Happy New Year!

Well Christmas came and Christmas went. The major difference being that it was in Australia this year which is only the second for Karen I think and about the 36th for me! We had a lovely time in Australia and a special thanks to our families for being so generous and accommodating. We know the circumstances were not the best but the girls thought it was pretty special and we consider ourselves so lucky in so many ways. We made it back home about 2.30am on New Years Eve and after some very quick chores, got a bit of kip before welcoming Karen's brother Chris and his Fiancee, Renee to spend some time with us. Our friends Clayton and Anneke from Ruakaka also joined us for New Years Eve with their children Hayley and Jayden who are a little older than Ali and Lily but managed to play with them and have some fun anyway. Unfortunately for us there has been no rain while we've been away and so our plants has suffered terribly with the worst affected area being the vege garden. We're down to half a tank of water with rain forecast tonight. Let's hope it comes! We will be spending a postponed Christmas with Noel and Rosie and Jane and her boys on Tuesday this coming week which we're really looking forward to. I am sure Ali and Lily will be excited by the visit too but we haven't told them yet. Some things are best left a secret!