A Family Day.

We woke on a beautiful clear Sunday morning and decided it would be a great day to see the view from the top of Wairere Falls.  

So after lots of coaxing ( I could have easily given up)  we packed up a backpack and off we went.

I must say, it isn't easy to keep positive and excited about a family day out when the girls just won't play the game.  Yes, you could say we dragged them into the car.

But........ once we were on our way, all was well.

I am always the joke of the day, because I am (I will admit) the most unfit in the family. I start at the front and always end at up at the back. But that's okay I can live with that.  At least I join in!

There is such beautiful views to take in......

Look at this view!!

 

It was a 20 min reasonably steep climb to the look out with quite a few steps......

And another hour to the top.  We really had to talk the girls into going to the top. We assured them they didn't just want to go HALF way!!

And Mike assured us it wasn't as steep from here on.  (cough cough)

Kaysha being a tree hugger

But the view at the top was WELL worth it!!! And even the girls admitted that.

Yes it was thirsty work!

This photo freaked me out when I first saw it.

We hung out at the top for close to half an hour resting and refuelling. Then to tackle the trip down, which of course is much faster.  Mike, Kaysha and Tahlia chose to run most of it.

And still lots of love to go around.

From the time we got out of the car until we got back in was 3 hours.  No world record I know, but we certainly enjoyed the journey.  And it was a way better way to spend the day than on technology etc.

Four days later..........my calf muscles are still sore and I look really odd going down steps :(  But the girls have forgotten the pain already and would love to do it again!! I make take a wee longer to forget.

So yes! even when your kids are not keen to get out and about and try something new, it is well worth blocking your ears to all the moaning and just pack the bag, force them into the car and GO! 

Traditions that never die........

It seems to take just as long to get a blog done as it did to scrapbook!!!  Especially when we have to take turns to use the computer.

At the ages of 14, nearly 12 and 10 we were thinking that the annual 'Easter Egg Hunt' may have come to an end.  But no, all I heard all week was 'are we having an easter egg hunt?" are we having an easter egg hunt?"

So we went with it!  I don't know that this kind of tradition will ever end.

However we did start the Easter weekend with attending church on Thursday night to remember Jesus Crucifixion, followed by a traditional Passover dinner with Mikes brother and his family on Good Friday, and attended church on Sunday to celebrate Jesus Resurrection!!

12 of us sitting on the floor remembering the Passover

And following all of that, on Sunday afternoon we sent the children to the bathroom while we hid the easter eggs.  And the older they get the more creative we have to get.  They know that there is always an egg in the pot plant, or on the giraffes ears etc.

So here are some pics...........

Can you see the little yellow speck in the middle??

Too easy!

Not many in that basket.

This is Tahlias basket she made for homework.

And whilst eating all that yummy chocolate, OF COURSE we had to paint eggs.  Another tradition we have done for about 10 years now.  I'm disappointed I have no photos or anything of all the eggs in the past.  Because the artist element sure has come a LONG way over the past decade!!

Unfortunately Mike had to milk so didn't get to paint any this year :( We were hoping he would do an up-date of his caravan.  Last year he painted a replica of his pop-top camper except now the pop top has had a 'make over' 

So the fun begins..........

So these are some of our traditions that we love to share with the girls.  I do hope they will continue for much longer, because it is these times that we set aside as a whole family to 'hang out' together.

Tahlias Holiday re-styling challenge

What to do in the holidays???
I wanted to bring out the sewing machine and leave it on the dining room table all holidays and let the girls be creative.
My sister in law suggested a 're-styling' challenge!  Sounds like fun!


So here is Tahlias creation..............

Off to the second hand shops we went,

What a find!! Brand new dressing gowns for $10 and they are soooo snuggly.

Before.......

Then there was the fun and creative part.

Carefully cut the collar/sides off.

We got a bit stuck and had to ask Dad for his expert opinion.

Measure it carefully.

Sewing the legs, make sure you keep the seams together Tahlia.

And here it is!! Onesies!!

It was meant to be a 'holiday project'  However Tahlia kept going and going until it was done. A total of 6 hours and even skipping dinner!

She is very proud of her Onesies!!

Blogging????

Well, who would have thought I would EVER write a blog???

I have come to realize after reading other blogs that they are a great way to 'scrapbook' which has been one of my pastime hobbies that I have not kept up with.  And also a great way of preserving memories!

My husband and I have three gorgeous pre-teen/teenage girls who are just growing up way to fast.  And we have sooo much fun as a family I really just want to have a little archive of our fun and adventures :)

They have grown from this................

Kaysha 5, Amber 3 & Tahlia 18months

To this........................, as fast as a blink

Kaysha 14, Amber 11 & Tahila 10

So here is my VERY first post!!!
And I look forward adding many more....................