Overdue Update

Long time again between posts sorry.  Safe to say things aren't slowing down at all here...I'm just about to go into another ratings round at work so things are mad there, we're still looking for a house to buy, Ingrid is working and studying now and the kids growing up way too quickly!

We did however, manage to steal a breather a couple of weeks ago...I dropped the kids off at Nana's for 4 nights while Ingrid and I had some long over-due, and much enjoyed time to ourselves over the weekend.  Simple things like sleeping in then reading the paper in bed felt like a luxury holiday.  We spent an afternoon at Leigh beach which was very cool, went out for dinner and lunch a couple of times, took in a movie and even went to the casino for the first time in years (and waked out with more money than when we stated - score!)

It was a nice way to re-charge the batteries and we only felt a little bit selfish as the kids absolutely love it at Nana's (so much so that Sophie woke up in tears the day she got back home saying she wanted to go back to Nana's house!)

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Leigh Beach - Stunning place

Kid less for the weekend

Leigh beach - a Marine reserve, beautiful water and fish the size of basketballs swimming around the rocks!

Sophie at the park having a blast!

On the way to Nana's place - driving at night - Sophie's still fascinated with the Sky Tower!

Groovy waterfall (and wife) at the Beach

Me and me ol' mate Colin...not a bad rugby player apparently...

Pirate Day at Kids Klub

Max playing it cool in front of the ladies...

 

 Fun indoors on a wet and wild weekend

7pm and time to hit the road to Nana's - a couple of excited kids  - they both crashed out 20 minutes into the 4 hour trip - not bad!

Grantz was great too - helping out with the kids over the weekend

"Mmmm yum!"

Sophie the little princess

Eating and playing at Nana's

Fun-times on Rochelle and Darren's farm

Soph, aunty Rochelle...and Friday's dinner.

Good times

Thanks Nana!

Brad

More Skytower fun with Daddy

"Daddy took the afternoon off work on Wednesday and took me up to the Skytower - He told me there was a big lollie display up there...and I like lollies!"

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"Yip - I know where these stairs lead to - the Skytower!"

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"Just a wee bit excited before going up the lift to the top floor"

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Check this out - the highest lollie shop in the world apparently! - Did I mention I like lollies?

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Daddy tried to tell me this stuff was nice -I told him it was like eating Charlie's fur...but I still ate it.

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"I do like the Skytower."

Haircuts & Birthdays

Sophie had her very first hair-cut last week.  The salon is right across the road from Kids Klub so it was nice and easy for Ingrid to drop Max off there, and then take a very excited little girl in to the hairdressers.

Soph had a blast too and lapped up every minute she had there! She got a full hair wash and all the trimmings and absolutely LOVED staring at herself in the mirror for almost 30 minutes!

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"Wow this is pretty cool"

"Check out how long my hair is!"

"Wot-chu you lookin' at?"

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It was my 26th (oops 36th) birthday on the same day so Sophie was extra pumped that day - a first hair cut and cupcakes to look forward to that night! - It worked out well; Grantz was staying for a few days so after cupcakes with the kids that night, Ingrid and I went out on a hot date. The following morning was a little tough though; think we both had 1 too many that night...

Soph has been around at a friends playing all morning today which has been great for her (and us, as it's given Ingrid and I some rare 1 on 1 time with Max which had been pretty cool ).

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"You eat it Daddy"

"I know I've got some in my mouth - but I reckon I can do more" - thinks Max

"more please"

My two gorgeous girls

Little video of us all singing "Happy Birthday Daddy"

Brad

When a t-shirt says it all!

Sophie & Daddy Go Running

Update

Last week we piled the kids in the back of the car and headed on down to Taranaki. We got to see the All Blacks thrash Ireland on Saturday, then Ingrid and I stepped it up a notch, and checked out some local theatre starring Max and Soph's very own talented Nana!

We all had a great time while we were away, and want to say cheers to Grantz, Auntie Rochelle and Darren for looking after the kids for a couple of nights while Mummy and Daddy hit the town - and of course, a special thanks to Nana for putting up with us all and allowing her house to become trashed while we were there - thanks mum!

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Max getting excited momens before the big road trip

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Arh, we miss this place...

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Tickets to the All Blacks at Rugby Park - we had a great night!

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Sophie made us chase a rainbow down to the lake

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Couple of happy Kings

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Yay - Nana's place!

Here's a short video of Max learning nursery rhymes

+ A video here of Max laughing

ps. Was getting bored with the layout of blog so gave it a fresh coat of paint - hope you like!

Kids Playing

Playtime video here

Max saying "Oh Ooh" video here

Sophie's Big Day Out

Every time we drive over the Harbour bridge, Sophie gets really excited when she sees the Sky Tower out the car window. So today we decided to check it out

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Dressed, lunch packed and ready to go!

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Do you think Soph's excited?

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"Wow - this sure is pretty cool!"

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 Mummy admiring the view too

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Not bad...

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I'm not sure if Sophie liked the fact that there was only one sheet of glass, between her and the main road 500 feet below...

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Max couldn't care less about it - he spotted another kid having a fluffy!

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"Hey lady with the fluffy - I'm over here!"

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Designer fluffies...must be from the designer prices it costs to get up here- $25 per person! - (thank Christ kids are free)

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"Hey Mummy, wadda doing -  that's mine!"

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I'm not certain - but I reckon that's Jesus out the window

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Did you have a good time Sophie?

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Quick snap by the waterfall at reception and then it's time to go home

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"I like the Sky Tower"

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