To NZ in 4 sleeps

hi how are you guys ill be home to check up on you all soon so you better be fit and healthy!(claire ill check on you guys when you come here hehe) i have just finished work for the day. since i am coming home i have to work 7 days on either side to make up for the 3 days i will have off in nz. so the news ... we went out to chadstone on the train on monday its good with alot of awesome shops out there but confusing the way it is layed out we both coulda got very lost in there. we didnt really buy anything but window shoped and went to the bike shop that hayden will be working at soon. really cant remember what i did on tuesday but i had the day off. and then wed i went out to a late lunch with some of the other nurses on my ward (another day off). work thus and fri... the ward not qutie this week. got my hair done on friday before work though at toni and guy... it was looking disgusting... dont know what i think of it now but hayden really likes it.. you guys can see it when i get home. it rained proper pouring rain here yesterday afternoon and today on and off the first time i have seen real rain here. yesterday very hot today cool. ok guys any other news i cant remember now i will tell you when i get home.
see you soon... feels good to say that. love from gemma. xx

Hi from Gold Coast

Hey guys!
How are you?? We are good..been busy with shifting but now we are all done and are having a wee housewarming get together tonight with Phil's family. Our new address is 112/2-4 Langport Parade, Mudgeeraba, 4213, Queensland, Australia. Have been over exercising the pool here with our warm weather during the day, and getting good use out of the doona with our cold nights!
Still looking at coming to you guys on May 4th, will look at flights on Thursday night when we get paid and hopefully book them. My friend Mel who shifted to Queensland and has been working up the top of Cairns shifts to Melbourne on April 4th so we can catch up with her too which will be good. Also, Phil's Auntie and cousins live in Melbourne and his cousin Jacinta's 21st is the 4th of May, so she may have a party when we are there. So I gather it to be a busy few days for us.
Anyway...just a short note as got to go and check on my chicken that i'm making for the pot luck dinner tonight. If I don't talk to you before you head to New Zealand I hope you have a good time and don't get to cold..and we will be there to see you in May.
Love ya's. Claire. xoxo

Hello from kaiapoi. well we are back from the windy, wet and hailing deep south after a very wet week at the new velodrome. twice we had the temperature gauges reading 0 deg as we left the track sessions. It was so hot driving down, as we got within cooey of Invercargill the rain spots started to hit the windscreen and they really didnt leave (just got heavier and harder) until we were almost at Lumsden coming back. The Nats were fantastic and relatively stress free for us as we were not staying at either of the Canty teams accomodations. Good to catch up with people we only see at these events. John Morell came down for fri & sat, but I really feel he is far from well, poor guy.Came home to stack a huge load of firewood that had arrived half an hour before we left and a letter wanting our input into a meeting with CYF for Levi and Armstrong as things have turned to custard for them with Jed. They are currently staying with Aunty Skinny until we can get Jed sorted out.Ashley and Kellie are doing well and settled into their new home. Ash is training 2X a week for the Mot soccer team. Engagement party planned for Easter up there.Called in to see Jo in Ashburton but she wasnt home. Seems to be adjusting to the big changes in her life. Aaron and Anna left last Tues to go back to London.While they were here they had a baby scan and now know they are having a boy. They really want Jo to go over to be with them when she has the baby. They are shifting back here to live in Oct this year, prob in West Melton. Dall, Liam and Kady came for dinner tonight: both kids were buzzing-liam was full of school stories and kady her usual busy self. I did miss them after a week away. Garys off back to work tomorrow- might need to get a map out so he can find the way- its been a while since they saw his cheery face there. We are doing the city to surf this sunday and Gary is doing Le Race the following weekend. We do need some riding time to for our big ride, altho we rode the Canterbury Charity hospital 75km race the weekend before last. It was quite eventful ( for me anyway) as we had a spoke pop in the front wheel, then a puncture which had to be fixed on the side of the road as we were using racing wheels and the spare tube on the bike was for a mountainbike wheel. That happened just GlenTui side of the Gary River bridge so it was a great opportunity for me to take my numb buttocks off the bike seat for a few minutes( almost like I planned it ,cos I was getting very sore). we were on our way up and down the hilly bits when a huge sheep truck and trailer flew past us very closely, giving me especially a fright. We got up to 68km speeding down hill ( you know how Gary loves that bit) but the rides up hill were decidingly slower- about 12-15km. Finally we reached the top of German Rd and I thought we would be zooming home with a big down hill ride to Cust. Easy as! No such luck! as we turned left into the corner the bike shot across the road, through the shingle on the far side of the road, bounced straight over the short grass verge and raced out of control down hill, fast as through the thick long grass and bush, under a wee plantation of pine trees with us hanging on for grim death, to emerge out of the other end with pine needles all over us and gary with scratched arms to continue riding on down German rd. Whew! How your father managed to hold the 2 of us upright I dont know- we had a semi hard or should it be soft tyre and a buckled wheel. I know understand why Gary has a reputation around the country as being a fantastic handler of a bike in any situation.He was desparate to remain upright he reckons cos if we had fallen he would never have got me back on again. True! Any ways, we finished in the middle of the field apparently and other than having stiff sore legs for a few hours we survived our first big ride together. Now, some goss for you-Ashley Cook is going to be a dad in September.I have also heard that theres lots of friction within the soccer teamthis year within the powers that want to be in control.Dan and Michelle are getting married in Nov this year( not sure if I told you that or not), and brother Peter has been dragged out of retirement or what ever he was calling it to fill in as the reporter with the Northern Outlook. Other brother Lyndsay (sword) turns 50 this weekend and uncle John is involved in some trial diet using legumes and grains through the hospital research teams. Megan has left NZ again via India and is currently in Italy I think. Well thats it folks. gary thinks I'm writting a novel so I will give up now. Daylight savings finishing is already having an effect on me so I need to get some beauty sleep. After tonite its only 7 more sleeps till we see you both. Love ya's, swordies

Hello

Hi guys how are you? Melbourne is very busy at the moment with the grand prix and the world swimming champs on in the next week. Havn't seen or heard from anyone we know yet though. Been hot here the last 2 days. I don't get anything for being top salesman, it's just a way of evaluating each staff member and setting goals for the next week. Gemmas work going well, quiet this week on the ward. I'm starting at the chadstone store on the 8th of april which is easter sunday so i won't actually start til the next day as the store is shut. We never made it there on monday, went to moomba festival instead. Big celebration about water, who woulda thunk. They had a parade, carny rides sports going on like beach volleyball with the girls in their skimpy bikinis, water skiing on the yarra river and more. Planning to go to chady for a look this monday as we both have the day off. havn't been to middle brighton yet, havn't really been anywhere outta the city yet to be honest, except gemma to geelong. 13 sleeps till we're home for 3 sleeps. That's about all for now folks, does anyone else have any goss?

Hi from the Beach People

Hi Gemma and Hayden
Great to read all is going well with you both. Gemma you would have needed your bedsocks on over here last night, right down to 10 degrees. A winter blast after a very hot 30. Snow on the tops. Melbourne will be a buzz this weekend with the car racing, you will probably see a few kiwi's in the city. Grant and Sandy are coming over tomorrow with a crowd. Its a sports feast on at the telly at the moment with Super 14, World cup cricket and football, Andrew is not far away from the remote. Rosie had me out bike riding on Saturday!! Did the Tuahiwi loop. Busy at work with Hanmer going onto computerised point of sale and end of financial year looming. Went to Auckland with Neroli last week for a Mitre 10 meeting, unfortunately no time to do the shops. Trip planning now well underway and major decisions and payments all made. Faye is off the Hong Kong/China/France for about 5 weeks at the end of April. She said she would come and visit later in year. What did they give the top salesperson as a reward! Interested to know what Chatswood is like. Have you been to middle Brighton yet? Andrew says hi
Love M&A

Heroooo friend

Hey Gem and Hayd,

Been a very quite weekend for me. Lisa stayed Friday and Saturday night. We did absoulty nothing. Sleeping was very good. I stayed out at Lincoln last night. Was up talking with Lisa and Ezra (one of her mates from blenhim) --Marion-- A mighty fine dress. gorgeous!!!--- Anyway today has been a nice warm day. Everything was fine and dandy till me and Lisa decided to go to the bakery to get lunch and what did we happen to find on my car.... a bloody parking ticket!!! A total sum of $25.88. Checky people. All cause I'd parked in the halls carpark. So going to go and debate it with them later in the week. Have spent the evening lying on my bed doing some study. Strugling to keep my eyes open and its only Monday. I ahve a short week as no classes
Wednesday as it's field trip day and head up to Wellington early Friday. Can't wait. Although, I have quite a bit of work to do with an assignment due next Tuesday.

Well I better get back to it. Can't wait to see the hair!!!
Nun nite
Bex xoxoxoxoxox

Hey guys!

Hey Gemma and Hayden.

Hope things are good. Havn't heard from you guys in a week or so.
We found a place to move into!! It's in Mudgeeraba, about 10 mins south up the highway from where we are now. We sign the papers Thursday night and get the keys Friday. I will shift all the small things then Phil's family are helping shift big things on Saturday. It's a nice wee town house in a complex..it's not locked up so more or less it's similar to a subdivision in NZ. It's got a pool and tennis court and gym that we get keys to and can use whenever we like. I also think it has a spa though i'm not sure. It'll be good to move..we've started packing and cleaning and the place here is a shambles! I defintly won't miss our white tiles and walls!
Phil and I have been looking at flights to come and stay with you guys for a long weekend..we are looking at Queensland's Labour weekend, coming May 4th and leaving on the 7th. Will just miss Dall :( She's leaving on the 4th mum said. But they are coming here in June so that all good. So let us know if these dates are okay..if not, we will make another time. Also Gemma, are you still coming here in your annual leave like you were going too? Hayden should come too if he can get time off work if your still coming?
We have Phil's friend here for 10 days at the end of the month which will be good.
Anyway..better get Phil from work now. I've got the air con cranked up to full, as it's 38 degrees here today! God..i'm looking foward to the pool at the new place!
Keep in touch. Love Claire xoxoxo

hi every one thanks for all the blogs i love getting them. it is labour day here today and hayden and i both have the day off. i also have the day off tomorrow as well - i am going to have a massage at a trainning school. yesterday we had a bbq at the beach with carolyn tim and two other of their friends nice part from the wind just like an easterly at home strong and cold. boys played beach cricket and girls (including the guy that we are sure is gay) watched. then got sick of the wind so went to their friends house and played poker. i did quite well to start with and won alot of chips (werent playing for $ tho). today hayden wants to go out to chadstone to see how long it takes to get there and to see the other bike shop he may be going to. so maybe i will do some window shopping while i am there.

jobs are going well i like mine apart from shift work that makes me tired - but thats nursing. the staff are great and some very interesting patients. one italian ladys husband wanted to take me home and cook me 'curly spaghetti' -very funny. met a nz girl from plamerston north who was a patient as well she had just moved here to so was good to compare stories. haydens job is going good he likes it and on friday he was top salesman for the day out of all the stores.
mummy gail, haydens family are here on my birthday but the week after i have annual leave for the week so you could come then if you wanted to. but if you are to busy with your new house at that time any time this year would be ok.
Dallas is coming over at the end of april, she got in on the cheap flights so she is now gonna be the first visitor here.
mum no pictures of my hair until i get it coloured it looks yuky at the moment.

From Turiwhaia Road with two new kids

Sorry we missed you last night but at Nicole's 21st party. About 40 people there and we only new the girls, Carli, Katie, Noadie etc. Nicole was pleased to receive your card on Saturday with the money. We brought her white serving bowls and cooking book with a few little extra. We had a great meal and a few drinks and were home by 10.15. Today has been great weather, Dad and Andrew have nearly finished enclosing the pig shed ready for John Blackadder to store all his fencing material in. Bex and Lisa have left for Lincoln so won't see Bex until tomorrow.Hope you a feeling better and enjoying your days off.
P.S. Send us a picture of your hair cut. Talk soon
Love Rosie and Paul

Hello Gemma And Hayden

This is Hayley, I stayed the night at Chloe Stopforths coz it was her birthday, we went to the movies to see Norbit, it was really funny, then we came home and had tea and watched some other movies at her house. then I got dropped off and we went to watch Ellie sail. We also have been to the beach today and had a swim. Tonight we are going to make muffins for our school lunch tomorrow. Me and Ellie are sleeping in your room for the week.
From HAYLEY

Hey Gemma and Hayden

This is Ellie, Last night I went to a sleepover at the yaught club. There we had a sandcastle competion which I won (by a mile), While we were making our sandcastles there was a fishing comp. going on which no one won and some people made muffins and popcorn that we all ate with the movie we watched late, Eight Below. When it got dark we went for a late night stroll on the beach which was really cool cos everybody was jumping up and down in the sand junes. In the morning I went out on my boat and came 3rd overall and 1st in my class.
Love from Ellie xoxo

Hi Gemma and Hayden - it is Sat night and we HAVE NO FRIENDS - not quite true - tried to have BBQ here - but Gerald Casey is sick with some bot and Aunty Chris hasn't replied to msg left (expect they may be at the boat) - didn't ring your Mum and Dad - such a nice day who would be home - so EJ cooked on the BBQ, we had a couple of wines and now he is watching the end of the rugby.
How are the jobs going???
Although we have stopped making hay for a couple of wweeks EJ seems to be as busy as ever - and I have had quite a social week - Mondays have been going to Shirley Caseys for a craft day with Aunty Chris after work and Joan C when they are around - Wednesdays Melissa and Brianna have been going to swimming and then stopping in here afterwards - the last 2 weeks I have been to watch. Brianna is standing up - so I s'pose the next thing is walking - she doesn;t crawl properly - pulls herself along on the floor with her elbow. Last night I babysat in Oxford while Melissa and Graham went to a Casino evening at the club. They had the second highest $ at the end of the night so won a selection of vouchers which incl. $50 at Jo Seagars a night in a B&B in Oxford, a voucher for the other cafe in Oxford and a trip in the courtesy van in Oxford, and other things I can't remember
We thought we would have had the permit for the house yesterday - according to the man in Prime last week - but it hasn't happened!!! (yet)- we will be lucky if we get it started before we leave for Spain on 6th May. At this rate we will be shifting into the new house late Aug early Sept - when I wanted to be in Melbourne for your birthday - although Mum says that Hayden's parents will be there then - just as well you have plenty of mothers to rely on isn't it?????

Not long until you are home again??? - look forward o catching up with you - hope you have time to spare???

xxx Mummy Gail and Ernie

Hey guys

My e-mail isn't working well for some reason, so I'll post pics here. Finally have some of Liam - took them on Sunday in Ashburton when we went down. The funeral was sad (and hot! Wearing mostly black in 32 deg heat isn't such a great idea haha) and Dad did really well in the speech he did on behalf for the family. He was really great. I think everyone was relieved that it was finally over, cos it was a bit of a long period of 'limbo' in between Uncle Kevin's death and the funeral. Jo and the girls held up pretty well. All the second cousins played really well together, it was amazing really. Kady actually behaved very well (haha) on Sunday, she was ok Monday but mostly tired and hot I think. Those two days were very long days and the kids did really well. I think Greg, Brody and Lydia went back to the States today, not sure, as Gina said Monday that was the plan. Kids gotta go to school, Greg has to work. Anna and Aaron go back Tuesday I think. Anna looked really well, had the cutest little bump as she's still at that "in-between" stage (you don't know whether she's pregnant or just put on a little bit of weight!). Aaron needs to get a tan again haha, mustn't get much sun in London!

Anyway this week's been good but Kady's gone back to not sleeping well for the past couple weeks, so I'm pretty tired. Had the kids stay at mum and dad's last night so I could get some sleep, tis bliss to have my own bed back and no one kicking and prodding me. I'm not sure why she's not sleeping well again, but hey, it's Kady. Can never figure her out sometimes! Mum and Dad leave for Invercargill on Monday for a week so it'll be a nice holiday for them, hope the weather behaves!

Anyway, here are the photos. Hope they come up ok. They were taken at the playground in the Ashburton Domain... it's a neat playground, heaps of stuff crammed into one little space and so much to do. The kids had a ball there.

Catch ya around.

Dall & kids

Hi gemma and hayden. we spent the day down at Kevin and Jo's in Ashburton.As it was childrens day today Liam thought he got to dictate the rules so we had a picnic lunch at Ashburton Domain and then all the kids( Kevin Stevensons Rebecca and Jills Jessica, Gina and Greg from the States Brodie and Lydia, who are now 11 and 8 and Liam and Kady) had fish and chips on Jo's front lawn, picnic style for tea. Diane and John, Lorraine and ross, Graeme and Julie all went down today too and picniced with us as did Aunty Maree and Shari and Paulettes nkids who then went home to Chch with Shari as all the aunties and uncles were staying in caravans and motels down their tonight. We came home and will go back down in the morning for the funeral. It was alovely time to all be together and Liam really enjoyed playing with his cousins. Just really sad that the occasion for us to be all together wasnt a pleasant one. Its 7 years since all Kevin and Jo's family have been together.Aaron and Anna came back to. Anna is now 17 weeks pregnant and has this tiny wee bump; she due early in August and wants Jo to go to London to be with her before she has the baby. They shift back here in October to live after almost 6 years away. Aaron has been going lots of mountain biking aroung England. Gary has been busy making a power point presentation of Kevin for the funeral service and a speech about his siblings stories of Kevins life growing up. will talk to you tomorrow night to catch you up with all the other bits. We ran into Jeannie and Barry Godfrey on our travels last night. hayden is having surgery next week for a blocked artery in his groin and a stent put in. He has to go to wellington to have it. The wedding went well. Take care and enjoy your day off Hayden. your turn to get down on your knees and scrub the floors while Gemma works eh?Maybe fit in a training ride too.Love you both from Cridland St

HI

hi guys how are you all?

its gemma i cant remember my password so writting under haydens. if you dont know hayden had to work yesterday so couldnt come to geelong. i still went though with carolyn though. nice to got there to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. train ride down there was good to - we concluded that it was very relaxing we couls have stayed on it for longer then the hour we had. saw jo race and she came 6th her team mate won. caught up with her for a we bit after the race as she had to leave pretty soon after to go back to NZ. she racing wellington tour and track nationals when she goes back for going back to USA to her new husband. hayden and i went for an outing across the river last night... to the casino complex had tea at the food court then into the casino -i made some hayden lost some also had a look around shops there jag fcuk verserce etc no money left our wallets tho didnt have a few hundred to spare!. then we saw there was something on at the exibition centre so had to go have a look (couldnt be missing a sale there dad could we!) it was a motor show but cost $18 each dollars to get in! so we just looking at some of the cars on the outside until we talked to the weirdest security guard who let us in for free... wohoo. billions on dollars of the lastest cars in there some lamos bentlys ferrarsi volvos down to toyotas etc. i got as new pair of shoes there pumas that have something to do with BMW racing team. they are awesome i love them. today was shoping day didnt require the markets today just the supermarket. also went for a look at smith st shopping area. hadyen got another day off tomorrow and im on an afternoon shift. 5 day week for me then four day weekend yay i cant wait i feel like i need it already.

Cya from gemma

ps. photo are of me and carolyn in geelong, and one hayden took off our balcony with a rainbow.

Hey :)

Hey everyone.
Phil and I arrived back in the Gold Coast on Tuesday, and life has been a disaster since. Not only was our phone and internet screwed up and had to be fixed, but then Uncle Kevin died, we got told we have to shift house (stupid landlord breaking lease, thinking we are dumb - but we have shown a united front haha) and now, I am SO OVER lookin at houses. I found 1 I loved, and our application was 2nd in, but the 1st got accepted so unless they denied the house, we wouldn't be getting it. Looked at a complex y-day, it's where all the uni students live and its beautiful, wicked pools, saunas, spas, gyms etc..but it's like a hotel. I don't like the fact that I have to park underground, and would have to then carry shopping or whatever up 5 floors to our "wee" room. I dunno how you guys do it! But after living where we are now - I'm not keen on doing it lol. Phil's friend is shifting from his house in a townhouse complex, its a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom place with pool gym etc for $305 and since they are breaking their lease, the have to find someone - which they are finding us. So we find about that today hopefully. So it's been a stressful time since we got back, 1 good thing to come out of it is I got a job nannying..and its such a small world, the family is from Kaiapoi and is the daughter of whats his name Bolt..the car racing driver at Woodford Glen. Crazy!
Gemma, I rang your friend..Marion's sister..over here. And although she dosn't do rental properties, she gave me some good information about what to do with the landlord breaking the lease and has also said she'll be a referee for me..which is great. I emailed the landlord last night and said that her breaking the lease at this point is an inconvience to us, and a financial strain to our budget, and told her that we would like more time, and some financial help with removal costs etc, considering our lease isn't up until 21/07/07. I won't be doing a personal lease ever again, cos this puts us in a bad spot considering the landlord is Phil's work friends sister..so next time, we are going through an agency!
Anyway..better head off and stop babbling, been to look at 3 houses this morning and have another this arvo, and gotta fill out all the forms and get Phil from work. Phew..i'm so tired lol, havn't been sleeping well, keep having odd dreams..think i'm stressed!
Keep in touch,
Love Claire
Ps. Hayden and Gemma, we are trying to save $$ to maybe come there at Easter..but will let you no closer to the time. xoxo