Kiwi XMas

Merry Christmas!

We just had our second Xmas in New Zealand this time with a little baby. Leading up to the big day we spent some time at the beach soaking up the beautiful summer sunshine. The sun is really strong due to a battered ozone layer, so be sure to bring your sunscreen!

Tent for baby.

Nice "Posi" at Bethell's Beach

My man wasn't in the best of moods come Christmas time. Mostly because all 8 of his teeth decided to come on in at what seems like the same time. This led to irritable, cranky baby...

You gots to have teef! (you can just see the bottom two in this blurry pic)

Since Kim and I have been together we have never done a proper Christmas at our place. Not because we are Jewish, but we just always traveled to family's place for Christmas. Ella would not have cared anyways.

But THIS year it was time to get the spirit going. I proudly picked up a nice tree and Kim and I decorated it up....not bad for first timers.

Beau doesn't know what it means either. He DOES know how to start off Xmas at 5AM, however...

Ahhhh. Christmas morning. I've always loved it. And of course we were to follow STRICT Stewart family Christmas morning rules:

• Rule# 1 - NO opening gifts on Christmas Eve....you have to learn to wait..."le pause"
• Rule# 2 - We open gifts ONE at a time from youngest to oldest...oldest looking...so I went last.

Mocka truck. Thanks Pa-Pa

• Rule# 3 - Mimosas for Mom and Dad. Go easy on the OJ....

Fortified on Mimosa at 530AM, presents unwrapped...time for a nap...whole family...

Santa brought us some sweet panoramic prints we have been meaning to get done for a while. Two of our favorites below. Bethell's Beach (the big one) and The 12 Apostles (Australia).

Then it was off to friends house for XMas lunch. It was Ham and Lamb all around....delicious.

Mommy needs a refill....

 The rest of the holiday season so far has been spent House Hunting. Our rental is up in February and we are on the lookout for a new spot....the pic below should give you a hint of what we are after...

Kiwi Family Weekend

We got out of the house quite a bit two weekends ago and decided to risk heading to Bethell's Beach with baby and boxer!  The weather was sunny and not bad for a NZ winter day - about 55F.  It had been raining most of the week and we (Ella & Kim) were getting cabin fever in a big way.

It is amazing the amount of prep work that goes into getting the whole family ready to go out - timing the feeding, changing, adults getting to shower... what used to take minutes has moved into the hours timeframe :)

We got to Bethell's about mid-day on Saturday and the sun was still out, but the wind was whipping the west coast beaches.  Lee strapped Beau into the Baby Bjorn (first test run) and we headed out all bundled up.

wearable baby

beau bjorn

Unfortunately, the wind was a bit much for Beau and Lee headed back to the truck for a light snack while Li'l Ella and I played frisbee on the beach....

lunchtime

li'l ella... wind in her hair :)

The adults needed to eat, so we went to Kohu Road Cafe for a quick bite.  This is a very cool cafe - reminiscent of Atlanta coffee shops.  They also do their own ice cream here - all natural and so amazing.  

kohu road cafe - yummy ice cream!

This was a big day out for the fam.  A bit of traveling, getting in and out at lots of stops, some exercise for everyone....  Came home and had some tummy time and lazed around for the afternoon.

tummy time - getting stronger

tummy time for ella too!

All in all a very successful day.  Lots of "firsts" and trials.  Things are going well here in New Zealand.   Different, but great!

beau's first shower

sleepy time

Free at last... free at last...

Li'l Ella's day of freedom as a kiwi dog is finally here!  We went to pick her up today in the Chancellor from Pethaven Quarantine in Mangatawhiri about an hour south of Auckland.  Robyn and her staff at Pethaven made Ella feel as welcome as they could during her quarantine stay.  We went to see her several times during the 10 days of quarantine and she had handled her time there pretty well.  They gave her a double run kennel with lots of room and sunshine to stretch her legs.

pethaven quarantine

Unfortunately, today's weather is not cooperating with our plans, but we are undeterred!  Bethell's Beach is doggie heaven.  It's a west coast beach with dog off-leash rules for them to play in the Tasman Sea or in the river that flows down onto the beach.  It's about 16 degree C with 25-30mph winds and driving rain but by gosh we are going to the beach!!!  Those of you that know Ella realize the amount of energy she has to burn after 2 weeks of kenneling!

ears flapping in the wind at bethell's beach- freedom!