Hi all,

Well .. what have you all been up to?    We have been rushing around like there was no tomorrow!

I have been out to get Pressies for my Boys …. must have the stocking to open on Xmas morning, even if we are over the other side of the world! … and then also our little World Vision Boy … you have to send these parcels out so early otherwise they get caught up and lost in the rush … Santa can’t cope with too many so close to his time of delivering .. so I like to be kind to him!!     I have written all our cards and sent them out … do like to try and be the first one that drops through your letter box … you’d all wonder what was wrong if they were late!

 We have also been busy helping our friend who works for a Rest Home … they have just expanded and had a Hospital extension added on … and the opening was this Wednesday just gone … and there was 31 extra rooms to be prepared for the mayor to see! …… 31 sets of curtains .. nets and heavies to put up … 31 sets of towels and flannels to be folded and hung exactly the same way …. 31 beds to be made and then as they were all electrical they had to be a certain height ….  numerous boxes to be dismantled and taken down to the basement { Mikes job! }  {{ He did do some curtains as well }} … and there activity person has been away so we were also ‘Bingo Callers’ and also ‘Trivial Quiz Masters’ for a couple of mornings! …. and then the day before the opening I made 135 cakes!    Phew … makes me tired reading it all again!   The day went off wonderfully with the mayor officially opening it … then we had a Maori Cultural Group come and do a Haka and also sing and dance … Mike and I have seen Hakas performed on the box but never in person … it was quite something.

We have also been getting the garden into shape for the summer …. spring is a dreadful time in a garden … so much to do … so many weeds grow … How come they grow quicker than the flowers? … and … who says they are weeds?  some of them are real pretty … Mike has to ask me first which is the weed and which is the flower … otherwise he pulls up the flowers and leaves the weeds!!!  Bless.

Nicole has been busy busy … a real natural Mum …. mustn’t leave Nathan out … a real natural Dad too ….. and Nicole is also busy arranging so many things that go into organising a Wedding. …..  We have found a dressmaker for her  …. and Mike has also said I can have one made as this is a ‘Special’ Occasion ….. so we have been looking at materials, and designs for me …. all very exciting … its so nice having her around and doing all these Motherly things with her … something I have missed out on.  and ….. Grumps likes it too …. as he gets to look after Logan!!     He is growing so fast  …. and is quite adorable. … He is already trying to pull himself up into a sitting position … we all know this is because he is so nosey  … he wants to see everything!   Wonder who he takes after?   He is also teething! ….. I can’t remember ours teething so early ….. I reckon he will be walking by 6 months the way he is going … and be in College by the age of 10!!     We have had some lovely walks on the reserve at the back of us …. the dogs like it too, … and its good for the diet that I am on … exercise and all that ….. and have I found a great diet ….. Curry every night!!!  How good is that?    If anyone wants a copy let me know …. I have lost 4 kgs in 2 weeks!!!   Just another 20kgs to go before Feb!!    I wish.

Neil & Patricia are still busy with work …. and I suppose with the onset of Christmas they will not calm down till Xmas Day itself ….. I am looking forward to having them all here for a family dinner, once we have opened all our pressies! { Which I have to confess I haven’t done anything about yet!! oops }

The pictures below are our garden … we are quite proud of it as we don’t profess to be Real gardeners.

        

And of course I must show a few of Our Babe!

            

 Bye for now …. Look after yourselves and each other.