Camping at Otaki Forks

A couple of weeks ago we went car-camping with our friends Emily and Matt and their little boy Jac. We went to Otaki Forks, up the Kapiti Coast, about 1.5 hours away. It was a beautiful sunny weekend and the river was a refreshing treat.

Ross loved the water, but mostly because of all the rocks he could pick up and eat. Both kids got to try out their new togs (aka swimming suits) from Grandma Georgia.

Madeleine and Jac got along really well and spent ages throwing rocks into the water, playing in the tents, kicking the ball around, and sitting in the cars pretending they were going to the shops. I guess there is something to be said for having your car right there when you're camping!

Matt and Emily moved to NZ from Wales just over two years ago, and Emily and I met at a local playgroup shortly after they had arrived. She has been my closest friend here in NZ, and Madeleine loves Jac like no one else. We will sure miss them when we leave.

10 months!

Ross is our lean eating machine these days... he eats far more than Madeleine, but is still far leaner than she ever was (9.4 kg and 73cm at his Plunket nurse appointment last week). He's constantly on the move, whether it's when we're holding him or when he's on the floor. He is still commando crawling, but figuring out how to use his knees to pull himself up, and he absolutely loves standing and walking with our help.

A luggage tag was the trick that got him to stay still long enough for this picture.

He is very curious, and follows us around to see what we're doing (especially his big sister). He loves playing 'tackle' and chase with Madeleine, and they get each other giggling in fits. She is getting better at giving him a new toy if she takes the one he has, and he is certainly good at reminding her.

He takes two decent naps in the daytime and usually gets a full night's sleep. He is, however, a pretty light sleeper, and is easily woken if Madeleine stirs in the night or makes too much noise during the day. It is so fun seeing his personality develop and watching him learn and explore more and more each day. 

Oh Canada!

Some pictures from our three week trip to Canada in October. There really are probably way too many pictures, so I'll keep words to a minimum...

Both kids did really well on the flights, and Madeleine loved having a seat (and TV) to herself. We flew to Toronto first, which meant a 7 hour time difference and lots of jet lag.

Madeleine and cousin Caleb got along really well and loved playing together.

Four cousins in a tub makes for a fun bathtime.

Ross and me at Chris and Antoinette's wedding (the main reason for our trip).

Ross and Steve (who was best man) at the wedding.

A rare family shot!

The wedding was at a park in Kitchener, and it was both a beautiful day and also a beautiful wedding.

Steve's Aunt Lorna was a big help with both Ross and Madeleine at the reception, and both kids took to her quickly.

Ross and Grandpa Don hanging out on the couch.

Ross thoroughly enjoys every bath time.

Madeleine loved helping Grandma Georgia and Great Grammy Inez in the kitchen.

9 month photo shoot was a complete write-off...

Madeleine inherited a love of raspberries from her Grandma Georgia and they went through many, many containers together.

We had a wonderful visit with our friends John and Henrietta and their girls, Emma, Abi, and Ida.

Steve and his sister Julie took Madeleine and Caleb skating! This was Madeleine's first time and she was very brave.

When the braveness wore off, it was on to stroller-skating.

Playing with one of the tractors that Steve had growing up.

Enjoying a nearby park and all the fall colours.

A week later, we got a taste of winter! Madeleine did NOT want to go outside in it for a picture though,  so we weren't out there very long.

Ross got a lot of cuddles from Great Grammy Inez while Steve and I were busy going through all the things we had stored in the Gibson's basement for the last five years.

And Ross got to meet his Great Grandma Doris (whose husband was the first Ross Gibson).

We had five days in BC with my family, and it was a wonderful chance to see my grandparents.

My sister, Kristin, flew out to join us with her little dog Polly, who Madeleine absolutely adored.

I didn't get many pictures from our time in BC, but here is one of Madeleine drying Grammie's hair...

... and Ross giggling with Auntie Kristin. We also got to visit with Steve's Aunt Joanne, some of my nursing friends, and my friend Monica (who met us at the airport the day we flew out!). It was definitely a busy trip, but we enjoyed it and it has made us look forward to being closer to our families and friends.

Catching Up... Grandpa Mark's visit

I have a lot of catching up to do on here! I have had these pictures from my dad's visit waiting to be posted for over a month... so here goes.

Within minutes of Grandpa's (or "Papa" as Madeleine says) arrival, they were assembling the wooden go-kart that he built for M.

The finished go-kart! She had a lot of fun with it, but it took awhile to get the hang of the steering. Dad disassembled it and took it back home with him, so it will make a reappearance someday when they come see us in California.

She loved playing with all of Papa's little containers and coins.

Ross got lots of Grandpa time in the mornings, while I got lots of sleep-in time!

 One of the many couch tents built for Madeleine.

My Dad spent a lot of time working on our little strip of grass, and made it look so lovely... I'm sure our neighbours were just as appreciative as we were.

Madeleine helped out with the sweeping...

 ...and Grandpa helped carry Dolly while M pulled the bin.

Madeleine sometimes gives us a good taste of what her teenage years might hold, and here she seems to be practicing her disgusted, this-is-so-not-cool, face in response to Grandpa's custom-made "M" pancake.

Cozy times with Papa...

Ross' got his first professional haircut at the local barber's, and my dad was there to document and distract.

Ross got to try out the go-kart too, and became an expert at ringing the bell.

Grandpa lying halfway off the couch for a snoozing, spread-out M...

M let Grandpa blow-dry her hair. 

M loved Grandpa's containers with screws and bolts.

It was a wonderful month with my dad here, and both kids loved the extra attention. Steve and I both felt so blessed to have so much help while he was finishing up with the writing. It was really special for me to have so much time with each of my parents on their own, and it certainly made the last few months of Steve's PhD less stressful and a lot more fun.