Time for a photo bomb.

 Marcus is away this weekend fishing at Lake Waikareiti. It's the lake he caught his very first trout on as a kid, it looks beautiful. I'd like to say next time the kids and I will be joining him but  even though he'd never say it, I know one of the huge appeals of going bush must be getting away from us. 

Now that he works from home, we all see a lot of each other and it's taking some adjusting on every one's behalf. But after just escaping myself for 24 hours of aloneness, I understand the need to be apart from the pack for a bit, to recharge, re group, find your identity and yes even just to realise that you do actually miss them all. (When you're in the trenches in the thick of it some days it's hard to believe for a second that this would be something you might miss.) 

Anyway I thought I'd take this chance to post some photos. My phone is my new camera, I hardly ever use the proper one anymore which is a shame because the quality would be lots better, especially in weak light but these iphones are just so darn handy all the time, and these photo moments require you to be quick to catch.

Rumbles are a favourite. If anyone lies on the lounge floor, you are fair game to be rumbled with. Sam will run from where ever he is to come sit on your head and lick your face. The boys love to run and jump. Fearless. 

Here's some more  phone photos from these school holidays.

The kids and I went to the circus. I loved watching Lucy and Olli belly laugh till tears where running down their cheeks and they were clutching at their splitting sides. All it takes is a bit of clown humour. Who would have thought, a clown getting knocked down would be so hilarious!

Mum and Dad came to visit. This is one of Dad and I carrying Mum out of the Redwoods where she took the kids walking up Te Mata Peak and twisted her ankle. When she couldn't walk my nephew Max rightly said, "Oh no, this could be a problem." Lucky for Mum, there is a farm track you can drive up all the way into the Redwoods so she didn't need carrying too far. 

A sweet moment of my two boys sharing a swing at a cafe,

Until Nathan lost his balance and grabbed Olli's privates to steady himself.

Cousins came and stayed and motorbiked.

And we've done lots of walks. It's autumn and so blessed to have this reserve right out our front door.

Look who is well and truly walking now. YAY!