Happy First Birthday Jack!

Road Trip 2006

We've been from Hamilton to Cambridge, Tirau, Putaruru, Tokoroa, Taupo, Turangi, Waiouru, Taihape, Mangaweka, Hunterville, Bulls, Sanson, Foxton, Levin, Otaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu, Paekakariki, Hutt City, Wellington (and back again!!)

What a trip. Here's the highlights:

DAY ONE: Monday 25 Sept 2006.

Weather - good, up at 5am, we left Hamilton just after 6am. Breakfast at McDs' in Tokoroa, a stop in Taupo for some batteries for the camera, then through to Turangi. Here the kids were shouted a climbing experience they will not forget ..... thanks Raewyn!!

From here it was off to Waiouru, stopping at the museum for some muffins, homemade for the trip by Connie, and back in the truck, stopping again for a couple of great photos on the Desert Road. This was the closest J, B and K had been to the mountains - they were impressed!

It was soon after this that James fell asleep, waking for ice cream at Hunterville, and from here we tried to get the girls to go to sleep. It should be noted at this point, they did not know where we were heading, and the signs pointing to Wellington were becoming more frequent. Some great diversions by James meant that it wasn't until we were driving down the motorway nearing the city that the girls guessed where we were.

Great navigational skills took us straight to our destination www.huttpark.co.nz where our cabin awaited. First job was to unpack and find a supermarket for some essentials (like dinner!). In bed by around 8pm and asleep by 8.05pm, we were all shattered!

DAY TWO: Tuesday 26 Sept 2006

Weather - WET AND WINDY! We left the cabin at about 9.15, arriving at Te Papa at around 9.45. We spent almost five hours here, taking our time at all the exhibitions.

From here we took a drive around Oriental Bay, and back through Mt Victoria Tunnel. The four passengers tried to hold their breath going through it, it is uncertain who actually lasted! We returned to base camp and chilled out, the kids making friends with others there. Had a game of Cranium Cadoo, and into bed.

DAY THREE: Wednesday 27 Sept 2006

Weather - started out good but turned cold, wet and windy, again! Today we headed into town and made it to Parliament for the 10.30 guided tour. While this may sound boring, we all found it very interesting, and Kendall was just excited to see the Beehive! After a wander through the grounds and some more photo opportunities, we visited the Backbencher to see the fun caricatures.

We walked from here to the Cable Car (although not taking the most direct route possible!). By the time we made it to the Botanical Gardens we were all rather peckish, however Ma Bakers Fresh Hot Pies aint got nothing on Big Ben Steak and Cheese! (according to James!). We visited the cable car museum, (this was good) and went to Carter Observatory (waste of money - next time we ask what we are paying for!), and located the children's playground, where some more energy was burnt off.

We headed back to the car (navigational skills were on the wane, we had to walk up and down The Terrace to find the building we were in!) and back to base. Probably walked about 8kms today, made worse by all the hills! In bed pretty early !

DAY FOUR: Thursday 28 Sept 2006

Weather - sunny and hot! - Yay!! Our final day in the city, the children managed to convince us that a visit to the Wellington Zoo was the best way to spend our final day. It was Ian's turn to drive, so far he had co-piloted the trip. Unfortunately, as it was school holidays, a lot of the animals were 'hding' from noisy groups of children, so not many photo opportunities! We spent around three hours here, and left Wellington at around 1pm.

A quick stop in Paraparaumu for lunch supplies, then another stop at Waikanae to eat. Next break was Levin where we stopped at the Adventure Park, a huge playground for all ages

once again stretching our legs for about half an hour, a quick toilet stop and ice cream at McDs, and the long ride to Turangi, our next stopover, began.

Mt Ruapehu looked great, so we couldn't resist a few more photos, and we arrived in Turangi at about 7.00pm, only to find the key for the house we were to stay in wasn't there. Quick meal at BK, and a change of plans as we drove home. After over 1000 kms travelled, and we arrived in Hamilton at around 10pm.

DAY FIVE: Friday 29 Sept 2006

Weather - great - Unpacking - yecch!

DAY SIX: Saturday 30 Sept 2006

We are off to Auckland to PARTY with Jack (he's one, so we don't we expect a late night!) and for a wedding. Nicky's old workmate and the other half of a very talented radio duo - Nikki - is getting married north of Auckland, and these festivities are certain to go late into the night, however with our busy week we've had, I'm picking it'll be a quiet one for us!

Over and out - for now!

12th Grade FINAL
Marist 19 - Frankton 10

Yes - the team came away unbeaten again, a great season, and most of the boys off to college next year, so their final game together.

James played an awesome game at lock, winning plenty of opposition lineout throws, and making some good runs.

Brianna and Kendall also had their final netball games last week, both winning.

Not much else to say, have been watching the Tall Blacks, the game was too close against Japan ...what a great game to watch live though!

Have spotted Brendan once!!

Kendall decided on a disco for her birthday, and the only way to have a successful one is to have plenty of people to dance!

There was plenty of fun, some funky moves (and some really strange ones!) and plenty of hyperactive children by the end of the night!

HAPPY 13th JAMES!

What do you get when you combine 9 boys and a room full of mattresses?

Carnage!

Although there were some quieter moments!

Clockwise from top: Leon, Josh, David, Liam, Greg, Sam, Daniel

James and Matthew ... and the rest in the mirror

After a session of pizza, lots of soft drink, lollies and a 'Scary Movie' triple feature,
we think they were asleep by about 3am, (or maybe we had finally succumbed and just couldn' t hear them!)

On Monday, Nicky, James, Bri and K went SHOPPING! After some negotiation, James came away with the things he wanted, and by the end of the day was exhausted ... but not too tired to pose with his sisters, and of course another specialty chocolate ganache 4 layer birthday cake. Much to Ian's disgust, this is the 4th cake he has made like this in five weeks. Perhaps he could make some money on the side and sell them for a decent price, might pay for some redecorating costs!

Speaking of which, Ian has managed to complete the kids lounge, and has started up the stairs, however some far reaching ladders are now needed if he thinks he will continue with the work anytime soon! The difference in the second lounge is amazing, the key is to keep it tidy now! (Note the poser managed to get herself into another photo!)

James was also named player of the day in his team's recent encounter with Ngaruawahia. It's a shame Marist Seniors can't take some tips from 12th grade green on how to win, after a second loss in as many weeks to Hautapu, this time losing a berth in the finals. James' team however, is running on winning streak (no losses this year)

Brianna and Kendall are going great guns in their netball, some close encounters (and some not so close!) but all up having a pretty good season. Brianna seems to be best in the WD or WA position, and Kendall hasn't found her niche postion yet, but knows it isn't in the goals as she invariably ends up against some rather tall opposition! (Please note Kendall was GK in this game - surprisingly her team lost!)

Phone Call Transcript: 1515hrs Friday 7/4/2006 NZT
Hi Mum it's me ...we have a parcel, can I open it?
Who's it from?
I don't know, it doesn't say
Who's it to?
The Morgan Family
What does the postage stamp say on it?
Huh?
On the corner where the stamp is ..what country is it from?
Umm ....... oh it's from Stephen ...can we open it PLEASE? It says toys.
Yeah o-Thanks Mum - bye! CLICK

THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE STEVE ... IF WE WERE MEANT TO WAIT UNTIL EASTER OR SOMETHING, THAT WAS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!

-ooOOoo-

It's been a while since Ian and Nicky have featured here, and a recent wedding of a friend resulted in us actually getting a photo together! Please note Ian was only thinking of curling up and going to sleep at this point ... is around 2am after a big night!

The wedding was a very cultural affair, with the entire wedding party wearing skirts, congrats Rowan and Allan!!

Catch Up

Sorry it's been so long between posts, once school goes back, everything gets so much busier and the luxury of time is not on our sides!
Here's some info from James about what he's been up to:

Just a few days ago I had swimming sports with a whole lot of other catholic schools from around the hamilton area and I came 3rd, 5th & last but I didn't care because all the other kids doing the races were from my school with only one from another school. Also in the third week me, bri, k and dad went to see the lion man at the hamilton events centre and had a blast.
Schools great! On the 3rd we had a Funtastic Friday with the longest water slide SPC has ever seen along with two little bouncy castles and food & drinks. The 3rd monday of the term Miss Follett announced the house leaders and deputy house leaders. I ended up getting dep. house house leader for McKillop and my best friend got school leader when everyone thought it was going to be me but it doesn't bother me.

And some stuff from Brianna:
I have been doing alot of art at school as well as p.a.t tests at home I have been playing cricket with james.Swimming sports are comming up and we have been doing alot of practicing. In the holidays james trained me for alter serving which is great fun. We done lots of awesome things in the holidays and on thursday it was bow tie day we raised alot of money for those with muscular disdrfeI am in room one. last tuesday we were aloud to wear mufti to raise money for the relay for life. there has been lots of things going on in the school .I have had a awesome time at school.

Last but not least ... Kendall:
Well yesterday was won of the funest days of my life.It was called Funtastic Friday.It had all sorts of things like a littel bouncy castel.The water slides that where amazing! I loved the sort of boucy castle slide.James and I had a race on it.I'll tell what happend, A lady said'Go'and we where off. James friend David tried to hold james so I could win the race.James was holding on to my leg so he would win the race.I grabbed on to a handel to make him let go and he did but he grabbed my leg again. I kicked his hand off then I slid down the slide.I always thought that boys always bet girls but not for long.

Maybe some more photos later!!
See ya!

Hamilton Sunset 10 January 2006 We decided to try and make the gardens a little more low maintenance as 12 months of neglect really didn't do them any good ... and the dandelions and clover weren't a good look. The end result is quite spectacular! (well - we think so anyway!)

We have now reinstated the volleyball net in the back yard since the wind has decided to die down. James has easy competition against Bri, but it's a pretty even match when facing Nicky!

Brianna and Kendall went to the movies together today, saw the Chronicles of Narnia. They really enjoyed it, and Kendall advises she didn't have to cuddle into Bri once! Was 2 1/2 hours, so that gave James and Nicky a chance to window shop and people watch .... there are some strange sights in Hamilton city! James is waiting to go to King Kong with Ian, they just need 3 1/2 hours free time.

Still another 3 weeks of holidays for J, B and K , hopefully the weather will be as awesome as it has been the last five days. Ian is back at work already, and Nicky returns on the 16th, doing extra early starts to get home by the time Ian leaves for work ... like passing ships!

Catch you all later!

Boxing Day Part II

As the night progressed and

everyone was fed and 'watered',

inhibitions were lost, resulting in these shots ....




Notice the leopard skins on Tash? Hopefully Jack didn't spot them, we don't want him getting the wrong idea on fashions like his Dad!

The instuments came out a little later, and Kendall was a star on the bongo drums. Brianna has a few new dance moves too ... the shoulder shake and the supermodel pose. Luckily this day only comes around once a year!