Jen's 18th Birthday

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Isaac the new tractor

Sorry it's been so long. We flew back to NZ on Sunday, through stormy skies, and were delayed so long that we very nearly missed the plane up to Whangarei. In fact we would have done if it had left on time, but luckily it too was delayed. Robyn, Leigh, Beb and George were all there to meet us, even running out in a downpour to welcome us back. It was lovely. Then a couple of days to sort ourselves out, do the washing, get the shopping - and even think a bit about Christmas! You'll be sorry to hear that it's rained here solidly for a week, I'm glad we only had 3 days of it, that's plenty! I did see some sun and blue sky this afternoon, lets hope it wins through the clouds.
And today is exciting because Jennifer is 18. We all got up early to give her her presents before she went out. She had a lap top computer and a sky dive ( to jump out of a plane at the airfield - on Saturday) and lots of other lovely things. All the family will take a picnic to the airfield on Saturday to watch her leap out of the plane, fingers crossed for a cloudless day! Lots of her friends called round today and they all played games which Alex joined in. I went off to see George and Beb and check out his new tractor. Pizzas all round for tea, so a good day was had by all!

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Photos

Jen
and the lap top. Game one - how to make a cake!!!

Jen again
what's in this present I wonder

Isaac
the new tractor. Michael and George gave it some fresh oil today, and it's ready for action.

meadow
nearly as good as the meadow at Penpentre. He needs some pink clover in there too, I think.

blue sky
a rare glimpse over George's house

Christmas Cake
Beb is well ahead with her cake. And Mum, please note the card and calendar, I thought it was time to give it!

the cooks
Patrick and Ashlee cooked the pizzas, Robyn did the salads, and Alex and I washed up. What a team!

Jen and Paul
choosing their pizza

Comments

[susan and jerry hill]

Hi Carrie and Alex
Hi Carrie and Alex - from Sue and Jeremy - We're at Rowland and Beryl's today - pre-Christmas. Have read all your blog entries and looked at all the pics. GREAT! What a time you're having - you won't want to leave! We hope to visit Australia and maybe New Zealand next year - we've just had 2 weeks in South Africa, at Simon's Town on False Bay - about an hour's drive from Cape Town - had a fantastic time and it's given us the travelling bug! Jeremy still works in the US so of course does loads of travelling already, but that's for work and not for pleasure - the plus is that his travelling and frequent flights give him thousands of air miles, which will give us our flights! We shall have to fit our 2008 trips in around Zoe's wedding - date and venue unknown at present - she and Nick - fiance! - have just spent two weeks in Australia, stopping off first in Hong Kong where Nick proposed and produced a beautiful ring! They had a wonderful time, visited Sydney, which they loved, Melbourne for the racing, Ulhuru (spelling?) and up to Cairns to then dive off the Great Barrier Reef , which they loved. Will try and spend more time another year and meet up with some of the family. It's been good to see photos of everyone - hello to you all. Other family news - Dan was married this year, to Beccy, and their son Archie will be one on 27th December - he'll enjoy the wrapping paper! Hello to all family members reading Carrie's blog and Merry Christmas! Sue and Jerry (Hill)

[Higblog]

cold eh!!!
well, it's been a bit wet, but cold it is not. Glad Doris saw some of the blog, thanks for showing her. When are you off to Blackpool?have a good time there, not to much time on the roller coasters! Love Carrie and Alex