Hamilton and Back

While Kyle was at the temple with the youth, the kids and I visited the Hamilton Botanic Gardens.  They were beautiful.  Although since it was fall, there were not a lot of flowers, it was green and beautiful.  The kids did a scavenger hunt type of things that kept them going through all the different types of gardens and there was a play ground at the end.  It was a fun morning.

On our way home from Hamilton we stopped twice.  Once to walk to Tawhai Falls in Tongariro National Park.  It was a great break in a long drive.  Bonus the weather was beautiful and allowed us to walk without jackets and see a gorgeous falls.

 Our second stop was at a super fun playground in Levin.  I think the kids would have stayed for hours if it was not getting dark and beginning to rain.

April Fun

Other than the temple trip, we spent the majority of the kids 2 week school holidays at home.  Here are some of the adventures we had.

 Easter is a big holiday here in New Zealand.  Everyone gets good Friday and Easter Sunday off and most stores are closed including grocery stores.  Many visit families and it is a bit like Thanksgiving.  We decided to have our own Thanksgiving type meal as a family.  It was fun.

  When the weather cooperated we did get out and hike to a waterfall just up the road from us.  The kids all complained when we left, but they all enjoyed themselves once we were there.

 Milla, Wendy's friend came for a play-date.  The girls all did make-up.  When the older two girls left, to prepare for the fashion show, Sabrina continued to put on the make-up what a beautiful face.  

Eric is showing off the bread ball he made.  Squishing bread can sure be fun.

 I got my hair cut short again this month.  I also dyed it a dark reddish brown with blond highlights.

Kyle always has kids climbing on him after scriptures, he is a good daddy.

I love to see the Temple

Kyle had a scheduled temple trip with the Youth over the school holidays, so we drove up as well.  We were able to stay in the housing on the temple grounds which was amazing.  Since it was our Stakes Temple Week, many members of our ward were also temple workers.  It was fun to see familiar faces and feel unified.  The temple is a great place to be.