Fishing with Nanna


Visiting Puhoi


Emily learning the Outboard

It is now eight years since Sonia passed away and we are all doing great. Lydia is now 13, and Emily is now 11. But at this time of year Sonia is still with us in our hearts and minds.

This year both girls moved to new schools as Emily moved to Northcote Intermediate and Lydia on to Northcote College. They continued to be with their friends and had great teachers. College was quite a change for Lydia, as now you have to go to different rooms for classes and manage your time to ensure you get your homework done.

Over the summer holidays we spent time on the Boat and at the Bach, spending time on the beach and in the sea. Lydia and Emily enjoy fishing and snorkling, and they both love swimming. The weather wasn't that flash on Boat, we still had a great time, as John would take the kids out on the Great Mable towed behind his inflatable.

This year on the Boat Emily learnt how to use the outboard. Which she managed to get the hang of quite quickly.

For Emily's birthday we took a group of her friends to Jump. They had heaps of fun bouncing around on the trampolines and getting quite hot.

For Lydia's birthday party we went to Action Speedway where the girls got to drive go-carts and bumper boats followed by a sleepover. Although I'm not sure how much sleep they got.

For Lydia's birthday dinner, Richard and Michelle and their kids Ava and Max, had come up from Wellington. And Robert had come over from Sydney. So it was a great surprise for her and a great time catching up.

On the Boat


Lydia Snorkling


Getting towed on the Great Mable

Emily's Party at Jump

Emily and her Friends

With their cousins Ava and Max

Lydia and her Friends

Lydia Racing

Paramount Studios

Shopping at Santa Monica

Griffith Observatory

Humingbird

Hollywood Sign

La Brea Tar Pits


Endeavour Space Shuttle


Posing by the pool

For the April school holidays we went to Los Angeles, Ixtapa (Mexico) and Palm Springs, with the entire family. Mum, Dad, Donna, David, Katie and Zack, and this time Harry, Mary, Booke and Ben.

In Los Angeles we stayed in the Hollywood Hills with Chef Phil. We needed a very large house to fit us all in. A good amount of time was spent shopping at the Grove, Santa Monica and the Premium Outlets.

On our first big adventure to the Premium Outlets in Cambrillo, what should have been a one hour drive turned into almost two, as we discovered later our GPS's had been set to avoid highways. But that didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm for exploring the 160 outlet shops.

As well as a lot of shopping, we did some sight seeing at the Griffith Observatory, where we saw a woodpeeker and hummingbirds. We went to the La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum to see the fossils that had been recovered from the prehistoric species that had been trapped in the tar.

The California Science Center was amazing. With so many great interactive exhibits. In front of the Center was a pick up truck attached to a huge lever, so the girls could lift it up by themselves. We got to see the space shuttle Endeavour, and take a ride in the simulator.

From Los Angeles we flew to Ixtapa, Mexico on Alaska Airlines. It was a lot warmer and Lydia got to try out her spanish. We stayed at the Holiday Inn, before transfering to Club Med. We went to the Dolphin Park for a once is a lifetime experience of swimming and playing with the dolphins Chocho and Chato.

Page Museum


California Science Center


Club Med Archery

Towing Emily

Towing Lydia

Amazing Dolphinarium

Emily Holding the Dolphin

Now Lydia's turn

So many Wind Turbines


Palm Springs

The time at Club Med was very relaxing, but hot. A lot of the time was spent in the pool. There was a number of activities we all tried. Archery was a favourite, mainly because it was sheltered, with everyone having a go. I tried tennis with Lydia, but you lost the grip on the rackets with sweat.

Each day at midday there were different pool competitions with the GOs against the guests. Our competitive nature came out with our family making up most of the team and beating the GOs. It was lots of fun and we got to know the GOs quite well.

After Ixtapa, we flew back to Los Angeles and drove to Palm Springs. When we got close to Palm Springs the first thing you notice is the miles and miles of Wind Turbines. We had organised another large house to accommodate us in Indio. There was a pool and games room for the kids. After one day of rest we found another premium outlet complex for more shopping.

Dad, Harry and I took Emily, Lydia and Zack to see the Airplane Museum and the Aerial Tramway. The Tramway was a great experience, you go from the 40+ temperatures of the valley to the 15+ temperature up the mountain. Which in winter even has snow. And the views were fantastic of Palm Springs below.

We finished off the trip with a couple of days in Anaheim and Disneyland before heading home.

Aerial Tramway Mountain Station


23 Pairs of Shoes

Clear Streams

Rotorua Mudpools

Rotorua Bathhouse

Rotorua Gondola

Rotorua Skyline

Hobbiton

At Vector for the Show

The Mythbusters on Stage

Meeting the Mythbusters

Dad's Car Rally line up

Emily playing Tennis


School Trip to Zoo


School Prize Giving


Emily's Painting

In the July holidays I took the girls to Rotorua. I thought they should see some of NZ after the USA. There were so many great activies to do, from the Mud Pools, Luge and Rainbow Springs.

At Rainbow Springs we took a behind the scenes tour of the Kiwi's. Another great thing about Rainbow Springs is that you can return at night to see the animals and Kiwis in their enclosures.

On the way back from Rotorua, we stopped at Hobbiton in Matamata. Where you get a guided tour the movie set. It is a great experience as you step back into middle earth. They have done a fantastic job in making it an enjoyable attraction.

In September we went to the Mythbusters show. The girls are big fans of the show. Adam and Jamie are as great entertainers and put on a fantastic live show.

In November for Dads birthday, we went on a Car Rally in his old cars heading to the Bridgewater Estate in Kumeu. It was a fun day, and quite amusing to drive the old cars with their quirky behaviour. We had a lovely lunch and almost made it back without incident. But the car Harry was driving had a fuel blockage, which took a bit to get going again.

The girls are still quite busy dancing with both girls doing Jazz and Ballet. This year Emily tried Cheerleading too. They are beautiful dancers. Over summer they both play tennis. This year Mum and Dad brought new shirts for all the kids teams, and now they look very smart in their black shirts.

I only got to go on one school trip this year to the Auckland Zoo with Lydia's class. Its quite different being part of a college class, as basically you let them do there own thing, while you wander around making sure no one is causing any trouble. It was a relaxing day for me as I got to see the new exhibits at the zoo. The new areas they have created and exhibits as first class and well worth a visit.

The girls are still doing very well at school, and continue to excel with reading. Lydia received a Certificate for excellence in Art and attainment in Social Studies, and Emily received a Certificate for Outstanding Effort and Attitude in Art. I'm a very proud dad.

In December it was the dance schools show. Lydia was in all five shows and Emily in two. #iMaze was another incredible show put on by the school.

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

Dad's birthday Car Rally


Emily's Science Experiment


School Prize Giving


By the Christmas Tree