Christmas in the Naki

Ingrid at one of the wild west coast beach's in Taranaki

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Sophie had an absolute blast in Taranaki for Christmas. Everything worked out pretty well, mum and I drove down to New Plymouth last Sunday morning around 10, while Ingrid and Sophie took a short cut and flew down that afternoon...it meant we had a vehicle while we were down there (which we needed, given the amount of family we had to spread ourselves around to see!)

Sophie at Brooklands Zoo...do you think she looks happy to be there?

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Story-time with Aunty Nicky

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It rained on Christmas Day (again), but every other day was a stunner which meant Sophie got play at Brooklands Zoo and play outside at Nana’s with all her new cool toys…including: a covered paddling pool, baby pram, a new bike and loads of other cool stuff. One of the funniest things that happened, was when Sophiewas playing in the pool…She went stark raving loopy for about five minutes! – she kept walking around stomping and splashing around - with both hands clasped behind her back shouting “ARH-JA-BAY”! over and over and over…what she was trying to say?...I have no idea, but man it was funny! (Click here to view video)

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Sophie in stitches with her new 'popping ball' toy

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What am I supposed to do with this?
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More presents...this time at Grantz's place
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Off to Poppa's and Nana Carol's place for some more toys...
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"Bye Aunty Shell...bye!..."
- Her new trick...arms behind her back watching TV... -
"Check out my new bike...Thanks Grandad Phil!"
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"Just chilling in my new chair...checking out Bob the dog and...arh...someone else sitting at MY TABLE!"
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"ARH-JA-BAY"...Nana and Aunty Nicky watching Sophie go loopy in her new pool
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"Crikey...that's blimm'n freezing!"
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Playing in the garden at Aunty 'Shell's' place
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Watching all the sheep run by at Aunty Shell's house

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We stayed in Taranaki for a week – I drove home late Saturday afternoon and Ingrid and Sophie took an early morning flight the following day. Since we've been back, I’ve gone through loads of photos with Sophie on the computer - and it’s very cool watching her face suddenly light up when she sees photo’s of Nana, Aunty Nicky, Poppa, Grants and Aunty “Shell” – I can tell she misses everybody lots…

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The view from Nana's house...very cool

Brad