Bali

Well, where to start? We gave the kids a sleep before we left & had to wake them for our 3.15pm taxi to the airport! 1 hour ride to the airport & then a 3 hour flight to Bali. The kids were amazing! Of course Trinity wasn't content sitting the whole time, but she just spent her time in the aisle waving to people. Matthew had his special Bob the Builder bag which had toys, pens & paper in it (plus we had the portable DVD player for back-up)

We arrived in Bali & after a 10 min taxi ride we were at the Bali Dynasty Resort http://www.balidynasty.com/

This was a great place to stay. So many things for the kids to do & the parents got to have time to have a holiday too. Check out the website so that it entices you to save, save, save! It's a 3-6 hour flight from Australia (depending where you live) & a 6-9 hour flight from NZ. Sounds long, but oh so worth it!

The pool bar was a hit, with happy hours from 12-1pm & 5-6pm. Evan made use of those 2 happy hours our 2nd day there!!!! Unfortunately a grumpy mum went down to 'get' him at 7pm, seeing as it was the kids' bedtime. Was he impressed? Not really! We headed back down at about 8pm....everyone else had left. Maybe Evan was the bad influence? Hahahaha! So we stayed for an hour, had a few mango tango cocktail buckets - yummo! Trinity & I headed back upstairs while Evan went to the pub on site in his togs. Is it a wonder he was asked to go & put a shirt on & then he could come back???? He met a guy, Jason from Wairoa;but now lives in Perth, while he was perched at the bar......his wife took him home too (hahahaha!) He didn't surface until late afternoon the next day!!!

Where was Matthew? Well after swimming from 10.30am-4pm, he was wasted! Took him all of 2 seconds to go to sleep. Our room was super close to the pool, so he snoozed while we had a couple of cocktail buckets. He made lots of friends & only came out of the pool to have a few sips of his banana milkshake. At 4pm Evan noticed him on the side of the pool falling asleep, so I took that as my cue to take him 'home'. We ordered room service (chicken satays & a hotdog)

Trinity spent her hour with us dancing to reggae on the bar!!! She is way too funny!

Evan still managed to get up the next morning (I am impressed) He was hanging out for brekky, since he had only had a liquid diet from breakfast time the previous morning! On that note, brekky was YUM! Bacon, all types of eggs, pancakes, waffles, quiche, potatoes, tomatoes, soups, noodles, rice, juices, pastries, fresh fruit, cereals...I think I have missed stuff out, it was so great!

Saturday morning was spent shopping & going to the main Kuta beach! Lots of bargains. We headed back to the resort (we missed it too much) We were in time for the 12noon happy hour (you beauty) & low & behold we met up with Regan Gee from Wesley. He was staying at the same resort with his fiancee Debbie & her daughter Ariana. How is that for a small world? (At that time Debbie was actually shopping) Regan was supposed to be swimming with Ariana; which he did - honest! We just added some pina colada cocktails & some food to the mix. A great afternoon! It was so good to meet up with Regan after nearly 15 years! Feels like it was just yesterday!

For dinner we met up with our new friends from Wairoa/Perth. Jason & Luanna & their 2 kids Dre & Chaya! It was Aussie BBQ buffet night - you beauty! It was super-duper yummy! Matthew, Trinity & Dre were dancing to the 4 piece band that would come & sing at your table. It was so cute. The 4 piece band was the bomb!!!!

Then it was off to bed. Did I mention that we had the BEST bed ever? I wanted to pack it up & bring it to Malaysia! Oh, how I miss it already :-(

Highly recommed Bali for a holiday. Highly recommend the Bali dynasty resort. Tell us if you head that way, we will join you! Photo link below & remember to check the resort website out....

Photos http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023198&id=1081317076&l=b057ff95c3

Matthew's birthday

The day started with hugs with Mum & Dad. Then a couple of pressies from Nan & Grandad.

Don't worry, Matthew was just sucking his belly in, he isn't malnourished!

"Matthew? What would you like for brekky? Ummmm, jam samich & a milo"

Matthew & Trinity's friends, Alex, Seren, Ella, Adlai, Ezra & Gemma came to have morning tea. Cake & cookies. YUM!
It was a Pirate & Dora theme....lots of balloons, lollies (candy & sweets) & lots of new toys from Matthew's friends. Trinity even put her dancing shoes on for awhile.

Thanks to everyone for the pressies & the company. (Alex even got to wag school today)

Last but not least, we love Jarelle. He got to come to Matthew's birthday on the computer. Unfortunately we had a stinky internet line so I couldn't even get a photo of him on the computer. It was really sad because he wanted to be at Matthew's party! Don't worry Jarelle, you can come to Haunty's birthday.

If you want to look at other photos; here's a Facebook link

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022017&id=1081317076&l=277956ef5a

Can't believe our little man is 3. Where does the time go?

Dancing

The Rakena's getting their groove on!

Snow in Tauranga

Got to see some photos of my parents’ new abode. The ‘wharepaki’ according to Jarelle (supposed to be wharepahi – housebus) My parents are living in Papamoa with their campervan & a portacom which is their bedroom (one side) & the other side houses their wardrobe, dryer, computer & freezer. Nice set-up I thought after seeing the photos.

Also got to see the ‘snow’ in Tauranga (actually a hail storm)
It was great to see photos of my dad in my favourite pants. The photos actually reminded me of Kawhia for some reason; it was nice to see Koro & Jarelle together!!!

When I saw my parents’ bedroom I thought “mmm, the bed isn’t made – who was last out of bed this morning” – then remembered “who cares really, my parents are living a relaxing life these days”.
It was nice to see that there is a deck in progress along with many tools & bits & pieces. Wouldn’t be a Jacko Tukua whare without the ‘ornaments’ around the house.

Very new to this

Well I have no idea what I am doing, I need to spend time becoming familiar with blogging I think.

Happy Mother's day to all the mums.