Hanging Out

These are pics of some of the fun had by all just hanging out in Wanganui, playing games, reading, chowing down in the sunshine. I hope Gramma and Grampa had as much fun as we did!

I did catch Grampa reading!


All the sunsets look like this in NZ, every night.

Gramma Martha and Pinecones

For as long as I can remember, my mom has had a fascination with pinecones. Imagine the excitement seeing this tree, having nearly as many pinecones as needles!

Virginia Lake

Near to Lazlo's school is Virginia Lake, a man made lake with both native and introduced birds. It's a pretty spot and fun for the kids, too, so after school the kids get to play there a lot, and this day Gramma Martha and Grampa Paul got to come along too!

A Pukeko
Weird feet!

Movie Night and fush and chups

We have a tradition of "Movie Night" where the kids (and sometimes mom and dad too) watch a movie and have some candy or popcorn. This may have been that night, or it may have been some very patient grandparents watching a camcorder recording of Lazlo's school operetta "Hone the Kiwi". The kids are getting big enough that this is often the only cuddle time we get!

Gramma Martha was a thumb sucker too!

My personal favorite Kiwi tradition, Fish and Chips! Or as the Kiwi's say, "Fush and Chups." It's served with tomato sauce, which is distinctly different than ketchup. I'm a convert on the fish and chips, fried in rendered beef fat, but I'm not 100% behind the tomato sauce, hence the Heinz Ketchup on the table (made in Australia by the same Heinz, and it's very close, but not exactly as I remember real ketchup, must be the Australian dirt)

First Day of Year 2

I didn't get to see the start of Lazlo's first day of Year 2, but everyone else did.

I should put this up on the bathroom mirror to read every morning: "Smile! We will enjoy today"

An after school treat!

Lazlo and Liska both ready for school

Grampa Paul in Lazlo's classroom

Sleep? I don't need sleep!

The girl next to Lazlo is now his best friend. Her name is Tayla (It might be Taylor, but no one says "r" here, which would sound like Taylah). She is Lazlo's year one teachers' daughter, she's a year older than Lazlo, as his class is a mix of 2nd and 3rd year students.

Since they have to wear a uniform, I'm glad he looks good in red.

The Skatepark

One of Lazlo's favorite activities is to ride his bike in the local skatepark, up and down, trying to get air and jump like his fool old man. The main difference between Lazlo and I when riding is I prefer no one be watching, while for Lazlo it's all about having someone watch and praise his skilz. Thanks to the Grandparents, he got a good dose of that!

Gramma Martha and Grampa Paul in New Zealand

In a change from previous posts, this is Brad (not Michelle) writing...
I've been wanting my mom and dad to visit New Zealand since we moved here. After a year and a half of living here, staying longer than we said we would, my dad finally retired from nearly 40 years at GE and he and Gramma Martha had the time to come half way around the world. They wisely wanted to spend time with us in our normal lives and sightsee on their own. For the first part of their visit we stayed around Wanganui, I think the kid's favorite activity was Grampa Paul acting as a wave machine in the pool in our yard. You can't tell from the sunshine, but that water is cold even in the height of summer, thanks for your enthusiasm Grampa Paul!