Sonia's Headstone



School Prize Giving



Veggie Garden Project


Emily's Artwork



Enjoying a break from skiing



Lydia playing Netball



Lydia in Fiji



Emily started Ballet

And so we continue living each day going forward, but with Sonia ever present in our mind and heart. Christmas was a special time for Sonia, as she loved dressing up the Christmas tree and finding gifts for the girls.

It is two years since Sonia passed away and  boy how the girls are growing. They have been amazing at taking things in their stride.

Emily turned 5 this year and started school. She got the same teacher and class room that Lydia had, so fitted in right away. Even correcting the teacher that the image of the duck under D in the alphabet was actually a Mallard.

At the school prize giving last week they both received certificates. Lydia a "Certificate for Effort" and  Emily a "Certificate for Citizenship". I was a very proud Daddy that night.

Our family project this spring was to create a veggie garden, to help tie in with what the girls were learning about the environment at school. This involved clearing the shrubs and trees, digging out the roots, constructing the frame and then wheel barrowing in the dirt. And of course planting the seeds and seedlings.

This took quite a few weekends, as I now have to fit it in with looking after the girls. The girls where helping were they could with lugging the rubbish up to the trailer and of course with the planting.

In October the school has a parade as part of Book Week, where the children dress up as a character from their favourite book. Lydia went as Lyra from the Golden Compass/The Northern Lights and Emily went as a Badger. This was my first attempt at face painting and I think Sonia would have been very pleased with the result.

After the parade Emily's class drew and painted a picture of them self. You can see that Emily also has the artistic gene. Lydia is continuing her exceptional drawing skills as well.

In September we went to Whakapapa to take the girls for their first experience in real snow. Our whole family went with Nanna and Grandad, and my Sister and her children.

The weather was great and the girls had a lot of fun. We built a snow man, with a carrot for a nose and stones for buttons. The girls had some lessons and by the afternoon of the second day Lydia was able to ski from top to bottom of Happy Valley all by her-self.

This winter Lydia starting playing Netball, coached by her Aunty Donna. This meant that we had to be at school for 8am practices, which isn't that easy when you have to drag her sister along also. As well as early morning Saturday games in all weather.

At this level every game the players are rotated around every position. When Lydia was goal shoot, she was an ace at putting the ball through the hoop. The team played really well together and got better and better through out the season. They only lost one game and got second place for their grade.

In July our whole family travelled up to Fiji, to get a break from winter. We stayed at the Raddison on Denerau Island, which had fantastic accommodation and great pools with a tunnel slide and plenty of shade covers. The girls spent most of the time in the pools with their cousins Katie and Zack.

One day we went for a boat trip out to the reefs to do some snorkelling. Lydia is now able to dive down. Emily wasn't so keen on swimming in the sea. The colours of the fish are incredible and the various shapes and sizes. It was like swimming in a tropical aquarium.

The girls have been pretty busy with their after school activities of Ballet, Swimming and Tennis. Emily started ballet this year and is really enjoying it. She looks so cute in her ballet uniform. At the end of the year the ballet school put on the production "House of Dance", which was great and the girls each danced with their classes on the stage.

During the school holidays they have also been doing Artz on Show, where they learn dancing and drama and get to put on a concert at the end of the week. They really have fun at that also, and are looking forward to the one in January.

Well I hope that gives you a bit of an incite into our last six months. Looking after two girls is very busy, and you don't get much free time to yourself. But we are getting along fine. Thank you for all the wonderful messages you have been leaving. Its great to read your words of encouragement.

Merry Christmas to you all,

Brent, Lydia and Emily.

Emily at Puhoi Cemetery




Lydia and Emily





Book Week



Ski Lessons



Player of the Day



Emily in Fiji




Merry Christmas