Between moving up and down the country, broken computers and slow internet we have not been very good at keeping up to date with our blog. Since we are finally settled here is a catch up... Be warned - there are a lot of photos!
So last time we updated the blog we were off to the Sounds with Poppa Chuff, Mary, Will and Molly. It was pretty amazing!
The house was pretty much on the water - with only a tennis court in between.
We swam and sailed and kayaked and swung and fished. It was wonderful and the boys and Baxter were in their element.
We left the Sounds and made the long drive to Dunedin to stay with Grandma and Grandad. It was so wonderful to see them and be able to unpack for a few days.
We had a lovely catch up with Malcolm and Amanda and met the gorgeous Arla.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day was spent with all the Rutherford family. There were a lot of us!
Again we had a wonderful time with bathing, swimming, cricket, gardening, biking, cooking, eating, and we even got to watch the Sound of Music on Christmas Day!
We went and spent the day with the Gemmill's in Gore before driving through the night to Blenheim. We loved our day on the farm!
We had a great catch up with our old friends Ben and Cat and their boys Max and Milo and Dan and Leigh and their kids Nate and Eliza. It was a wonderful reunion - especially our girls day out!
We took them all to Lake Rotoiti for the day.
And then said goodbye. The ferry back to Wellington was fun.
And then we were back in Masterton for two weeks were we were housesitting an amazing house across the road from Topsy and Tim.
It had a pool!
We had a great time in Masterton and caught up with lots of old and new friends.
We went to Riversdale for the night with the Wylies.
Went on a train in the park with the Molina's
And Rupert met Uncle Rupert. Not sure who is the most trouble!
Don made a quick trip up to Auckland to drop off a load of our things... Our house before we arrived.
We left Masterton and spent the night with Joe and Asha in Te Awanga. It was so great to see them and all the kiddies getting on so well.
The kids, of course, loved the pool.
And swinging,
and Baxter,
and pizza making,
and performing!
And then finally we were home!
We had one night in our house before our container arrived. Thankfully we had beds for the kids and a pullout sofa for us.
There was much excitement as the container pulled up.
We worked liked crazy people to get everything unpacked before Don left for China, and we did it.
So now we are here and settled and the big boys have started kindy and are loving it.
And we have found lots of activities to do. Charlie was especially taken with Ballet lessons...
Rupert is very funny when he is not grizzling!
We had a great couple of weeks with Grandma while Don was in China. She worked so hard in the garden and helping with the kids. It was a really special time and we SO appreciated her being here. It seems we were so busy that we didn't take very many pictures. Sorry Grandma!
The boys seem to be enjoying the house, here is their favourite spot to eat their iceblocks.
And help Daddy with DIY...
Charlie has had his first haircut.
Before.
And after.
Alby had his cut too.
We have seen loads of our friends the Hills. So great to have them around the corner!
We have been working pretty hard on the house, trying to tidy it up. A few stumps have been removed and the front deck is a work in progress.
Thats it for now but will try not to wait too long before posting again!
Love from us all from Te Atatu Peninsula!
