Remember Today

This year we ventured intrepidly into Christmas, we were naturally excited to be in our first Kiwi home and to have Denver by our side, yet the feeling of actual Christmas was at the very least hidden.

I absolutely adore the fact we have the most beautiful weather, who can beat that summer feeling, having sand in your toes, the smell of BBQ's, yet the actual 'feeling' of Christmas that we are used to is now long gone!

The days that have followed have been truly stunning, simple moments that have made for the best of memories.

On Boxing Day we were kindly invited to Stef and Rich's house for a BBQ. The weather was blazing and Stef was of course not only beautiful but a stunning host and Rich cooked up an amazing meal. We had a wonderful time laughing and learning with our new gorgeous friends. Thank you.

The days have been a little confusing though, with Michael being off work it has felt like every day was the weekend! So as it is we always like to cherish our family time together we took off to the river for a few hours of rambling, splashing fun.

Yesterday was another hot day with temperatures reaching 25 in the shade. We hooked up with our good friends Jo and Lewi and the kids and headed up to Kaitoke. For the first time ever I was stunned to see the sides of the road covered with cars, our usual quiet spot was jammed and it was swarming, I am pretty sure the whole of NZ was at Kaitoke that day!!

Nevertheless we had a lovely walk up to a waterfall, and then back down to the river where the kids (big and small) played happily in the river. However despite the bliss we did have a complete drama with Denver.

All was going well at the river, we know not to let Denver off his lead if there are other dogs around as although his recall is excellent, if he sees another dog he suddenly shows his puppy age of 10 months old and just cannot resist!

From nowhere this Golden Retriever splashed full force into the river, before we could grab Denver the dog came over and what followed was a game of rough and tumble in the water.

Looking around anxiously for it's owner it just took off - with Denver following. A panicked race through the forest with us screaming after him was useless, we had no idea which way he went. Eventually I heard him barking and followed the sound. Still completely oblivious to the fact I was there (due to him still playing with the other dog) I was not only annoyed but horrendously embarrassed, but then as someone opened their back car door (as we do for Denver) he jumped in filling it with water and mud!!

I dragged Denver's sorry butt back to the car where he spent the rest of his time. I then had to go back and make endless apologies and clean the mans car. Yes Denver was without doubt in the wrong, but when I questioned the man as to why his dog was so far away, he said 'he likes to roam'.

Anyway, I was annoyed and very disappointed. Like any parent with a badly behaved child, you know how embarrassing and how hard you can be on yourself. Julia if you are reading....?

Today has of course been another amazing day. The sun has blazed so much that our plants needed an afternoon water as they wilted in the heat. We spent the morning taking down the tree and taking down the decorations. Then this afternoon we were joined for a wine by our lovely friends Rach, Craig and Myles - we sat outside at 33 degrees.

So we head away tomorrow for our big camping trip. We are sooo excited as we will be away over New Year. A little while back Michael and I came up with the most lovely plan to bring all our friends and their families together to celebrate. As it is we all have children being able to do such a thing is very rare now. So as it is also that we all camp - we had our solution!

We are heading away for three nights and cannot wait to celebrate it with our lovely friends - 7 other families! Denver is heading to his new 'doggy minder' (along with Chips) and we have a fantastic neighbour who is actually going to house sit for us so our house won't be empty! Magical.

So tonight we sit in anticipation of tomorrow. The weather has been so glorious all day, but tonight we were hit with a massive downpour. As it eased we were graced with the most stunning rainbow.

As we sit here tonight we raise a glass to you all, Happy New Year to all our gorgeous family, friends and all our blogging buddies - we love you all so very much.

Make it a good one, make it 2009.

“Remember today, for it is the beginning of always.

Today marks the start of a brave new future filled with all your dreams can hold.

Think truly to the future and make those dreams come true."

A Kiwi Christmas

An early start as expected led to the most wonderful day. Our previous years have been in our old house, this one was the first in our new house which we moved into in January this year, and special it was.

Christmas Eve Michael and I put up Bethany's present from Santa which was a playhouse. We covered it in a sheet and we popped a note on from Santa. We were terrified though she would wander in through the night and spoil the surprise!!

Luckily she didn't, and it was kept as a wonderful surprise for the morning. Although you will see from the video a normally loud Bethany was quietly stunned I think. For the first time this year she actually took her time to open her presents, carefully giving each one the appreciation it deserved.

We had a lovely morning, mammy and daddy enjoyed their first glass of bubbly at 8.12am!!

Daddy was given a Scalextric by Santa (seems you can never be too old!) and I was given some beautiful jewellery. Good job Santa!

I then set to making a traditional roast dinner. It's been something we have always done in both families, it's something that Michael and I have fond memories of. The moments of sitting around the table with the ones you love sharing in the happiness of the day. This is something we want Bethany to have memories of too, so on the BBQ went the Turkey and the Pork....and they emerged with mouthwatering results too.

After a few more bottles of bubbly we couldn't do anything else but lay back on the sofa and watch Bethany play with her new toys.

It certainly gets harder being away from our parents every year, that's one thing that never gets easier. Skype is the most amazing invention ever, I cannot ever be more thankful than for Skype, to be able to talk to the ones you love 'face to face' is unbelievable.

A magical day, even Denver had a pile of presents for him to enjoy and he loved all the left over dinner! Thank you all dear family and friends for not only thinking if us but for keeping our love alive despite the distance.

Anyway, in true Dawes style, here is a video of our 2008 Kiwi Christmas...

Festive Fun

So here we are again, Christmas Eve!

This week so far has once again been a busy week. A lovely week though, which has had a wonderful mixture of quality time alone and quality time with our friends. Before I knew it Christmas is on us. So once again a quick run down with some photos to the last few days for us.

On Saturday Michael, Bethany and Denver took a wet stroll out to Birchville Dam which is situated in Upper Hutt. We visited the dam in March this year and it was so beautiful, but much quieter with less water. This time round with the amount of rain we have had lately it was much noisier!

They had a wonderful time though, and Michael took some awesome photos and video of the dam in action.

Saturday night was our annual BBQ Christmas Party for the families of the 'Tuesday Ladies'. It was a fantastic night of unwrapping, eating and laughing. We bought secret Santa pressies too again this year - always worth a giggle, especially the Possum Fur Nipple Warmers!!

Monday we were kindly invited to dinner at Lewi and Jo's house. We enjoyed the company of Jo's lovely cousin Kaela and her fiance Scott. Jo cooked a meal that could have fed an army, she is just marvellous!

Monday morning as the sunshine was blazing we took a stroll to Trentham Park. We have been down here a few times and we adore the vast open space, it's such a tranquil place. Tuesday morning we headed back again but this time I packed breakfast (bacon and egg muffins) for us to enjoy. Bethany enjoyed skipping ahead with her butterfly net.

On the walk through the tree area I heard a familiar sound. A few months ago I was standing at the kitchen window when I heard the most amazing bird sound. I looked out to see two Lorikeets on a tree. By the time I had realised and scrambled to grab the camera they were gone. But here they were again....this time I caught them!!

We had such a lovely time at the park, so grateful for the holidays and the beautiful sunshine. It was so nice to not have to worry about being somewhere. Bethany loved the time she had in the play area, what made it extra special was that we were the only ones there!

Denver loved it to, certainly somewhere to pencil in for some good times with Grandma Dawes when she arrives in two weeks!

Tuesday afternoon we climbed aboard the train to take a trip into Wellington to meet Craig, Rachel and Myles for lunch. The train journey is lovely, especially when you break through to the harbour and you are greeted with stunning ocean views, what a way to travel!

Bethany and I made our way up to the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens (where we bumped into Craig, Rachel and Myles) and we had a lovely afternoon together sitting in The Dell eating lunch. Afterwards an obligatory wander to see the ducks and then it was time to hop aboard again on the way back. Such a nice afternoon. Again something else for Grandma to experience!

Last night we had Daisy staying with us. Rich and Stef are so very lucky to have their first visitor staying with them already. Dale arrived from the UK on Bethany's birthday and is due to head back Saturday, so it was time for them to have some adult time and hit the town!

Of course Bethany was in her element. Daisy got to sleep under her bed in bunk bed style. However they just talked and talked and talked until I could hear Bethany pestering Daisy but there was no reply as she was asleep, Bethany then drifted off too.

At 6.08am I awoke with a jump to hear the girls giggling...!

And now here we are, Christmas Eve. Its been so strange getting used to the change of season, I adore the fact we have a summer Christmas but when you are used to the fire roaring and you have grown up building snowmen it can be a bit of a shock.

Saying that though we are sadly sitting looking out at rain tonight. Its been pouring down all day and is apparently set in for tomorrow too. Such a shame as last year it rained too!!

Bethany has put out the food for Santa (he likes red wine and cookies!!) and has been tucked up in bed since 6.45pm!

Merry Christmas everyone, have a wonderful few days, I hope you have all been good and Santa brings you exactly what you wish for. Our first Christmas in our new home and with our new gorgeous puppy, and we are so very excited.

Lots of love for the festive season from The Dawes Family xxx