New Zealand summer, sunshine and celebrations!

In January we went across the world to New Zealand! It was a LONG long way to go but worth every minute as it was the most incredible holiday meeting family and friends and I am so happy that one day not too far away this will be my home!

Our first stop was Waiheke Island to celebrate the wedding of Mummy and Daddy's fabulous friend Suzy to her lovely beau Jeremy.

I was so lucky to have Granny babysit for me while mummy and daddy were at the wedding. While I was splashing about having a bath in the sink...........

Mummy and Daddy got all glammed up and got to drink LOTS of delicious champagne!

Mummy was so excited to catch up with some of her closest girlfriends,  here she is with Jo, Fleur and Kirsty! 

They took every opportunity to catch up with the amazing Fleur and Hamish who they miss very much! 

I got to meet their son Hugo who is REALLY cool, we are going to rascals together! 

We also got to see the lovely Hannah and Orla- she dishes out the best hugs - I'm smitten! 

Sylvie was there too, she is just one day older than me! 

We were lucky enough to have a meal with Hannah and Jon and the girls, how awesome is this view?!

 We all got to have a bath together but I got a bit overwhelmed by all the ladies........................

But I managed to compose myself for playtime on the bed.

After the wedding we managed to catch up with lots of friends in Auckland. I got to meet Ruby Jane who was just a month old! She was so adorable, mummy found it hard to put her down!

This is Ruby Jane with her fabulous Mummy Charla who my Mummy and Daddy went to uni with! 

 And I was SO spoilt to get a hug from Katie who is one of Mummy's oldest friends, they were in high school together and Katie is about to have a little baby girl called Stella, we can't wait to meet her!

I also got to meet Michie who is another very special friend from Mummy's high school.


After Auckland we travelled all the way to Opua in the Bay of Islands where we stayed at "Rawhitiroa" which was my Great Granny and Grandpa's house.

I enjoyed meditating every morning

Mummy and Daddy held a little ceremony to celebrate me being here and how much they love me. 

This is me with the Reverend who said some really lovely words

Our family friend Roger came along, with some old firearms which we fired for the occasion! 

He even brought CAC cartridges which is from the factory that was started by Mummy's ancestors!

This is me with Roger, he is very very awesome and gives great cuddles! 

Aw common Dad, just a sip! 

I thought he would never notice my stealth sip..........

My not-so-stealth gorge of a tangerine was a bit harder to miss........

My Great Aunt Seona gave me lots of attention and read me stories! 

It was really special to visit places that Mummy used to visit when she spent her summer holidays here as  a child. 

 I tried really hard to be brave and swim in the sea............

 But goodness me the water was so chilly it made me do a funny jig!

Daddy and I got some good exercise.............. 

 while Mummy got some weird white tongue disease

 Daddy had a lovely dip in the sea

 While mummy and I had cuddles on the grass

This is us at Haruru falls! 

We had a really special afternoon in Paihia 

Daddy are you sure?

 Gulp - too fast Daddy! 

That's more like it! 

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Swings are awesome! 

 And so is Daddy's hat!

And mine! 

Wake up Daddy, let's play some more! 

We visited Waitangi just before the Waitangi day celebrations. Mummy and Daddy really wanted to show me this historic place (we'll come back to see it when I am a bit older too)

It was a very special visit which Mummy and Daddy will certainly never forget. 

On the way back to Auckland we visited MORE beaches and had a rather interesting picnic............

......................... in a Donkey farm!

Where we we joined by lots of very friendly animals. I was very brave sitting all up high in my chair but Mummy thinks this may have been the start of a slight bird phobia as they got very very friendly!

The Donkeys were awfully sweet but we were very glad for the fence as we think that a hungry donkey could mean trouble! 

When we were back in Auckland I got to meet my Great Aunt Hazel for the first time. She gives the most snuggliest of hugs! 

After Auckland we got on ANOTHER plane and flew all the way to the South Island to Christchurch where Daddy is from! It was a particularly special trip as I got to meet my Grandad for the first time! 

This is me and Granddad at Okaines bay where we went for Waitangi day Celebrations.Two peas in a pod or what?!

I also got to meet Judy! How cool is her hat?! 

 Now that I am bigger I am allowed to be the king of the castle on Daddy and Mummy's shoulders. You can see SO much for up here! 

But sometimes being at this level is just the best :-) 

The beaches here were very different from the North Island, much more rugged and wild.The sand felt delicious between my toes!  

And the air was just SO fresh! 

We had lots of cuddles ..................

 And lots of giggles ..............

 And lots of stories! 

Three generations of Bywater. How special is that?! 

I also got to meet my Great Uncle Allan and Great Aunt Gay. It was so special to see them, I got spoilt with presents and Gay even knitted a blanket especially for me, wow! 

I got to meet some of Daddy's friends from Uni, Rakesh and Duncan as well as Duncan's family

This is me and Hugh, he was really cool 

We had a long discussion and agreed that I would support Canada in ice hokey and he would support the All Blacks in Rugby. Fair deal. 

We also took a trip to Sumner where we got to meet Mummy and Daddy's wonderful friend Kate and  her daughter Holly. 

Even thought I am not yet one Mummy was a little bit naughty (but nice) and gave me a little taste of her icecream - WOWEEEEEEE was it delicious!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait until I am big enough to have one all to myself! 

After visiting my Granddad and Judy I was SOOOOOOOOO excited to see my Granny again as I have not seen her since I was 4 months old! 

I got even more cuddles and more story time, I felt like the luckiest person ever! 

Granny took us to Goveners bay

Who ever doubted the functionality of a Saab boot?! This was one of the funnest places I have ever had my nappy changed!

Granny spoilt me so much and filled the house with lots of fun toys. Daddy tried to teach me how to catch

Got it! 

Sink? Who said sink? This is a BATH if you please, and a mighty fine one at that! 

One of the most exciting things that happened is that I learned how to crawl (forwards rather than backwards)! 

Blimen typical that I did it when I was starkers. I'm sure I'll be thrilled about that at my 21st.......... 

Hoorah! 

We had a lovely picnic in Christchurch gardens

Holding me upside down will never get too old for Mummy (though she may get to old for it...............)

What an amazing, beautiful, unforgettable trip home. Thank you so much everyone. xxx