Alexander's first trip to the beach

Not the best day weather wise....still he had a great time

So did I taking these :-)

Well, it is official! For the second year in a row, Kim was the first person up and about on this Christmas morning which has proven my insistance that she is a bigger kid than the kids. Merry Christmas everybody!

The day started off with Alexander dancing to Santa on a motorbike - singing "Santa Claus is coming to town". Another of those cheap $10 toys imported from Indonesia that give kids so much fun. I hope one day the kids understand that there are many people in the world spending their working lives in sweatshop factories for a few dollars a week- just to give us a few minutes fun and enjoyment. It is those people we should be thinking of at Christmas.

Christmas was extra special this year. My parents joined us from the other side of the world for an hour this morning through Skype. They could see the kids unwrapping their presents and I could see the grin on Mums face. Not quite here in the same room, but pretty damn close.

The kids had a ball and Alexander even found my beer while Sarah was unwrapping a present. He is so fast when it comes to a six pack!

Next it was a quick trip to Kim's mums church. Margaret was pleased we went, Alexander behaved and the service went pretty quick. I could not help but think that my brother (a church organist) would have been mortified if he had been there - all those electric guitars and drum kits would have sent him into disbelief.

Back home and it was time to prepare the food for lunch. And what better way to celebrate Christmas in NZ when it is warm, but drizzling rain - than a bbq rump roast. Only cost $40 and we will be eating cold beef sandwiches for the rest of the week.

After lunch it was a family gathering around the TV with Sarah's new PS2 game, "Buzz - The Big Quiz" and what a lot of fun that was, especially when everyone started to gang up on me. But there again, what can you expect when you invite both the ex and the mother in law round for Christmas Day?

Anyhow, it is now 8.15 in the evening and Kim and I are going to sit back and relax ... umm looks like she wants another round of Buzz.

Oh, by the way dad - "Cheers" and thanks for the bottle of "Piddle in the Hole" beer. For those kiwi readers it comes from the Wyre Piddle Brewery and is a very good drop of real ale. I am enjoying it right now .

'Twas the night before Christmas .... and as Alexander blissfully slept, his mum and Sarah were busy stuffing the Christmas stocking(s). I'm not too sure who is the most excited at the moment - Sarah or Kim. Anyhow, Christmas Eve has always been a fun time in our house - even before Alexander was born. Kim is in her element slinking around organising the presents and stocking. I remember how we had to wait for Sarah to fall asleep before we could do anything. Alexander is much easier at the moment - 7pm and he is dead to the world - which means Kim and I can have a little time to ourselves before it all starts again in the morning - at 5am probably!

PS Looking forward to the morning because Mum and Dad are joining us on Skype when the kids get into the presents. Isn't the internet great? The UK is not so far away from NZ at times. Merry Christmas all - Dave B.

Sarah and I took Alexander for a second go at visiting Santa this week, he was dishing out Fredo Frogs much to Alexander's delight this time.
It does look as though Alexander is getting ready for a quick get away don't you think?
Still, I think he was very brave, the little girl before us was sobbing her little heart out.

Merry Christmas

look out for more photos tomorrow :-)

Sleep tight little kiddies

Some family photos taken over November and December 2006.

I took these last night at about 9:10pm, im in my pj's by then usually :-)
Had I have waited another 5 mins the sky turned a deep red....oh well maybe tonight.

Above was taken in April 2005 while we were in the UK.


Im the one who usually takes all the photos so I don't often feature in them unless I take them myself as I did with these (I held the camera with the other hand)

I must make more of an effort to hand the camera over more often.

A year ago today....I took these!!!!!

He never did get his teeth either...well not until he was 7 and a half months old.

Right now as I type he's having a little boggy to Hi5 - he even has this whole leg tappin thing going on.....very cute :-)

For my friend Bernie :-)

(not being a very good when it comes to flowers I think the pink one is a very nice looking weed...lol)

My sister Lesa does these cute pictures using subjects such as our kids etc...... Alexander was 3 and a half months old in this one.

Here is a link to her blog - Under a Mushroom

"Happy 13th Birthday Rah Rah" (sarah)

Sarah had her 13th brithday party last weekend and wanted everyone to dress up, so Alexander went as a pirate.

After a few tears (9 13 year old girls would do that to anyone) he managed to settle into party mode. Even beating his Daddy to the karaoke machine. lol He impressed all the girls with his movin and grovin :-)

He even got in on the present opening action!!!!!!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH FOR the 2nd