November means it's nearly Christmas!

The start of November saw us heading on a day trip to Wellington to surprise Rachel for her birthday. Lily actually took charge of the camera (what's new!) so lots of photos of her shoes, etc, but she also set up a lot of photos too...this one actually has Rachel in it! Still waiting on Aunty Margie/Biddy's shots of all the kids! (Moving house is a good excuse though!)

A beautiful day...albeit a bit cold!

Bath time one night...

Followed by BUBBLES!

Lily had her first dancing exam last Saturday. A very excited girl before...

All the girls just before going in, with Julie their teacher (opps, one's actually a boy)

And Lily about to receive her medal first

And showing Cooper afterwards (and she shows everyone else...still)

Lachie seriously does not miss a thing, or forget anything either (except peoples names!). At the end of last year I found a set of stick-on fake "party moustaches" - he remembered them and even knew where to find them as soon as Movember started! This however, is the closest anyone's getting to a mo in this house this year!Ode to Uncle Nathan!

Lily wasn't actually that keen and needed some convincing!

Should really have a caption competition for this one!

Poor baby! Except he thought it was really funny!

And November means it's nearly Christmas! (Couldn't resist trying it on him already!)

5 months!

We're not really expecting any crawling round here anytime soon. Cooper's just hit 5 months and still doesn't like being on his tummy much (plus I don't like all the washing that eventuates!) He's also still no good at feeding, not bad at sleeping and absolutely perfect at smiling and laughing! Although his best skill would have to be tongue poking (closely followed by spewing out his nose!)

Today he had strawberry puree with baby rice - was almost feeding himself he liked it that much! He's not usually a fan of bland baby mush, but avocados from Tirau went down alright too.

Lily's had an amazing week. We didn't realise quite how sick she was because it's been so long since she's had any energy and no sore tummy or headache. The medicine seem to be working but more test results next week. Here's her "biggest smile" - funny how her eyes go like her Daddy's!
And letting Daddy have a sleep-in this morning...of course he never actually made it to bed after getting home so it was Hi-5 in our bed while he had a few more zzz's on the couch!

Listening to the Magpies vs Canterbury game online, with loving updates via text, e-mail and facebook! Still hoping for a trip to Wellington next weekend!

Tracey and Andrew's Wedding

An early start...breakfast at the beach on the way...

Few hours later all dressed and ready for a wedding!

Eden

Lily

Lachie

Waiting for the bride...Caci coming down the stairs first

The Karams

Lily took charge of the camera for a while!

Aunty Margie with Xavier - who had the cutest laugh anytime he saw a camera

Mike and Lily with Uncle Sam

Lachie and Lily with Caci and Rosie

Max with CooperEden and Lily making themselves quite at home at the million dollar mansion!Me and my little man in his t-shirt tux

And later on, Lachie at the reception - we kept checking the score of the Waikato-Auckland game throughout! Yay, Waikato didn't get the bonus point (couldn't say that too lodly, we were in Hamilton!) putting HB in Friday's semi!

Got to catch up with everyone for lunch on Sunday
(between shopping episodes!)

Such a great trip. slow relaxing trip home.

I fully recommend The Shed in Taupo for meals, especially with kids!

Lachie, Lily and Eden really enjoyed the "road trip", particularly for a wedding (three parties!) So, when's the next wedding? Next road trip is to Auckland in a month - looking forward to that one!

Lachie and Honey's first Pet Day

Lachie wanted Honey "rainbowed" again

Eden meeting "Nibbles" the Beamish's lamb that also came to Playcentre.

After walking round in a circle a dozen or so times, Lachie got picked for the next round of dog obedience (most of the other small dogs were so tired they ended up being carried!). Honey actually did what she was told pretty well (we were all surprised!). Lachie and Honey won second for "small dog leading". At the end of the in and outs (what's the proper name?) Lachie had to get Honey to sit. This meant he then decided to opt out of the "tricks" section as getting her to sit WAS his trick!
Honey meeting "Schnitzel Von Krumm" (not really, but Lily and Eden thought it was cool - and Hercules Morse was there too! Note: if you've no idea what I'm talking about, read some Hairy Maclary!)

Lachie and Honey getting THEIR certificate (but Lachie wants it in HIS certificate book!)

Lily didn't have a good day (been 6 weeks actually) but another trip to the doctors and more tests found there's actually something wrong! I'm not sure what's better...knowing she's quite ill or being able to tell those people who think she might be making it up that she's not! Either way, some serious medication and a few more tests and we'll hopefully be through it...finally!

Super-Dog!

Honey getting "pampered" beofre her first Pet Day experience...

And here's the culprit of her "graceful" entries into the river!

Farm Trip

A not-too-well Lily and super-excited Eden visiting the Bibby's farm where we saw a cow getting milked, fed chickens and ponies, collected eggs, patted calves, goats, lambs and ponies...and had birthday cupcakes...again!

More Cupcakes

The start of the week brought opportunities for more cupcakes to celebrate Eden's birthday again and again...these ones went to kindy...

And these to Eden's Playcentre friends...

And Cooper was just happy to be. He's loving the "big" carseat, probably because it's full of toys! Liily and Eden are loving their new racing carseats!

Fit for Two Princesses

Ok, so it took longer than I'd planned (thanks nightshift!) but the girls room is mostly complete (but you know I'll tinker any chance I get!)

Princess Lily's side...

Princess Eden's sideAdd some sparkly butterflies...
And some rainbow fairy lights...

Turrets, doors and a doorbell...

And a carriage to get there! Mirror mirror on the wall...
And a tree (because I quite liked the wood of the wardrobe door!), this is obviously still a work in progress...(the yellow thing's a bird)

And the best thing of all...they love it!

Eden Turns 3 In Colour!

A rainbow Hi-5 party was requested for Eden's third birthday...after she suggested a Magpies party then changed her mind when I said the Magpies probably couldn't come.

Cuddling Muffin McLay (like a bundle of hay...)

Lily wanted to make Eden a screenprinted t-shirt for her birthday - Eden loves it!

Think I remember Lily and Eden posing for a shot like this last year!

Then...party time!

Couldn't find Eden a rainbow outfit, so had to make her one instead!

And because I made Eden something new, Lily's great idea was for me to make her something as well! This was a skirt (which I loved) but have meant to make it into something for the girls for ages, so perfect opportunity!

After facepainting, we did the water balloon competition just as it started raining (after everyone arrived saying what lovely weather we were in for!). Eden was certainly tinny getting her first balloon in!

This was her second one, looks like it's in Fin's mouth!

Mike owed me a favour...so I weighed up getting him to clean the oven (which I'd have to redo!) or playing PAINT THE CLOWN! The kids really got into it!

Cathie joined in too without too much persuasion!

Then I put Mike's most colourful shirt on him...with lollypops taped all over it! The kids had to work hard for a lollypop...and it was still raining a little bit - no-one cared!

Lachie wants to take Honey to Pet Day BEFORE she's had a bath!

The rain then cleared off, perfect timing for food and outside play (as our house can't really cope with that number inside!) Luckily (?!) I'd put 20 layers on pass the parcel which lasted long enough til the rain had gone!

Lachie and Cooper WERE there, I just didn't get enough photos! Will post Leanne's when they appear on facebook! Hope there's one of the leprechaun with the 'gold' present too! (Here it is! Thanks Leanne!)

A great day, would do it all again tomorrow but have to wait now til we have a big (not literally!) school girl in February! (P.S. Mike's not getting a birthday, he's getting a trip to Pearl Jam instead - we all are!)

vs Red and Black

Don't want to rave on about the game, so here's a few shots from the end...Lachie took a red vivid this time hoping to meet Richie and Dan, but had to settle for any red and black instead (most of the team didn't walk the whole line of fans!)

And Mike still name drops MJ any chance he gets! And he's one of Lachie's favourites too...

Unfortunately maybe no home semi...but just maybe a trip to Wellington?