Strawberries, Cricket & Fish and Chips

We had such a fun filled Boxing Day with all the cousins. First, we met up at the strawberry picking farm on the North Shore. Beautiful weather for it. I didn't expect the strawberry field to be so big!!

We started to pick strawberries but shortly after we realised it might be better to eat them as we pick!! They were the best strawberries I have ever tasted - so sweet and so juicy, slightly warm with the sun shining on them!

We picked half a bucket each for the three families. We must have eaten more than we brought back!

Look at these gorgeous red strawberries!

From the strawberry field we went to the Cotty's place for lunch and a little play in the backyard.

In the afternoon all the families got together once again for a game of cricket in a park. 

Luca, Ashley and Harriet had a ball running around the sprinkler.

Grandparents were busy pushing the grandkids on the swings:

Luca was extremely happy he could climb up the tree!

Once we said goodbye to the North Shore cousins we drove up to one of our favourite places in Auckland - Takapuna Beach. I was a little bit disappointed they have built this great playground by the beach. Too many people, too modern, I just want my kids to play on the beach when we come down to the beach!

You don't need slides and swings when you have THIS VIEW right in front of you, don't you think???

This picture was my favourite of the day. Such a stunning view. I could watch them play forever!

And it got even better, we had delicious fish and chips on the beach for dinner. Is it the sea breeze which makes them taste so much better? Our kids are definitely hooked on them - true Kiwi kids :)

Christmas Day 2016

The kids slept in longer than we thought on the morning of Christmas Day. In our residence (Singapore Roses) Santa comes just after midnight on Christmas Day and fills the stockings with some goodies. The kids were all very excited to put their hands in and get the presents out. They all received unique items that they wished for, Luca got another dinosaur soft toy (he didn't get the exact dinosaur but he still got one!) plus a water gun, Oliver got kids sized soccer goalkeeper gloves and a hedgehog with a Santa hat, Ashley got some nail polish and a Peppa Pig toy. They all got an orange, a banana, a new set of cutlery, some Christmas chocolates and biscuits. They boys were very excited to get Pokemon cards at the bottom of the stockings too!

It was so nice to see them happy and smiling. Once the all the excitement calmed down we had breakfast together. Matthew and I made these Santa pancakes for the kids while Dennis prepared his signature banana pancakes for adults. 

Somehow our morning went very quickly and it was time to get changed and prepare ourselves to welcome all the family members. Luca was so proud of his brand new Christmas t-shirt - can you see?

Matthew's sister and her family - the Cotty's arrived. Here is the girls' photo. Harriet (4), Georgia (1) and Ashley (3).

Merryn and Oliver:

And of course my dearest Matthew and me!

The kids were very lucky and got given extra Christmas decorations to put up on the tree in the courtyard. Merryn made them each a fabric patchwork star. How cool is that!? 

She even made a tree top star from her fabric collection!

My contribution to the family gathering - putting together cheese platters. 

By the time the Fenwick Roses arrived and everyone got together the lounge was full of presents! The kids couldn't wait any longer!!! 

Ashely was so lucky and got another handmade present from Merryn - a fabric baby carrier, so nice!

To share amongst the siblings Harriet and Luca got kiwi dress ups - I love it!

The present opening lasted a while as you can imagine with a big family like us! Everyone was getting hungry so we had a break from the presents and all sat down for a delicious Christmas lunch. 

More presents were given out. 

Caroline, Kylie and me :)

Matthew and Richard (plus Ashley)

I think everyone was so super full but couldn't resist Dennis's special gingerlog, and Devon's pavlova for dessert - yum!

In the afternoon the bigger kids played cricket in the park and the little ones had a ball in the playground across the road. There were more family visitors for afternoon tea.  

I love coming back to NZ at this time of year. Every day is so exciting for us with lots of activities and family events. We get to see some of the family members who we don't often get to see. 

Our kids are so lucky to have such a great family in such a beautiful country!