Our Book of Life

Ripper Rugby is a great sport. It teaches the kids to run, step and tag (or rip). In theory it should be easy right? Well try playing it. Not so easy. Renata played really well this year with his team. He was a great asset. He was so funny,.. as Ren is. Not shy to express his emotions when he gets a try. He puffs his chest out like he is "da man" and struts back to half way.. lol Rakai was a great supporter this year as always. He would make lots of friends on the side line and was very helpful with eating the half time oranges. Even rolling in the grass! A great season with player of the day certificates and rewards. One of which was a $10 voucher to pita pit.. mmmmm well done son!

In the school holidays, the kids come home with this family newspaper from school. This issue it had a page full of Movie coupons. Being the school holidays, we decided to take advantage of these specials.  How to train a dragon was such a great movie, so we had to go and watch How to train a dragon 2. We drove down to the shore to catch the session. We liked it just as much as the first.  After the movie, the kids had great fun posing in front of the displays. I tell you my kids are sooo not shy.. for the camera anyway!

Who doesn't love Ninja Turtles. Rakaipaka loves them. He was spoilt to get some really cool Ninja Turtle slippers with a matching mask. Check him out!! He loved them!!

Mum was blessed to be able to go to Australia for a week.  The trip started in Melbourne with Elissa and some friends and family to see 'Wicked' the musical. It was great to see the musical with an Australian cast and touch.  It was great to see Melbourne. The trams were hard case, with the stops in the middle of the street.  Next stop was Newcastle to catch up with Naomi and Jenny. It is wonderful to see them after sooo long, and after meeting the kids, a girls night out brings out the youth in us again. Just like old times. Lots of laughter and conversations.  Finally up to brisbane to spend another night with Elissa and catch up with my Dad, brother Mark and his family. It was so great to spend time with them in Brisbane. 

Hibiscus Young Mens is an awesome program.  One of the leaders loves science, which is great as your boys love science that is alive! For an activity Matt showed the boys how to make a rocket from scratch and fire it across the rec hall.  Great fun to watch and the boys loved it. Thanks Matt!!

Number 4, our Hikawera turned 8. When drawing up the invitations it was awesome to see that Hikawera invited his best mates. These boys are from school, and rugby. We call them the musketeers.  5 of Hiks friends from school were there, along with Family and friends from church.  Really proud of our family today, everyone participated. Rakaipaka Conducting Renata and some of Hiks Friends, Carlos, Beau, Matt and Waimana Hik and Dad.

What do you do when you live on a farm and they boys are dressed ready for church in their number ones? How do you keep them clean?? March them one by one!!  (actually they did this on their own) Soo cute!

As you know New Zealanders LOVE rugby. In our house it is no different.. especially with 6 boys. Arama coachd 2nd XV and 7's rugby. Arama T played both of these as well as Rangikawea. Here are some photo's of the teams and boys in action.  Under 16 7's team Teancum kicking Aeama and Kapi. Player of the Day. 2nd XV Rugby team. Winners of second division. Prizegiving Kawea Grade 7 Handsome Kawea Prizegiving

A glimpse of Arama on the trampoline. Timing was great. For the faint of heart, perhaps don't look :)

The great thing about being on a rural farm with boys is that they get to try their hands at so many different things.  We had firewood to chop up, these long pine trees that needed to be cut into rounds then split. My big boy Arama, has fine tuned his skills at using the chainsaw. Since he is stronger than me I don't have a problem with this. As he was cutting he called me over to show me something he had done….. How cool is this! Don't you just love it! (not bad for a 15 year old!!)

My beautiful daughter has finally turned 10. She is such a gorgeous girl inside and out. It was a log hot soak in the hot pools with her girlfriends for this birthday. 2013