tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358252883735902112024-03-05T21:46:25.308+13:00Aaron, Helen and Freya's AdventuresAaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02168330646364054630noreply@blogger.comBlogger456125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-13751515008590883992017-02-05T21:16:00.001+13:002017-02-05T21:16:22.538+13:00Kapiti campingAnother long weekend so I decided it was time to take freya camping. A bit ashamed that it has taken this long to take her, but her dad isn't very fond of camping. So we had a girls camping trip with our friends Kareen and her 22 month old Melina. We had a plan a few days before, but that had to change because the campground was fully booked, so we made another plan.....<div><br></div><div>We set off mid morning on Saturday to Otaki forks, only to be thwarted by a road closure due to another slip on the road after heavy rain the last week. So we headed to Otaki beach for lunch and spent a couple of hours playing at the beach waiting to see if the road to Otaki forks would open. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW9pEtmNwJygtT-94fwmLsAPI2jM9-zaHWhij7N_hCCyZv7ZGCGO-osIGDFr43acGxkocFD2pIv36DlpiC_OIkizFFPdiNbrnZ8hFeUcnpqtlc39fg-UxUyGPUgx3xNjimYwheeuJCbks/s640/blogger-image-20331262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW9pEtmNwJygtT-94fwmLsAPI2jM9-zaHWhij7N_hCCyZv7ZGCGO-osIGDFr43acGxkocFD2pIv36DlpiC_OIkizFFPdiNbrnZ8hFeUcnpqtlc39fg-UxUyGPUgx3xNjimYwheeuJCbks/s640/blogger-image-20331262.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Freya and Melina at Otaki beach</div></div><div><br></div><div>The road was still closed at 4pm, so time for plan C, we headed to the very basic Waikawa campground North of Otaki. This was also very boggy and wet, but we found a spot that was dry enough and set up camp. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXRMDtkUEai5x52yT2q4VfRFQgG74N-pRI4In4oPM7p3r1tJtFCaVMHcMyEpkYSqOb_UrFpD3wlO8BsoCUAHjPpZLFH6jLx91wIJofay_MtL7jyRnaWG72-tMGyJ9qzfKWsotI5vflzh8/s640/blogger-image--1889846815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXRMDtkUEai5x52yT2q4VfRFQgG74N-pRI4In4oPM7p3r1tJtFCaVMHcMyEpkYSqOb_UrFpD3wlO8BsoCUAHjPpZLFH6jLx91wIJofay_MtL7jyRnaWG72-tMGyJ9qzfKWsotI5vflzh8/s640/blogger-image--1889846815.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVukjl5wyMn81yCjjsrbDzHfhjeYVpPpa8jOKNzihDtLt_9MpHu5O4qVf6FRZlyCTPPhQEe3Iox8VLIg_UFn0qkoe2e1-1PzQldHrSKdPaEfWgfhPBFNlyKyukrovLWl4RIU8j8zGqKNX/s640/blogger-image-1322273801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVukjl5wyMn81yCjjsrbDzHfhjeYVpPpa8jOKNzihDtLt_9MpHu5O4qVf6FRZlyCTPPhQEe3Iox8VLIg_UFn0qkoe2e1-1PzQldHrSKdPaEfWgfhPBFNlyKyukrovLWl4RIU8j8zGqKNX/s640/blogger-image-1322273801.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Camp, Freya and Melina playing in the tent. </div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Freya seemed to take it all in her stride and tried to help put up the tents and then enjoyed playing with Melina in the tents. They both enjoyed splashing in muddy puddles and exploring the camp....with a few meltdowns when evil mums wouldn't let them play in the really big muddy puddles. Melina did manage to dive/ trip in to one of them and cover herself in mud. There were also a few meltdowns over sharing toys, books, chairs, balls.....I guess they are at that age where sharing is hard and meltdowns are common. But in between there were moments of playing nicely together....and a few minutes peace for the mums to chat. </div><div><br></div><div>Just as we were corralling the girls into bed it started to rain....freya did very well going to sleep quite easily (she was pretty tired from chasing, playing and fighting with Melina all afternoon). Unfortunately I realised that our tent leaks quite badly as it looks like the seam tape is disintergrating. Luckily the rain stopped after an hour or so... And so did the drips! So my visions of a very soggy unpleasant night didn't materialise. But I was kept awake by hedgehogs trying to get into the rubbish bag...eventually getting some watermelon rinds. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Freya slept really well, with only a couple of wakes. I wish I could say the same. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The next morning after breakfast, a few more meltdowns, and packing up some rather soggy tents we set off to check out the Raumati water park/gardens that I had heard about from our previous neighbours. We arrived around 10am just as temperatures were warming up and just a few kids playing. Freya and Melina had a quick bounce on the seesaw, but then headed on to the spray pad. They really enjoyed running in and through the water sprays, with a couple of interludes playing in the sandpit and on the swings and slide. We didn't get a chance to check out the rest of the gardens as the girls got cold and it was time for some food before heading home at lunchtime, so the girls could have their midday naps. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fGJSgu6tLREvZXlPUwPu3x7-n4c41RYB99FD0_SrgB6ngy9SmdI5awGdYLxFJzI2G0AlWA7pTGSGkQE1yxxEF6DJ04u5EIU641HZzUC2lrsZal9XYU_3hAcwql-DUspVz7WBnqOPUX1U/s640/blogger-image--117382591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fGJSgu6tLREvZXlPUwPu3x7-n4c41RYB99FD0_SrgB6ngy9SmdI5awGdYLxFJzI2G0AlWA7pTGSGkQE1yxxEF6DJ04u5EIU641HZzUC2lrsZal9XYU_3hAcwql-DUspVz7WBnqOPUX1U/s640/blogger-image--117382591.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Raumati water park</div></span></div><div><br></div><div>A fun camping adventure.....meanwhile Aaron worked hard I the garden. </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-3044220862930391072017-01-18T14:03:00.001+13:002017-01-23T21:35:31.203+13:00A week in QueenstownAfter hanging out in wellington over Christmas we got away just before new year. Aaron drove the car down to Queenstown with most of our stuff over several days and nanna and papa, Freya and I flew down. Unfortunately for Aaron, he had to drive a few extra hours due to the main highway still being closed after the earthquakes a month or so earlier. He managed to listen to quite a few audiobooks on the way there (and back). <div><br></div><div>We also met up with a couple of friends from Canberra, Dave and liz, who were holidaying in Queenstown at the same time. "Daze" (she could say Dave) soon became a favourite of Freya's. After all arriving on the 31st December....we didn't quite manage stay up and see in the new year. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxASJQ0f5rEMRBwa1UytX1mqPltTU2-G8Ji1AxH3XJbDW5wMuEbQB2pH_gqziRZEPeiftRpMG-_vYdwOlGylBNv0Wnlx7B8zHuLBWoij_tQerBdR0YezhDTfeH_IyD3tIX79YFLttUhzcD/s640/blogger-image--1929753028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxASJQ0f5rEMRBwa1UytX1mqPltTU2-G8Ji1AxH3XJbDW5wMuEbQB2pH_gqziRZEPeiftRpMG-_vYdwOlGylBNv0Wnlx7B8zHuLBWoij_tQerBdR0YezhDTfeH_IyD3tIX79YFLttUhzcD/s640/blogger-image--1929753028.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Colouring in with "Daze"</div></div><div><br></div><div>New Year's Day we were up bright and early as usual with freya! The weather didn't look great, but we headed up from the remarkables ski field to walk up to lake Alta. it was really windy and cold....we were slightly underdressed for the conditions. It was still very pretty, but unfortunately the clouds didn't lift off the peaks. Unfortunately the weather forecast for the whole week was pretty average. We got out for a few shortish walks on a couple of days. Nanna and papa took a coach tour to Milford sound for the day.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aaron and Dave did a few mountain bike rides (well shuttled each other, and took turns riding), and Freya got to try out a few different playgrounds around the area. She did splash in a couple of streams and dipped her toes in lake wakatipu, but no swims or kayaking in the lake this year....too windy and far too cool. Instead we ended up going to the nice warm indoor pool a couple of times. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMosb_ixTbORYQM_Z_LFN-D02GoMdKRiGWFUYFQrc34aZyLUq2fAfoS2JmmW6Ib6cksPWilg6vcxP0O5uGwiXPOM21ZqLnGsRFQ2BPtGLJMiETeseBW2Zqi075lUlA0y3BSUSptnM7eSLJ/s640/blogger-image-1521444716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMosb_ixTbORYQM_Z_LFN-D02GoMdKRiGWFUYFQrc34aZyLUq2fAfoS2JmmW6Ib6cksPWilg6vcxP0O5uGwiXPOM21ZqLnGsRFQ2BPtGLJMiETeseBW2Zqi075lUlA0y3BSUSptnM7eSLJ/s640/blogger-image-1521444716.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Arrowtown playground with the big kids "Daze" daddy and Liz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgOrHGl-w2oJDvWSHH3kv3tstDeaHg07bQvfaw3pMkn3es7qmN-YEgqMQYGF2tln96js6MIGiHpXVzEs6GRfx78OJSIblg7pE06QHXYNoZvPzQgpXVbE2dhr2VYsAfqgUM4gB0StSGCv-/s640/blogger-image--135399144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgOrHGl-w2oJDvWSHH3kv3tstDeaHg07bQvfaw3pMkn3es7qmN-YEgqMQYGF2tln96js6MIGiHpXVzEs6GRfx78OJSIblg7pE06QHXYNoZvPzQgpXVbE2dhr2VYsAfqgUM4gB0StSGCv-/s640/blogger-image--135399144.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">First fluffy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCY8a2VKVSYFvI2v3_JE1Z2okT4yil7N3pD1ajL7pAm9UB_f2B78Mcig2HMjG_HbeIWh46Msn2bmTzOftgMv2JMGraRhmjFq-ZSf0T6rL0_XYWDdnOmVO_CYpDMNI-XXuwIvFWFVlR8vk/s640/blogger-image--2093681635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCY8a2VKVSYFvI2v3_JE1Z2okT4yil7N3pD1ajL7pAm9UB_f2B78Mcig2HMjG_HbeIWh46Msn2bmTzOftgMv2JMGraRhmjFq-ZSf0T6rL0_XYWDdnOmVO_CYpDMNI-XXuwIvFWFVlR8vk/s640/blogger-image--2093681635.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Family photo from the lookout above arrowtown.</div></div></span></div><div><br></div><div>We did have one great weather day when we did the first part of the Routeburn great walk track. We walked up to Routeburn falls hut and back. 6 hours of walking and one hour of stops for lunch and breaks. Freya walked 4 different times for up to 30 minutes, and tolerated being in the backpack the rest of the time, with a couple of short naps. Dave and liz (who are crazy runner people) ran the whole track in the day and we met them at the end. </div><div><br></div><div>Photos to come</div><div><br></div><div>Not the most exciting week in Queenstown, but pretty relaxing and Freya enjoyed a lot of attention from 6 admirers! </div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-30062740665244544892017-01-18T13:53:00.001+13:002017-01-23T21:30:05.355+13:00ChristmasWell after years of Christmas being a non-event in our house, we finally had one that vaguely followed some of the expected festivities. We even had a Christmas tree....although it was very tiny and probably should have been called a Christmas shrub. The stack of presents for freya was larger than the shrub, but after seeing freya attempt to destroy one at a friends house I thought it best not to have one in Freya's reach until she is a little older. The Christmas shrub is now a pot plant and should grow over the next few years to something more like a tree. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWCv4ukZoTyUkI4JlKybm0Qjnl_sbciaBw1AdIyj9ziC8RoC3qGbC47axvPB6_YIqxDcik1BIbvhJLL-UYJr4FnbDEaLHV7kqxToiEXG6Mc08sxjLd5yLxnvceTyoIGVIkWVXKKCqBBsg/s640/blogger-image-1977967836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWCv4ukZoTyUkI4JlKybm0Qjnl_sbciaBw1AdIyj9ziC8RoC3qGbC47axvPB6_YIqxDcik1BIbvhJLL-UYJr4FnbDEaLHV7kqxToiEXG6Mc08sxjLd5yLxnvceTyoIGVIkWVXKKCqBBsg/s640/blogger-image-1977967836.jpg"></a></div>Our Christmas shrub<br><div><br></div><div>Having missed thanksgiving this year due to conferences and being too disorganised, we had our thanksgiving turkey dinner on Christmas Eve, with nana and papa and another family (Dee, Andrew, olive and Leo, who hosted us for Christmas last year). Aaron finally got his Turkey fix for the year....and there was enough leftovers, despite the extra people, to keep him going for another 5 days. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We had hoped that freya would give us a Christmas present of a lie in...but no such luck....a normal 6:30am start. Despite having been intrigued by the pile of presents just out of her reach for the few days before Christmas....she was rather slow at getting them unwrapped. In fact after opening the first one, which was a kitchen and food set she spent a while playing with that. We finally convinced her to open a few more when her grandma Oregon was watching over Skype. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYVU02PTvJMCwNcoazL2gYKK-71mV75EGfmT2CjbXQdO3jzG0J7ZkC6nKR0xTzDwtrdxPUk0TRsB8YBVUoT__viXXThhyKWcdTa9cuOLHnE_l63qd_nMgdsm1kz55BxIXtHav-RRZ6XZY/s640/blogger-image--817363877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYVU02PTvJMCwNcoazL2gYKK-71mV75EGfmT2CjbXQdO3jzG0J7ZkC6nKR0xTzDwtrdxPUk0TRsB8YBVUoT__viXXThhyKWcdTa9cuOLHnE_l63qd_nMgdsm1kz55BxIXtHav-RRZ6XZY/s640/blogger-image--817363877.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Opening Christmas presents</div></div><div><br></div><div>After a bit more playing and finally convincing freya to wear a pretty dress....we headed over to our neighbours for Christmas brunch, as has been tradition for the last few years. Freya had great fun playing with the green Christmas Santa, and Aaron, nana and I attempted to get the hang of jacks hoverboard thing....with varying degrees of success. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60TkWshX8KdJnOvV1aJKtwYb94kiJLSFCbJC9Sur9tFHzzQ8alssiNcfplOFL4XfV0QmAYA_8SY8sEJZxBOLJoHN3ttvOFBLzEZNwC5nCVIowZWQ533xTlnGSjCho_l6wgOxL0KQhkhgW/s640/blogger-image-732289256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60TkWshX8KdJnOvV1aJKtwYb94kiJLSFCbJC9Sur9tFHzzQ8alssiNcfplOFL4XfV0QmAYA_8SY8sEJZxBOLJoHN3ttvOFBLzEZNwC5nCVIowZWQ533xTlnGSjCho_l6wgOxL0KQhkhgW/s640/blogger-image-732289256.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Trying to ride the hoverboard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z_G06h3OCkyUGodQGTby4YY42QAnmV4eqhXvmtEHRkbmC9q93WRNEYAFRaJ0UAs0qdlq-qkOst5aktF8HpNzkJ66cPCWafQnL3lT-xqEhjD9eJBnAoptBUAbqJhnhlT5qKDRUkb3ymBs/s640/blogger-image--1952817831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z_G06h3OCkyUGodQGTby4YY42QAnmV4eqhXvmtEHRkbmC9q93WRNEYAFRaJ0UAs0qdlq-qkOst5aktF8HpNzkJ66cPCWafQnL3lT-xqEhjD9eJBnAoptBUAbqJhnhlT5qKDRUkb3ymBs/s640/blogger-image--1952817831.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Playing with Tom and a very large bear</div></div></div><div><br></div><div>In the late afternoon we headed down to the worser bay beach with some other friends who have a daughter Freya's age. Not the most successful beach trip as it turned out to be a little windy....but the girls seemed to enjoy themselves. </div><div><br></div><div>I think Freya had fun. It certainly was a bit more Christmas like for us and nice to have nana and papa there to share it with. </div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-55085038306013661252017-01-18T13:33:00.001+13:002017-01-23T21:24:29.858+13:00Nanna and papa's visitAlso known as Freya's maternal grandparents, or Helen's parents. But Freya can only say na na and papa at the moment. They were planning to come for Christmas this year, but we asked them to come a few weeks earlier to help Aaron out while Helen went to a conference in Auckland in early December. It was Aaron's first time solo parenting for more than a few hours, so great to have a couple of extra hands to make dinner and look after freya the days she doesn't go to crèche. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZCTMxlt-2T7LVvbe81Npcfxf6nBCniTqDVlF86g5lQYP6KARKHn6Ww6S7G1QYgSOiyYskI3JTbbwLdEqST9NtjgGGzZmDrLncyTlephL0ZP2JD5jcnFGAv_yh0PlG7AVvbEhQc8RiH3g/s640/blogger-image--503131602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZCTMxlt-2T7LVvbe81Npcfxf6nBCniTqDVlF86g5lQYP6KARKHn6Ww6S7G1QYgSOiyYskI3JTbbwLdEqST9NtjgGGzZmDrLncyTlephL0ZP2JD5jcnFGAv_yh0PlG7AVvbEhQc8RiH3g/s640/blogger-image--503131602.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Making cookies with nanna</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PYoVbpO9-pJj71dGX2bqcQP_MhAQUAWa8CocfEi6fnSNJI1hU_jU9skCXkvrPZC7erXAl_kd-MmT1GCr171LfWcTCw5gYMdO7YbLpkOx4miqQKatVCXLhKo5r8NUWTtu1BYZZEiXoEJ2/s640/blogger-image-904475633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PYoVbpO9-pJj71dGX2bqcQP_MhAQUAWa8CocfEi6fnSNJI1hU_jU9skCXkvrPZC7erXAl_kd-MmT1GCr171LfWcTCw5gYMdO7YbLpkOx4miqQKatVCXLhKo5r8NUWTtu1BYZZEiXoEJ2/s640/blogger-image-904475633.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Riding the purple dinosaur with papa</div></div><br></div><div>The following weeks before Christmas they took a short trip to the wairarapa to do some walking and wine tasting, explored wellington a little more and did a lot of work on the kitchen and garden, especially the neglected compost heap (it might now actually compost). Dad also got out for quite a few windy rides around the waterfront. Mum came swimming with freya and I and baked lots of yummy Christmas treats with occasional "help" from Freya. With the extra hands around to wrangle Freya, Aaron and I took the chance to wash the outside of the house and garage, and windows, and clean out the gutters, and snuck in a mountain bike ride together..... </div><div><br></div><div>Great to get a bit of spring cleaning done to get the house back in order. Thanks mum and dad for all your help. </div><div><br></div><div> </div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-61311178689376262312016-11-20T08:55:00.001+13:002016-11-20T11:24:50.059+13:00Earthquakes and stormsIt has been quite a week. Most of wellington and the upper South Island of New Zealand were woken abruptly at 12:02 am on Monday morning by a big (7.8 M) earthquake (or it turns out it was probably a couple of quakes) which lasted for over a minute. Fortunately freya slept through it. Aaron was standing in her doorway ready to grab her if needed. We were very lucky....just a few spices fell off the spice rack. But others were not quite so lucky.....<div><br></div><div>The biggest luck was the fact that it happened in the middle of the night as most of the damage seems to have been to office buildings in town and landslides completely blocking highways. Down south the main highway is closed due to lots of landslides and the road and railway lines are broken up in places, and several bridges are damaged. There could have been a lot more fatalities and injuries if it had been during the day. </div><div><br></div><div>After the main quake there was a tsunami (although it wasn't very big). Lots of people from down on the flats evacuated to higher ground. Luckily we are high enough we just went back to bed. There have been lots and lots of aftershocks, some pretty large. It has made for a shaky week. </div><div><br></div><div>To make things worse however, the main quake on Monday morning was followed by a large storm, which then resulted in more slips and flooding. Wellington was pretty much shut down for several days as no one could get in or out of town and buildings were being checked. Something's returned to normal by Tuesday...but others took a couple of days, and still others will probably take months - like the highways down south. </div><div><br></div><div>For wellington it was a lucky escape as none of the quakes were under us.....but it certainly has increased everyone's awareness....time to update the emergency kit. </div><div><br></div><div><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-28643211776367726592016-11-20T08:52:00.001+13:002016-11-20T11:12:36.439+13:0018 monthsWell our little baby is now a full blown toddler. She certainly has a mind of her own. Knows what clothes or shoes she does or doesn't want to wear. Having little melt downs when she doesn't get her way or another kid has the swing or toy she wants. Hopefully she will learn how to share at crèche! <div><br><div>Her climbing has improved significantly, she can now climb up the ladder at the playground all by herself. Freya has started a gym class for "tumbling tots" which she seems to enjoy. But this may have encouraged her climbing on to the chairs and dining table and she has tried to climb out of her cot..... She is walking much more, walking about half way back from the playground one time. All this activity has resulted in her slimming down slightly. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_AF9veHTftNgDqL9YAZWBDvkoKkZd_a6LWeR4HEdj_uzQjR50c1A8DiuGW7PejqSTBaPTloA5RmuGnH1KdjYax4lk9-Ctw0D2P1rmpL-W7yV5Oou2aey6vS-D5K25eG9H2zcrEX1uAz-/s640/blogger-image--1323736300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_AF9veHTftNgDqL9YAZWBDvkoKkZd_a6LWeR4HEdj_uzQjR50c1A8DiuGW7PejqSTBaPTloA5RmuGnH1KdjYax4lk9-Ctw0D2P1rmpL-W7yV5Oou2aey6vS-D5K25eG9H2zcrEX1uAz-/s640/blogger-image--1323736300.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Climbing the ladder at gym class</div></div><div><br></div><div>Her language is also coming along. Her understanding is really good and we now have "no" and nods for yes. This makes a big difference to the frustration levels. She is very vocal and loud, but doesn't have many words yet. The latest words are bubbles and turtle....but Freya can also make most of the farm animal noises now. She still loves books, her teddies, and her drawing has changed from lines to circles and squiggles. She is also now enjoying puzzles and shapes and can spend ages playing with balls. She loves to help with cleaning with her own brush and does some mixing of food in the kitchen. She can spend quite a while entertaining herself now....</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBY7qZo03OWFJYHfP75oC9xzTzNnwxS7mLrnQx1Q7nPexACr6M_byQYsKNQUTDkdmgZqtpnz-xmxObqvNz4LAyeYaRah-gtu4ODb_-Z5X0AtyLBo0esoqKJ8YQieaYHLWN3fruA_7RWqm/s640/blogger-image-1893097003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBY7qZo03OWFJYHfP75oC9xzTzNnwxS7mLrnQx1Q7nPexACr6M_byQYsKNQUTDkdmgZqtpnz-xmxObqvNz4LAyeYaRah-gtu4ODb_-Z5X0AtyLBo0esoqKJ8YQieaYHLWN3fruA_7RWqm/s640/blogger-image-1893097003.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shapes and books..</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejLHKscLQApnPHMaRXJxDfdint-83SRRa4tCnSuwjKC0FZfliy-0maoRMM-Tfy8ji8kIhgJiFwyRvTi1PiJNE62IfUXXJy2-D0zXdEFJuHM8b4vWvHj0z_AoqGrMAhlxGBpdymahyphenhyphenM3Hv/s640/blogger-image-337343744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejLHKscLQApnPHMaRXJxDfdint-83SRRa4tCnSuwjKC0FZfliy-0maoRMM-Tfy8ji8kIhgJiFwyRvTi1PiJNE62IfUXXJy2-D0zXdEFJuHM8b4vWvHj0z_AoqGrMAhlxGBpdymahyphenhyphenM3Hv/s640/blogger-image-337343744.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Puzzles...this one was a bit easy. </div></div><div><br></div><div>We did try to measure her height and weight the other day...but it looks like she hasn't grown much, and may have even lost some weight...hard to tell when she was wriggling so much. She feeds herself and is eating pretty well, trying new things. She loves weetbix, pizza, sausages, mashed potatoes, but also oranges and yoghurt and fruit smoothies. Lately she has also been eating tomatoes and asparagus....so hopefully she will eat everything, unlike her fussy parents. She has also decided that she wants to drink from a normal cup....no more sippy cup....except for milk at bedtime. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0vN4N5W3RL2N4mZIinkEokPs2Z0GFXySiizXEDcmwoLTVsrbzBWn84wwOmY7jTJR8k7qLrScQmmiYYa3uki0BtGcpORp-79Coo10XMfRC3iw_BVm7rQjGb7TkAu32kEy61wI42h4h6Kg/s640/blogger-image-1929312835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0vN4N5W3RL2N4mZIinkEokPs2Z0GFXySiizXEDcmwoLTVsrbzBWn84wwOmY7jTJR8k7qLrScQmmiYYa3uki0BtGcpORp-79Coo10XMfRC3iw_BVm7rQjGb7TkAu32kEy61wI42h4h6Kg/s640/blogger-image-1929312835.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Drinking from a glass</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div>She loves not wearing a nappy and now that we are going into summer she is having a lot of nappy-free time around the house and garden. She has used the potty a couple of times....but the novelty has kind of worn off and we haven't had much luck lately. But it is early days. </div></div><div><br></div><div>She loves being outside...so bring on summer and the better weather. It has been a very wet and windy October/November. </div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-64850440010326843752016-10-01T13:42:00.001+13:002016-10-01T13:42:23.138+13:00Tararuas trampingI thought we would have taken freya for an overnight tramp before now....but time has just slipped by and there has always been something else going on, or we were too tired, or we thought she would keep everyone else in the hut awake. So an easy ranger tramp was a good excuse to go....and now freya generally only wakes a couple of times a night it was time to give it a try. We also went to a hut where there were a couple of bunk rooms, so less chance of waking others.<br />
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It was also great to have a couple of other adults who could carry some extra stuff for us as it turns out that you can just about carry freya and her clothes...but not much else in the baby backpack. And Aaron couldn't carry everything else. So others carried Freya's sleeping bag, some food, and a stove and fuel. </div>
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We were headed in to Atiwhakatu hut in the Tararuas. A 2-3 hour, undulating walk....no big hills. The Rangers and rest of the group were much faster and headed off...and we trundled along behind, catching up with them when they stopped for a snack or break. Freya loved the bush and there were lots of shrieks with delight.....especially when she spied a dog and other people. She was pretty happy most of the time in the pack and even had a 30 minute snooze...although she woke when we stopped. She loved to play on the bridges and walked for about 20-30 minutes....with lots of stops to pick up and throw rocks.<br />
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Freya loved playing on the bridges</div>
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Tramping and tripping.... focussing on her feet.</div>
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She enjoyed the hut. Watching the girls try to start the fire and all the different things to explore. As luck would have it another toddler turned up who was a little older than freya...and they enjoyed racing each other and playing with Freya's ball. </div>
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Despite quite a few people at the hut (17), we got a bunk room to ourselves, and freya slept okay. She was very tired after lots of exercise and not much sleep that day. </div>
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Sunday morning we woke up to rain. So we got to test out our rain cover for the baby backpack in anger. It seemed to work just fine. Freya wasn't too fussed by the rain, especially dressed in her galoshes and coat. In fact I think she enjoyed the whole experience. Hopefully we can find other excuses and people to act as Sherpas over the summer. Although at 12 kg Freya is getting a little heavy..... <br />
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Testing out the rain cover for the baby backpack - you can see little ted sticking out - Freya is fast asleep warm and dry. </div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-2556781831696181132016-09-09T12:18:00.000+12:002016-10-02T12:18:58.578+13:00Stunning Switzerland!Well after a week of thinking far too hard at the conference it was time for a holiday. After lots of fun at Amsterdam airport playing at the playground and watching planes from the observational deck, Freya and I boarded yet another plane to Zurich to meet up with Aaron and stay with some ex-NZ friends for a few days. Karl, Anna and Malachi very generously hosted us for several days in their countryside apartment just outside the city of Zug.<br />
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The old classic looking farm house that the apartment was in. </div>
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Freya and 5 and a half year old Malachi got along very well. There were lots of hugs between them. Lots of good sharing of toys....especially the duplo. Karl and Anna acted as great tour guides taking us out to different places and giving us lots of tips about where to go and how to get there. Also acting as interpreters for the incomprehensible Swiss German.<br />
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Malachi, Karl and Anna going up in a gondola.</div>
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When we arrived in Switzerland it was very hazy, but after a day of solid rain the weather improved and was great the rest of our stay. We timed our trip to Mt Titlis to coincide with the best weather of the week. We got up to the Trubsee and spent the afternoon walking around the lake. The clouds still hung around and there were limited views of the mountain tops. We stayed overnight at the hotel and were rewarded with clear skies and amazing views in the morning.....and after a large breakfast we jumped on the first cable car to the top, well Kleine Titlis, to avoid the crowds. The views of the alps were spectacular...changing with the angle of the sun during the 2 hours we were at the top. We explored the cliff walkway and large suspension bridge, the ice cave and Freya experienced her first snow and sledging... She didn't want to put her hands down in the cold snow...but was very happy to slide down the slopes on her bottom.<br />
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Freya walking around the lake at Trubsee</div>
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The Hotel at Trubsee that we stayed in - very quiet in the off season!</div>
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Looking back down toward the lake and hotel of Trubsee from the Gondola</div>
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One of the many amazing vistas from the top</div>
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At the top of the cable car of Kleine Titlis playing in the snow</div>
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The crowds started to form at the top....so time to head back down. </div>
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It was a great week. Relaxing and active with lots of nice walks. Thankyou so much to Karl, Anna and Malachi for looking after us and feeding us and being such awesome hosts. We hope we can return the favour one day. </div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-1649216661546087252016-09-03T12:04:00.000+12:002016-10-02T12:05:36.923+13:00Sunny Utrecht....A very quick flight from Aberdeen to Amsterdam and then a short train ride and we arrived in Utrecht. Everything is so close in Europe. We stayed in a little apartment with a lovely courtyard for the week. Fortunately the weather was perfect all week and Freya enjoyed pottering around the courtyard most afternoons, occasionally getting a visit from the owners friendly Bernese mountain dog. Mum and dad kept her busy in the mornings with visits to the Mifi museum, playgrounds, swimming and shopping. On my afternoons off we also made it to the botanic gardens and on a canal boat trip through and around the city.<br />
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Picnic at the botanic gardens, Freya with Nagymama and Nagypapa<br />
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Boat trip around the canals of central Utrecht<br />
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Although I had managed to make it to one day of the local New Zealand geoscience conference last November...this was Freya's first conference. She crashed the ice breaker and ate a lot of Dutch waffle biscuits and was introduced to many of my international colleagues (and friends) at lunchtimes and afternoon drinks. She was so fascinated by it all....constantly looking around and trying to take it all in. There were a few other babies and children there... But conferences are definitely not the most fun thing for a small child to be dragged around. I will try not to drag you to too many conferences in your childhood! </div>
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It was a bit of a juggling act between trying to catch up with colleagues I needed to talk to about different projects, going to talks and trying to get around the many posters....as well as trying to spend a bit of time with Freya and mum and dad, who did a great job looking after her. Definitely not my most social conference....but I'm glad I made the effort to go and catch up with the world of paleoceanography! </div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-14383293909567070342016-08-27T13:49:00.000+12:002016-10-01T13:49:59.612+13:00It's a long way to "Aberdeen".....it's a long way to go.....I really didn't think I would get funding from work to go to my favourite triennial conference in holland this year. So when I did I was surprised and also very nervous about flying all that way with a 15 month old on my own as Aaron couldn't get enough holiday to come with us the whole time. Unfortunately freya is too big for a bassinet on the plane....so we had to buy her a seat.....or I would go insane with a wriggly girl sitting on me the whole way. With very low expectations of how well the trip would go....we set off. Fortunately freya did great and slept more than I thought. Delayed flights meant she didn't get much chance to run around at the airports where we had to change planes...so we did have to run up and down the aisles a few times. Freya turned on the smiles and got lots of attention from surrounding passengers and crew, and only screamed a couple of times and only briefly. I managed to keep it together until Heathrow when I almost lost it, when going through security for the 4th time on the trip, they confiscated the baby paracetamol...then I had to carry all my bags between 2 terminals as trolleys were not allowed to go on the train...and no one offered to help. Anyway we made it from wellington to Aberdeen ...very tired and jet lagged.<br />
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We had 6 days in Aberdeen catching up with Freya's cousins...and for Freya to become familiar with her grandparents who had volunteered to look after her the following week during the conference. Unfortunately the trip seemed to coincide with a new clingy phase for Freya....very unlike her normal adventurous and happy self...so this made it a little harder and frustrating. </div>
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At the playground with her cousins....<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Making music together ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I shouldn't have been surprised, but the summer weather in Aberdeen was rather disappointing...but Freya had fun playing with her cousins toys and going to the winter gardens at the park, playing in her nagymamas garden, seeing real pigs, cows and sheep at the petting farm...although she was pretty scared of them all except the chickens. </span><br />
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Nagymama feeding the sheep....<br />
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Playing in Nagymama's garden<br />
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Learning how to be a monkey from her cousins! </div>
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Great to catch up with the family and over the space of a week we were mostly over the jet lag. </div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-36120897679032546542016-08-05T20:32:00.001+12:002016-08-17T13:05:52.730+12:0015 monthsWell we have reached another milestone. Freya had a check up and another lot of her vaccinations. In fact we ended up having the measles and chicken pox ones early as there are several cases in wellington at the moment. Freya continues to thrive and is following the 91st percentile curve for weight...a very healthy 11.22 kg, and the 75th percentile for height....78cm. She is certainly getting very good at eating. A month ago she was eating more than me at each meal....must have been going through a growth spurt. She seems to have gone back to a more reasonable amount of food now. <div><br></div><div>Unbelievably we have continued to teethe....she now has 16 teeth and it appears she is still teething....at least there is plenty of drool and lots of chewing on her fingers. I can't believe she is getting her last 4 molars already....surely not! Please can we have a break from the teething for a few months. <br><div><br></div><div>Freya can now walk really well and having mastered going up stairs a while ago she is now learning to climb up ladders now. She loves the playground, but I think it is as much about watching the other kids as it is about playing on the swings and slide. She now wants to play with the big kids and on the big kids stuff..... She is enjoying her tricycles...but doesn't last very long on them yet. Her favourite game that she doesn't seem to get bored of is dressing and undressing teddies and dolls (the latter they have at crèche). Aaron's comment the other day was "never in a million years did he expect to be putting a dress on a teddy bear!". She also loves to help around the house brushing the floor....helping with the washing....packing (and unpacking) bags. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59xFvXkdTjz-O5ZvPudyF_B2eqcXq3jsEm2-FTqqZMicAbtLhtEHQKMHCN2tS9lHykmFCz-NXOdvQPjiMBhSxO-2S1W4vpeMaI0OxMtPDdrE3o70ZhNsGDD9b88_j4fQuUtN-tVWGhN8v/s640/blogger-image-1516363198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59xFvXkdTjz-O5ZvPudyF_B2eqcXq3jsEm2-FTqqZMicAbtLhtEHQKMHCN2tS9lHykmFCz-NXOdvQPjiMBhSxO-2S1W4vpeMaI0OxMtPDdrE3o70ZhNsGDD9b88_j4fQuUtN-tVWGhN8v/s640/blogger-image-1516363198.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Please can I go on the big swing! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_P9gTYXgnkNrlj7cmsNsCD7jM8EUQjrx4nchVBTh1p5qtGcKhi2F_ttoDfZC3J0S6ul4162QVvoSSbyj7iNXtlgvXoeqW9kWT_KFk-zI-bhe3dNNziJqAhZNlhlqYgeX7ut_GGUI-DeJ/s640/blogger-image-829960863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_P9gTYXgnkNrlj7cmsNsCD7jM8EUQjrx4nchVBTh1p5qtGcKhi2F_ttoDfZC3J0S6ul4162QVvoSSbyj7iNXtlgvXoeqW9kWT_KFk-zI-bhe3dNNziJqAhZNlhlqYgeX7ut_GGUI-DeJ/s640/blogger-image-829960863.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Helping? With the washing by destroying the drying rack.</div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1JKiB74jSK0nZC9UFrEDvyk5qFzhIeWzkaNN4mzicqZeuEqIE3EWH3A3DbXxvn3BL0YF-yHb1EF5M3sRR1Eo7YqlvO0FZz7EWX681R5OM45Jx9Eyq3OeUZMLoSy7Hv0afmvYtGYEg3qz/s640/blogger-image--1412801519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1JKiB74jSK0nZC9UFrEDvyk5qFzhIeWzkaNN4mzicqZeuEqIE3EWH3A3DbXxvn3BL0YF-yHb1EF5M3sRR1Eo7YqlvO0FZz7EWX681R5OM45Jx9Eyq3OeUZMLoSy7Hv0afmvYtGYEg3qz/s640/blogger-image--1412801519.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Helping to wash the windows...well playing with the bubbles anyway! </div><br></div><div>She also is a big fan of books. She loves to make the animal noises of the creatures in the books. She has got a pretty good tiger growl, and lion roar, monkey noises and dog woofs! She understands a lot, but isn't talking, and although she uses dada and mumma...they aren't always in context. This last weekend she started to say "uh oh". So I'm sure a few more words will be coming soon. </div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-58705519400823480742016-08-02T21:57:00.001+12:002016-08-03T11:27:45.000+12:00Weekend in ChristchurchWe haven't been away for ages....so time for an adventure. We headed down to Christchurch for the weekend to see Dan and Charlotte. Time to test out how Freya would go on a flight now she is a little older. We had thought we might go to the snow....but there hasn't been much and it involved taking even more stuff with us. So instead we went to check out the new playground they have just finished - the Margaret Mahy playground. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KW4e5VXZm7PEfLIFXl-H1dMkg56ABxPhdUNvx4jUnebYb1XKMCQsiIPMTQYNxL9rPjiqqj3A9_ZGfSdpa3QSn5QA3Z7eCVzA08YfC1woOSbA1oe2ow1hct7GPQXZiow3y3EIC8qHr4I/s640/blogger-image--1338433451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KW4e5VXZm7PEfLIFXl-H1dMkg56ABxPhdUNvx4jUnebYb1XKMCQsiIPMTQYNxL9rPjiqqj3A9_ZGfSdpa3QSn5QA3Z7eCVzA08YfC1woOSbA1oe2ow1hct7GPQXZiow3y3EIC8qHr4I/s640/blogger-image--1338433451.jpg"></a></div><br><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There were lots of really cool slides....which Freya loved. She also enjoyed the trampolines and she would have enjoyed the water park if it hadn't been so cold and she had been allowed to get wet....As Always she enjoyed the swings.....but wasn't such a fan of the flying fox. Unfortunately the tower and the cargo nets were a bit advanced for her....maybe in a couple of years time. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCbqlz3ANvCM4CpXnpkZXiw_Qei5SmZwRC768RfBRk1oGDq2cxlaMYvGOY-LJkQiDLfqgNX7OSM8ToEFJITUhO0b8UWkeijVznqHsackq9j-BTa7H8rxFWVInUeEoEA61tCDiFwIaYkQ/s640/blogger-image-1330115179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCbqlz3ANvCM4CpXnpkZXiw_Qei5SmZwRC768RfBRk1oGDq2cxlaMYvGOY-LJkQiDLfqgNX7OSM8ToEFJITUhO0b8UWkeijVznqHsackq9j-BTa7H8rxFWVInUeEoEA61tCDiFwIaYkQ/s640/blogger-image-1330115179.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bouncing on the trampoline</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJjT9vHQlKNZTwHF7OyA-Fc4eHrZqGsqq1hLA4HayLTwmI78hDq8x8MZuhjonDyqJpcPqRJb48QmA_QLUu7_ZETISW-2Ih-IORx1EXxdPDfif33a5Q_S9u6Qq9LWumq_b4aRe-sHDkVo/s640/blogger-image--634560547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJjT9vHQlKNZTwHF7OyA-Fc4eHrZqGsqq1hLA4HayLTwmI78hDq8x8MZuhjonDyqJpcPqRJb48QmA_QLUu7_ZETISW-2Ih-IORx1EXxdPDfif33a5Q_S9u6Qq9LWumq_b4aRe-sHDkVo/s640/blogger-image--634560547.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Playing with the water</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjvAZ35Zw7cl8iY9ur_wG_JqSacyqkKVUt6ZZczsaEJNeFnz1M-TtSYuyiJWudlZvtFOvurrCRTnGYCXgZsnJOcTZGz-unKzHaCfz-hZ0GjCwswTNXEZGJXOp342WTDtDZK-TFsFaRVc/s640/blogger-image-142857543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjvAZ35Zw7cl8iY9ur_wG_JqSacyqkKVUt6ZZczsaEJNeFnz1M-TtSYuyiJWudlZvtFOvurrCRTnGYCXgZsnJOcTZGz-unKzHaCfz-hZ0GjCwswTNXEZGJXOp342WTDtDZK-TFsFaRVc/s640/blogger-image-142857543.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">View of the playground from the top of the big slide</div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>We also went to the beach and for a couple of nice walks in the port hills, and around the suburbs to visit several other playgrounds and to fly Dan's drone. We also got to meet dan's nephew Max, who is 6 months younger than Freya, she didn't know quite what to make of the younger baby and was not impressed that he was getting more attention than her, or playing with the toys. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMLenUVjlyQdtx92d9ijvmlZqh34RYhsPO7gRA3_l7hCqIVb27yvb_9DvX4Rgo2P_67zvC48kuOqhKrT-JetvV1dN1OcKpwAruQI4e53Fo-9hv7EgYCiUPai1WyWbkPYXLe0tOdr3Mm8/s640/blogger-image--67180724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMLenUVjlyQdtx92d9ijvmlZqh34RYhsPO7gRA3_l7hCqIVb27yvb_9DvX4Rgo2P_67zvC48kuOqhKrT-JetvV1dN1OcKpwAruQI4e53Fo-9hv7EgYCiUPai1WyWbkPYXLe0tOdr3Mm8/s640/blogger-image--67180724.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Aaron flying the big kids toy.....drone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bTw9XLOe6Wc3IQ1tFPqtJYe_kV2mkwqzgBHZqso5qBCqUUeyJufEb5wT8OOvDBHF0a1iMc1tRi44uEa2dP4B7ffdkWYxePaN9fXkgcjPVSyU-qL6nRdrpt1sb53ecqsD9_Iery-qa1o/s640/blogger-image--693707885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bTw9XLOe6Wc3IQ1tFPqtJYe_kV2mkwqzgBHZqso5qBCqUUeyJufEb5wT8OOvDBHF0a1iMc1tRi44uEa2dP4B7ffdkWYxePaN9fXkgcjPVSyU-qL6nRdrpt1sb53ecqsD9_Iery-qa1o/s640/blogger-image--693707885.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The drone hovering </div></div></div><div><br></div><div>It was great to get away and to catch up with friends. Thanks for having us Dan and Charlotte. </div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-61104313243330097312016-07-03T20:01:00.001+12:002016-07-03T20:01:55.420+12:00Teething trouble....No idea where the last couple of months have gone.....well actually I do. They have been filled with illness and teething......just before freya turned 1 year she started to get her first molar.....it took about a month to come through. This was followed by number 2 molar....and then 3.....and now 4......and at the same time a canine as well....lots of drooling and grumpiness and not a lot of sleep some nights. On top of this Freya got very sick with flu (or a bad cold which included a high fever) and then a chest infection, which lasted about a week. So it has all been a bit of a blurrrr....<div><br></div><div>It was time for a new blog as Freya is changing so much. She is walking very confidently now...just struggling on rough ground. But the biggest change (at least from Aaron and my perspective) is her increasing understanding of words. She can't really say anything yet...except "at", which means cat....but also "ooof" which means woof for dog...and funnily enough despite the fact that we have no snakes in New Zealand, she can hsssss when she sees one in a book. But she understands so much.....and is communicating what she wants very effectively. Her eating has also changed a lot...and at the moment she seems to eat a lot, for someone so little, and be almost constantly hungry. Her favourite foods are cheese, yogurt, pancakes, Vegemite on toast....pasta is also pretty popular, along with mashed potatoes. She has also started to eat bananas....after months of finding them disgusting...</div><div><br></div><div>She still loves getting out on walks....we are making the most of the probably limited time we have left of her happy to be in the backpack. She especially loves walks where there are people and animals to see. She gets very excited when she sees a dog. Today we went along the south coast, out to red rocks (this was her first ever walk about a year ago). This time we made it out to sea the smelly, fat, seals lounging on the rocks. She also enjoyed having a little play on the beach.. checking out the shells and throwing rocks into a tide pool with her dad. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIc74BES16395Djdl-FONXZ3KhYTIYTVOpmn1P57IDKCqDyvw_8tW1o3GyPzhnAfUkrZbJT2pRf0a8JAE-AWpvZU22MOwVqWtpxE_HDTRBxK9M7zk0no2qgt8TcFa5UGgIPNfHzP49wvdC/s640/blogger-image--385340755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIc74BES16395Djdl-FONXZ3KhYTIYTVOpmn1P57IDKCqDyvw_8tW1o3GyPzhnAfUkrZbJT2pRf0a8JAE-AWpvZU22MOwVqWtpxE_HDTRBxK9M7zk0no2qgt8TcFa5UGgIPNfHzP49wvdC/s640/blogger-image--385340755.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the backpack at red rocks a year after Freya first went there. </div></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWLi7Xwd9UXd23Rm9h2v8yWFgLALZYroGr2sBk92Stiq7IrtDiGBqrpTQfyfgCKkDNVlBMLglgD1g0WbNDdsydrFwhbTG1Zt9VEooidYQLyWZ9PsrJyxAuz8pnK6U6E67w037fEHSkZ_G/s640/blogger-image--659544774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWLi7Xwd9UXd23Rm9h2v8yWFgLALZYroGr2sBk92Stiq7IrtDiGBqrpTQfyfgCKkDNVlBMLglgD1g0WbNDdsydrFwhbTG1Zt9VEooidYQLyWZ9PsrJyxAuz8pnK6U6E67w037fEHSkZ_G/s640/blogger-image--659544774.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Playing on the beach....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7atSJCuodx3_9QF9IV4u_ATVhkWafoq2ENc5i47aUD5WqMStkgMdW_lWdTTLfkm5NUZDetcxBZFoTLibptOlt8WbbAZi4TsDTZHKbZxkvcv28vkNoy3HrWnVaaYVW3zuokpkue10cQhGk/s640/blogger-image--1314825072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7atSJCuodx3_9QF9IV4u_ATVhkWafoq2ENc5i47aUD5WqMStkgMdW_lWdTTLfkm5NUZDetcxBZFoTLibptOlt8WbbAZi4TsDTZHKbZxkvcv28vkNoy3HrWnVaaYVW3zuokpkue10cQhGk/s640/blogger-image--1314825072.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lazy smelly seals</div><br></div><br></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-27103285334416120462016-05-14T15:14:00.001+12:002016-05-14T15:14:49.331+12:00Walking the new escarpment trackA few weeks ago a new section of the Te Araroa (the track that goes the length of New Zealand) along the Kapiti Coast opened. It traverses along the coastal range with great views out over the Tasman sea and Kapiti Island. With great weather forecast, we decided it was time to check it out before the end of summer and before Freya gets too heavy to carry, and wants to walk for herself and not sit in a backpack for several hours. The nice thing about the track is that this particular section starts and finishes at a train station. So the logistics of doing a through walk were easy. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohzuHuOaAehxtP8PU3xFHYSqqaPsN8hHKlBc4OTKKeqqDbi1_EjBvwYiDbjg9B6hHiwYon9Yqta-jF9rS1NdiGN0Z7HlvSvMoFjF-DPaFn7u4BowXluAUNCHlWwrEw2rQKhYK7E581oA7/s640/blogger-image--1665494064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohzuHuOaAehxtP8PU3xFHYSqqaPsN8hHKlBc4OTKKeqqDbi1_EjBvwYiDbjg9B6hHiwYon9Yqta-jF9rS1NdiGN0Z7HlvSvMoFjF-DPaFn7u4BowXluAUNCHlWwrEw2rQKhYK7E581oA7/s640/blogger-image--1665494064.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the train causing mischief </div><br></div><div>As a result of this the track starts and finishes along the train lines, personally I didn't find this particularly exciting. But in the middle it climbs up the steep escarpment, well above the road and rail below, with great views. Lots of steps going up and down, and a few token swing bridges were fun. I quite liked the short sections through the bush which gave you a bit of shade and change from the exposed track. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVt8sf1ek0yI2kyXcgixDzkX0haMFzIZLTu9-OVTgDsNuS9OlW-i5aJxa84g81FPx76CJib9lrN90coN_abjAEaUXmSi46UzDT8DKigUMXSjNtKm5V0paNKK64O_TEp1BLIq2w-B4uwte/s640/blogger-image-910285349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVt8sf1ek0yI2kyXcgixDzkX0haMFzIZLTu9-OVTgDsNuS9OlW-i5aJxa84g81FPx76CJib9lrN90coN_abjAEaUXmSi46UzDT8DKigUMXSjNtKm5V0paNKK64O_TEp1BLIq2w-B4uwte/s640/blogger-image-910285349.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Walking down lots of steps</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTQmlXdR_8hudFwCPNzHi88KQx6iOkdldNukT1-wvpC7LMbJHSytNHIn0vo3pfAnbRyXhpQ_FLOQWUAwRhe3VpsY8QlW-3N0-Qv8tCC9rCwQSLv8DnijU_rFHB0hEA-Da8dvqJlv-ZnJK/s640/blogger-image-1938728167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTQmlXdR_8hudFwCPNzHi88KQx6iOkdldNukT1-wvpC7LMbJHSytNHIn0vo3pfAnbRyXhpQ_FLOQWUAwRhe3VpsY8QlW-3N0-Qv8tCC9rCwQSLv8DnijU_rFHB0hEA-Da8dvqJlv-ZnJK/s640/blogger-image-1938728167.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of the swing bridges</div></div><div><br></div><div>Aaron and I took it in turns to carry Freya as it was hard work carrying the pack. While Freya enjoys riding in the pack she did get a little bored and frustrated just before we stopped for lunch at the top. Freya certainly enjoyed the bus and train rides, as well as watching the trains and people go by on the walk. Not sure she paid much attention to the scenery! </div></div><div><br></div><div>A nice day out from wellington and big adventure for our little one. </div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-66516936430195466932016-05-14T15:13:00.001+12:002016-05-16T21:55:58.129+12:001 yearWell we made it to the 1 year milestone. 366 days, 2 mothers days and 2 Christmases and a round the world tour. So Freya has crammed a lot in to her 1st year. She also took her first independent steps a week before her birthday. Since then she has been practising, but mostly takes a couple of steps and then dives for mum or dad or a piece of furniture. She unfortunately missed the side of the doorframe with her hand and hit it with her head, so is currently sporting a massive lump and scar on her forehead. Learning to fall😢 she has also now got the hang of both her tricycles, the indoor plastic one and the outdoor one. So she scoots around the house to get places, or uses her trolley, which she can now steer where she wants to go. She is in to everything....so some serious baby proofing has been needed. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCClREoo9OhciqFj7Sc5kN56xtgh9lzj1AgWmISTR9PevbDkVUxQ-SOccu_7jBWWpfJxetSaqaPV8SPRyYYfHTyrfI3eJ6Bfu5aWba6OzNzMF34DkMpWAw6X6RWpNHMdTuoDzVyONyQY_J/s640/blogger-image-542879317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCClREoo9OhciqFj7Sc5kN56xtgh9lzj1AgWmISTR9PevbDkVUxQ-SOccu_7jBWWpfJxetSaqaPV8SPRyYYfHTyrfI3eJ6Bfu5aWba6OzNzMF34DkMpWAw6X6RWpNHMdTuoDzVyONyQY_J/s640/blogger-image-542879317.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Climbing into and pulling everything out of cupboards! </div><div><br></div><div>We had a nice little afternoon tea for Freya on Sunday before her birthday (Mother's Day). She didn't quite know what to make of it. But she cruised around and enjoyed herself. Between us we made her a pretty cool bear cake...I baked the cake and Aaron made the vanilla cloud frosting and built and decorated it. A pretty impressive effort for our first attempt at a children's birthday cake. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM24UxNTxkOPuk0OTbum-BRZFaxMjyfg2Ff_5cXL5M4kYodxygigPBuKE2lGCtM6z3YORPaxVxq4FzyE1rFWJTaBmTTdsozLhbWHxPVCrDkfldiClhELS59PCu6cObJ5-NqWvDn_6ZCXv/s640/blogger-image-1981381094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM24UxNTxkOPuk0OTbum-BRZFaxMjyfg2Ff_5cXL5M4kYodxygigPBuKE2lGCtM6z3YORPaxVxq4FzyE1rFWJTaBmTTdsozLhbWHxPVCrDkfldiClhELS59PCu6cObJ5-NqWvDn_6ZCXv/s640/blogger-image-1981381094.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bear cake </div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tNLNJDVw_qqbgAEI6rlC4EnBfNK44j_0TRLXaqSKWhCgO-zwzCbALcty3wJiJmCI1nnXVjAuptSB8zq7Kyc71nlK1UiE1PgMO0Mh99_iIZcanyIYrpWv6AqaBWFTDVSmvVnG5B2ARUpr/s640/blogger-image--765023992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tNLNJDVw_qqbgAEI6rlC4EnBfNK44j_0TRLXaqSKWhCgO-zwzCbALcty3wJiJmCI1nnXVjAuptSB8zq7Kyc71nlK1UiE1PgMO0Mh99_iIZcanyIYrpWv6AqaBWFTDVSmvVnG5B2ARUpr/s640/blogger-image--765023992.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Family Birthday photo</div></div><div><br></div><div>She got lots of lovely birthday gifts from family and friends. Books, clothes, a couple of sets of crockery and cutlery, and a few toys, including a digger and an 80litre tub of duplo, on loan from our neighbours for the next few years. So we are looking forward to lots of hours of fun reading books and playing with diggers and duplo! Thankyou for all the gifts! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRuqFggf97B3wJ0Kv9sMO2wj-GaWi8XlEob_wqyxoX7Lv78FRKyM19HB8E4whfDex5Dz_O4nfYmvitIaEq_m1TSKXhucMNVplrGkLbKC05frxRxlbvfOCaMqollWv4H5twobNokXae0pv/s640/blogger-image-1359622740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRuqFggf97B3wJ0Kv9sMO2wj-GaWi8XlEob_wqyxoX7Lv78FRKyM19HB8E4whfDex5Dz_O4nfYmvitIaEq_m1TSKXhucMNVplrGkLbKC05frxRxlbvfOCaMqollWv4H5twobNokXae0pv/s640/blogger-image-1359622740.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Birthday girl in her party dress with a balloon.</div></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-10032948847558404192016-04-23T13:31:00.001+12:002016-04-23T13:31:42.117+12:00Adventures with Gill, William and MalloryNew Zealand is a long way. So we always appreciate it when people come and visit from a long way away. So nice to see an old friend and her wee ones. We had a fun week starting with some nice walks on the volcanoes at tongariro national park through the native bush and to waterfalls. Freya's first time to the volcanoes. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf-XZhbfk3bmb4Hr196iTkf-shIMeNXldNf8SXB_6tOky5Z_u66XFTeVTy8wFPGAbsy0AfVrnuwwIyOM3WsJKKLWYB3rkOntdjRkRM_LvdSufq7PJeptXbJGjNN01Zcx0-XDP14-Xyvot/s640/blogger-image--1000515518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf-XZhbfk3bmb4Hr196iTkf-shIMeNXldNf8SXB_6tOky5Z_u66XFTeVTy8wFPGAbsy0AfVrnuwwIyOM3WsJKKLWYB3rkOntdjRkRM_LvdSufq7PJeptXbJGjNN01Zcx0-XDP14-Xyvot/s640/blogger-image--1000515518.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Freya enjoying her walk with views of ruapehu in the background. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggygMvkdvtGS_YdJGr0ZQS8Dc-jr2QuXlbOzEPpmac6YGKr8xZoi3m5LtAN3Kivx3askWDJtxB8po_yIpBthDzSbFTdhNj0UZEGwhXKAOipsuRnscTtO0g5-wmQaB2IpDjPY1gUH4SPiVj/s640/blogger-image-1097370518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggygMvkdvtGS_YdJGr0ZQS8Dc-jr2QuXlbOzEPpmac6YGKr8xZoi3m5LtAN3Kivx3askWDJtxB8po_yIpBthDzSbFTdhNj0UZEGwhXKAOipsuRnscTtO0g5-wmQaB2IpDjPY1gUH4SPiVj/s640/blogger-image-1097370518.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mallory being chased out of the bush by William. </div><div><br></div><div>Then we had a few days in wellington going to the botanic gardens, cable car, zoo, beach....and multiple playgrounds around town. The weather was very cooperative, with virtually no wind (for Wellington) and fairly balmy for this time of year. William also enjoyed playing and grooming our cat mifi. While Freya enjoyed having some big kids to watch, copy and play with in the bath. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBgazm-xBwF7k_R48VvLDelhBQmF365D4CDCGR6idwENlnKGcZVYa1mT1TBBbgoYTg6wVvUeBtfUMn76YSG7tUdRljQt9BxzPwThfEiEkzZXTMqP1AQq208RuWZAEKWXWmEtqjBRUzYb_/s640/blogger-image-407534964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBgazm-xBwF7k_R48VvLDelhBQmF365D4CDCGR6idwENlnKGcZVYa1mT1TBBbgoYTg6wVvUeBtfUMn76YSG7tUdRljQt9BxzPwThfEiEkzZXTMqP1AQq208RuWZAEKWXWmEtqjBRUzYb_/s640/blogger-image-407534964.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the beach paddling and throwing stones.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV6ebS2UOR4lH81asboC__R1xKtHcbFsdIwSZkhNLjnw029PfYTmiyZFN6bXQojtaB2rjg_azqObvDwEkoNbSdNxEKEnElmh4e-91_o60wfJxYROsljmzuybhVPDbsSjmM2qwn5eBcLmO/s640/blogger-image-1160903243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV6ebS2UOR4lH81asboC__R1xKtHcbFsdIwSZkhNLjnw029PfYTmiyZFN6bXQojtaB2rjg_azqObvDwEkoNbSdNxEKEnElmh4e-91_o60wfJxYROsljmzuybhVPDbsSjmM2qwn5eBcLmO/s640/blogger-image-1160903243.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Riding the purple dinosaur with Mallory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCt2RJ5ka6t3BGmfPUPWEUI6IUFhsUmmLKK3RfuIGI2dUEYxeVDKVXo4KYTyn4KEd9PWO_-2RyLBSYYdO000Tmsp0XUkVtuV1tgVk1N3qtQWxc9de2DgqwlBp2IBLR72_l4y3CYY6X83ig/s640/blogger-image--332940491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCt2RJ5ka6t3BGmfPUPWEUI6IUFhsUmmLKK3RfuIGI2dUEYxeVDKVXo4KYTyn4KEd9PWO_-2RyLBSYYdO000Tmsp0XUkVtuV1tgVk1N3qtQWxc9de2DgqwlBp2IBLR72_l4y3CYY6X83ig/s640/blogger-image--332940491.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">William and mifi cuddling. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hope it isn't too long before we see you again. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div> </div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-63447445326870423132016-04-03T19:05:00.001+12:002016-04-10T20:46:26.111+12:0011 monthsKamikaze girl when it comes to going down the slide face first in the playground......but Freya isn't quite walking yet. Very good at pushing her trolley and starting to stand up and let go balancing for a few seconds, or longer if she is distracted. Life is certainly full on...this little girl isn't one for sitting still. The comment from care he was "she is a busy little girl". She is enjoying crèche and has lots of friends and fans....she loves to be outside with the older kids racing around, playing in the sandpit and climbing on stuff, and walking with one of the walkers! <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLKE6ejlZzrg3Nt4h0ZLlZSF5iyf_FQARIr4aLegzZLcKVTmLKaZVLFP7Iqb4AbA7GEZktpWn9WeFd5DqNKFJAwRJ9LbVvzEsSQDQnBdy9d5SxQZ35xFdQeFEm8VhX40dk42hMUxYWLKs/s640/blogger-image--227777262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLKE6ejlZzrg3Nt4h0ZLlZSF5iyf_FQARIr4aLegzZLcKVTmLKaZVLFP7Iqb4AbA7GEZktpWn9WeFd5DqNKFJAwRJ9LbVvzEsSQDQnBdy9d5SxQZ35xFdQeFEm8VhX40dk42hMUxYWLKs/s640/blogger-image--227777262.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Her favourite toys at the moment are clothes pegs and a bunch of bottle caps we have been saving....taking them out and putting them into things. She also loves the stacking cups...although they don't stay stacked for very long these days. She also plays with her teddies and soft toys a lot more, putting them in the bassinet with everything else...and giving them the occasional hugs! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VjbApn3HDRNwitZ7N99QjHjttswbf11QYPr2umK65t0Vy02r5Usn7HQJ1tTW-DFjKQMgWptQJw4R8nurd317eCRxcdVbPYKj9Fr-yAsWiXeygMtfC_JfPvBgqBAATUXv01P9VdMT8Qha/s640/blogger-image--1938186167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VjbApn3HDRNwitZ7N99QjHjttswbf11QYPr2umK65t0Vy02r5Usn7HQJ1tTW-DFjKQMgWptQJw4R8nurd317eCRxcdVbPYKj9Fr-yAsWiXeygMtfC_JfPvBgqBAATUXv01P9VdMT8Qha/s640/blogger-image--1938186167.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr8vCasNwTJqB4YJom4HHtv59SoVI7wh7FTvV_oIOG4ibNoKUNzwv7PGkzB_AGRlOmA9fhQOtv6Ab56V5wLZiSQg4AzbSG3vFz-9Zr1M5qzH_dFm5bmIlkKw3CWjy4zplqRuUA_qqUXOX/s640/blogger-image-399999649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr8vCasNwTJqB4YJom4HHtv59SoVI7wh7FTvV_oIOG4ibNoKUNzwv7PGkzB_AGRlOmA9fhQOtv6Ab56V5wLZiSQg4AzbSG3vFz-9Zr1M5qzH_dFm5bmIlkKw3CWjy4zplqRuUA_qqUXOX/s640/blogger-image-399999649.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">She is also more interested in her books...and not just chewing them. She likes to turn the pages and opening flaps and touching the books that are fluffy and different textures. </span></div></div><div><br></div><div>We still struggle with sleeping. But have had the occasional good night where freya has only woken 2 times. Usually more like 3 or 4 still. She struggled to cope with daylight savings....we had a few vEry early starts this last week....</div></div><div><br></div><div>Our stream of visitors continued. Which Freya loves. She loves having someone to pay attention to her and play. So nice to see you Julia. </div><div><br></div><div>Home life is a bit more hectic as Aaron now has a full time job as a achitectural technician in town. He seems to be enjoying the challenge of his new career so far and he has survived the first few weeks. However the house and garden are suffering from a bit of neglect as it is hard to get much done when I'm at home with Freya. Oh well.....life is too short to worry about that! </div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-75321603212778924962016-03-14T19:55:00.001+13:002016-03-14T19:58:00.899+13:0010 monthsWe have had a busy month with lots of visitors...and a very active little girl! Freya has been enjoying having lots of attention. So nice to see James and Becca and Louisa and Christian. <div><br></div><div>Freya got her 8th tooth a few weeks ago ...so we are looking forward to a few months of no teething ;). Freya is crawling faster and faster, climbing up the stairs in the garden and pulling up on everything, even things that aren't very stable or don't have much to grab on to. Last week she started to pull up on her trolley and started walking off...she hasn't quite got the hang of steering yet, so lots of crashing in to the walls and furniture, so lots of adjustments in direction required from mum and dad. She is managing to balance for a few seconds at a time....so perhaps we are not far off walking? </div><div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0CbJ2vvgHcxwoKf2nB8oHnDVIDjWSo8bG4IJjwN2rDOGLI3Ne2nEj7Y7S-MlUrYsju2OSVzOT3NPNYot4P4TQtfKxSn2wI_MCsNXtCaoLnzUtZVhmlJW9Tcw7BX-CVWRcm0An5eR68Yb/s640/blogger-image--731035219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0CbJ2vvgHcxwoKf2nB8oHnDVIDjWSo8bG4IJjwN2rDOGLI3Ne2nEj7Y7S-MlUrYsju2OSVzOT3NPNYot4P4TQtfKxSn2wI_MCsNXtCaoLnzUtZVhmlJW9Tcw7BX-CVWRcm0An5eR68Yb/s640/blogger-image--731035219.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Walking with my trolley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVU1yBRCq_XDvEt5FK8L3C4TNLRVqveYtnEdcSOCjwQsr_C0hpeMzLb0tvxy-d1u-DahpkzTgehroI49MpoBtTudXIDJmer1Kz0XYvsiGA-fpYXa3rza_nZ9vX8QoD36x3eL6fiPm9LlU/s640/blogger-image--1194802647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVU1yBRCq_XDvEt5FK8L3C4TNLRVqveYtnEdcSOCjwQsr_C0hpeMzLb0tvxy-d1u-DahpkzTgehroI49MpoBtTudXIDJmer1Kz0XYvsiGA-fpYXa3rza_nZ9vX8QoD36x3eL6fiPm9LlU/s640/blogger-image--1194802647.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Climbing the stairs.</div></div><div><br></div><div>She seems to be enjoy crèche, and is pretty settled there. She has a couple of friends who have recently started. So she has been helping them settle in. Swimming is also going well, with lots of underwater fun. And Freya managed to successfully ride a tricycle the other day. </div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS024Eznf7cstX-3l-CXelzOk1uzRGOHmlnbfvfELEVsB9XreIb5_rU55ZJ9sj9tDJGfiFUUDKwywa27pdixrWK4jQAJNWJ_GOds3H_Ay82-6d2w1T4IWNfsgq30VrHBbOL8Nk1joHu0o1/s640/blogger-image-595571976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS024Eznf7cstX-3l-CXelzOk1uzRGOHmlnbfvfELEVsB9XreIb5_rU55ZJ9sj9tDJGfiFUUDKwywa27pdixrWK4jQAJNWJ_GOds3H_Ay82-6d2w1T4IWNfsgq30VrHBbOL8Nk1joHu0o1/s640/blogger-image-595571976.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Riding the tricycle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This parenting is pretty exhausting....even just watching her race around. </div><br></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-81667120691196004162016-02-14T15:33:00.001+13:002016-02-17T20:02:00.125+13:009 monthsFreya is 9 months....and changing so fast. It seems like every week she has a new trick. She has finally learnt her name and can clap and give high fives and she is starting to pull up and let go - balancing for a few seconds, and has been taking a few steps with her trolley. Still a little way off walking...but not too far. She is certainly getting around and exploring everything and is very social, getting very excited when she sees a group of kids at the swimming pool or the park. Her favourite game is peekaboo...which she plays herself now. <div><br></div><div>We are also getting a few new sounds too. However the biggest challenge has been teething the last month and a bit. Freya now has 7 teeth....just waiting for one more on the bottom left to appear. Possibly related to the teething (or not), but Freya has been struggling eat. We have finally got the hang of eating finger foods without gagging all the time. So Fre<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ya is starting to eat a little more. Her favourite foods are yogurt, and she really enjoyed cherries, although she looked like a little vampire after. She also likes the pancakes her dad makes on the weekend. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0W3fHEmKYCVhIG7Er2jVCtnNUlfHroOHtRltGBjEK56LT4sZOmirYjZ-Bsh1UVpjF92Kml8ILTF05Mr-ZVEXKM3aBnHjfo1_TE7I2Hf0Ix_zWMEtqLqRA67VaQFolWeTV0gU8SHWMKOs/s640/blogger-image--210713638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0W3fHEmKYCVhIG7Er2jVCtnNUlfHroOHtRltGBjEK56LT4sZOmirYjZ-Bsh1UVpjF92Kml8ILTF05Mr-ZVEXKM3aBnHjfo1_TE7I2Hf0Ix_zWMEtqLqRA67VaQFolWeTV0gU8SHWMKOs/s640/blogger-image--210713638.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Breakfast time....yogurt....yum</div><div><br></div><div>We just had her 9 month check up and she is now 10.06kg and 71.5cm tall. So continuing to grow fast and following the same 95th and 75th percentiles on the charts. We are now in 12-18 month clothes....although over the summer she often doesn't wear much at all. She especially enjoys playing with water on the back deck to cool off. </div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4x_-lgLiGFRS7daF-h-eZu7dA9vJ4vNLxqr7kPAbXl6bTasjaWVcCbznhteNyeEVKr5jTl226rYzQ-uD_cqJVnDklJz_Y9O1whVTXZ07Vh3sOv2VJtpwcAhT2Crr2F2fXWnR-qGGFh2I/s640/blogger-image-82623754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4x_-lgLiGFRS7daF-h-eZu7dA9vJ4vNLxqr7kPAbXl6bTasjaWVcCbznhteNyeEVKr5jTl226rYzQ-uD_cqJVnDklJz_Y9O1whVTXZ07Vh3sOv2VJtpwcAhT2Crr2F2fXWnR-qGGFh2I/s640/blogger-image-82623754.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bathing on the back deck. </div><br></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-64307850108314763082016-02-12T16:21:00.001+13:002016-02-13T22:07:30.689+13:00Annual pilgrimage to rotovegas!Over the last few years Aaron has made an annual trip to Rotorua to visit the mountain biking Mecca that is whakawareware forest. We were not sure how we would do it this year with a little one... But we're determined to give it a try when our friend Dan suggested a trip over the Waitangi long weekend. This would be Freya's first long road trip..so we weren't quite sure how she would go. We left 3pm after crèche and we kept her entertained in the car with a new toy every 30 minutes or so. Thanks to our friend mike for giving us a bunch of new toys just before the trip...perfect timing. Then after dinner she slept the rest of the drive. So it worked out perfectly.....and we won't be quite so scared of longer road trips in the future. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZtCxyUP_rwjCmhDAEsdXAkaxb5CLBE_TiHpJZsTiqgEpxT1_FrVDcF3BAAO_lbW-Je3PMXAwjt2UDvakApntMxbF5pdHfaZ514bEB-mhCQo1o3lOZPeZNVNJBIiN4Bk-7dUxDEOcqKsx/s640/blogger-image--691546759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZtCxyUP_rwjCmhDAEsdXAkaxb5CLBE_TiHpJZsTiqgEpxT1_FrVDcF3BAAO_lbW-Je3PMXAwjt2UDvakApntMxbF5pdHfaZ514bEB-mhCQo1o3lOZPeZNVNJBIiN4Bk-7dUxDEOcqKsx/s640/blogger-image--691546759.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Freya playing her new xylophone </div><div><br></div><div>Unfortunately the weather forecast for the weekend wasn't great, so when it wasn't raining the next morning Aaron, dan and Charlotte jumped on there bikes, while Helen tested out our new osprey poco baby backpack on some of the walking tracks in the forest. It did start raining, but in the trees it was pretty sheltered. The next day, however, there were some much stronger showers, so we decided to go rafting instead of biking. So Dan, Charlotte and Helen went down the kaituna river, over the largest waterfall that you can raft over as a punter...7 m. We were one of the few boats that tipped and we all swam, including the guide. The rafting was great....lots of Rapids down a beautiful gorge. Aaron and Freya watched us from the walking track. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp19oFYObPi6luNottTYvsxFabgdRo_72EiAoOLjhRu6ps38ePH49KpYeUAoQglgd7sZ8LavrL5cYtD-9CjutTHUxjMWO7ByXnTfDiduhkwQd4Mhd_HaCMzNllqrs4dBuUXDNzPWdg9CD/s640/blogger-image-1192150767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp19oFYObPi6luNottTYvsxFabgdRo_72EiAoOLjhRu6ps38ePH49KpYeUAoQglgd7sZ8LavrL5cYtD-9CjutTHUxjMWO7ByXnTfDiduhkwQd4Mhd_HaCMzNllqrs4dBuUXDNzPWdg9CD/s640/blogger-image-1192150767.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Freya fast asleep in her poco</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxczC7MiaWnBOt2i0NdjhbuZIZ6MLz3QMfbS99EfC73MVbulX90ETkWYnlP7j0hT6uRMVNpvm2kr6kt3pOBYw2PAq2lbEm2aNdcB0QMZXEcX3hy4oW5DbOCyQGWyx-RVumQq0clQVJcRzQ/s640/blogger-image--1799870240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxczC7MiaWnBOt2i0NdjhbuZIZ6MLz3QMfbS99EfC73MVbulX90ETkWYnlP7j0hT6uRMVNpvm2kr6kt3pOBYw2PAq2lbEm2aNdcB0QMZXEcX3hy4oW5DbOCyQGWyx-RVumQq0clQVJcRzQ/s640/blogger-image--1799870240.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Going over the big falls before flipping over</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLhtb5l-thP8V5ok95BjuIb0wT_3ZkNI0g0j3xHSsGl3oLODBl9CNwQCZLiCTimBfWT5UOvkrrqoG4WMskHifXn7Kb5BLcpSc_XurJFY7JXCEG0GqM_p2B2Dxc7FvEF3Cgs0LP6nt8FU2/s640/blogger-image--748708886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLhtb5l-thP8V5ok95BjuIb0wT_3ZkNI0g0j3xHSsGl3oLODBl9CNwQCZLiCTimBfWT5UOvkrrqoG4WMskHifXn7Kb5BLcpSc_XurJFY7JXCEG0GqM_p2B2Dxc7FvEF3Cgs0LP6nt8FU2/s640/blogger-image--748708886.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dan, Charlotte and Helen ready to go rafting...sorry Freya you are just a little too young! </div><br></div><div>We did a few more rides over the rest of the weekend, taking it in turns to look after Freya and take her for walks in the backpack, which we are really pleased with. Thanks to Charlotte and Dan for letting Aaron and I go for a ride together. Helen even remembered how to ride a mountain bike off-road again. We also went in the hot spas a few times...which Freya really enjoyed. It was a great weekend. We look forward to our next trip to rotovegas....next year, or maybe sooner 😉</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JA9OjBDlsjtNs1pEfFEayFQnaYOXd3DpvCpQrqxyb5iowUJgqr8DmtOKnRmcqB6jrSuB0Jdfa9n9Gd72EWndSEdd2bG_3sTzr_q9D4_BpNdFbWhUSg4r5jeZv9kkGhNI-uILgM2sDZyu/s640/blogger-image--744149999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JA9OjBDlsjtNs1pEfFEayFQnaYOXd3DpvCpQrqxyb5iowUJgqr8DmtOKnRmcqB6jrSuB0Jdfa9n9Gd72EWndSEdd2bG_3sTzr_q9D4_BpNdFbWhUSg4r5jeZv9kkGhNI-uILgM2sDZyu/s640/blogger-image--744149999.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-60685272893412846212016-01-22T10:08:00.001+13:002016-01-23T09:25:18.999+13:00Back to work...9 months has flown by....time to go back to work and earn some pennies. In theory I could take a year off in New Zealand, but I feel like it is the right time to go back, especially as it is a little bit quieter over summer. I have been going to work every couple of weeks over the last 9 months, and doing some work in the evenings to keep me sane...yes you heard that right! So it felt quite normal to go back to work on Monday. <div><br></div><div>However for Freya starting crèche was a new experience. She has been a couple of times before Christmas to see what it was like, but only for a couple of hours. After the last few weeks of playing with her cousins we figured she would cope with playing with other little ones, especially the older ones. So she was fine and had a great time playing, but wouldn't sleep, and then she was so tired she wouldn't want (not that she eats much anyway). Aaron had a very frustrating day as he was there with her most of the day. 2nd day was better...we went with a plan, and she slept okay and ate better. 3rd day was pretty good and Aaron left after she went down for her morning nap, and I went in for lunch and afternoon tea. Crèche got her down for one of her naps. She has a little friend who is almost 1 called Hanna, who is at a similar stage to her, crawling and pulling up on things. At lunch they were sitting in their high chairs jibber jabbering away to each other. So hopefully she is starting to get the hang of it. </div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-73722744231263340702016-01-17T08:51:00.001+13:002016-01-17T15:21:27.165+13:0048 hours in SingaporeThe final stop on our round the world tour was hot and humid Singapore. The primary aim of the stop was to break up the long trip home and get some sleep and hopefully over some of the jet lag, but it was also an excuse to explore Singapore. <div><br></div><div>We took the underground subway to the city and arrived at our station Lavender to be greeted by the oppressive heat and pouring rain. Completely unprepared for this weather we set off in to the rain. At least it was warm! Within a couple of minutes a random woman gave me her umbrella....wow, what kindness...a great start to our stay. We dumped our stuff at the hotel and headed out to little India and found a vegetarian curry house for a delicious dinner. </div><div><br></div><div>After a slightly rough night, in not the most salubrious hotel (although at least the air conditioning worked well), we set out to explore. We headed to the Marina Bay Area, to see the famous hotel and the gardens in the bay. Unfortunately we set off on the subway during rush hour.... However when we got to the mall at Marina Bay it was completely empty as we were there before the exclusive shops opened. We walked around the empty waterfront on the double helix bridge and around the strange looking art and science museum, taking in the views looking back across to old Singapore mixed in with the new city. We then crossed over the sky bridge, through the Marina Bay Sands hotel to the gardens in the bay. This is a series of gardens with several large domes which house indoor flower gardens and other plants, but also the very impressive super grove of gigantic trees with creepers and ferns slowly climbing their way up the structures. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQk3NzBrHRfA3SY2q87xxE07M38pCUhww0n6kHtNxt3vOsDb7p4hNCK2hv-rLe0qZNErRojkNkpbmsSyfnAXcrS1APG_ZanliVdmUtHWGiMImdthHThOpT2HyHRwfzRHw8Al8Re2e3Cqs/s640/blogger-image-390947713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQk3NzBrHRfA3SY2q87xxE07M38pCUhww0n6kHtNxt3vOsDb7p4hNCK2hv-rLe0qZNErRojkNkpbmsSyfnAXcrS1APG_ZanliVdmUtHWGiMImdthHThOpT2HyHRwfzRHw8Al8Re2e3Cqs/s640/blogger-image-390947713.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Freya and Aaron on the double helix bridge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWglHAI0R4rk_FAj2HqZzGXzIABT1Rqqy93ulVnvUyrqQTnvtrcA2v7x5ZR5ex9y8Y7zHXACMzhiTb71qq3ZUDB-9pfuq-EbhQRL9XupSEZ3QaqJDFJGhUN9RYSoV0dHz7hnnarFB7gaco/s640/blogger-image--227707828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWglHAI0R4rk_FAj2HqZzGXzIABT1Rqqy93ulVnvUyrqQTnvtrcA2v7x5ZR5ex9y8Y7zHXACMzhiTb71qq3ZUDB-9pfuq-EbhQRL9XupSEZ3QaqJDFJGhUN9RYSoV0dHz7hnnarFB7gaco/s640/blogger-image--227707828.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Looking up at the Marina Bay Hotel all 57 floors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOv3KOrSCMugrPHvyIchI4CbY3JqPg06zpqu5_rcI5J72jCB75p8DlLE5TYhgKlvbhv7sIet_JX8R4coBrd94C_qksmSJzI2QcEThFp2PFcB4KeNF0W2Zy5sK8DBB69fxfqfnyxS3atZT/s640/blogger-image-1303522498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOv3KOrSCMugrPHvyIchI4CbY3JqPg06zpqu5_rcI5J72jCB75p8DlLE5TYhgKlvbhv7sIet_JX8R4coBrd94C_qksmSJzI2QcEThFp2PFcB4KeNF0W2Zy5sK8DBB69fxfqfnyxS3atZT/s640/blogger-image-1303522498.jpg"></a></div>Looking down on the super grove from the observation deck at the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel from 57 floors high</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqeqB4cW85Sj9VJym-5apxnD4rvNEvINbqHeAHxrNEqYTigcP2HKzhTvhyphenhyphen9uPWxsaEVyduyWOoWmvtMuXNmBnu4kQAxts8kH1uc-jBLGKs2l1RT1ehoZNG71_r9hAQadM64XcK5O7WufN/s640/blogger-image--571741572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqeqB4cW85Sj9VJym-5apxnD4rvNEvINbqHeAHxrNEqYTigcP2HKzhTvhyphenhyphen9uPWxsaEVyduyWOoWmvtMuXNmBnu4kQAxts8kH1uc-jBLGKs2l1RT1ehoZNG71_r9hAQadM64XcK5O7WufN/s640/blogger-image--571741572.jpg"></a></div>The super grove from the ground</div></div><div><br></div><div>It was hot, so we headed to the children's water garden. This is an area of fountains and sprays for kids (and adults who are supervising!!) to run through. It was great to cool off and Freya loved playing in the fish fountains. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pvncv-JcYifTcWGUOCo-CUQpOj7Zy1Zc1lMzjGAMYCt3urWuC1Cc9zB0Gq-8H1EYCV-hpyPu8DJzZ5Nt3eu7GDvz3B8xkF5ikyIqcEEY2k5ISnkQ_fC8klvx1hx4-SinGktf4h95jasw/s640/blogger-image-509858258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pvncv-JcYifTcWGUOCo-CUQpOj7Zy1Zc1lMzjGAMYCt3urWuC1Cc9zB0Gq-8H1EYCV-hpyPu8DJzZ5Nt3eu7GDvz3B8xkF5ikyIqcEEY2k5ISnkQ_fC8klvx1hx4-SinGktf4h95jasw/s640/blogger-image-509858258.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Water fountains and sprays in the children's water garden with one of the garden domes in the background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JOfsieFpk5eY5L2k9253lzBquKwYuRRCDF1eZSiD9Z3wEsvTmHwfw_VCHj-_IHXVJk-YtQdTlhOaeqmY3Rntwx89VtenlxYVFwIXAMIsUKRYUq_AfNI2VeXC_ppN5zYXCQ4jBw8Xyq7W/s640/blogger-image-2110022608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JOfsieFpk5eY5L2k9253lzBquKwYuRRCDF1eZSiD9Z3wEsvTmHwfw_VCHj-_IHXVJk-YtQdTlhOaeqmY3Rntwx89VtenlxYVFwIXAMIsUKRYUq_AfNI2VeXC_ppN5zYXCQ4jBw8Xyq7W/s640/blogger-image-2110022608.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Freya playing in the fish fountain</div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Next we headed to Chinatown to find some lunch. It wasn't quite what we expected...it was much more cosmopolitan with lots of different culinary delights. We chose Vietnamese. By mid afternoon the heat was too much, so we headed back to the hotel for an afternoon nap. We emerged again just before dinner and headed to the Arab district checking out the mosque and the old buildings, before finding some dinner at one of the Turkish restaurants. Another great meal. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9smX17epkF5RGUW5o72-pn5Sfhm599SW2WwVVzR1Qmq3JWHHfWjtCnxuqNnq68u_q-ip47yac32h6Y7t-ZOqfIsc4BxB1JaNedXlfrVRgYG_6LpQ36hrUtHVjUKYvlKubu1L5Xq2_NaH/s640/blogger-image-1136029894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9smX17epkF5RGUW5o72-pn5Sfhm599SW2WwVVzR1Qmq3JWHHfWjtCnxuqNnq68u_q-ip47yac32h6Y7t-ZOqfIsc4BxB1JaNedXlfrVRgYG_6LpQ36hrUtHVjUKYvlKubu1L5Xq2_NaH/s640/blogger-image-1136029894.jpg"></a></div>The Arab district and the mosque</div><br></div><div>The next morning we went to check out the old fort canning on the hill, then briefly checked out one of the many shopping malls along Orchard road, before heading back to check out of the hotel. We headed to the airport mid afternoon and after checking in for our flight we headed to the airport swimming pool and swam and hung out for the rest of the afternoon before boarding our flight. The swimming pool at the airport is just awesome....so much nicer than spending hours in the departure lounges. </div><div><br></div><div>Plenty more of Singapore to explore and delicacies to eat. Next time....hopefully at a cooler???? Or at least a less humid time of the year. </div><div><br></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-33896128569089461852016-01-15T21:15:00.001+13:002016-01-17T07:17:54.592+13:00New Years visit to the Bostocks in the UKWell after leaving warm and sunny Wellington, then visiting cool and sunny Phoenix, we reached cold and wet England. After a week of playing with 2 little ones, Freya now had 5 little cousins to play with, and a lot of different toys....she thoroughly enjoyed all the attention from the cousins and uncles, aunts, grandparents. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU61i4v_2FIAYdMYbPlA34gNAfgRthkNT8hVJ5754zZ5J2kVmIemnp4iwz-t4UJxQhryg86G728_E96wXZjgUJ6M8VOgk1x5NyKb82_Z0TmXq_qqQUD7aZaKI-3lGM2Wyo_xYRoZsxwNr/s640/blogger-image-684365656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU61i4v_2FIAYdMYbPlA34gNAfgRthkNT8hVJ5754zZ5J2kVmIemnp4iwz-t4UJxQhryg86G728_E96wXZjgUJ6M8VOgk1x5NyKb82_Z0TmXq_qqQUD7aZaKI-3lGM2Wyo_xYRoZsxwNr/s640/blogger-image-684365656.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Playing tea party with the girls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjvmWJaTCjPD6YPmTQrU6gq0rP4HGVdNbZLWblbMx3lTkZhljDTxxUuSRksf7Is-ULVz7YrM_Eoa8BIkH1DQpKtqXP4cQ-tpC-NP8HoqR2BvdoNvBmAqFecIsSv2BxrHAZ7JCn5EeWSEz/s640/blogger-image-1126252120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjvmWJaTCjPD6YPmTQrU6gq0rP4HGVdNbZLWblbMx3lTkZhljDTxxUuSRksf7Is-ULVz7YrM_Eoa8BIkH1DQpKtqXP4cQ-tpC-NP8HoqR2BvdoNvBmAqFecIsSv2BxrHAZ7JCn5EeWSEz/s640/blogger-image-1126252120.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Great aunt Thalia and 1st cousin once removed Christopher, who was very good at making Freya laugh</span></div><div><br></div><div>Despite the inclement English weather we got out every day for a walk or activity. Freya went on her first train ride on an old English steam train in the pouring rain. Unfortunately we couldn't see much of the English countryside as the windows were all steamed up. We also went for several walks in the local, muddy woods. We had a family trip to the local swimming pool (indoor and heated) and the nearby Roald Dahl museum.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhryTjwln6VR4Ad74RhRvqKM4HPaCHdet1uhf4ZBPaGWiLuXNNfw4icTFbzJ80T4Z-eeoSmaOD4dTsQ9vDNso7xcaNKJcjvXdK40kv1uB0BV4WtYb2rsnw-tZGT0icYxomGcQG_OuNcQH/s640/blogger-image--1781675490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhryTjwln6VR4Ad74RhRvqKM4HPaCHdet1uhf4ZBPaGWiLuXNNfw4icTFbzJ80T4Z-eeoSmaOD4dTsQ9vDNso7xcaNKJcjvXdK40kv1uB0BV4WtYb2rsnw-tZGT0icYxomGcQG_OuNcQH/s640/blogger-image--1781675490.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The hardy Bostocks walking in the rain and mud in whiteleaf hill above the cross</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v8IsYOgulaKHem1AcPi6gyiXckqJTiWmHS74FKnbDgiukKGRCOOLFRPe5yTG6t1k-i9mdmrzi0w76uRvpj6aGS3g1ZVlt2FiCfbx7B7YrgyZbM74ZbDBM8fZCJdsZUGrMDqAnumIS4Gi/s640/blogger-image--345089464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v8IsYOgulaKHem1AcPi6gyiXckqJTiWmHS74FKnbDgiukKGRCOOLFRPe5yTG6t1k-i9mdmrzi0w76uRvpj6aGS3g1ZVlt2FiCfbx7B7YrgyZbM74ZbDBM8fZCJdsZUGrMDqAnumIS4Gi/s640/blogger-image--345089464.jpg"></a></div>Chinnor steam train</div><div><br></div><div>On a rather windy day we went to the Uffington White horse and Iron Age castle and caught up with a friend Laura. Although due to the arctic conditions we spent more time in the pub. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPob4YykHF1yL8UjfvwA5PO2MiwRQ4rLLvr9anBKQewJOKQd8lsvLD6BylxxyDexnP3CvIsBZtqlhm5Yij-HJF7M-jhjkX4VeHaLG4_kAQyF-v2qh8vpmEjcUO8Aq5Tw_TKbF0PaYLJuYb/s640/blogger-image--861131584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPob4YykHF1yL8UjfvwA5PO2MiwRQ4rLLvr9anBKQewJOKQd8lsvLD6BylxxyDexnP3CvIsBZtqlhm5Yij-HJF7M-jhjkX4VeHaLG4_kAQyF-v2qh8vpmEjcUO8Aq5Tw_TKbF0PaYLJuYb/s640/blogger-image--861131584.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With Laura in the fox and hounds pub</div></div><div><br></div><div>We made a special trip to Nuneaton to see grandad (great-grandad for Freya) on his 90th birthday. Unfortunately a week was not enough time to catch up with all the family....that will have to wait till next time. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExnnQ6fKKhoe5oozWrSg3foqu3ReJ6sms9StQ1CMl_rQ1vinJ_ij5xFC0BX5kyQNEFJ65IKTX57OCz5bj3p7czwulS0EFNo6ecsAX1NWFm_-ueNxtBvj3lssuhHa45pShR9RmsE81mOYt/s640/blogger-image-1267292962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExnnQ6fKKhoe5oozWrSg3foqu3ReJ6sms9StQ1CMl_rQ1vinJ_ij5xFC0BX5kyQNEFJ65IKTX57OCz5bj3p7czwulS0EFNo6ecsAX1NWFm_-ueNxtBvj3lssuhHa45pShR9RmsE81mOYt/s640/blogger-image-1267292962.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4 generations of Bostocks </div><br></div><div>Thankyou so much to Paul and Thalia and family for hosting us and looking after us so well...with lots of delicious home cooked meals and cakes. </div><div><br></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-44615448229983218092016-01-06T07:21:00.001+13:002016-01-15T21:00:53.014+13:00Christmas with the Lymans in PhoenixWe made it.....arrived to a cool, dry and sunny Phoenix. The Oregon Lymans arrived by plane and car over the next few days. Freya seemed immediately at home and enjoyed playing with her cousins, grandparents and uncle and with lots of Millie's toys, although climbing through the coffee table was a favourite game. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipVXQuuYFBPPY_sS-ELQMQ_wXaFLy3iTepLip2EUwn5ELxqfW98yeOBTtCP4HKI_LqdymYZTsnr2vIY-HFcRJqV3m6QJ13Fc13RowPaHcOwWBSZ5XfVPX7pJmi2ca55kZnK5sbmzMEUhj/s640/blogger-image--1250192936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipVXQuuYFBPPY_sS-ELQMQ_wXaFLy3iTepLip2EUwn5ELxqfW98yeOBTtCP4HKI_LqdymYZTsnr2vIY-HFcRJqV3m6QJ13Fc13RowPaHcOwWBSZ5XfVPX7pJmi2ca55kZnK5sbmzMEUhj/s640/blogger-image--1250192936.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kortney and Freya</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg-mVwKAZmGvGhjuJGFaa30EG0_wmHqbrEztUIouAF_NU5I6ViDBwG0GMjU_LP2W8zFHjX3wckvhnL6yS33i-s6M9cg-mttXi6YqXynWihX0XdiHcBJZcZdQUOXQhLohbkwt2oBfmRUka/s640/blogger-image-1328538429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg-mVwKAZmGvGhjuJGFaa30EG0_wmHqbrEztUIouAF_NU5I6ViDBwG0GMjU_LP2W8zFHjX3wckvhnL6yS33i-s6M9cg-mttXi6YqXynWihX0XdiHcBJZcZdQUOXQhLohbkwt2oBfmRUka/s640/blogger-image-1328538429.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Playing with cousins Akhen and Millie. </div></div><div><br></div><div>A family trip to the Phoenix zoo was a highlight of the week. Freya's first trip to a zoo. I think she was just as interested in all the people as she was with the animals. <br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRDcXyjXmPe87_GOEFrD-fDXBV43mdHR52kMc51nJ58BU2c_ZWNLKKvqhb81id1gn0j_XQQ11AbWtd813x9XVxogyqeUw2sTPFjbHMukDJH9RJFY8v5LFfsBlLA6yMvnt2eikcrZgPOIP/s640/blogger-image--235066291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRDcXyjXmPe87_GOEFrD-fDXBV43mdHR52kMc51nJ58BU2c_ZWNLKKvqhb81id1gn0j_XQQ11AbWtd813x9XVxogyqeUw2sTPFjbHMukDJH9RJFY8v5LFfsBlLA6yMvnt2eikcrZgPOIP/s640/blogger-image--235066291.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Giraffes at the Phoenix zoo</div><br></div><div>We managed a few walks around the neighbourhood, frequenting the local playgrounds, and a couple of hikes in the desert. At the end of the week we had a fun hike and scramble up camelback (along with many others). With great views from the top. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9aJ-DhzoNvKGr5jw5ZZbEbtd2OvUg6wkto6BlQRx8Cqz95POckGQL2fLwKdnhmKpDxu3N8ZSgRxGBYm1F8SMSlIEBoKHIrBEEbIHrxtzIqqwqUVUsNIJ2QS_u0RphzZePHbppP5EJG7o/s640/blogger-image-497432596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9aJ-DhzoNvKGr5jw5ZZbEbtd2OvUg6wkto6BlQRx8Cqz95POckGQL2fLwKdnhmKpDxu3N8ZSgRxGBYm1F8SMSlIEBoKHIrBEEbIHrxtzIqqwqUVUsNIJ2QS_u0RphzZePHbppP5EJG7o/s640/blogger-image-497432596.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Helen and Freya next to a teddy bear cholla cacti in south mountain desert park. </div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqyA9ocEzzHbX_GPHyYFKj1n2p2UVLHw7s-sOPP25Bp-4MotvdPvd_UHef0viw6HOqhLnvVaGC3mY4hqHDR_Sx1Vm1gxemrlPEb4ZcmoJeeCQ3fsZojXMWT4LCkZ3oFeeNin-ahQBZr4r/s640/blogger-image-1996709819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqyA9ocEzzHbX_GPHyYFKj1n2p2UVLHw7s-sOPP25Bp-4MotvdPvd_UHef0viw6HOqhLnvVaGC3mY4hqHDR_Sx1Vm1gxemrlPEb4ZcmoJeeCQ3fsZojXMWT4LCkZ3oFeeNin-ahQBZr4r/s640/blogger-image-1996709819.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kendall, Aaron, Freya, Craig, Helen and Kortney at the top of camelback</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkV9omkpYf0kriDfVNhunL9mm9QEsy6Q8PnozmlO0ppRERQGjJlVTjasi6ydoiedDjPPnDdnJ8NmYPg7iKd3897wporDL25DwifPsz7xcB1FHVCbJxzJoml2SNXDqFDSblTBb-ivSYVbl/s640/blogger-image--1264065489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkV9omkpYf0kriDfVNhunL9mm9QEsy6Q8PnozmlO0ppRERQGjJlVTjasi6ydoiedDjPPnDdnJ8NmYPg7iKd3897wporDL25DwifPsz7xcB1FHVCbJxzJoml2SNXDqFDSblTBb-ivSYVbl/s640/blogger-image--1264065489.jpg"></a></div></div>Aaron and Freya at the top of camelback, looking down the way we came up. <br><div><br></div><div>We had a great week, consuming plenty of Mexican food, catching up with several friends. Thanks to the Phoenician Lymans for hosting us. </div><div><br></div></div></div></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135825288373590211.post-3229265515751751152015-12-26T13:40:00.001+13:002015-12-28T15:41:20.027+13:00Freya's first Christmas'sOur first family Christmas...Freya's present to her parents was to let them have a lie in until 7:30am. Freya got some lovely Christmas presents of books, a picture, and a music set with maracas, castanets, Tamborine, triangle etc...so lots of noise was had. After opening her presents we skyped with nagymama, nagypapa, uncle Andy, cousins Andrea and Annabel in Scotland, who were still having Christmas Eve. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWsafaY_cwq38RYZV4Tb7IUiSXhUPhXoWPeyQxXvQybJJ_z_ZD5OY_gKMsieQ9vcARCMw4I7kLi1WDTKweRbGTc2ZY3XY6nogdKU35taygmVe9GfqPvVY1XsfNlp2j09ERN1K9gL9bU9I/s640/blogger-image-1912228202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWsafaY_cwq38RYZV4Tb7IUiSXhUPhXoWPeyQxXvQybJJ_z_ZD5OY_gKMsieQ9vcARCMw4I7kLi1WDTKweRbGTc2ZY3XY6nogdKU35taygmVe9GfqPvVY1XsfNlp2j09ERN1K9gL9bU9I/s640/blogger-image-1912228202.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztDrlJrw8xET_Ul0LXf6Fe1Qlv3IE52NqmaYlj77wSJ6z0YHeYe7aMLl2p1C-lU-ZAYmfIMG62mwarubbbFpBbPO2CT65iTb0W_YVkAmteo-9XwQOY0v9NP3pyzddoBiolIHrCiibYP4d/s640/blogger-image--1971936135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztDrlJrw8xET_Ul0LXf6Fe1Qlv3IE52NqmaYlj77wSJ6z0YHeYe7aMLl2p1C-lU-ZAYmfIMG62mwarubbbFpBbPO2CT65iTb0W_YVkAmteo-9XwQOY0v9NP3pyzddoBiolIHrCiibYP4d/s640/blogger-image--1971936135.jpg"></a></div>Freya opening her presents</div><br></div><div>We headed over to our neighbours for a delicious brunch, then in the afternoon we headed around to some friends for a bbq. We had perfect wellington weather. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDphaQP-LZVrlC4XNrdB1PI1gvNH2-9O0KxjO4eCI-nP0XKCCCduDNkE7e8X4AGjDd4KXDhTcuPFqItyg2T_r5Cuv3dY7pJ5AVEwsgJvp4wO7z0Jxo616dQNGCzXhLuFpZ5YlGY49ohPu7/s640/blogger-image-178691381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDphaQP-LZVrlC4XNrdB1PI1gvNH2-9O0KxjO4eCI-nP0XKCCCduDNkE7e8X4AGjDd4KXDhTcuPFqItyg2T_r5Cuv3dY7pJ5AVEwsgJvp4wO7z0Jxo616dQNGCzXhLuFpZ5YlGY49ohPu7/s640/blogger-image-178691381.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brunch...yum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VhF3j28UJLfBVpCI6vna4tcpoHaU0SL3DZxUe0szstsph3qzoVRD3Qep4vflG4OFMsPAJuPsyFgyWB5AEx9iPli74mmqTgokPKwdL151GTBkuHlZuGqXpQ3niH_zrUmjw37iJQWlrB6T/s640/blogger-image-829407189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VhF3j28UJLfBVpCI6vna4tcpoHaU0SL3DZxUe0szstsph3qzoVRD3Qep4vflG4OFMsPAJuPsyFgyWB5AEx9iPli74mmqTgokPKwdL151GTBkuHlZuGqXpQ3niH_zrUmjw37iJQWlrB6T/s640/blogger-image-829407189.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Family Christmas photo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-aHveSlRhTbaVV-VNG7i1henSI8qc6qalrhZOsZaG3Tz7rSKBqeERMHOGURbQiMjJ3jpyZmC2B_hp2HRrvC9ywZqV8ADpPDdVvhymFnpET8Mdw4ctWD98nrD0a9xg-UUbMhIh44LS-vZ/s640/blogger-image--833534125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-aHveSlRhTbaVV-VNG7i1henSI8qc6qalrhZOsZaG3Tz7rSKBqeERMHOGURbQiMjJ3jpyZmC2B_hp2HRrvC9ywZqV8ADpPDdVvhymFnpET8Mdw4ctWD98nrD0a9xg-UUbMhIh44LS-vZ/s640/blogger-image--833534125.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Freya in her summer dress</div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Then at 6pm we headed to the airport to fly to the US. Freya did really well and managed to get some sleep in the bassinet on the plane, and mum and dad got a few hours as well. After a night on the plane we arrived in the US on Christmas Day....so at 7 and a half months Freya has had 2 Christmases due to time differences and datelines....</div><div><br></div><div>We are looking forward to catching up with the Lymans over the next week in Phoenix. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12330428994580098066noreply@blogger.com0