Merry Christmas!!

Sending all our love from New Zealand - wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!!  We are off to the South Island for 2 weeks on Monday and will update blog upon our return! xoxo

Cute Kiwi Kids

who do you think did all the work….(hint, who's feet reach the peddles?)

New Zealand's "Christmas Tree" - Pohutukawa (blooms at Christmas)

…and our Christmas Tree

Evening at the beach - classic Kiwi Christmas

Piggy

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

I must admit, it is the furthest thing from our mind as we are unable to reconcile the summer season with our usual snowy day (bummer!). Kids are expecting a few presents under the tree (cut down from a girlfriend's backyard and homemade decorations) and there is some Christmas baking going on…but for the most part, it is lower key here than in N.America. We are more concerned about keeping busy over summer break (just started), and planning holidays (leaving for our driving tour on boxing day).

I have enjoyed some great visits and Christmas cheer with some fabulous women that I an connecting with here, Kyle has been fishing, and the kids…well, the world revolves around them you know.

I will upload some "christmas" pictures on the weekend but here are a few videos of Gman playing soccer. He has played a total of six 25min games - check out our budding star!

Grayson playing with his age group - they aren't super keen just yet (hear the cry of the wee man that bully Grayson took the ball from?;) )



He was put up to play with the 4/5 year olds the next game and although he threw it to the wrong team (oops), he is right at home (check out his size compared to the others!!!). He ended up getting 1 of their 2 goals (proud mom)



For those family members who haven't yet seen my promo video…check it out!!

Kudos to my amazing husband who surprised me with a weekend away ALL BY MYSELF!! I woke up Friday to an itinerary for 3 days, 2 nights at a hotel downtown. Sent me on my way with a bottle of wine hidden in my bag, spa certificate, and strict instructions to shop and relax.
Ummm…ok, I can do this.
Highlights: Dinner with girlfriend, sunny BBQ, and bumped into Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Concords.
Lowlights:  Damn toe limited walking, 5.7 magnitude quake jostled Wellington for a good 15 seconds. yikes.

View from hotel room

Alison's housewarming - flash new pad!! 

Alison's backyard!! 

Cable car to get down to flash new pad (!!)

Awesome dinner with Rach! 

Cuties. 

Caffeine.

Spending money. 

Why I was not terribly heartbroken to come home….

Where Adelyn spends much of her time

Take me home Dorothy!

130km winds today - they don't call it Windy Wellington for nothing…



Don't mind the music - but you must check out how planes are thrown around here!!

The 5th Birthday Party!

Cleaning up before the guests arrive! 

Adelyn wrote her own version of Happy Birthday 

My first attempt with Fondant

Even our sweet neighbour Dale joined in on the action

Dance Party! 

Adelyn and Grayson's bday and Christmas present from Daddy and Aunty Lola (absurd I know)

Milestone week for our family!! Adelyn turned 5, graduated from kindy, and has started school! 

I could not be more pleased with her Kindergarten experience here in NZ. They truly foster individuality and creativity and I know it has shaped Adelyn's life (and my views on education!). The creations and stories that Adelyn has developed and brought home have touched us and given us a true sense of who she is - way to go Petone Kindergarten and the lovely and talented teachers! 

Going through "her book" - Stories of growth and development written by the Teachers (btw - notice all of the bare feet??)

"Blast Off" Cute kindy ritual - blasting off to Grade 1!

Adelyn on her first day of school! 

 About time we did this! 

Spending our last day with Granddad on the beach - it was a lovely visit! 

Heading out to the Kapiti Coast with Granddad and kids

Rugby past meets rugby future

5th Birthday Wish - Family party

Eat my dust kid (just kidding)

That's my boy! 

That's my boy X 2! 

Wellington's outdoor skating rink

Strange weather for a Santa Parade?

And so it begins...

Corporate child advertising at its best

Almost forgot what the parade was about until this guy showed up! 

How sweet are they? "Come on Doris, let's make a break for it"