Bella's Visit - Easter Egg Hunt

Bella visited over Easter and for part of her school holidays. Here are some photos taken early Easter Sunday - didn't she do well? and yes, two or three little chocolate eggs were being found over the next day or so!

Trip to Auckland

Enjoying some family time in Auckland with Lisa & Bella, Mum & Dad (also Alison but no photos).

Lovely to get some good photos and great to spend time together!

Lisa was on jury duty and needed child-care for Bella, so Nana duties called. Wednesday Bella and I met Mum/Great-Grandma in Auckland's CBD and entertained ourselves there. Met Lisa for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Then saw Mum off on the train - which gave us an idea for the following day's entertainment.

On Thursday Bella and I had great fun travelling! We drove into the city by car. We walked to the ferry terminal and caught a ferry across the Auckland Harbour to Devonport (a North Shore suburb) where we had lunch and walked around the shops. We enjoyed a cart ride - drawn by three big Clydesdale horses. Another ferry ride back to the CBD and then we caught a train out to Sylvia Park, a large shopping mall. Bella hadn't been on a train before! Afternoon tea and a walk around the shops, then another train ride back into the city. This time we caught the free bus up to Sky City, where we watched two jumpers (SkyJump can be described as Base Jumping while attached to a wire - they fall very fast for 11 seconds, and then come to a smooth landing in the plaza below).

Friday we drove out to Mum & Dad's, Bella roller skated and rode her scooter there. After lunch we drove out to the Auckland Botanical Gardens - Bella cycled, Dad used a mobility scooter, Mum and I walked.

Wonderful sunny summer days meant we could enjoy all our outdoor activities, and the bonus was sleeping well!

Christmas

Early on Christmas Day we drove up to Auckland, to join the Gray clan at Alison's for brunch.

We each brought a $20 gift and played a game which meant you could open a gift or opt to steal someone's. Some gifts were very popular and were 'stolen' several times - just as well there was a limit, you could only lose 'your' gift a maximum of three times!

Christmas

Then over to Waiheke Island (45 minute ride on the ferry) where John's brother Peter lives. We arrived in time for pavlova, strawberries and cream - YUM!

Christmas

More fantastic views from Pete's place & we enjoyed the most amazing sunset that evening.

Joe's Graduation

Joe (John's son) graduated from Faith Bible College in November 2008. Proud friends & family gathered to watch. Big surprise to us all (including Joe) when he received the Eagle Award for Outstanding Excellence - good on you, Joe!
photos from top: Joe & his proud Dad, Joe with girlfriend Ali, Joe and his mum Jenny, Joe with his Diploma and award, Joe & Ali

Bella learning to surf

Bella thoroughly enjoyed her Learning to Surf time with John. I took some video but missed all the best bits - such as when she was balancing on the (polystyrene) board and it began to float. She has great balance, persisted in trying and did really well.

more from Grandparents' Camp

Bella had a go at most things: archery, boating (row, kayak, paddle), and skimming (hold on tight to a plastic disc that skims down a hill - must be very wet with dew)

Grandparent's Camp

We went to Grandparent's Camp at CYC (Christian Youth Camps) at Ngaruawahia (north of Hamilton, North Island of NZ) with Bella, our 6 year old grand-daughter.

What a great concept! There were about fifty fellow-campers; each family group were assigned their own cabin. Ours had 4 single beds in the upper level, where Bella slept and a double bed downstairs (plus our own shower, basin & toilet). Our bedroom also had a ranch-slider to the outdoors with lovely rural views.

Nearby was the dining hall - full compliments to the cook, the meals were excellent. Next to that was another hall with various games (ping-pong, pool, etc) and upstairs a TV lounge with various board games. But we were far too busy having fun to bother with watching TV.

The weather was fantastic! Exceptionally warm & sunny for late spring. The site has its own pool with a small indoor heated pool. There's a small lake with kayaks, paddle-boats and a tiny row-boat. At one end of the lake is the flying fox - the wire is swung across the lake.

At the other end of the lake is a play-ground - a small stream meanders through the play area it turns a water wheel , has a small bridge and stepping stones for crossing it.

Surrounding hills are used for skimmers (plastic discs on which you sit & slide down on the early morning dew), and mud slides. There's native bush further up the hills, so there are some great bush walks and wonderful views of the Waikato Valley. One part of the bush has an outdoor chapel area - a lovely place to hold a brief Sunday morning service.

Grandparent's Camp is held annually - Bella enjoyed it, so did we - although we were all tired and slept extremely well afterwards! I think we'll do it again, next year!

Photos to come - but here are two videos showing Bella the Brave on the flying fox and the mud-slide.

Grandparents' Camp

Bella whizzed down this mud slide (much steeper than it appears) twice - the one I didn't capture (typical) she spun around three times on her way down!

Grandparents Camp

Bella insisted she be allowed on the flying fox; there's no safety harness she had to hold her own weight as she flew down the wire and across the small lake!

Kim's Baptism

Kim, Trina & Jarrod headed into the water, Kim was baptised and greeted with claps & cheers.

Kim's Baptism

Some of Kim's friends could come.

Kim's Baptism

This is the gorgeous setting; just south of the main beach at Mount Maunganui.

Family Get-Togethers