Christmas Card 2015

2013

2014

2015 (Yay, one more child looking at the camera.. Maybe next year will be there year!)

The 2015 Lowdown (Ranui Heke Whanau)

Dallin (Petunia Picklebottom, Dalls Bells, Pups) turned 1! She loves shoes and jackets. She hides her face (with a huge toothy grin) from getting goodnight kisses cause she knows once that’s done she’ll be put in her cot and that’s it for the day. She can say a few words...more, Ella, I comin, shoes, socks, Siksha (her teacher at kindy) and last but not least.....Aunty!. This kid is Sweet ‘n Sassy and we love her to bits.

Seth (Deppy, Big Boy, Sunny Man) is 3 now. He’s Mischief with a captial M every waking hour of the day...thank goodness he still sleeps well (apart from the odd night when he sneaks into his sisters’ room). To say that he’s obsessed with lollies and chewing gum is an understatement. This boy loves singing along to the radio and to church songs...he even performed the 4th Article of Faith in our primary presentation at church. We’re pretty sure he’s a lefty and he’s starting to talk about letters and numbers quite a bit which is really exciting. He’s growin’ up too fast!

Ella (Bobby, Ella Con Carne) started school in June. After a shy start, now she’s taking off in leaps and bounds, which isn’t surprising knowing what a bright spark she is. She’s the fastest sprinter in the 5 year old girls at school and has quite the throwing arm as well. The make up/nail phase continues to show no sign of slowing, even after a trip to the emergency room for an allergic reaction to make up all over her face. Ella’s the best child babysitter ever!!!. Her own children will be sooo lucky to have an awesome baby whisperer like her.

Faith (Baify, Firi Firi) is our Summerland Spirit winner this year. She’s just finished up in the junior school and will be Year 3 next year....where has the time gone?  Faith Kathleen continues to write funny stories at school (about zombies getting their nails painted) and makes everyone laugh with her cooky sense of humor. Her t-shirt that says ‘Be the reason someone smiles’ is her to a T. At 7 years old, she’s able to sit through church meetings with little fuss and soaks up everything like a sponge. She’s our old soul with a heart of gold.

Mummy Mel is now the Mum of a 7, 5, 3 and 1 year old and works full time teaching Year 0s at Summerland. How did that happen?!?!?! It came out of nowhere and has been awesome for all of us.....so next year she’s doing it all again, for the whole year as a Year 1 teacher. She’s 1st counsellor in the Young Women’s programme at church and is loving that new challenge and blessing. She finally got into the garden this year and the beetroot, broccoli and cauliflower harvest so far has been incredible. Maybe she’s got Grandma Ormsby’s green thumbs (hope so!)

Daddy Joe is now the Dad of a 7, 5, 3 and 1 year old...surprise, surprise! He’s 1st counsellor in the Swanson Ward Bishopric and it probably goes without saying, but he serves with all his heart all the time. He’s shovelled gravel, poured a concrete patio, hiked the Waitakere’s, chopped wood, and so much more, all in the name of helping out. By the sweat of his brow, he’s got to the point where he’ll take his business, Rock FX & Shotcrete to the next level in 2016 and that’s pretty exciting to say the least.

And with that, 2015 is over and we eagerly await another year....one where Mum will work full time, Dad will become the proud new owner of a Concrete Pump. Dallin will move up to the 2 year old room at kindy and Seth will move into primary at church. Ella will shoot like a star through Year 1 and Faith will turn 8 and get baptized. 2016 is gonna be a goodie!

Meri Kirihimete me nga mihi o te tau hou ki a koutou katoa

Arohnaui, Heke Whanau xxx