Communion Season and more

Like I have already said, it is our busy season.  We had the Youth Conference beginning of this year, and with it brought a few guests.  Then I needed to prepare for the communion season and that also was busy!  But we enjoyed it, as I hope the congregation did too.  Here is a picture of the Macdonalds and ourselves.

Amelia knows how to make "Crazy Cake" all by herself.  It is the first recipe that she is able to do without any help, that is until it needs to be poured into the pan and baked.  The Macdonalds and Mr. Vermuelen got to try Amelia's cake, and it was approved.

 DVD's are better watched with guests...

Owen is here playing at the little play park near us.

 Haha, I really like his expression here. He wasn't afraid, in case you thought it was!

Mr. Aaron

 A male relative...who is good at washing dishes...

 ...and cleaning couches and chairs...and all sorts of stuff!  

It's nice having Randy here in NZ; at the moment he is in the South Island for a bit.

Here is a family picture of us before the Macdonalds left for Aussie.

 After the communion, on Tuesday (I think it was) we went to Omana Beach with Randy...so peaceful and sunny!

 This beach has lots of shells...I'm guessing it isn't as popular as those in the North Shore.

 We found someones kite who left it at the beach. We decided to try it out (Jett did and had fun too).  Of course it was the wrong string and it eventually snapped.

 After Amelia made a cake, she was busy looking at a cake magazine...she is definitely copying somebody here, I just won't say who!

 And today we started the new school year!  

Aaron is in Grade...

And Amelia is in Grade...

Don't ask what level that is here, because I'm still trying to figure that out. :)

And now to get some much needed ironing done.

Travels, swimming, missing teeth and a birthday

Again, I leave blogging on the back burner and when I do find time to update I realize there is just too many photos and too much information to put up.  So I'll be brief. 

Aaron is losing his baby teeth!  Here he is with one missing, and then the second was pulled out in Tauranga.

Last weekend we were in Tauranga for the communion which was very nice.  It seems to be very hot during that time.  I was very thankful for the pool at the Motel, the children and I used it a couple of times.  On the way home we stopped at Waihi beach...beautiful sun, sand and waves and hardly anybody in sight.  The kids of course, had to wade a wee bit. :)

Just before church at the Motel...

 

Yes they were watching a dvd, I think it was a Creation Astronomy dvd, they really enjoy anything about space! 

  

On the way home at Waihi Beach.

 

 Coming back from Tauranga we just made it for Amelia's last swimming lesson.  She really enjoyed her teacher and the other boys in her class.  We might try private lessons next time...we'll see. :)

Here she is "diving" under and then with a little helpful push getting low enough to grab the "toy" from the bottom.

 

Smiling... :)

 

 

The best way to play a piano around here is on the back of a trailer.
This is my piano with many thanks to the de Boers.  :)

 

Keithie is 2!  And here is my quick-think-of-an-idea-cake for him.  The polar bear looked pretty neat but the seal took more of a salamander appearance...haha!  Keith liked it anyways.

 

Getting his toy out of the packaging....he REALLY REALLY liked his present!

 And I really like how sturdy it is.  WOW toys, look into them, you'll like them!

Can you believe he is two?  What happened to my baby??

I asked him at the dinner table if he wanted us to sing happy birthday and he quickly said, "No" and of course we just cracked up laughing.  Silly boy.  I asked him if he wanted his present and again, "No"!  This morning he was trying to push me and say, "Mommy, lets eat."  Another typical boy in the family who likes their food. 

 

Anyways, that is our update for the time being.  

R.a.n.d.o.m.n.e.s.s

While hubby is busy I'm trying to make sure the kids have plenty to do.  Which means painting outside, gardening outside, playing the kiddy pool for the third day in a row...lol :)  And school of course, can't forget that!  I'm pushing to try and be done on time but we'll see.

I was trying to be artistic...maybe I should stick to the piano :)  But hey, three boy blondies are too cute not to photograph.

This is actually Owen's new (er used) bike.  We are currently looking for things for him to do outside and this was one of them, of course Aaron rides it just as much which is good.

Aw, my little cleaner!  It was so cute.  Aaron spilled water on the seat and floor (accidentally of course) so I told Aaron to clean up but he only did his seat...*sigh*  and dropped the towel on the ground.  Well Keithie saw his opportunity and started to clean up after his brother, and surprisingly for a almost 2 year old he did very well!  I think he'll be like Amelia, a perfectionist.

 Two of three of my rose bushes...they are flowering so well this year!

And a package came in the mail from my mom yeah!!!  Adds excitement to the lonely weekend.

We are busy as always but this is the busier season.  Planting the garden, and adding on.  Keeping children clean (oh boy).  Trying to spring clean parts of the house to get ready for the communion and guests in Jan. Jett has been off to communion seasons once a month lately.  And next week we hope to have the new oven/stove installed!!  Yippie I can hardly wait to bake and roast stuff again! :)  Amelia has swimming lessons every Monday and thoroughly enjoys it.  Ok I had better get off and start making dinner!!

Bay of Islands Oct 2013

We had our very first "real" holiday this week.  We decided to go up to the bay of islands and tour around for a couple of days (so only a two night holiday).  We had a few car sick children on the way up...but thankfully it was only one way and our trip back down was peaceful...we have a portable DVD player (which is 4 or 5 years old now) and it has proven to be very valuable for long car journeys!!

So after driving for 3 and a half hours we checked in to our Motel, had lunch and went up to the Waitangi Treaty grounds.  Here the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on Feb 6th 1840.

Very hyper children after a long car ride!

Waiting for our tour to begin at Waitangi

Poor Owen was still feeling unwell... :(

The very looong waka (canoe) built for a special occasion (centennial or something like that)  Waka's are not normally this long as it would be hard to maneuver up rivers.  Made out of three Kauri trees.

 On day 2 of our holiday we decided to go over to Russell or Kororareka (Maori for sweet penguin)

So first a ferry trip over....

Waiting to board the ferry

On the ferry

the bay

Mr Smith

Looking back at Paihia

Daddy and Amelia went up front to get a better view and then the Captain let Amelia steer for a wee bit

Keith!!

The oldest church in New Zealand (Russell)

The cushions were covered with handmade tapestry...which varied from flowers, ships, birds etc!

In the front of the church

Russell beach.  It happened to be a very windy day.

Cannon, cannon ball and two boys

Amelia and an amazing tree!!

See what I mean?  Oh and behind is the old customs house in Russell

Back in Paihia we found this.  It mentions that the first mission ship "Herald" was first launched here.

 And on our last day (3) we went to see a few mission houses...Te Waimate was first.  It was the first inland mission.  Unfortunately we didn't check when it was opened...oops!

Te Waimate

Amelia in aviators

Te Waimate church and cemetery

 Next stop was Kerikeri

Having lunch in Kerikeri

Looking towards Kerikeri mission house and stone store

Stone store built 1832-1836 absolutely gorgeous building!  We also toured the mission house behind it.

And then we drove back home...and welcomed Auckland traffic!  It could've been worse though.

Although it was busy holidaying with the children, I still really enjoyed learning more about NZ's history.  

And now back to routine...sort of!  Next week is Gisborne communion, and Amelia starts swimming lessons all being well exciting for her. :)  All right off I go, I really need to get the house tidied up for tomorrow!