Long time no see

Yes, it has been a while since I posted.  And no I don't feel bad about it at all.  I don't think any busy mother should feel bad about not posting regularly.  I've had thoughts about closing my blog for good in the past couple of months but then I wouldn't post anywhere else really, for family and friends to see, so for now we remain.  

So what has this family been up to in the past couple of months?  Well, we've had a busy Sept-Oct and it never seems to really slow down sometimes.  Always something to do.  Anyways, Jett has been to Sydney communion, and then we travelled to Gisborne as a family so he could read the edict.  Was so nice to see Leah and the family again. Feels nice having some family in the same country even though they are a good 6 driving hours away.  Oh yes, and Jett had to go back for the Induction/ordination, and again he had to go back for the communion.  Oh yes, and how can I forget we had family over in Sept!?

Uncles are the best!

 Sweet baby J.

 Amelia loooved her little cousin...she can't wait for her new sibling to arrive (3 and 1/2 months to go).

 Little L...heehee what a character.  For some reason I imagined him to be shy, and quiet.  Neither are true.  Such a cutie.  Keith still talks about him.

 Here we are with some of our many nephews.

 Could be a political debate or something they were looking at...not sure. 

Yes, I'm pathetic at getting photos.  I guess I was too busy enjoying them! :)

Ah yes, the drive to Gisborne...gorgeous beaches.  We actually saw a seal in the water but when I ran to get my camera the seal was gone.

 Story time at the manse, not sure if they were listening to the story or to my crazy Aaron. :)

 These two are so cute together. And I don't know why I didn't realize they are also very close in age!

 And another scenic pic on our way back....

Yes, I failed to take pictures of Leah and Caleb!  :S

 November has been just a busy month for schooling, swimming lessons, teaching music lessons, and the various midwife appointments and tests that have to be done.  Aaron has completed his Maths, Spelling, Handwriting, and Language book this week which is very exciting for him!  Amelia has her Language done, and is very near the end of her other core subjects.  Yes, we will be done early this year which is GREAT!!!  

And now I need to badly check on children and start dinner. :)

Amelia's 9th Birthday

Call me a little crazy for having about 17 kids over for a birthday party (or was it a few more?) But that is exactly what I did.  But hey, if we were in Texas it would probably be the same right?  So here are a few pictures of her party.  And I mean a basic party.  I make a lunch, and cake and the rest well the kids took care of themselves.  Here is her cake...it wasn't supposed to look like a hat but nevermind. 

 

Oma sent Amelia a Cabbage Patch doll - it's her favourite dolly now. :)

And her current hobby is learning about NZ birds so this gift from the Jago's was perfect!

More gifts (she was spoiled!!)

There was more presents than the above pictures but I won't bore you with details. :)

History Fair!

The last day of Term 2 we went to our local annual homeschool history fair.  Last year A&A did a joint project but this year they did projects separately. Aaron was all into dinosaurs until wbout a week or so before the history fair....sigh.  But anyways he did really well. 

Of course when you go with friends, you need to take photos of their children and projects too. ;) Here is Mr Lincoln, really like his hat!

 Aaron's dinosaur display.

 Mrs. Washington....er Amelia.

 Amelia being judged on her knowledge of Mr. Washington.

 Aaron being judged.

 Another friend's project on the US flag (they like America btw) she got a prize for this, well done!

 Another friend's...she also got a prize; not surprising really as she knew her stuff and enjoyed studying the Queen.

 Her sister did Queen Victoria. :)

 The Great Fire of London.  I'm sure a lot of people know who this wee man is (at least some Scots will).

Amelia's group - was quite large, actually the three younger groups seemed to be quite large!  This year they had double the participants which meant a full room.

We went to Mcdonalds as a treat afterwards.  I had two crying children because Mcdonalds makes junk food...(I thought this was going to be a treat) Anyways they calmed down when I said it is okay because we only eat here very rarely! I guess I have been talking too much about how bad junk food is...!

 

  Unfortunately this MCd's willbe moving to a new building which si being built next door (Keith is watching the machines in the pic). This most likely means a noiser Mcd's....the newer ones all seem to have tv's and some have loud music. I guess we'll have to eat outside if we want peace... :)

Anyways the next post should be of Amelia's birthday party.  She had such a good time with her friends and they gave lovely thoughtful gifts.  Very sweet. :)

Owen's 6th Birthday and a few random photos.

Not sure why I haven't posted about Owen's birthday yet not that we did anything overly exciting. Cake,a few presents and thats about it. :)  I filmed lots of it but I didn't take pictures except this one, of the cake. Silly me.

He enjoyed it though, and even blew the candles out which was nice.  He got a ukelele but it already needs to be restrung...right, my fault for buying cheap. :(  I should probably get something better but not right now.  Why does this seem to happen every year with him?

We went to the Museum sometime in May I think?  Before Jett headed off to the faraway land of Scotland.

I like the architecture...must be in my blood. ;)

I'm not into selfies but I am into taking pictures (occasionally that is) of us together.

I'll need to post pictures of the history fair next....but for now this will have to do.  Struggling just now with some flu bug and next week is the communion here so lots going on.

Holiday part 3

Last part of our holiday and I'm sorry it has taken me so long. We went to the beach and found a fairly secluded spot to go swimming.  It was a lot of fun.  

Here we are getting buckled into go home.

I'm still not used to salt water.  

 And as we headed out of the park we found this Mommy pukeko and her two chicks aww.

The last place we went to was the Waitakere Ranges to go for a hike.

 It was a beautiful walk besides getting a little rained on.

 Oh the beautiful trees and ferns!

 A guy from the US took this photo for us.  We get all types of people visiting here.

 Then Daddy splurged and bought ice creams for us all (Jett and I shared one).

 The next day or so I didn't want to do anything else but soak up sun and drink coffee with my best friend.

Holiday part 2

After the weekend we went up to Auckland harbour and took a hour cruise around the harbour through the Maritime Museum (very reasonable).  The kids enjoyed it very much!

 Waiting for our boat ride.

 

 We passed this huge cruise ship.

 One of the crew offered to take a picture of us for us. :D

 Coming towards the harbour bridge.

 Me and Keith.

 Amelia struck up a conversation with one of the crew.  I like how my children are quick to converse with others whether they are young or old.

 Afterwards we stopped at the American Shop and Daddy went and got ice creams from Mcdonalds for the kids

We then went up Mt Wellington since we were in the area andwalked around the crater.