Brown Sugar Cafe

On the way to Palmerston North last weekend we stopped at one of my FAVE cafes:

This company was started by Dugald's cousin many years ago, it's since been bought out, but we're still faithful drinkers. . .yum!
My little bit of decadence (and I'm showing you both sides of my cookie because it's so worth a look):

The picturesque gardens where we enjoyed our morning tea:

I'm loving it. . .

We've had another FUN weekend, but I have to sort out a few things on my computer before I can actually post about it. When my computer died months ago I made the decision to get a mac - I wanted something a bit more user friendly when it comes to pictures and graphics and whatnot. I think I've made a mistake - I do like my mac for those things, but I don't know much about how it works. Now I've used up my memory and need to move some photos and videos to my external hard drive in order to make more room - but the problem is I don't know how! Grrr.... 

Anyway, until I work out how to get more room I'll post some random pics from the last month.

We are all totally loving having a lush garden surrounding our house - right now the roses are in bloom and they are amazing - fragrant, beautiful, prolific. My friend Alison suggested we try pressing some flowers since we have such a selection - so the other day that is precisely what we did.

Katie posing with one of her picks. . .

Josie with hers and Ellie just having fun with her gumboots on .  . .
Meggie (also posing). . .
On a completely different note, the other day I took the girls to McDonalds on the way to riding. We were running late and I hadn't been to the grocery store and there isn't a Chick-Fil-A here, so it was one of few options for a fast lunch. This particular McDonalds, like many here, also has what they call a McCafe. Totally AWESOME. The kids enjoyed their happy meals and I got a latte and sandwich! These pictures aren't great because I was a little bit embarrassed about taking them but I'll show you anyway:

These pictures were taken in McDonalds, McDonalds!!! I'm loving it.

Auckland Weekend

Last weekend we all flew to Auckland for a Mercy Ships' 30-Year-Reunion. We stayed with Kate and Ant, and Ben who was home from university. We also got to visit Wills, who is in the hospital recovering from surgery. I am so bummed that I cannot figure out how to upload a picture of Wills that Dugald took on his phone - we went in to see him the day after surgery and his Dad (Ant) was there visiting. When we pulled back the curtain to say hello Ant was sprawled out on the bed and Wills was sitting in the visitor's chair. We found it humorous. 

Anyway, this post is full of pictures of our fun weekend. Thank you Kate and Ant once again for your always gracious hospitality. I am amazed at your openness to guests despite all that is going on with one son in the hospital and another home from university. We loved seeing all of you and getting some good family time together. We also very much appreciate the babysitting so we could attend our various Mercy Ships functions. 

The girls were beyond excited to see their cousins and they were possibly even more excited to see Holly, the labrador.

We had a few "games" of cricket out on the lawn. . .


Here's Dugald trying to take out his wife. . . nice!
Ellie found it all a bit boring. . .
so she went inside and had Auntie Kate read to her.
Off to a cafe for brunch - Ben is probably the tallest man the girls have ever seen, and they LOVE him!
They also love their cousin Tom.
Ben again. . .
At the cafe Katie took care of pouring the water.
Meggie snuggled up with Tom.
Josie enjoyed her juice.
Me and Kate.
Dugald, Katie, Ben and Jack Howard.
Ben and Katie.

Later in the weekend Tom's girlfriend Abi came over too. . . and the girls had a new best buddy!
The girls and I got to have lunch with some Mercy Ships friends while Dugald went to a business luncheon - Meggie or Katie took this picture and did a great job! 
Deyon is Katie's godmother and she brought her a lovely locket as a special gift. Katie was very excited!
The girls with Don and Deyon. The Stephens came over to Kate and Ant's to see the girls, then Dugald and I were able to have a really nice dinner with them, it was like a breath of Texas blowing into New Zealand and it warmed our hearts to get some time with them.
Poor Ben, he was incredibly tolerant of being climbed all over, woken up early, and "loved on" all weekend. 


Saying goodbye was hard, but thankfully we'll get to see the Howards again at Christmas. 

Making their mama proud. . .

Katie received her results from her ballet exams today. . . she did very well and was awarded a certificate with merit! We are so proud of her for her hard work this year.

Meanwhile out on the soccer field, both Meggie and Josie have received "Player of the Day" trophies for their hard work.


We're proud of our girls!!!

Tomorrow the girls and I head up to Auckland where we will meet up with Dugald again, he's in Christchurch this evening. We're looking forward to a fun weekend with Kate and Ant and many of our New Zealand Mercy Ships friends. Hope you have a great weekend too!!

My little equestrians

Today we had riding again and since the weather was absolutely beautiful I remembered my camera. I still feel so blessed to live in such an amazingly beautiful country! I try to remember to keep the camera charged for blog-worthy photo opps, and to have it with me, but I don't always succeed. Today I was half successful, I had the camera and got some cute shots of the girls, but didn't really get any of the outdoors. You'll just have to come visit and see for yourself!

Here's Meg with Charlie. 

The girls with Jackie, too bad Meg's eyes are closed.
Katie gets the saddle ready. . .
and Meggie checks her stirrups.
Katie pretending she's off to the races. Her horse, Louie, would have liked that. He's little, but fast!
Listening to Jackie before their first time cantering.
Ellie thinks it's all fascinating.
Katie goes first. . .
then Meg.

Katie again. . .
Meg and Charlie.
A few weeks ago the girls earned their first badges. . .
Today looked like such fun that if I can work it out I'm going to try and join them for lessons. I used to take, ages ago, in Texas and would love to do it again!!