Campfire @ backyard

How cool to have a campfire in your own backyard? Well the Rose boys and Ashley tried it with their grandfather.

Carefully light the fire. It would been much nicer to do it at night time but the Fenwick boys had some plans on that night. I have to say Luca was most curious about all the steps. 

Then once the fire died down, the kids got to use a long stick and cook their own marshmallows! So cool!!

What an awesome activity for the kids. Next time we are in NZ would definitely like to do it on a beach somewhere. 

Sleepover and hedgehog hunt

After the Christmas carols, Rory and Devon came home with us for a sleepover at M&D's house. They are so good with our kids and read stories to each of them.

While the cousins were here we took the opportunity to conduct our first hedgehog hunt. We looked and looked for quite sometime but no luck... but it was still fun for the boys to walk around with the torch in the dark!

Christmas Carols

We were invited to join this wonderful Christmas carols by the Fenwick family. I really enjoy this kind of local kiwi event.

We arrived there nice and early to get good seats.

The kids had fun playing in this wooden yacht while we waited.

I contacted my old friends Bronwyn, Scott and their son Eli to join us there since they live not far away. They arrived with some delicious dinner for us. Perfect meal while we enjoyed the Christmas carols. Yes! Fish and Chips!

It was such a lovely family evening. So nice to be able to show our kids what NZ can offer. 

 

Silverbeet anyone?

Christmas shopping with Merryn

While Dennis kindly looked after the boys at the park playing cricket, Merryn, Ashley and I went for some Christmas shopping.

I really enjoy visiting NZ building up to Christmas. So many lovely shops and lots of Christmas goodies for me to take back home.  

Ashley was very content with a pink iPad and headphones watching Peppa Pig :)  

Ashley the smiler

I think this girl didn't stop smiling while we were in NZ. She loved every moment of it!

Authentic NZ cafe visit - a sprinkle cupcake and a fluffy. 

Cornwall Park

One of our must-places-to-visit when we visit Auckland. Cornwall Park is situated only 10min drive away from Merryn and Dennis' place. It is such a lovely place to stop for a little walk and see some NZ animals. The kids are so happy to be able to run around, chase birds and shout at the cows.

My absolute favourite, NZ Christmas tree - pohutukawa (metrosideros excelsa) was blooming.  

We couldn't leave the park without looking at the sheep! Some of them were quite close but all ran away as soon as Luca started to talk!

My favourite shot of the day:

In the backyard vege garden

The boys planted some vegetable seeds with Dennis. Oh I love NZ lifestyle! So nice!

Reunion with the cousins

We had such a short time before we headed down to Christchurch, we only managed to have a meal together with the cousins. The Fenwick boys are now all grown up and each are so busy with after school activities. On this visit also they had to rush off to sea scouts activities. Not so much the case for Luca but Oliver is very attached to his older cousins. 

It's so nice to have girl cousins at a similar age for Ashley too. Here is Harriet and Ashley jumping on the trampoline together.