Duck in the Manger

Our nativity play on Christmas eve this year was hijacked by a large yellow duck.

Christmas performance

Before Christmas the girls put on a spectacular performance - Grace was the director and dressed the girls in their best dresses and decorated their faces with unique and ah, attractive magic marker designs. Then they were off to practice their dance to "Jingle Bells." Josephine was proving to be a difficult cast member, and there were some raised voices and eventually tears. When Grace came to me to insist that Josie could no longer be in the show, I told her there would be no show unless they could find some way for Josie to be a part of it. "And make it age appropriate," were my last words.

That evening the show opened. There were seats for the audience, and Ted's bed thoughtfully placed where he could observe in comfort. Josephine's part was to continuously circle the dancing Jane. She performed her role with grace and gravitas. Bravo, Gracie!

Summer is here!

Well, summer has been gorgeous so far - paddling in the pool, cubby houses, gardening (note Josephine is wearing my gumboots here), sandcastles at the beach, picnics in the park, painting stones in the backyard and light sabre fights on the deck. And lots (and lots) of reading! I love the break from routine. Four lovely weeks still to go!

Christmas tree

I have been meaning to blog for ages about our Christmas here in NZ, but for some reason my computer stopped 'recognising' my camera, so there is a big backlog of snaps to upload. Here we are, more organised than ever, putting up the tree on December 2nd!

Christmas 2009

Greetings!

We have had a fantastic year in 2009, culminating in a beautiful Christmas season. We have enjoyed school, kindy, work, our ward and neighbourhood. New Zealand is full of lovely people and scenery. A nice place to visit, even nicer to live here. Sometimes we feel like our lives are overflowing with good things and people. We are blessed to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus all those years ago. His birth ushered in so many wonderful blessings and opportunities for so many, including our little family. We feel close to our family here and overseas. Thank-you for your love, kindness and examples. Yes Charlie, team is everything.

With love,
Rich, Laura, Charlie, Grace, Jane, Josie and Ted

Little ladies

NZ Breakers vs Cairns Taipans

Rich and Charlie went to see the Breakers smash the Taipans. Yay!

Dutch Dinner

We went out to dinner at a Dutch restaurant in Greenhithe - it was lovely, and had a great outdoor space for the kids to play. Everyone loved the milkshakes.

Ted

Samoa

Rich is in Apia for a few days. He was in Pago Pago yesterday and will go to Tonga before coming home on Saturday.

Australian Holiday

Three girls and a cannon

Happy Birthday, Gracie!

Ferry Ride

Disaffected European popstar (aka Charlie) and entourage took a ferry ride from Devonport to Auckland to eat chocolate sundaes.

Make it Better

Charlie joined with some of his school friends to do a dance routine for the assembly. The song was "Men in Black" and the message was MIB: Make It Better. Well done Charlie.

Music Award

Charlie was hnored by the music education centre for having a great attitude and practicing hard.

Pah as a little boy

Pah's cousin Joan sent this picture to Joey recently. Pah is in the picture, with a hat, sitting on his Aunt Beat's lap. He was about three or four. The photo was taken at Wellington Point in Brisbane.

What matters most

This is a lovely little video about what matters most to each of us.

Torah Bright

Rich met Torah Bright eight years ago in Sydney when she was 14 years old. Her older sister, Rowena, was gearing up to compete at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. They are both lovely young women originally from Cooma. Torah is a great example of someone passionate about her career but also grounded by her faith and family relationships. The Daily Telegraph did a nice story on her today.

Photo courtesy of the Daily Telegraph.

Finding Hope

This year has been a year where we as a family have been exposed to the reality of mortality, in our own family and among our friends. Rich found this video about one man's story after surviving 9-11. It is a touching account about the possibility of finding hope after tragedy.