January

January was filled with beach and pool expeditions and lots of time with friends.(Why Blogger has decided my text needs to be underlined is beyond me...)

Iris in the cool duck-shaped pool at the Marine Gardens in Raumati.
Jacob came nd stayed overnight with us while his parents made a lightning trip up to Napier. Phoebe enjoyed having an extra playmate around the next morning.
Here's our little petrol head - Phoebe LOVES going in the car and cries "CAR" pitieously at the door if one of us goes out without her. If we let her, this is where she'd sit.
At the Tawa pool for Thomas' 5th birthday party. Iris and Phoebe spent the whole time going UP and DOWN this slide. Neither of them was particularly impressed when we dragged them home.
At the beach with Ruthie, Gareth and Jacob.

We continued our regular Friday play group over the Christmas/New Year break by having it at our houses, instead of our regular venue of Ngati Toa School. This particular day was a scorcher and we spent all morning on our deck (mums and cups of tea) or back yard (kids and lots of energy).
This photo was taken moments before Olivia (in the hat) decided to get off while the seing was still moving. Result: broken arm and dinosaur cast for several weeks!
Feeding the ducks at Aotea Lagoon with Amanda and Devon.

Happy Christmas, Merry New Year!

A random selection of pics from Christmas...seems like a lifetime ago!

Chilling in the sun with Iris, Phoebe and Finn when we had a quick pre-Christmas catch up with Giles, Nicola, James, Finlay and Rose. Giles' mum's Christmas cake was delish.



Scott, Haidee and Gabriella came round a few days before Christmas and the kids all exchanged gifts. Here, Iris explains to Gabi how the "Ivan phone" works.
Iris and Phoebe try out their present from Gabi while Gran marg looks on.

What we left out for Santa and Rudolph...

Stocking time!
Phoebe found the chocolates in her stocking pretty quickly...Brunch at Granmarg's house...

A little monster takes a break...


This amazing summer ensemble consists of a police hat, pyjama top, fairy wings, fairy skirt , a tiger puppet and a hippo puppet, pulled together by a cheeky grin!

It's a...

...busy time for us. We've had Christmas shopping to do, Santa to visit, visits to the beach to be made and time in the sun to be had (although the sun has temporarily disappeared - Iris looks on the bright side: rain=gumboots).4 Campbell girls at the bay.

Cheesy soft focus shot (actually courtesy of Phoebe's fingerprint over the camera lens) of the decorating of the ENORMOUS;) Christmas tree.

Iris and Phoebe's favourite past-time (and favourite storyteller)

We went to Kate's house for her birthday brunch and the girls LOVED the 10(!!!) puppies currently resident there.

Phoebe is a voracious reader...

Iris sleeping, with a whole roll of nappy liners behind her and wipes hanging from the top bunk. What you can't see is that she'd also taken off the nappy she was wearing for her nap. No more nappies for this girl! She only wants to wear "big girl knickers".

Enjoying the sun and the water view from the rose garden.

Cats need hats too, you know.

Campbell child #3 update: we went for a scan yesterday and were pleased to find that all looks good with the in utero Campbell child. Heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach, bladder, spine etc all appear as they should and the baby is right on target for size. We've had lots of people ask if we're "going to find out". To put you out of your misery, yes, we did find out and it's a....



(drum roll please)





...nother GIRL!!!! Iris would like to name her Dorothy the Dinosuar. Phoebe seems a bit bemused by it all and just pats mum's tummy and says "baby!" Mum and Dad are thrilled to bits she's healthy and can't wait to meet her.