Grandma Cassie's Visit

We've had a spring and summer full of visitors. First Erin and Ethan, then Dad and Fran, and for our third and final pickup at the airport....Grandma Cassie! Luca had been looking forward to her visit, and I couldn't wait to show her how much Wyatt had grown. Actually, how much they had both grown.

I took a week off work, and we hung out around Palmy - swimming in rivers, going for picnics, farm animal visits, shopping, and the local Super Seven's (7km walk/runs). Grandma Cassie expierenced our busy lives, and also how exhausting the two boys can be. The second week I had to work, but Grandma Cassie got to spend time with the boys and also help us out on our massive landscaping project (more about that in later posts). Thanks for your help, mom!

I think my Mom had these grand plans of taking me shopping. Heaven knows I need some new clothes. I haven't gone shopping in ages. I've been trying to avoid the mall because it just depressed me to see all the pretty clothes and feel like we couldn't afford anything...plus there's that little thing called baby weight, which doesn't make shopping fun anymore.

Okay so mom wants to take me shopping with both boys. She says - "it'll be fun, and we can both watch them - how bad can it be?" I think are you completly out of your mind...that's anything but fun and after a few days with us, I think she might just feel the same way. Alas - James watched the boys while we took advantage of Thursday night late night shopping where (drumroll please....) the shops stay open till 8pm! Yeah, pathetic one night of the week ...We had 2.5 hours and Christmas money from the States to spend. And you know what...I just couldn't find much that I liked. Wierd - when I'm forced to go shopping it just doesn't work. I did, however, come home with two pairs of badly needed shoes, so it was semi successful.Sorry I'm too lazy to go back and rotate this picture..enjoying a summer picnic

We showed Grandma our favourite new camping/swimming spot.

Of the four times that my mom has been to NZ she had never been to the Hawkes Bay wine region, so off we went. The weather was HOT. SO HOT (but I'm not complaining!) and we visited some wineries (tried and true) and also new. Here we are enjoying a lunch at Clearview - one of my favourites because it's very laid back and family friendly.

Dinner in Napier

Naturally because it was so hot, Luca struggled to go to bed. We discovered him 'watching' TV from down the hall. We put the only fan in the small holiday home in his room. When he finally did go to sleep (at about 9:30pm) I went in to check on him. He had taken his diaper off, and flung it on the ground next to his bed. He was sprawled out on the bed naked, with the fan pointed directly at his balls. It was the funniest thing, and I was tempted to take a photo...boys!? ahhhh....

Wyatt showing Grandma where all the fishing boats are
Looking at more boats. Luca's got this thing for boats now. Fishing boats, cruise ship boats, cargo boats....

On the rowboat looking for sunken pirate ships before the lights came on. Wyatt actually sat still the entire boatride.

We went from coast to coast, and also took an overnight trip to New Plymouth to visit the Festival of Lights - something which I've been meaning go to for a few years now. We had a sweet 'family room' style hotel within walking distance of the park. The park was lit up at night with all kinds of coloured lights and special exhibits, and there were free concerts and activities going on. The boys loved it, and they both managed to stay awake until about 10pm!

walking to the festival from our hotel room, wine in tow

Exploring Wanganui enroute to New Plymouth. Wanganui has this cool elevator built into the hillside as an old fashioned method of transportation - to get to the elevator, you gotta walk through this very long tunnel. At the top of the elevator you can climb to the top of the war memorial (which looks like a giant tower). Luca thought this was pretty sweet.

Oma and Grandma Cassie with Wyatt

Celebrating James' Birthday. We had a small party for him after work. Mom babysat the kids so we could go out to a movie - it had been a long time since we'd seen a movie together. Maybe a year?

Mom got to participate in two of the Super Seven 7km runs while she was here. She pushed the boys in the double buggy with the walkers while James and I ran (and I got some of my best times ever...also made me feel really sick...but still....best time ever! yay!!!). I think Mom enjoyed the walks. She also got to witness me do a triatholon, while James went for a training run. I can't even tell you how nice it was to have an extra pair of hands to help out with the boys.

Unfortunatly all good things must come to and end, and we had to sadly say goodbye at the airport. I think next time we go to the airport - it needs to be US on the plane. Luca agrees.