Visiting Puhoi


Back to School


Before the Renovations


Digging Below


The Bowmakers with Ava


Daffodil Day Concert


Emily in Fiji


Lydia at Artz On Show

It is now three years since Sonia passed away and how the girls continue to grow. They have shot up in height and also increased in maturity and independence. They are just wonderful.

We often visit Sonia's grave and place new flowers, as it is on the way up north to the bach.

Emily turned 6 and Lydia turned 8 this year. They had a joint party at Kelly Tarltons. Which was great fun, and they took us behind the scenes to feed the fish.

At the school prize giving last week Lydia received a "Certificate for Effort". Emily was very disappointed that she didn't get one and cried when going to sleep.

The girls are doing very well at school and both brought home glowing school reports.


The big project this year, was some substantial renovations to the house. We had a proper basement built under the house. This meant that we had to shift out for six months down the road to Mum and Dads. The builders had to excavate under the house, and create a concrete and brick foundation below and out into the existing drive area. While supporting the house as wooden beams and poles were replaced by steel beams and concrete walls. This was quite a nervous period knowing that you house is only propped up. Once the house was supported by the new foundations, they could begin the construction of the floors and walls.

Now that it is finished, you can hardly tell what has changed from the front of the house. We now have a nice level driveway, which can fit 2-3 cars off the street. Underneath, there is a new workroom/storage area, a new bedroom, on-suite and family room. From the family room you have access to the decks under the house and some new stairs up into the main lounge.

Upstairs, we have moved the front door out and created an entrance way and entrance cupboard for storing bags, raincoats and shoes.

We also replaced the kitchen, with a nice modern look, including a breakfast bar/table. Now that the girls have a new room for their creative activities.

While all the building has finished and we have shifted back in, there is still a bit of work to do, to get the grounds back into the wonderful condition Sonia had them in.


In August Richard and Michelle bought Ava up for a visit and the girls had plenty of fun playing with their cousin. We also caught up with them when we were in Fiji too. Michelle is pregnant and expecting delivery at the end of the year. The girls cannot wait to meet their next new cousin. I know that Sonia would be smiling profusely learning that Richard is going to have another child.


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 Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Emily went the White Rabbit.

The school also puts on a concert and raises funds to support Daffodil Day. This year Emily and Zack led the concert, I was very proud at how well they did.

In July we went to Whakapapa to take the girls skiing. Our whole family went with Nanna and Grandad, and my Sister's family.

The weather was overcast but we still had a lot of fun. The girls had some more lessons Lydia was able to ski from top to bottom of Happy Valley all by her-self and Emily wasn't far behind.

In September we went to Fiji and stayed and stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel. It had only been open for a few months and it was a lovely spot to rest and get over the winter colds. There was a Golf course close by so David and I managed to get some golf in.

The girls are still busy with their dancing and the show at the end of the year was fantastic, the staff at ld danse do an amazing job.

Lydia has taken up sewing and is creating many new creations.

Well I hope that gives you a bit of an incite into our busy year.

Merry Christmas to you all,

Brent, Lydia and Emily.