It's been a busy couple of weeks getting ready for the arrival of the in-laws and then welcoming them back to New Zealand. Marion and Eddie have made themselves at home again in the sleepout and are most grateful to have their own bathroom this time around. They have spent a week close to home getting over their jet lag but this morning Ian sent them off on the Overlander train - a 12 hour trip down through the North Island all the way to Wellington.

We have also been bust booking up a south island holiday for us all to take together. We are flying to Christchurch and from there will take another scenic train journey up the coast to Picton. We will hire a car there and drive down to Nelson where we have rented a bach (holiday house). I tried unsuccessfully to insert a link but the curious can check it out on www.bookabach.co.nz #7279 "Haulashore Views". I'm really looking forward to enjoying those views with a good book.

We had the Te Atatu Peninsula Santa Parade yesterday. There were lots of stalls and bouncy castles and even a little Ferris Wheel. Ethan had a go on the Ferris Wheel this year. It was only about 10 foot high. He wasn't sure about it at all at first and was holding on really tightly with a look of terror on his face but he soon relaxed into it and kept asking them to go faster. It was a beautitul hot day. I had the afternoon off for a bit of secret santa shopping. A lovely day was rounded off with a barbecue with the Bundys (who are soon off to the UK for a few weeks) and the Outrams (who are camping in our garden for a few days). Ethan heard the dinner in progress and joined us for an hour or so during which time he held the floor and sang Happy Birthday to James ("Jamie") several times and did his washing hands song from kindy. He was very funny accompanying himself on his little stringless guitar.

More photos soon. Most of our summer photos so far have been full of children running around the garden with no clothes on. Great fun but not suitable for publication.