We have just got back from a fabulous winter holiday in Turangi, which for those overseas is in the middle of New Zealand, and close to Whakapapa, the North Island's largest ski field. We wanted to take the boys to the snow, and had heard there were plenty of other things to do in Turangi if the weather wasn't up to much, which was so true! We were actually really lucky with the weather, on the first couple of days did some lovely walks in the forest and around lakes and the Tongariro river. We had one day of pouring rain, but it didn't matter at all, as we headed to the climbing wall in town and had an absolutely fantastic day there! We all got to do lots of climbing although Byron preferred 'hanging' from his harness, as he was a bit little for it! Luckily there was an area you could free climb in, which had a large air filled mattress to land on, and he had a great time bouncing on it (we were extremly lucky to be the only ones there a lot of the time!). Some photos of the climbing...

Connor took to it straight away and went straight up!



















Bruce particularly enjoyed the tricky parts on the free climbing wall.




















I decided to see how high I could get without looking down, and managed to get all the way to the top!




















A photo of me looking up the wall I climbed to the top of, for a bit of perspective. I don't actually recommend looking down once you're up there!!!! It was so much fun though, we can't wait to go again as there are a few places close to where we live in Auckland.




















Byron hanging around

Playing by the river - it's amazing how much time little boys can spend throwing stones, poking things with sticks and building dams!

I think the highlight for everyone was the snow, and especially getting the boys on some skis! We had a day of sledding, but decided later in the week to rent them some skis and see what happened. We were amazed (and very excited) that they loved it, and had a fantastic time practicing around Happy Valley (the beginners area). Byron seemed to have no fear, and I spent most of the time running down next to him or in front of him, either to slow him down or stop him from crashing into people! We were absolutely stoked that they liked it so much, so we went the following day as well and they enjoyed it just as much. The chairlift was also a source of great excitement for them. Might try to squeeze another few days there in a few weeks so that Bruce and I can get on some skis after so long as well. Yay, perhaps the beginning of family ski holidays! It was also great to have some great hot pools near where we were staying, so we could soak in them at the end of the day. It really was such a great week!

Waiting for their boots and skis (I hadn't noticed til we downloaded the photos that they were pretty well colour coordinated in their assortment of ski clothes borrowed from friends, look like quite the little dudes!).




















Byron was very relaxed on his skis. I hadn't really expected him to do much, having just turned 3 (actually I wasn't sure they would have boots small enough), but got them to keep him happy as Connor was getting some. Such a great surprise that he enjoyed it so much!




















Connor making his way down (he spent most of his time with Bruce and me with Byron, as we got separated while trying to keep track of them!)




















I did a lot of running down the slope and catching Byron before he either got away from me or wiped out!
















The boys on their way down

BYRON'S 3RD BIRTHDAY!!!

I know I know, it's been over two months since I last posted an update! My excuse is our camera, which had been slowly on the way out for a while, but became completely useless a few weeks ago, and I'm not very good at putting things on without pictures. So, we have now got a new camera, just in time for Byron's birthday last weekend. Our baby is now three, wow how the time flies! He is certainly growing up quickly, never stops talking and constantly has us in fits of laughter with the things he comes out with. Here are some birthday pics...

The boys are both always keen to help with cooking, especially if it involves cakes. They helped me to mix one of the cakes for Byron's birthday and I took a few snaps. I've always quite admired Byron's particularly enthusiastic 'dive' into the scrapings (I think he's always attempting to actually climb into the bowl).





















Haven't quite seen this one before, but managed to get a shot before he realised he wasn't going to get any extra this way!





















The look on his face says it all really!





















Having baked the cakes, I spent a rather long evening trying to somehow turn them into a 'pirate's treasure chest', for Byron's pirate party the next day. He's such an excitable little guy, with rather a large imagination, so you can imagine how deflated I was after asking if he'd like a treasure chest for his cake, and his eyes widened with excitement and said 'oh yes Mummy, with a pirate standing next to it, and a pirate ship for him, and.....' and so it went on (sigh!). Thankfully he was very excited when he saw the finished cake the next morning!















The big day was rather enormous. While I was decorating the cake the night before, Bruce managed to blow up and hang over 90 balloons (plus assorted streamers etc) for the festivities. It started with the family coming over, followed by the craziness of the extra children. Connor and Byron's rather 'disco' looking pirate outfits were all down to Connor deciding we should make some pirate costumes, rather than try to find some. Having never sewed anything in my life, I was slightly worried (I had just inherited a sewing machine from Bruce's Mum, but hadn't had a chance to attempt to do anything with it yet. My main goal was something basic like turning up trousers, so I was a bit skeptical after Connor's request!). We went to the material shop and the boys chose their own material and we set to work. I was quite pleased for a first attempt and might try to make something from a pattern next time! They looked ok as long as you didn't get too close!

Another photo of the birthday boy.

The party in full swing.

Nearly a week later the house is still full of balloons. I was loathed to pop them as the boys have so much fun with them! We created a new game of 'surfing' the balloons on the large cushions from the sofa, which is great fun!









































The cushions on the balloons also seem to be very popular at the end of the day for a rocking rest
(yes it is the middle of winter, but they just don't feel the cold!!!)