Christmas 08

This Christmas we went to my brother in Ashburton, a first for us. Most years we spend it with Dave's mum but a change is as good as a holiday. So we had a early Christmas at home, we opened our presents thus we wouldn't have to take them on the trip. Stacey came over and we had a Christmas dinner with roast chicken etc... Nicholas had a great time opening his presents as well as Kate's. As predicted Nicholas liked Kate's toy and Kate liked the paper and the box. Dave and I generally have a competition of who gives each other the most and this year Dave won hands down (damn). When I looked under the tree there was only two presents so I got three but when it came to opening the present he had wrapped three presents in each of the two parcels that were under the tree I was tricked BIG TIME. We had a good time then it was off to bed early so we could get away on Christmas Eve. Alas Dave had to go for his run which took 3 hours grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr so leaving before 10am ended up being 2pm. We stopped off in Oamaru to Dave's mum and did presents with her and Gordon. WOW grandma did really well with gifts this year especially for Dave she knitted him a vest and it fitted (Dave's mum generally wings it and guesses the size of things and for Dave it always too small). Then it was off to Ashburton stopping briefly to drop off Big Ben's presents. We arrived at Pete's house about 7pm and when drove up the drive there sitting on the lawn was a bouncy castle Nicholas's eyes were half asleep before hand but now were fully bulging out and before we could say you can get out he was gone. Kate travelled very well good baby!!!

I was at two minds whether or not we should go to Pete's for Christmas Day because my family has such huge dynamics and Dave and I are the only ones who don't drink or smoke. Most family gatherings end in disaster i.e fighting, crying, abusive, especially after too many drinks. However we were here now and I could only make the best of the situation and pray to heavenly father for peace and calmness. Christmas morning was awesome watching Nicholas and Cory open their presents. Nicholas was so excited because he got a Kevin Levin car. Meanwhile in the kitchen it was buzzing with guest arriving 11 adults and 7 children to cater for all hands were on deck. Cheri and I had it under control and it all went really smooth. Once the wine and beers started to flow I was really nervous but alas not one fight or smart remark or nothing it was an anti climax (what a relief). Cheri said its the first time ever and my mum went home sobber amazing. Surely our presents couldn't have that much affect??? Cheri said it did. I really enjoyed Christmas and we shall go back next year for Christmas

Pulling Strings

As branch chorister I get to choose the hymns we will sing every Sunday its great fun. At conference Sherry asked me if we could sing 212 Far Far Away on Judeas Plain. I told her that was the plan and that I generally start the Christmas Programme with that song. During the week President Lydiate rang and told me that we wouldn't be doing the Christsmas programme until 21st. All I could think of was Sherry especially it was their last Sunday with us before the head back home to the USA. All week I was trying to find away to slot the hymn in without anyone noticing but on Saturday I text the hymns that did not include 212. On Sunday I got to church and explained to Sherry the dilema and that I was so sorry. I then noticed the hymn board had not changed from the morning session so I quickly started changing the numbers and I felt really bad that I couldn't do that hymn for Sherry so I plucked up some courage and explained to the President that Sherry and Eric were leaving us and that 212 was Sherry's hymn could we please do it today (crossing all fingers and toes) he said sure make it the closing hymn YES (I said inside). Sometime pulling strings does work YEAH! So here's to Sherry and Eric awesome couple and will miss them heaps. Lucky for blogging I shall be able to keep in contact with them and still enjoy her entertaining stories and photos.

Life at the Finnie's

Its 19 days til Christmas where has the year gone. Well life at the Finnie's has been rather hectic and stressful. Last week Dave saw a section in Mornington for sale. It was on a slope however the section itself was flat and Dave felt he could build on it. We were both really excited and like Dave and I we rushed in and put a offer on it 60,000 which was rejected but 68,000 later it was accepted they had it on the market for 79,000 so it was a good purchase. Dave immediately started to draw up plans a two storey pole house. However when Dave started estimating the cost and then we got an agent around to value our house the figures were not adding up well for us. Furthermore dave found out the road down to the section was a private and that would require us to have a keyhole driveway as you cannot back out onto a private road. It also mean't that we would be responsible for the maintenance of the road, Dave could just see lots of $$$$$$$ so we decided to pull out of the contract. Although I was a little sad about it I know the most important thing to me is a stressed free husband. The good news is hopefully in the near future the old kitchen will go and a new one installed. I'll enjoy designing it myself. School is nearly over for Nicholas and they are practicing for the concert which is next week I'm looking forward to that. I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to the school holidays as this will be the first time I will have Nicholas at home with me the whole time. When he was at Montessori they only closed for two weeks and then the kids all went back and that was long enough for me and for Nicholas. School holidays run for about 6 weeks Yipes what will we do??? Kate has started walking around the furniture and enjoys moving around crawling eveywhere and attempting to climb the stairs. Stacey has decided to go flatting for a month I wouldn't mind or worry so much if she was flatting with other LDS but she's not and from what she tells me its party party party life I'm not happy about it and will worry heaps but I know I have to let her go sometime to stand on her own two feet. Last week was conference and I missed most of it but the concert was great and had a good time Sunday was wonderful and the choir sang beautiful thanks to our awesome chorister. Last night we had Dave's works dinner at the musem it was lovely setting the meal was great (its free). Then its off to work and I'm doing 4 nights this week I must remember never to say yes to things unless I check it out first. I was brave and went to see the dentist last week (haven't been for 3 years) he was pleased with my hygiene I had one new filling and he wants to replace 3 old ones $600 worth. I wish we could find cheap fillings online. Well we are heading to Ashvegas for Xmas with my brother should be good and then the last week in January we are heading up to Glendhu Bay for our first ever camping trip now that will be interesting watch the space for the post. Hope everyone has a great Christmas break and remember what Christmas is truly about