A Day at the Mount!

Peyton loves her grandad she just couldn't get enough of him. 

Syd was our little kiwi girl.  She had so much fun at the beaches and LOVED boogie boarding.

After a long hard day at the beach we went and relaxed in the hot mineral pools.  The best part of the day was seeing our long lost friend Pup Smith and his beautiful new wife Lynda.  It was so fun to spend the day with them and to see Pup so happy.

Christmas Morning 2011

Yes, there is a stocking for every member of the Ramsden family, either hanging on the line or along the fence.   I couldn't believe it!  The kids...and adults had so much fun opening their bags and seeing all of the treasures inside.  It was such a beautiful morning, we had a lovely breakfast and sat out on the back porch and talked and laughed with family.  It was perfect.

My sweet little elf!

There were so many presents for each person that mum Ramsden got everyone a pillowcase and most were stuffed completely full. 

Coromandel

What more can I say the photos tell it all!  We had so much fun in Coromandel.  The most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.  Crystal clear turquois water, and the beautiful white sand. 

When the tide was out we went exploring.  We found a few star fish, some pipi's and tons of seashells.  It was so fun to wade through the shallow water and explore.

Cathedral Cove.....what an amazing place.  After a 40 min walk through the most beautiful bush we descended down about 50 very steep stairs and found ourselves at Catherdral Cove.  The girls were so excited to be at one of the many places that the movie Narnia was filmed. 

Nothing like a sandy sandwich at the beach!

Peyton and Sydney had so much fun playing in the water and sand.

Hot water beach is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. When the tide goes out you can dig holes in the sand and they fill with hot underground spring water.  I am sure it looks a little weird with about a hundred people staking their claim, digging and then marinating in the soothing hot water.  But it is a once in a lifetime experience and we had so much fun sharing it with all of our family.

World Famous in New Zealand.  L&P. 

Black Water Rafting at Waitomo Caves

Scott, Haylee, Jaxon (our nephew), and I went black water rafting to see the glow worms, I have to admit I was a little nervous at times knowing we were in a cave, but it was so much fun, and the glow worms are alway cool to see.....P.S. arent the wetsuits sexy?!

Auntie Jodi has cute little Bantum chickens, Peanut has spent so much time chasing them all over her yard.

Cape Palliser

 So we took one of the most beautiful drives on Sunday to Cape Palliser.  After about an hour and a half of a few twists and turns and some beautiful country side we ended up at this beautiful (working) lighthouse.  I can't remember the exact count but there were over 200 hundred stairs to the top.  My calves told the tale the next day...they were soooo sore!  Despite the chill in the air, the rocky beaches were breathtaking the lighthouse was amazing and the climb was so worth it!

 Watching Scott climb up the stairs with Peyton made me so nervous!  One false move and they would have been toast!

Nobody ever told me how horrible seals smell!!! But its true they are so nasty smelling!  But the babies were so cute.

Off to Welllington

From Hastings we drove the rest of the way to the southern tip of the North Island.  Wellington is a beautiful, windy city.  The best part of the trip was seeing Scott's sister Maree's family.  Sydney and Bella are two peas in a pod and have so much fun together. 

We went to Weta Studio's, home to movies like The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Kong, and Avatar.  Peyton wasn't so sure about Gollum.  And Sydney hated those men in the photo below.  Sorry can't remember their names so feel free to let me know so I can post it.  All I know is that they are from Lord of the Rings.

Did I mention it rained almost the whole time we were there?  Considering we were expecting summer and didn't bring really any cold weather clothes we were a little chilly!

Napier and Hastings

On of the girls favorite Maori stories is Pania.  So we had tot get our photo next to her statue in Napier.

if you want to hear the story here is a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pania

After that we went to visit Uncle Charlton and got icecream at Nana Ramsden's favorite place.  Rush Munroe's. 

Huka Falls

After our trip to Rotorua we drove to Taupo and swam in the hot pools and stayed the night there.  And to our pleasant surprise the sun was shining when we woke up.  So we drove to Huka Falls, the water is the prettiest blue color and looks like churning sugar as it goes down the falls.  Which is how is got its name because Huka in Maori means sugar.

After we arrived in New Zealand we were off and running!  We started with a road trip to Rotorua to Rainbow Springs.  Oh ya and it was pouring!!!!

 The Ramsdens are major tree huggers.

If you look closely you can see the fish!  What I wouldn't give for a fishing pole right now!   Yum, yummy!  Peyton just wanted to swim.

 Did I mention it was raining?!

Then we were off to the Agrodome.  To see New Zealand agriculture at its very best.

Syd got to milk a cow.

They had so much fun feeding the baby lambs.

Peyton just wanted to hug and snuggle them.

I have a photo of Haylee sitting on this exact same bird when she was 3. 

 We had so much fun see all of the Native New Zealand birds.  This is a Morepork.  Um...did I say it was raining?

All raining aside, we had so much fun in Rotorua we even got to see a real live baby kiwi bird!

International Ramsden's Christmas Vacation

Seven months after purchasing tickets we were so excited to finally go on our trip down under.   So....after more than 20 hours in airports and on airplanes we finally touched down in beautiful, WARM Brisbane Australia.  Uncle Brent, Uncle George and Bailee met us at the airport to wisk us away on our Australian adventure. 

After we dropped off our luggage we went to the beach and to a little wading pool with the kids to unwind and relax.  But were quickly chased away by a big dark rain cloud (which was to be only the first of MANY rain storm on our trip)

After dinner that night Uncle George got out his guitar and we all sang Christmas songs together.

Fun with new cousins!

The next day we Corrumbine Animal Sanctuary.  Peytons favorite part was riding the train.  Mom's least favorite part was being pooped on by a nasty little bird, which they say is good luck.  But else would you say to make something like that a good thing!

 We got to see lots of Kangaroos and Peyton love petting them and seeing their little Joeys in the pouches.

 Sydney got to hold snakes and a baby crocodile. 

Haylee got to hold a reall Koala, which she said was very stinky.

 Scott got a free mannie and peddie. Courtesy of his niece Courtney.

On our last day in Aussie we went to Courtny's house and swam in her backyard pool.  The girls had so much fun swimming and listening to the Kookabura's laughing in the trees.  Although our trip in Aussie was short we had so much fun seeing our family and getting to spend some time with them.