Saturday, January 02, 2010

Camping


We left boxing day and returned on new years spending that time camping on the family farm at the Kaimai's. The weather started out great, turned to custard for a few days then redeemed itself with a couple perfect one's. We had family and friends there with us, and usually we settle ourselves in the shed that is there, but this time decided tents were the way to go. However with the very strong winds we had that turned into a not so wonderful idea, with our master poles eventually snapping so we moved into the on-site caravan. It was surprisingly colder in the caravan than in the tents, but with a few extra blankets it worked out fine.
Emerson received a 70cc two-wheel motorbike for Christmas, so she got to spend lots of time mastering that, and Leah is a whizz on the 50cc quad we've had for a while now. Ammon has a great love for motorbikes already, running like mad when he heard one start up, and crying if it left without him on it. He can already control the accelerator on the quad and I'm sure he'll be riding independantly before he is 3. He just loves it. Thanks heaps to JC for sending the shark helmet down, it fits Ammon perfectly and was exactly what he needed. He knows he has to wear a helmet on the bikes, but usually won't take it off even when he's done. If there is no one out riding, he'll just go climb on the bikes anyway and make his bike noises and pretend he's riding. Nate is really glad he likes motorbikes, but in a way I think he should have been careful what he wished for as Nate gets tired of riding before Ammon does!
We also went to the beach (too windy to really enjoy) at the Mount, swimming in the waterhole, possum hunting (yes we caught one and watched it be killed and skinned, the kids were fascinated!), had marshmallows round the bonfire, played lots of games, rode lots of bikes, had a trailer ride to the back of the farm, ate far too much and brought home a ton of washing. It was a good week. Even though the weather wasn't great the whole time, at least we weren't at home where there always seems to be chores that need doing. We're all a little sunburnt somewhere but happy to be home.
I'll post some pics as soon as I find my camera!

4 comments:

Jacinda said...

Wow you guys certainly managed to pack a lot of fun into your camping trip. Brooke tells me she had a great time - thanks for having her. Our camping trip starts on Monday. We put the new tent up in the backyard today just to make sure we could, and to make sure all the parts were there. Looks good actually. Betcha it won't fit back into the carry bag it came in though. LOL. Church starts 9am tomorrow which is a good time for us. Does Leah want to come up and stay for a few nights before Brooke comes down for Emmy's party? Then a day or two after the party Emmy could come back up with Brooke. Have a think about it and let me know.

jf said...

Yeah that would work good I think. Leah could come on the Saturday and stay till Monday (if that's when Brooke is coming down?). Brooke can stay at our house that night if she wants, birthday tuesday. When she goes back, Em can come.

mum said...

It's great that you can go home feeling like you've had a really good holiday, even though the weather tried to spoil it.
Is Ammon having motorbike withdrawal symptoms?

Jacinda said...

OK, I'll put Leah on my calendar for the 16th & 17th. If Brooke can then stay 2 nights with you, then we'll have Emmy for the 2 nights following. Or 3 or whatever.