The remainder of our Christmas Road Trip

So between looking after a pretty sick child (he has a chest infection poor little man!), road tripping to Ngaruawahia, Thames, then Mangawhai, time to edit has been scarce.  However, here are the rest of my photos from Christmas!

Opening presents on Christmas morning at home

Playing down at Aunty Vicki's School (Thames)

Coles Family Shots

Me and my monkey!

Dadda and Ash feeding the ducks

Family photo in Thames

Sunset at Thames, Boxing Day

Rapaura Gardens

Finally nailed it!

This afternoon we got back from our mini Xmas road trip.  My parents live down in the Waikato, and my wonderful sister in law lives in Thames so this year we decided to spend two nights seeing family and eating as much as we could handle.

The trip was great, we had full tummies and lots of laughs with both sets of families.  However, I had one mishap - I managed to break my 50mm lens.  I was absoloutely devastated (still am!).  However, looking on the bright side, at least it was the cheapest lens I have and not my camera, but it does mean the long awaited upgrade I have been wanting for my 75-300mm will just have to wait...

Today, we drove up to Rapaura Water Gardens which is just north of Thames by Tapu.  Its $15 to do a 45 minutes walk and visit various gardens and lilly ponds.  Its not really worth the money, but I wanted to try and get a shot of their waterfall.  I've been trying to get that silky effect for months, but never had the settings right, or the weather has been too sunny, or hubby has been rushing me.  But today I went in knowing exactly what to do - and I was very happy with the result!!

Settings: F 32, Shutter 0.8", Iso 100

Merry Xmas everyone!!

Its been a busy week and more busy days to come, so here is just one from this morning.  Wishing everyone a merry xmas, hope you all eat and drink to your hearts content and stay safe!!!

Educare Xmas Party

Lots of fun had by all :).  Here a few goodies!

Another Christmas Party!!!

My poor little monkey is all christmas'd out tonight after having two parties in two days.

Today's party was with our Coffee Group - a fantastic group of ladies who i don't think I could have got through those early days without.  Ash is the youngest of the group so it was great having these guys as their babies would do things, then within weeks Ash would start doing it as well - it helped keep me on my toes for the next 'stage'. We pretty much all work full time now so its great when we do get together and catch up.

Thanks Mel & Brian for hosting it today, we had lots of fun as always xxx

Here are a few goodies from the day...

TVNZ Xmas Party...

Lots of fun to be had at the TVNZ Xmas party.  So many kidlets having so much fun - I have a whole new view on Xmas since becoming a mum that's for sure!!

Drive that car baby! (Lucky one of these are under our Xmas tree!)

Sophia making her way down the slide

Princess Chloe

Isn't she just a little cutie?

Za Za doing her thing

Brmmmmm!!!

Gorgeous wee dot

Baby Zoe

Princess Stella

Can't you see why Mr A is so in love with her?

Check out Ash's expression!  

Educare Trip to see Santa

So today Educare (Ash's Daycare - one floor down from where I work and yes I know I'm a very very lucky mum to have my little man so close by...) decided to do a morning trip to Smith & Coughey's to meet Santa and see the famous grotto.  This is the first time I've ever done it, and didn't really know what to expect.  What we got was a 90 minute wait with nine very patient under 2's who behaved extremely well given the circumstances.  Ash had an absoloute meltdown just before we got to go in (think hyperventilating, uncontrollable crying, not the tantrum kind!) so didn't really want a bar of anything - including Santa.  Because of this I struggled to take any decent photos which I was gutted with as the grotto itself was awesome, and the kids went nuts inside.  Never mind, I got a few, including a hideous photo of ME sitting on Santa's knee and Ash struggling to get away...

Guess its true that kids really don't like Santa!

Haylynn rocking the sunglasses

The pram parade

The Christmas Trees inside the Grotto

The kidlets making their way through (Alex, Arthur & Deaclen)

Ash & Kathryn

Ash checking out the snow man

Haylynn

Santa fell down the chimney!

The kidlets writing out their wish lists (Arthur, Stella & Ash)

Stella forgot something!

Decorations