Frans early walks

Fran regularly gets up at 5.30 and goes for a walk with Vikki, the views look good. Evelyn will be pleased that is using the sewing machine again, the boys loved each if their cushions.

Easter Holidays

Back on Blogger on my mobile, awesome. Had to increase my data with Google at $5 a year, can't complain. Anyway, the boys have been doing swimming lessons with almost one to one support, amazing but they find it hard work.

Our house is so close to being finished but still not quite there. However, we are now using the whole house do it sort of feels finished?!

Al on the beach is at Fergueson Park where he did his 5km run in Tauranga. Very impressed he ran it all.

The beach by the mount is stunning.

Playing in the waves

After the 5km run the boys wanted to cool off in the sea as it was so hot.  They didn't expect to find huge surf and even Ollie thought about it as he was not initially interested.  The boys were in the water for at least an hour running in and out of the water, in fact the water caught them a couple of times and threw them into the air.  Alex emptied a kg of stones and shells from his togs afterwards!

5km in Tauranga

I was supposed to run the half-marathon but was unfortunately injured, in fact I have been injured for the last 3 weeks so not happy.  However, the boys ran the 5km with Fran and I was impressed with their efforts.  Alex and Blake pretty much ran the whole thing, and I missed their finish as they came in early.  Tom also ran the whole thing although Ollie struggled a little but that maybe down to his breathing issues a few nights before.

Te Puna bach

We stayed at a bach in Te Puna which is about 10-15 mins outside from Tauranga.  The bach was beautifully kept on the outside but could have done with a little bit of upgrading on the inside.  However, the owner left us some awesome kayaks and the beach was 300m away so of we went.  It was incredibly shallow for quite a distance hence Tom and Marin were collecting seaweed which seemed like miles away.  Importantly it was perfect for everyone to have some fun and practice kayaking.  They all had a go and Alex particularly enjoyed disappearing into the distance to have an adventure!

Mount Maunganui

After a very late night with Oli, he had breathing difficulties and ended up in A&E.  They were fantastic and it took a couple of hours but he was calmed down and able to sleep the rest of the night.  Fortunately, Andrew and Vikki were at the bach so we could go otherwise it could have been a nightmare. The following day was gorgeous which meant it was a bit of a sweaty walk to the summit of the mount but the views around the mount were incredible.  The boys were great, they played and chatted with Marin and Blake the whole way.

McLaren Falls pt2

After walking around the lake we bravely walked to the falls, the boys were starting to get a little agitated. But a few lollies later we were heading to the falls itself.  Five minutes into the walk the boys were blown away by the surroundings, it felt like being in 'Jurrasic Park' and the falls, although small, were very picturesque sitting amongst the growth.  The boys enjoyed playing on the bridge for a bit but I sensed that they enjoyed the hot chocolate the most once we returned back to Scott and Emma's house. Incidentally, Scott and Emma are selling their four bedroom house with swimming pool for $550,000, not bad eh?

McClaren Falls

The great thing about staying with friends is that they know about great locations and things to do.  Emma took us to McClaren Falls and lake which was beautiful.  The boys were quite happy to walk around the lake and explore all possible holes in old trees, they had a ball.  The weather was fantastic which helped.  I was particularly impressed with how they played with Millie and Charlie, Charlie particularly enjoyed having the boys around!

First night in Tauranga 2012

After a four hour car journey we thought it best that they release some energy running over the beach before we visit our friends Scott and Emma.  It was about five oclock and perfect to chill and mess about for awhile, the boys are really into drawing pictures and couldn't help themselves on the sand.  Oli was my favourite for obvious reasons, good lad.  The boys are such awesome travellers, they never fuss although the ipad and DS's help!

The walk back

...the play area!  Alex and Blake took Tua the dog for an adventure around the beach.  We had a quick afternoon tea, in fact the children ate all of it in seconds.  Alex asked to take Tui for a walk and ended up going on a run!  It was hilarious watching Alex sprinting for his life.  On our journey back the boys found sticks which meant lots of prodding the streams etc in hope of finding something, they didn't.