Family Pictures

We got some great family pics when we were in NZ. I can't believe this is the first one we have of the four of us.

The "boy" cousins ... not that there are actually any girls in the "immediate" family. Alex, Oliver, Thomas and Riley.

and the "whole" family .... it was quite a reunion!

Videos of Alex and Thomas in Blenheim

Alex (20 months) and Thomas (31 months) seemed to have a great time playing with each other. I'm sure Thomas taught Alex lots of new fun things like "body slams" on the trampoline .... although Alex had more fun just falling backwards onto the trampoline mat.

The jury is out on who turned the lights on .....

Blenheim with Duncan's side of the Family

We were really spoilt that the whole of Duncan's family descended on Blenheim for a long weekend so that we were able to catch up with everyone at once. We booked out 3 rooms, a bus park and a motorhome park at the Blenheim campground and had a fantastic time.

Deb and Ross (Nana and Grandad) were in Blenheim living in Nudge the Bus,
Kimberley, Andrew, Thomas and Riley made Blenheim part of their South Island MotorHome tour,
Shaun, Megan and Emma took the ferry over from Wellington and
Brian (Grumpy) and Hilary flew down from Katikati
We of course drove up from Christchurch.

We were spoilt by the weather and were able to spend a lot of time outdoors relaxing and chatting. We had BBQ's for dinner and the kids had a great time on the playground. It was heaven and really made Duncan and I realise what the boys are missing out on by being so far away from their cousins and family.

Thomas and Alex "driving" the Motorhome

Grumpy and Riley

Emma and Oliver

Just sitting relaxing and planning our next move

Andrew, Thomas and Alex on the "go kart". We had to limit the boys to half an hour a day.

At the plane museum.
and a display inside
Alex and Thomas reading and playing

The "boys" installing a solar panel on the top of "Nudge"

I think Alex wanted "more" of something

Grumpy and Riley again

Oliver
Hilary and Oliver

Alex ate Ice Cream for the first time when we had dinner at the RSA

Emma and Oliver

Nana had to give Oliver at least one bath

Nana and Alex on the swing

Dad "pacifying" Oliver with the magic finger

"Nudge" in all her glory

New Zealand Family

This is Alex's "older brother" George, who is 9 years old now and went to live with Grandpa when we moved to The Netherlands. Interestingly, he tolerated Alex really well ... he used to run away from anyone less than 5 foot. Maybe he has mellowed in his old age?

And here is Alex with Uncle Hamish and Archie the dog. These three were as thick as thieves. Hamish did a great job looking after Alex although he never really got the concept that he had to modify his behaviour when Alex was around. Instead, Alex tried to do all the dare devil things that he saw Hamish do.