Summer Vacation

Summer Vacation. As a kid, who didn't live for summer vacation? In New Zealand, summer vacation gets all muddled up with Christmas which is strange for us Northern Hemisphere types. However, we have all been enjoying ourselves tremendously. My parents came in mid-December. Dad stayed for two weeks, Mom for three. Except for the adjustment to a summer-time Christmas and a constant bombardment of noise from our three boys, I think they had a good time. We managed to show them some spectacular parts of the country.

Richard is now a keen and rather accomplished windsurfer. I'm still in the learning stages, but do manage to actually sail on occassion. Kip is expressing interest. This means that our garage is stuffed to the gills with windsurfing gear and the online weather channel is consulted with annoying frequency. Reid and Quinn are getting good with their boogie boards and since we live near some great surf beaches, they get lots of chances to practice.

Next week, Kip is off to summer camp for 5 days. People tell us that it's an "American Thing", but I think it's just a good thing for him to learn independence and make new friends.

Some photos of our summer holiday so far.

Richard's Landscaping Projects

A while back, we commissioned a landscaping plan that was designed to be our big 10-year project. We wanted to do a lot of the work ourselves and have something to work towards. I'm not sure how it happened, or even when it happened, but Richard seems to have decided to condense the 10-year project into one. I'm sure our neighbors are wondering what's happening as trucks keep arriving with loads of gravel, rock, top soil, plants, diggers and the work parties seem to take place every weekend. We couldn't have done it without the help of Richard's parents who appear with plants and tools and goodies from the bakery as well as a willingness to work. The boys have had fun with the piles of dirt, the heavy equipment and the rocks. Kal has loved tracking mud through the house. I have loved planting and planning. Richard has loved feeling the great sense of accomplishment but keeps wondering what's happening to our savings. I'll show you what's been happening to our savings!

Delinquent Blogger

I've been neglecting my duties as a responsible blogger. Spring has sprung and it's been full-on with landscaping projects, school and visits to the beach. Here are a few recent photos for your viewing pleasure.

My Harvest

My Produce

My Blond Boys

My Hungry Boys

Water Dog

Kal is really starting to show his Labrador traits. He's a big sniffer, a constant chewer and he loves the water.

A Beautiful Day

We took the kids for a beautiful hike out the Tawharanui Peninsula today. It's wonderful to have the great weather back after a wet winter. We're all a bit weary after walking over hill and dale, but the kids are real troopers when it comes to hiking.

Slave Labour

I love that the kids are now old enough to help with the work around the house. Cleaning toilets, vacuuming, taking out the recycling, planting potatoes. While the kids are busy doing that, Kal is doing what he does best. Nothing but being cute.

July School Holidays

Hockey games, walks on the beach, adventures with mom.
Kip has really begun to love hockey. He's pretty darn good, too!

Spectators bundled up at the hockey game.


Walking the boys on the beach.

Kip at the top of the Sky Tower (the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere).


Quinn at Kelly Tarlton's-an underground aquarium.