Well - Happy Christmas to everyone. We have had a very hot and happy christmas. Just a few snap shots to show you what we have been up to during the christmas holidays.

Xmas day was spent having a bbq with some friends, drinking wine and chilling in the garden, we then went down to the beach and met up with several other families. The kids had a great time in and out of the sea.

Boxing day was a lot warmer than xmas day so we spent the whole day on the beach. Jess and her friends had fun on the body board. The boys were out on a little boat and then trying to dig their way to england on the beach.

We braved the very very cold sea for a swim. I have never had a swim in the sea so I decided this would be the first time. I wish I had waited for the sea to warm up a little more so I could breath whilst swimming.

The boys decided to gate crash Christine and Adam's picnic after they had demolished ours!

We have also been to a wedding blessing, Martin's boss Ian married his partner Liz in Turkey a few months ago and had the marriage blessed in their garden. It was a really lovely evening.

Jess always has to befriend the bride.

 Martin is now off for 3 weeks so we are going to chill out a bit and have a look around some of the local areas.
We will keep you all up to date. Have a lovely christmas everyone and All the best for the new year.
love the millards
xxx

Well ... how proud are we. Each teacher picks 4 pupils to get an end of year award.

Jess was picked for Achievement in Reading and Writing.

And Joe was picked for Outstanding Achievement in Year 6 Mathematics.

The 3 of them got excellent school reports so we are all happy. Next years classes have been picked Jess will go up to the 'bossy teacher' and be a year 3. Sam and Joe will be year 7, Sam will stay with Mr Hall as he teaches year 6 & 7's and Joe will go up to Mrs Knell who teaches year 7 & 8. All of them get to be with their friends so they are happy about it. We are pleased as there will be a door between Sam and Joe for 6 hours per day, so lets hope this helps them to get on better.

After the presentations we all went up to school to have a picnic on the field. It was lovely G&t's all round and plenty of laughs. Sam and his friends were in the pool whilst the others were playing in the 'natives' - a big bush area at the bottom of the school grounds. Jess as usual managed to get covered in mud!

Didnt get them to bed till 9.30 so we have some grumpy children this morning.

Today was supposed to picnics on the beach but that seems to have been called off due to the rain.

Its like being in the tropics here at the moment as the humidty is really high. Not complaining though - far better than the snow.

love to all

xxx

Just a quick update. The diggers have been working on the land, in true new zealand style it is taking quite awhile to get the land level for the base to go down.

School Assembly today and Sam was the host, he did really well introducing people. He spoke loud and clear, he was really good, and we were really proud of him.
We have end of year presentations and picnic tomorrow evening. The whole school is having their classes on the beach on thursday with a picnic lunch. The last day of the year - friday will be spent doing sports on the field. So no work this week.
Will update soon
love to all
xx

The family festival went well, I was 'bullied' into doing a Zumba demonstration in the burning hot sunshine at 3 oclock in the afternoon. It was fun but very hardwork. The kids enjoyed all of the rides and things to do and play on. I worked on the Centre stall so didnt get to see much. Martin says the festival was OK but missing a beer tent!

Work started on the land this week with the diggers starting to level the site ready for the concrete base going down.

the pictures aren't showing too much action yet but anything is better than nothing.

We went to a carol service on the domain last week which was good

Yes it was on the back of a lorry !!

Nothing else much to report this week. The kids have one more week at school and Martin one more week at work and then we have a few weeks off to chill out and rest after a busy year before the next busy one starts.

Will update soon

Love to all xx

Jess has had her athletics day this week, here she is on the obstacle course.

Then she threw and amazing discus shot.

Here she is in action.

Then the high jump.

 Jess was in the winning Yellow team.

It was a good day but sadly no coffee cart for the mum's caffine fix!

Our plans have been passed by council this week so the builders will be starting to level the site on Monday ready for the build to begin. We still have to decide on a style of brick yet but we are getting to the exciting bit. The build takes 62 working days so we would hope to be moving in around Feb time.

There is a girl in Sam and Joe's class called Fran who has cancer. She is doing really well with her treatment and has been able to come back to school for some short days over the last few weeks.

Her best friend Jasmine has a little brother called Dylan who is 4 and also has leukemia, so Jasmine decided to raise some money for Starship childrens hospital and cancer by shaving her head so she can show her support for Fran.

That day was today, here she is with Fran having her lovely locks shaved off.

And then wanting to get in on the action.......

Sam decided to get his head shaved and then not to miss out on the action....

Joe followed suit.

Posted this picture I know its blurred but just for once they were enjoying each others company.

It was really fun and lots of money was raised for a fantastic cause.

We are off to the Family Festival this weekend, its on Sunday afternoon and the temperature is expected to be high with the sun out all day. (sorry to all of you with the snow!)

love to you all xxx