Checking out my mum from the deck chair. What a cute smile!

Cullen at the rugby with Dad. Very first game - Hurricane v someone. Lots of fun.

Maddie, JD, Grandma, Riley and Cullen at Grandma's house. Nov 2 2008

Having icecream with my cousins JD and Maddie - Grandma's house Nov 2 2008

Our Busy Boy

Sitting at the table that Grandad Grizz built for Cullen.
My Mummy took this of me when I was in the bath - cutie pie aren't I?!
Auntie Gem bought road a dog she was looking after - I had a lovely chat with him

March and April have been a rather busy time for the Donaldson Family. We have had a terrific Easter break and also most recently, ANZAC Day.

I have a permanent parttime job to start at the beginning of term two at Oxford Crescent School. It is a job share position which is very exciting. I will be teaching 2 days a week in room 9. Cullen is very happy with this arrangement as he gets to spend 2 full days with Nana (Grant's Mum).

Just after the Easter break, Cullen took his first steps and has never looked back. It was a special day for Cullen, Great Grandad and I. I had taken Cullen over the hill to visit and Cullen walked for the first time with Great Grandad able to see (I walked for the very first time at Great Grandad's house soem 30 odd years ago). SO, he is very mobile. Cullen loves to take walks up and down the street, and very often around the block if he so fancies. We often set of at 6.15 pm in time to meet Daddy coming down the road from the train station.

Another first happened shortly after walking - Cullen had his first sleep over at Nana's. Grant and I went out for the evening with friends, Darryn and Sue. We even tried to have a sleep in - but are so used to being up by 7 we woke early anyway. Cullen ended up spending the day with Nana while Grandad Grizz and Grant worked in the back garden fixing the fence and making a new garden. I spring cleaned.

This month we have seen good friends, Jo, Glen and Connor off to Brisbane to live, Grant has completed his Italian cooking class and I have been manic busy involved with Parents Centre and trying to set up the new classroom. Riley was christened earlier this month too and we have just celebrated Ashleigh's 5th birthday. Boy the time has flown past! Looking forward to some time at home!

Our trip to Taupo/Hamilton

Asleep in car after a coffee bun
Playing with Tim at Roanne and Roger's wedding
Checking out the ducks in Taupo

The first weekend in March saw us off on another wee holiday. Long time family friend, Roanne, married her partner Roger in Huntly on Friday 7th March. We left home on Thursday and spent the night in Taupo and continued on to Huntly the following day. The Caves all went except Geoff and we all stayed in a great farm house just out of Huntly. It was heaps of fun for the kids (JD, Maddie, Riley and Cullen) as there were lots of farm animals to watch. We took Cullen's little bike and the kids all had turns on the driveway. On Friday afternoon we drove in tandem to the wedding and enjoyed a fabulous afternoon and evening watching Roanne and Roger get married. They had really thought of the children and provided entertainment, great nibbles and little gift bags for them. Grant particularly enjoyed the magician's show. Grant and I were designated baby sitters that evening and after Kylie had tucked her three into bed we settled down to watch American Idol (our fav!). The following day we headed to Roanne's farm for lamb on the spit and then after a major meltdown from Cullen, we were back on the road to Taupo.

We had a lovely evening in Taupo on the Saturday and then on Sunday morning walked into town along the Lake Front. It was gorgeous. After a wee shop and stop at McD's for a big play in the super cool (and clean!) playground we headed back to pack up and head for home. Cullen was a dream on the way back and he slept for about 3.5 hours - almost all the way home.

Our Beach Holiday

Totally cute!
Cullen and Amber at Beach House in Waitarere
Cullen and Daddy
Ross (Grandad), Cullen and Grant enjoying morning tea.
Getting stuck in - making the biggest sandcastle ever
This hole was really deep! Cullen got covered in sand.

In February, Grant had two weeks annual leave. One of which we spent in Waitarere at a friend's beach house. It was a terrific break with some great weather. Cullen got used to the beach and really enjoyed it on our last day when there was no wind. He enjoyed getting stuck into the sand and water with Grant. Ross and Carol came up to spend the weekend with us. Ross bought the boat in the hope that there might be some fishing but the waves were too big to launch it - big disappointment. Rach and Andy also stayed two nights with us which was fun. Andy and I tackled two wasjig's. It was a mission to finish the 2nd one before we left for home. I even managed to get Grant to help me.

It was a fabulous two weeks holiday with Grant at home. In the second week, I was offered two days relieving and Grant had Cullen for two days. They had a ball. We are all looking forward to our next big holiday - probably next year!!!

Busy Busy Busy

Over the past 2-3 days, Cullen has been standing on his own. He tends to let go of you, or whatever he is holding and stands alone for several seconds before 'squatting' to sit down. I am not too sure he is aware of his new skill but it seems that he is realising more and more that he can do it. Tonight, I caught him standing alone on camera.

We have had a busy week this week with visitors and visiting. Kylie and the cousins came up on Friday and together with Jo and Connor, we all went to the park - Maidstone Max. Cullen surprised me and followed his cousin JD down the big slide. It seems that nothing is going to phase my son if it involves a slide. Straight down on his tummy. Then he took off to do it again by scaling the hill to get to it - pretty hard climb.

We have also been spending a bit of time in the garden. It appears that Cullen has inherited a green thumb from his Daddy. We had to 'share' the fork to dig up the weeds. Cullen decided they looked better on the grass rather than in the bucket though. He got stuck into digging too.

Cullen loves to ride his bike on the driveway too. Any opportunity to get out the gate too! I have been walking him down to the post box to deliver mail and he likes to 'walk' back on hands and feet. Only problem is he would rather walk up everyone else's driveway along the way!

Our nudy boy

The weather has been very warm and sunny recently so Cullen has been spending afternoons in nothing or just a nappy. Here are a few photos of his activities. One afternoon this week he spend about 20 minutes playing at the window totally starkers. Neighbours got several eye fulls! Yesterday he played outside in the shade and inspected the gardens. A friend of ours lent Cullen a little walker - took to it like a duck to water. Zooms up and down the living room. He can't turn it yet but no doubt will figure it out soon enough!

Our White Christmas

The top picture is what the deck looked like on Boxing Day. Incredible weather! Cullen and Grant getting stuck into putting together Cullen's pressie. He plays with it all the time now and enjoys shooting cars and other objects down the ramp/slide thingee. On Boxing Day, JD took Cullen for a ride in the trailer of his bike. Cullen just loved it and would wiggle and urge JD on when he stopped for a rest. Cullen is too big for the trailer now and we have had to hide it to stop him wanting to ride in it. He is just learning how to ride the bike. He has been happy sitting on it since his birthday and today he actually moved forward and backwards for the first time. He was very proud of himself. Last photo is of Cullen smiling at Grant on the deck.

2007 - The Year in Review

2007 was a busy year for Grant, Cullen and I. We saw the new year in with a 5 week old baby and I seem to remember my resolution being just to survive! As the summer progressed, Grant and his Dad with the help of Darryn our friend and neighbour, set about transforming our new kitchen with indoor/outdoor flow. They installed our new french doors and began the massive deck. Cullen and I spent many a day at Nana's (Carol's) to avoid electric saw and hammer noises. It was finished just as daylight savings started. We recorded some record temperatures on the deck even then - 40 degrees in mid afternoon.

In February our wee family went on our first holiday. We travelled by ferry to Nelson for Rach and Andy's wedding. I was bridesmaid for Rach. It was a great trip and surprisingly easy with a 3.5 month old. Cullen was wonderful and seemed to enjoy all the new sights. Mum and Dad also came too. Grant and I stayed on for a couple more nights in Nelson and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Grant began a new suconment position at the bank shortly after this and has been considerably more challenged at work and has been enjoying this. He has recently completed a pilot programme for his team and a subsequently a permanent position. He works with a great team (mostly blokes) and seems to enjoy what he is doing - which is just as well for me as I can continue being a mummy! I also did some work in 2007, although not until much later in the year. Carol was very happy to look after Cullen for me 2 days a week when I was offered some relieving work at the local school. I thoroughly enjoyed my time out from mummy duties and Cullen was marvellous for Carol and had a ball there. He would see the toy box as he arrived and never once looked up to see that I had gone. Carol would bring Cullen along at lunchtime for a feed and he would then slumber the afternoon away. Cullen, Carol and I look forward to the same arrangement this year too!

In June, Grant took 2 weeks holiday from work. We had planned to holiday in Sunny Otaki but unfortunately our accomodation fell through. We stayed home instead and yes - it rained! This year our holiday is in Feb. We did a few day trips including a trip up to Lindale Farm. It was terrific and Cullen at 7 mths old thought the animals were pretty awesome. I enjoyed feeding them all too. Definate plans to go back there.

My mum and dad took off for another trip to the US of A for a month in August so Kylie, Gem and I were on Dog sitting duty. Cullen and I stuck it out for most of one week but had to ditch it a bit early as he cut two teeth and I was shattered from getting up to him at night and both dogs who needed to pee as well. All of the kids got gunky eyes and so did the dogs!! Cullen loves the dogs and spent most of the days trying to get their attention and getting licked. We had a great couple of days with Kylie, Maddie and JD too when there were over.

In October, I turned 30 and in the same month Cullen started to crawl. He had been a commando crawler up until then. He became faster still once he was on all fours! There was no stopping him now. He loves being outside so if there was an out - he made for it. Cullen learnt very quickly how to tackle the steps leading off the deck and proceeded to explore his yard. Since learning to crawl he has found other wonderful activities to keep him fit and entertained - namely the staircase at Nana and Grandad's. He is very happy to go up and down countless times in a visit there with any ole sucker who will follow him up and down. He has now learnt to go down backwards which is a big relief to us all as it saves our backs carrying him down.

Cullen loves all parks, playgrounds and adventures. He will zoom down slides on his tummy, head first only to turn around at the bottom and climb right back to the top. He likes tunnels and swings just as much. We gave him a little ride on bike for his birthday and although he is quite happy to sit on it, there is little in the way of 'riding' it yet.

November 14 was a very significant day for us - Cullen turned one. Grant took the day off work and we were planning to take Cullen to Staglands but the weather let us down so we enjoyed the day at home instead. Cullen had two birthday parties. One for each of his extended families. It was a very busy weekend but the weather on both days was stunning. We had an afternoon tea on Saturday with the Donaldsons and then on Sunday lunch with the Caves. It was a special time also as Kylie had her 2nd son, Riley on the Saturday night.

Christmas was a lovely time this year too as Cullen was able open his own pressies.He had no idea what they were for but enjoyed them nonetheless. We spent the afternoon on Christmas day with the Donaldsons and then Boxing Day at our house with the Caves. Both days weather wise were a disappointment but enjoying the family made up for that.

After turning one, Cullen is a baby no longer and every day surprises us with new learning and a wonderful sunny personality. He is coming up to 14 months. This year both Grant and I have set new individual goals and none of them centre around surviving! When I reflect on 2007 I found it challenging and at time bloody hard, I love being a mum and enjoy seeing Grant being a terrific dad.

Welcome to our BLOG

HI Everyone

Merry Christmas and Happy 2008! Welcome to the Donaldson's Blog. We figured this was a much easier way to keep everyone up to date with what we are up to - took a while huh!

We hope that you have all had a relaxing break and festive season. Ours was great - rather too short for Grant. But we are looking forward to our holiday in February at the beach.

I am in the process of playing around with this blog page to get it how I want it.. bear with me. We do hope you enjoy reading about what we are up to.