Summer Fun

Happy New Year - I hope you had a great start to 2019 so far. This week I'm back to work after my annual summer holidays. How fast did that time go?  Glenn has been back at work for the past fortnight and Hannah still has two more weeks before her school year starts back on the 4th February.

After a very busy Christmas and end of the year, the past few weeks have been more relaxed, lots of family time and catching up with friends.  For the first time in many years we chose not to head away to Taupo after new years, instead booking in more time at our favourite beach spot, Blackhead Beach. Over the past three weeks we've been tripping back and forwards from the beach to home, its only 30 minutes to the coast from where we live.

This year we were able to see all the pohutakawa trees in full bloom, usually we arrive at the end of their flowering season.  I think my Mum counted 25 trees surrounding where we stay, just beautiful.

Hannah, my cousin Donna and friend Niamh walked up the great big hill behind where we stay one day and once at the top, Donna got these awesome shots of the farm and beach.

We struck it lucky with mostly sunny, hot weather but some days the wind was terrible. So lots of beach walks, surf cast fishing, reading, cricket, croquet, boogie boarding, card games, our days were easily filled.

Having no cellphone coverage, internet or tv, it was a good opportunity for all of us to unplug and enjoy the beautiful summer sunshine, good company and make memories for the kids.  We have one more beach weekend booked mid February which I'm already looking forward to.

See you soon xx

Christmas 2018

 Hello, I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Christmas - we certainly did. Filled with family, love and laughter, lots of delicious food and drink and a massive amount of rain. I can't even remember the last time it rained Christmas Day here lol.

It feels like the past week or so has gone by in such a blur - end of the year school activities for Hannah, special functions for my work and Glenn's, followed by a family friend's 21st birthday celebrations. Today is the first quiet day for us in what feels like ages!

So back tracking to Christmas Eve, Hannah's annual photo by the Xmas tree, next year she is most definitely going to be taller than our tree lol.

 A few Christmas treats - Tim Tam truffles, chocolate brownie and apricot & marshmellow log.

New pjs' on Christmas Eve, one our little traditions since Hannah's first Christmas

Delivering some presents, in between the showers of rain

Enjoying a glass of bubbles or two, knowing that we're all set and prepped for Christmas Day

As usual, Hannah was awake bright and early to see what was under the tree for her.

We all received some lovely presents.

Then we crossed the road to enjoy breakfast with my parents, brother and niece, and Abby too.

This year we decided to have a low key Christmas and invited my immediate family and Glenn's for Christmas dinner. Another round of pressie opening too!

 This was pretty much the view of the window most of the day until late afternoon/ early evening.

On our menu this year we had hot ham, roast beef, pork and chicken, prawn salad, pasta salad and lettuce salad, new potatoes freshly dug from Dad's garden and baby peas.

And bubbles too :)

Dessert was brandy snaps, ambrosia, Xmas treats, fresh raspberries and boysenberries, cherries, fruit salad, ice cream and pavlova.

So in all a wonderful day xxx


The following day, Boxing Day, we headed up to Hastings to check out the sales. As did almost every other person in Hawkes Bay ha ha.

A few very exciting purchases later, a new washing machine to complete our laundry reno, and a brand new lounge suite!  Wahoo, very much looking forward to it arriving in 6-8 weeks time.

So now Christmas has been, it's time to relax and chill out, enjoying our summer break.

See you soon xx