Lake Ototoa

I went to Lake Ototoa for the first time this summer.

If you would like to download this video for non-commercial purposes, click here and then below the video window select 'Download Video'

Christmas Tree & Pine Cones

Yesterday we went to Onehunga and bought a Christmas tree. We set it up easily enough but it took several hours to find the lights! This morning Maree and Rachel painted some pine cones that will later go on the tree.

I'm still not used to a southern hemisphere Christmas (warm weather) but having a real tree with the pine smell makes it easier to bear.

Rachel's First Pony Ride!

On Saturday there was a 'Gypsy Fair' at a nearby park and Rachel enjoyed her first pony ride. She was a bit nervous about getting on, but after that she had a great time. Check out the video below to see how it went.

Videos

It's been a while since I've posted anything. Lots happening. I've been trying to sell our canoe on Trademe without success. We're hoping to sell it before the holidays and buy a kayak. We'll be able to use a kayak in the sea and lakes whereas our canoe can only be used in lakes and rivers.

I've uploaded a new video. Click below to see it (make sure you have the latest Adobe flash player installed)

The Holidays...

Last week Maree's good friend Julie came over from Australia for a visit. Maree hadn't seen Julie for about three or four years. 'Aunt Julie' showered Rachel with books and toys...Rachel really liked Aunt Julie!










On Saturday we went to Mission Bay and enjoyed the sun and sand. We didn't go swimming, but Rachel had a great time in the sand. Some brave (foolish?) people were swimming but it will be another couple of months before I (James) start.

Click here for our latest pictures.

Spring is here!

It's Sunday afternoom here and close to 20 degrees. Rachel has a tub outside that she splashes around in. The water from our rainwater tank is still quite cold so I have to add a bit of boiling water to her tub to keep her happy.

On friday I mowed the grass for the first time in three months and it has made quite a difference (it sounds bad, but over the winter the grass doesn't grow that much.) I still have lots of trimming to do.

The grapefruit on our tree is ripe, so we've been eating lots of grapefruit. It's a bit sour but still delicious.

The Zoo....

We went to the Auckland Zoo today. We actually have a family pass. We've gone at least four times already so it's paid for itself. Some people might think, 'why bother?', but I say 'why not?' It's like having a semi-private park. The grounds are beautifully landscaped; when we go in the afternoons during the week there are no crowds. It's a great way to get exercise as well. There's a really nice cafe too. Oh...and the animals!

Rachel loves the hippo (That's because Madagascar is her favourite movie) We didn't see everything today...which brings me to the other advantage of having a pass: you don't feel that you have to see everything. Sometimes we only go 45 minutes or so and enjoy a nice walk. Today we enjoyed ourself with a cup of tea in the Australian section watching the wallabies and the lone kangaroo. There were also to emus that really freaked Rachel out.

The highlight was being in the new aviary. There were all these cool tropical birds: lorikeets and parakeets flying around and sitting on the ground. We were only a few meters from a flock of lorikeets.

We also saw the new Tiger, Oz, all the way from the Tel Aviv Zoo in Israel

The next two weeks will be the school holidays so it will be packed so we probably won't go then.

Beginning again....

I've seen so many blogs on the internet and thought, 'wow, that is so cool' and then remembered our family blog that hasn't had a new post in over 9 months....

It's September now, so it's spring here in Auckland. The nights aren't as cold and the days are warmer. Today is really sunny but I'm taking it easy inside because I've had a sore throat for the past 5 days. This is my third day off work, but I'm definitely going back tommorrow. Two days and then the term is over. Then, a two week break. Then, 10 weeks of teaching. Then, Christmas and 6 weeks holidays.

Maree is at school today; she is studying to be a primary school teacher. The school is in Henderson which is a 30 minute drive away. Rachel goes with Maree and goes to a playcenter on the school grounds. She really likes playing with her friends, playing in the sandpit and bouncing on the trampoline (this is Rachel, not Maree)

Okay, I'd better not overdue it or it'll be a few months before I write again!