Belated christmas antics!

Now that we've worked out how to upload our videos, here is the one I promised of Matthew's pursuit of the christmas tree!

Chuckles with Matthew

The other day, I was swatting flies with a tea towel and the following video was Matthew's response - hope you enjoy!!!

Summer *sun/showers (*delete as appropriate)

Well, the rest of the festive season was rather uneventful but nice and relaxed. The weather continues to be changeable; we've had some glorious, hot days when Matthew had his first experience in a paddling pool.

We've also had some days when it's been just warm enough to go to the beach (though the beach shelter was needed to protect us from the sandstorm, not the UV!); we took some youth with us and Neil did a good Pied Piper impression and the rest of the children there wanted to join in the cricket game too! Matthew was intrigued by the sand, not least because it just ran through his fingers and he therefore couldn't get it in his mouth! I was quite relieved because any time in the garden is just spent with me trying to prevent him eating grass and daisies!

And then we've had days like yesterday when it rained all day and when we went to friends for a meal in the evening they had lit a fire!

Our third upside-down Christmas Day was a very relaxed affair; the first half spent at home and the second half at Emma & Dan's, along with some of Emma's family over from the UK and Helen and Paul (Emma met them when she worked in the physio dept but, in the small world we live in, Helen also lived with my sister, Katy, when they were at uni in Cardiff!).
Matthew did seem to enjoy opening his presents and was more intrigued with his new toys than I expected (lots of people told me he'd only be interested in the wrapping paper). It took us a while to open them all because so much of a day is eating and sleeping! And there are more presents to come because we are still waiting for parcels from the UK (I feel very sorry for Elisabeth who, having posted a parcel surface mail last year which didn't arrive 'til mid-January, decided this year to post it air mail and it still didn't arrive on time) - so Christmas will be an extended affair this year.
Christmas food was very different with a whole salmon (expertly barbecued by Dan), cold ham (which honestly could have fed an army) and lovely salads and bread. We also had a chocolate truffle cake for Christmas cake which was amazing! We ate outside, though in typical English style; actually it was quite chilly but we had to eat out because we could and it should have been warm!

The one frustration of the day (which continued into Boxing Day) was difficulty with technology in trying to make contact with family at home. When we could get through on the phone, after several attempts, the connection only lasted a few seconds. The internet was not much better and when we tried to use the webcam it crashed.

The rest of the week has been very quiet and relaxing. The weather has been much warmer so we've been for a picnic and walks and generally enjoyed time to read and play with our new toys (and that's not just Matthew!).

Merry Christmas!

It's 1am and I've just got back from Midnight Mass and as we've just entered Christmas Day (and we're some of the first around the world!) I thought I'd send greetings! And also a couple of photos - our family Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve (because we're being Kiwis tomorrow with bbq etc) and Matthew with his stocking! Anyway, have a good one and lots and lots of love xxx. Off to play Father Christmas now...

Christmas Proper

Yesterday it was 30 degrees here and Matthew couldn't sleep because he was too hot. Today the wind has shifted from the north west to the south west; it's blowing a gale and absolutely pouring with rain! Neil has lit a fire and is out for the evening so the only thing for it is for me to put on my cheesy Christmas music and wrap presents. Everybody else is probably very ticked off with the weather but I love it! It makes me feel much less homesick and it's just the kind of weather there ought to be at Christmas!
Matthew is also getting into the spirit of Christmas and is obsessed with our tree. He's a little like the squirrel in Ice Age who is in pursuit of the acorn; he looks at where the tree is, appears to think out his route and then rolls - back to front, front to back, left to right, right to left (a skill perfected over the weekend) - and pushes himself however he needs to in order to reach those very pretty beads that hang nicely from the lower branches! Then, very cruelly, Mummy or Daddy swoop down and scoop him up - denied! I have a great little movie of it and if I ever figure out how to post it you can have a look but, for now, here are a couple of photos of his brief moments of triumph!

Youth Weekend Away

Just back from taking some of our youth on a weekend away to Hanmer Springs, a thermal resort about 90 mins away and we had such a fantastic time that I had to blog about it immediately (otherwise Christmas will be upon me and I'll be consumed by presents and food!).

So Sam (just finishing his breakfast in the photo!), Tim, Dan, Monique, Kirsten, Mel and Jaimee joined us in the rather large bach that we stayed in with Alastair and Helen and co when they were here in October.

The lads slept downstairs, the Shepherds on the middle floor and the girls had the top floor - though not sure the girls got a huge amount of sleep!
Our aim for the weekend was to hang out and deepen friendships by hearing one another's stories and by listening to what God had to say to each of us. This was all linked wonderfully together by food, silly songs, Cranium, street cricket, bedtime stories and the hot pools (which I appreciated far more today because the weather was dreadful). Matthew had lots of fun with different faces to entertain him and lots of cuddles! He also loved the pools - just a big bath really!

Anyway, our aim for the weekend was achieved and it wasn't for me but I feel totally blessed and encouraged by them all. They are fab!