! We watched the fishermen feed the pelicans with the offshoots of the fish they were cleaning while we waited on the dock and then we saw some gorgeous dolphins  - AND we shaved off half the walk. Winning.

The other great thing about Cousins Camp is all the moms get together too. We had a great dinner out and it was so good to spend time with my lovely sisters and sisters-in-law. We missed Shannon Parker though. 

Papa and Mama always drive us to the airport - they graciously lend us a car for our visit and then help deliver us, and all of our luggage, in their cars no matter what time the flight. Thankfully this year's wasn't at too unreasonable an hour but it was sure sad saying goodbye.

It is always nice to get home though - Kia Ora beautiful New Zealand, we missed you.

Aotearoa