Grace graduates from Upper Harbour Primary School

Grace with her Year 6 teacher, Mrs Millett.

 It has been a truly great six years for Grace at primary school. She has been blessed with inspirational teachers and mentors. It was very hard to say goodbye on the last day, but new adventures await. 

Scavenger Hunt

Laura recently organised a scavenger hunt around the junior high school for the Year 6 kids and it was a lot of fun.

Duckpond

Rich

Josie's athletics day

Playgroup goes to the Zoo!

Summer, where are you?

Well, summer is here, but it certainly doesn't feel like it! We are trying to act all summery, but as you'll notice, there is very little blue sky and jumpers and winter pjs are still required!

Blockbuster!

Halloween

This year we had a Trunk or Treat activity in the carpark at church. Everyone decorated their boots with a movie theme and the children went trick or treating from car to car. We chose the movie Wreck-It Ralph. Grace, Jane and Laura created a puppet show with the characters handing lollies out through the windows of Ralph's building. Adam manned the puppet show tirelessly while everyone else went trick or treating. It was a great night.

Criminal Team

Recently Rich went to a certain country for work. He and a colleague visited a government official. When they arrived at the reception, they were greeted by a young woman, perhaps 16 years old. They told her they had an appointment with the official so, without asking for their names or ID, she gave them visitor passes and they went in. Rich's colleague's pass said "Executive," while Rich's said "Criminal Team."  Rich and his colleague were confused but they carried on.  Their visit was very positive.  They were not allowed to keep the passes.

More pics from armeggeddon expo

Armegeddon expo

Charlie, Grace, Jane, Rich went to the Armegeddon Expo in Auckland this weekend with a friend, Jared. It showcased lots of tv shows, video games, movies, comics etc. The slogan for the the expo was 'Awesomenessness'. That just about summed it up. Charlie and Grace are pictured here with a Dalek, from Dr Who.

Josephine's new 'do.

Botanic Gardens

We met up with our friends, the Reddys, at the Auckland Botanic Gardens during the school holidays. We had a great time, though learnt an important lesson: do not picnic in the "offleash area." A very naughty dog came and stole some of our lunch and jumped all over Adam.

Couch bed

Rich was away in the USA for 10 days and we took the opportunity to sleep in many different rooms and beds. Kind of like musical beds. Here Josephine and Adam spend a night on the couch bed.

Cousins

Charlie and Grace went to Brisbane for 5 days, and during that time caught up with the Atkinsons. Here they are with their beautiful cousins. Grace loved sleeping over with them. Thank you, Atkinsons!

Bay of Islands Holiday

Our Bay of Islands Cruise

Urupukapuka Island

We stopped off at Urupukapuka Island during our half day cruise around the Bay of Islands. It was a fabulous morning, we saw dolphins and went out to see the spectacular "Hole in the Rock." We were very pleased, though, to hop off the boat for an hour and to have a picnic on this beautiful island.

Waitangi

Maori Cultural Performance at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

We saw a brilliant performance of Maori dances and songs at the Waitangi Treaty grounds. I must say that in the past such cultural performances have left me unmoved, but not this one. It was so entertaining and uplifting. It was a joy to be there. I was just a little concerned that the girls were sitting on the floor in front, and extremely close to the jabbing spears, but they seemed to cope.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds - Maori Fishing Village

This is one small corner of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. A great museum.

Bayview Lodge

We as such a great time at our little apartment. Jane and Josie and Adam were thrilled with everything - it was all jaw-droppingly amazing. We had a great stay here, though missed Grace and Charlie, who were visiting the rellies in Brisbane. 

Out and about in Paihia