Welcome 2011!!

So I welcomed 2011 in asleep in bed with Tonsillitis! I know. Who gets tonsillitis at my age. I do that's who as I never had them removed despite countless bouts of it when I was younger. I am on day 8 and can swallow today so that's a bonus!
I decided to do a post with a few pics from the year
Hope you enjoy......

One of my photos was selected for "Manawatu Wildlife Photographer of the Year" I didn't win - but it was on display at Te Manawa for months!

Amalie gave herself a haircut

Oliver lost his first tooth!

We lost our Scotty

Photographed my first wedding (I am now calling it my first as it was the first on my DSLR)

A wonderful trip to Rarotonga to see our good friends get married.

We lost our sweet little Milly

Beautiful "Recycled" Christmas Fairy in the Christmas Parade

Happy New Year to you all!!

Caitlin Jemma Holmes 31.01.04 - 23.12.10

In tears we saw you sinking,
And watched you pass away.
Our hearts were almost broken,
We wanted you to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping,
So peaceful, free from pain,
How could we wish you back with us,
To suffer that again. It broke our hearts to
lose you, But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.

Sweet little Cait - oh how your family will miss you. Now you are playing and running free. Rest in peace Princess

Its Christmas time....

Today we battled the crowds and went to visit "Ho Ho" The kids loved it! I however was extremely sore and still recovery from my "grumpy bowels" as my Dr called it!!
We also finally got around to buying gifts for the KMart wishing Tree appeal. They loved choosing the gifts - so two children will be getting some exciting presents from our two children on Christmas morning. They can't quite get their head around not knowing who they are but they were excited to know that some one "needy" will be getting them

Sorry about the first pic not being turned!!

Tuesdays around the world

On Sunday we had the Christmas parade. Amalie was on her kindy float which won best Kindergarten float. The teachers had handmade all their little outfits from recycled stuff that was dropped off at the kindy. Too cute! And before you all yell "look out she s on the road!!" The road was closed and yes that is a car coming but going super slow! :)
It was so hot! I am pleased I smothered the kid in sunblock as we would have got so sunburnt otherwise.

Its so nice to see what others are doing in their part of the world at this festive time.

Tuesdays around the world

Today I am photographing this little cutie.
Oh he smells so good!

Christmas photo time

So I had it all planned in my head - brick wall and then old steps. The photos would be fantastic and everyone would love how I managed to take the photo and be in it all at the same time. I had my outfit picked out - and the kids. Summery looking family photos in front of a brick wall.
So I wake up - look out side - good, not super sunny. We get dressed head off, get out of the car and....during the 5 min drive to the brick wall it dropped 10 degrees!
I was freezing, kids weren't smiling photos weren't working. Ok change the spot - nope still cold and no smiles. So this is what we came up with! Not all all what I had hoped for but at least we are all looking in the right direction!

Tuesdays around the world

Today I attended a service for Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell whose name has been added to the Feilding war memorial. There were 100's there including friends, family and military comrades.
Tim's Dad wore his son's war medals with pride as he unveiled a plaque in Lt O'Donnell's honor. It was so sad to hear him speak of seeing his name on the memorial and that it was the first name to have been added since World War II.
As always I was standing in the wrong place and ended up being amongst the military men and woman. It was very had to see them cry as they showed there respect for Tim. (but it did mean I could squat down and take this quick picture)
Here's a short post I wrote earlier about Tim.
http://thecrazynessthatisme.blogspot.com/2010/08/well-they-say-it-happens-in-threes.html

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The Cake

So Mum's party went well! She was totally surprised and loved every minute of it. Here is a quick look at the fantastic cake - before it half melted! It was the hottest day here since last summer - around 26 degrees c! HOT! So the cake slowly started sinking ans the shoes collapsed. But it was so yummy. Chocolate something something with chocolate through the middle!!

Advent tree nearly complete!

Nearly finished
Just a few of the details left, hanging it ans about 4 ornaments to go as well. I am out of red thread so need to get that also. Since I took these pics I have added gold cord to each ornament to hang and finished sewing most of the pockets - just the red ones to go.

Our Nation is in mourning for our 29 lost miners. Was amazing to watch Newsreader of 30 odd years break down and cry while reading the news. One of our well known news readers, a 54 year old male, cried while interviewing the Energy Minister. The Minister was also crying. Our Nation is on hold. We want our men returned. We are just waiting for the mine to give them back.

These boys who will be forever known as the Pike River twenty nine
Friends and Family trying to cope with tragedy deep within the Mine
A loss that has brought the nation collectively to its knees
Weeping tears of sorrow along with all their Families

It is no consolation.... in this consuming time of grief
and the ability to cope will test everyone beyond belief
Your boys down there I'm sure will want you to be strong
They would have done their best to get back where they belong

What they certainly wouldn't want is for you to be so sad
Celebrate their character and the time with them you had
Try and bring all the good times completely to the fore
Then as time passes... gently show your grief the door

Lean on friends and family and remember in devastation
You have 4 million more supporters.. all around the nation
whether you're religious... or even if that's not the case
it's not hard to imagine... there must be a higher place

Maybe these boys were needed to mine together as a team
Carving miracles from rainbows or some other divine seam
There is no other reason these boys were taken in their prime
than Twenty nine top Blokes were needed for eternal overtime..

We lost them all... 29 miners :(

A second explosion 3 hours ago has killed them all. I can hardly stand to watch the news. So very sad. My heart breaks for those families