Lajla Holland

Isn't she cute, it's Eddy and me, before we left Holland I had just turned 7, who would have thought then of my families hard coming up journey.

This was my best friend in Holland, I can remember loving being with her, she lived across the road from my Oma, my Dad's Mum. Not long after this photo she was crushed against the tree behind us by a tank.
In the background is an Army base. I can remember hearing many a tank, you have to remember that it was not long after the 2nd World War and there was still a lot of activity.

This is my beautiful Mum and Dad when they were engaged in 1941

at Kings Park

family bus trip

Yes it's me about to drive the bus to Kings Park, except it was just a wish, a dangerous one if I was behind the wheel !!!! but we did go to Kings Park last Monday afternoon and Tony drove. He had been driving the bus all weekend for a youth Convention, he didn't need to take the bus back till Tuesday, so we rang around and had most of the family come over and off we went to the Park....... we sang and laughed, Naomi and luke entertained us through the microphone as well as the little ones sang us songs...it was a fun afternoon. Then back to Grandma and Papa's house for fish and chips.

could be better English hey!!!!!!

When I re-read my blog I realize and see some spelling mistakes,  like room instead of roam for the pigs... more ,,,,, etc...... I just need to check before I publish....sorry

The banana tree

These are the new leaves on our banana tree...the tree had to come down, Ady who is ever midnful said " Grandma I feel sad for the tree" I then had to think twice about breaking the branches as I started to feel a little sad also, but that lasted about a minute and down it came, not really the right weather here for it.

Holder Family

Naomi and Luke This is the last of our kids but not the least, we think they are the most gorgeous couple

Couldn't resist this one ....last Christmas

We hired a bouncing castle for Easter...the kids just loved it...I thought I would have ago also but got stuck in the exit hole....oh my gosh I felt so embarrassed .... I laughed that much...that you know what!!!!!! everytime I moved backwards to get out, my clothes just stayed put.....I had to get everyone to look away so I could exit with some dignity, fall on the ground and quickly pull up my pants.
Naomi and Sione were the biggest kids......bouncing so hard that the little ones flew everywhere...below is THE MAN...the most charming little person anyone could meet Manly is his name....

Uiha Tonga

This is the only shop on the island and probably my store cupboard holds more food

Pigs room everywhere and here is one cooked, it is a much loved food, but not for me.

sorry this the front

SS NAOMI

The above is the front and the bottom is the back of the little boat, Sione's Father is the one with the red shirt...wonderful humble hard working man, much like his son......everything they need or use is taken by boat to the island......petrol is over $2 a litre, so not many trips are made. Life there can be very hard.

Tongan wedding reception

Most of us travelled to Tonga to see Nicolette and Sione get married in the Temple on the main Island, we then flew to the Haipai Islands, then a 40 minute trip in a little boat that was called the "SS LAJLA" Now it's the "SS NAOMI", thank goodness, I was honored, but happy to hand over the title. I'll see if I can find a photo of it. Anyway the island is only 4 miles by 3 miles (sorry I can't give you the k's) and yet it has two modern Chapels on it.
The people that live their are just wonderful they have so little but would give you all they have. The residents gave Nic and Sione a wedding reception, that Tony says was the best wedding reception he has ever been to.
Part of there tradition is to put these lolly made leis around their necks...Nic said she was stiffling hot!!!!!! Nic and Sione then gave out these leis to every child there.

Leo

If you put one member of our family in the Blog I must do all of them and we are nearly there. This is our second son Leo or Lee as he is often called.
His an independant man, with an enormous heart.

Kyros Family

Jordan 2nd from left, Grandma's champion he has pretty well travelled the world with his Ice Hockey. His off again on the 1st of Dec for another 4 month stint in Finland, happy for him sad for us as he won't be here for another Christmas

Jazzy and her cousin Jord

Hello you've reached the J'S is the message you get when you ring. Above is our most magnificent Father to his two boys and our oldest, Jack, Jordan and Joshua his brother, there is nothing this little man can't do.

Nicolette and Sione

Punaivaha family

Walking around the block the TONGAN way, Nicolette, Sione and their family live next door so we get to see them often. Lucky Us
I have no idea why they used the wheelborrow as they do have a couple of prams.... every now and then we do see a few things that are differant but delightful.

Madame Pamela's

The girls and I had a special weekend we hired a cottage for the night and surprised the girls with a special make over from Madame Pamela's Parlour, as you can see we all look really beautiful.....it was done with my Christian Dior make up for the special affects.
Naomi and I were the Drivers of the limousine and took the girls to an undisclosed place for the weekend. This was for Katie, Nicolette and Rebecca's Birthday. All throughout the year we celebrated each of our children's birthday's in a unique and surprising (to them) way this was just one of them.
Another one comes to mind it was Vanessa's turn, we set up a large table out the front on the footpath, we all sat out there for a three course meal it brought many a smile to passer's by. For Leo we did an obstacle course, that was a heap of fun for him and us.
Naomi we all went to a park and had a sport day and picnic .......can't remember what we did for Jack.
I believe in a Family that Pray together stays together, but I also believe in a family who laughs together, and create memories together keeps them tied to one another in love.

Winter Family

Lucky I had my camera ready as I caught this lovely picture of Rhys helping his brother Caleb.

Our oldest gorgeous daughter Katy, her good looking husband Court Jazmin, Rhys and Caleb.