Christmas

This is going to be our Christmas blog, to take the place of sending Christmas cards. The idea is to try and save paper but also the last few weeks have been totally mad with school ending and various other bits and pieces going on.

The Doneys outside the family home in Eketahuna.
Barry Keith Snr Ada Diane Natalie

Stan Judy Keith Jnr

Last weekend was great with a trip up to the Wairarapa to Eketahuna to attend Stan's dad's 80th birthday. This was the first time that the six Doney children had been together for about 30 years as far as I can gather, so it was quite an auspicious occasion. There were also many grandchildren there as well as 4 great grandchildren too.

Keith's birthday was on Thursday 13th so that was the day that the party was on. We flew to Wellington then went to Titahi Bay to collect Jay and got on the road in our rental car. Had a nice trip with lunch in Carterton followed by a quick peek at Clint and Karen's new place which they have bought there and will be moving to next April. It looks lovely and will potentially be an excellent property for them to be living in.

The birthday celebrations continued over the weekend as everyone gradually left to go back home. It was lovely to see all of the Doneys, and to see them together as a family enjoying each others company. Of course there was lots of liquid cheer, and masses of food. 'Carol' the pig was spit roasted perfectly on a huge fire out by the creek, and went well with Stan's 'Mainland' contribution of koura, kina and tuna.

Stan and I and Jay and Karen stayed for three nights at Brookfields Bed and Breakfast Lodge http://www.brookfieldslodge.co.nz/ in Eketahuna which is run by an English couple, Terry and Corinna Carew. Ever such a nice couple and the B and B is fabulous with great facilities and lovely breakfasts, all for only $100 per night. We thoroughly recommend it, and odd as it may seem, you never know when you might end up spending a night in Eketahuna - a million cars go through there annually evidently and it's a good halfway point between Wellington and several other places.

On our return to Christchurch, we had a visit from Abby, Brett and River for a few days before Christmas. Managed to get a cot from one of the parents from my class so that was a bonus for River who now likes the idea of a cot as a place to spend quite a lot of time.

He is cuter than ever and getting the rolling over trick perfected. Next will be sitting up and then - university I guess!

Last Monday night while Abs, Brett and River were at home, Granny and Jane (who is out from Prescott, Arizona for Christmas and New Year), came to ours for dinner. A lovely time had by all on a very hot night which was after our school picnic at Spencer Park. The day had been fabulous but went to 32* and I had got rather burnt - a poor role model for the children!Wednesday night was another big celebration for my class at school with their graduation dinner and dance. They had been learning the salsa, merengue amd cha cha, as well as a couple of old time things which I had taught them but using modern music. They laughted at the name of the Gay Gordons at first, but after they learned it and the Virginia Reel, these were their favourites. These fit very well with some tracks by Vanessa Mae, Pet Shop Boys, Chieftains, Afro Celt Sound System, Santana and even Suffragette City by David Bowie!! The night was a roaring success with kids and parents up on the floor dancing their socks off! We finished the night at 10pm with the Cha Cha Slide http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nbMLOr0tHU The school hall was rocking!!

The next day was supposed to be a day out to Quail Island with my class but it was raining so we cancelled. Very fortunate as we still had to practise our graduation Mass which was held on Friday. As a result we got to go through it about 3 times during the day and then again on Friday morning briefly, which meant that the whole thing went off very well as usual. Lots of tears from the children - they get pretty emotional at the end of the last week, but I try to keep things fairly busy so they don't dwell on it too much.

This weekend we have started work on our little farm which we finally paid for (thanks Westpac) on Monday after several months of waiting to have the title sorted. We can't quite believe it now and need time just to sit and ponder what to do with it all now! Stan has begun clearing some of the weeds, prunings and dead branches down by the creek and we also planted our first trees. Two feijoas which my class gave to me as a gift - how lovely!

So now holiday time for me, and work as usual for Stan. We will be having a very quiet Christmas with Abby and Brett celebrating theirs in Karamea. Jenna and Zach will be in Chicago with the Muhrers for their last Christmas there for a while. They are coming to live with us on February 25th, looking to make a new start in New Zealand - how fabulous! Next Christmas then will be a biggie with all the Chalmers clan including Clint and Karen we hope, probably with Karen's son Kris, and also Jay and Karen too. Perhaps we could all learn the Gay Gordons and Virginia Reel!!

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. Enjoy your families and friends while relaxing and making some time for yourself. Don't spend heaps on presents - it's not worth it. And anything with too much packaging (if you do buy or receive presents), take the packaging back to the shop it came from. If you have a few extra $$$, go to Oxfam and put some money towards a well, a goat, books for kids....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.
All the best for 2008!