The arrival of baby Joan

JOAN SABRINA GAULD

BORN 09.02.2012

My great niece, little Joan entered the world earlier this month.  I look forward to seeing meeting her when I visit South African again and am sure her Grandmother will be smiling down on her.....

New beginnings....

Monday is Sarah's first day at Auckland University.  My oldest child of whom I am very proud.  I wish you lots of happiness and success Sarah, during the next few years at Uni and from there on.  My wish for you is that you use these years wisely and enjoy them to the fullest.  Love you lots.

School Camp

Camilla spent three days at school camp this past week.  She had a really good time and "could have stayed a few days more"!  She did come home absolutely exhausted as apparently everyone in her cabin "stayed awake each night" waiting for the older children to "prank" them.  Well, the prank didn't eventuate and this is how I found Camilla midday today!  I'd say that the photo bears witness to the amount of activity and fun she had on camp...

Perfect

During one of our frequent trips around Target Furniture recently (aka me dragging Randel around behind me) we found the "perfect" lounge suite for our upstairs lounge and made an impulsive buy! (Impulsive for Randel as he wasn't planning on a new lounge suite any time soon - not so impulsive for me as I knew this was exactly what I'd been looking for the upstairs lounge!).   It has to be one of the most comfortable suites and is being enjoyed by all, not least of all the pets.  Now I've got my eye on some gorgeous cushions and a nice big rug for the room...

Sisters

Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship. ~Margaret Mead

As our girls grow I'm more and more aware of how important they will each be to each other for the rest of their lives and I LOVE IT.  I'm really happy that each of my girls will always have not one, not two but THREE sisters to call for help, for a chat, for advice or to just simply hang out with.  I love you girls with all my heart and it makes my heart warm to see you relating now as teenagers and to see how, despite your differences, you look out for each other.... 

Sarah and Milly in 2002

The three Musketeers in 2000

Milly and Chants in 2012

Christmas Day 2011

Rotorua

Here's to remembering our short but lovely trip to Rotorua.  The girls loved the luge, starting off on the "experienced" track!!  We shopped for clothes in the city, had a lovely pub dinner and finished off by visiting the Polynesian Spa.

Wellington Holiday

We have just spend a lovely funfilled few days in Wellington.  Definately a beautiful city with an ambiance I could definately get used to.  We had dinner and shopped in the city, rode the cable car, visited the zoo, the botanical gardens, Te Papa and the Weta museums and filled the in between times with a lot of fun activities such as mini golf at Carlucciland (awesome place) and riding "frogs" around Oriental Bay.  I enjoyed Wellington enough that I'm planning a short getaway there with Randel to celebrate our anniversary....

In the cable car on our way up Mt Victoria

Beautiful view of Wellington City and Harbour from Mt Victoria

Chantelle and Camilla in the Botanical Gardens

Randel and Golum at Weta Studios



Sarah in the City....

Camilla and Chantelle navigating their "Frog"



Beautiful Wellington....



14 Today

Chantelle turned 14 today!  I love you Chants with all my heart and look forward to sharing the rest of my life with you xxxxx Mom

England vs France

Randel, being English born yesterday supported England in their rugby world cup quarter final against France.  England unfortunately lost to France 19-7.  We went into Auckland City to the fan zone on Saturday afternoon and captured some of the many dressed up supporters on camera.  Later,  we watched the match at home, in the spa, with the TV outside on the deck!

Flags of Participating Nations

The Cup they are all after....

ENGLAND!!!!

Milly and I in the spa

Austin

This little creature is too cute for words!  Austin was born to Amber one week ago and I had the pleasure of meeting him up close this morning.  He still needs to grow into his long legs and kept trying to have a few sips from his mum.  We are looking forward to watching him grow. 

Here Austin is with his mum Amber

Austin saying hello to Chief

Camilla with Zoe and Thomas