Sneaky weekend away to Paihia

This time last week I was getting ready to head out of town for 3 nights away in Paihia!!!!! What a difference a week makes. It was so nice to get away and relax and have time with my hubby and not have distractions of work and kids!

And next time we go there, maybe in the April holidays next year, we'll definitely do it with 4 kids in tow :)

Here's a few pics off my phone, can't be bothered waiting to get Joe's as well.

Chillin' out in Whagarei on Friday for lunch

Dinner at Sauce at about 10pm on Friday night....on the waterfront in Paihia

Buffet breakfast for 3 days in a row.....now I could get used to that!

Waiting in the line to get on the car ferry/barge to Russell on Saturday morning

Joe's got a pic of himself outside this Four Square as a 3ish year old so he was really excited to be back there. Gloria's husband's family shop

We met a lovely couple who told us it's a nice walk up to the famous Hone Heke flagpole...and it was really nice, there are so many cute homes everywhere

'Oh man, maybe we should've driven!!!!'

THE flagpole

We're not big travellers by any stretch, but I decided to find something from each place we go to put in some kind of display box. Joe's not convince, he thinks it's a lame thing to do but I disagree.
I had to run back to the forshore after I took this photo to get another stone cause I've got 4 babies!

Finishing off our pizza from the night before....followed by a delicious big ice cream

Look at what was about to go over on the 'car' ferry as we drove off. Not sure I'd like to be on that journey

Paihia Chapel

A really cool bike/scooter track at Paihia Primary

As it turns out the whole Waitangi area gets locked up pretty early (we got there at 6:30pm on Saturday evening) and it's $20 per person, so we decided to take a free visit after hours by jumping over a few fences. Turns out it's the best time go go cause the whole place was obviously completely deserted

A quick stop in to Haruru Falls

Jimmy Jacks Rib Shack....or Jimmy Jacks Surf 'n Turf and Chicken Burger!

As nice as it was to get away, coming home was soooo good. To see our babies and have hugs with them before rushing off to church was cool + tear filled.....actually scream filled. They were so tired after a fun cuzzy weekend. Where to go next?

Oh actually it's GC time in 47 sleeps so that's the next Heke Whanau Trip....yay!!!!

Halloween/Jiu Jitsu/Primary Presentation

Tops dinner right there!

October General Conference....I won't put up the pic of Joseph sleeping through the 2nd hour!

Cultural Dress up day at kindy for these two little maori babies

Watching Dad do some concreting at Aeroview Chapel on a beaut Saturday

A bit of slave labour for Mac....I still owe ya 12 bucks bud :)

Dally Trolly Ninja Turtle Munchkin at the Ward Halloween Party

Seth's partner in crime from Kindy was there. Not sure what the connection to church was, but Seth was so excited.

Ella's amazing teacher let them have chicks......such a cool learning experience for them

The big girls finally got their first stripe at Jiu Jitsu....so proud of themselves

The never-ending practises for the primary presentation finally ended and the kids all did such a good job

'Dressing modestly shows respect for Heavenly Father and myself'

'Feast upon the words of Christ......'

'Jesus Christ set the perfect example for me. I can follow his example by loving and serving others'

Just about to head to Athletics Day

'Mum, I've got a hairtye you can use'....after she saw that I'd take my semi-wet plaited hair out
Thanks darling

LOVE LOVE LOVE it when the kids play on the driveway together on these lovely summery evenings

Long may they last!

New Rooms

In the last holidays it was finally time, after 8 years of cots, to say goodbye. Pretty momentous!

And it was great timing cause all of the big kids were away so I got to do the transformation with Dallin and surprise the others when they got home the next day

Hot Dog 'n chippy picnic with this little cheeseball

And this is how the lounge ended up after I went to take pictures of the rooms. Dalls obviously likes to eat takeaways with no clothes on!

Seth's first night in his big bed....finally! And luckily he found his buddy Puerto Rico before he fell asleep. I've got no idea why he calls him that

....The next night. The novelty of the top bunk wore off quickly.

This is how we always have fish n chips now. It's actually sweet cause they stay out of my hair and watch TV while I eat at the table in peace and then I just have to put the towel in the wash