Family Christmas at Te Rore

Veronica Mary Maureen McMonagle

Christmas is getting closer, so the McMonagle clan got togethe at Te Rore Hall for a feed and chat.
Carl and Andrea were the only ones not attending.

Margaret, married to Ben

Maureen, and niece Kelly

 Lots of cousins to catch up with each other.

Kirsten and her companion Joe

Lucy,  daughter of Nicolaas

Jason, and Kelly (wife of Nicolaas)

Christine, Diane, and Karen Krippner

 We were privileged that the Krippners played music for Mama, she really enjoyed hearing the sounds.

Bridget, neice Tiffany, Leon

The cuzzie bros all having a yarn.

Mama listening to the music.

Caroline, Alan, Frank and Phylis

Emmett, son of Nicolaas and Kelly

Alice and Geneieve

The newest Mcmonagle was there. Grace, wife of my nephew Jason

Clare, Grace, and Tony

A celebration

The universe was smiling the day I met you.

Because of you, my days are filled with wonder and delight.

Because of you, the future shines incandescently.

Because of you, my whole world is soaring.

You truly are the love of my life, Ruth.  You're my inspiration, my kindred spirit, my co-conspirator in this great mystery called life.

 

Erik my darling, I will always look up to you.

My toes dance because of you,

my soul sings because of you.

I have a thousand reasons for living because of you.

Everything speaks to me,

from the stone on the road,

to the star in the sky,

you are the reason for my being.

Going Bush at Pukeroa National Park - King Country

So, we need to escape for the long weekend, so joined with the McMonagle whanau and went bush.  New experiences for Oscar and Anneke. Quad riding, flagpole raising, caving and exploring the stream.  I managed to go mountain biking with Erik, this time I knew the tracks better than him.  Cooked up fry bread, and slept in a tent.  Great times sitting around the fire stove at night.  Have to do it again next year.

The campsite

View from Flagpole Hill

Oscar learning about Quadding

Blue Duck stream below cave

More of the Wellington zoo

Riding the wooden hippo

Quinn beating African Drum

Tighe   - moving with Art

playing in the Himalayas