We had been planning a winter holiday since early June so when Tony broke his ankle playing basketball back in August the whole thing could've been called off. But he was very consistent with his rehab exercises so here we are - WINTER HOLIDAY 5-11 OCTOBER!!!
We hired a cool house in Ohakune - it was the perfect location and really suited our needs. The kids had their own rooms for most of the holiday... which made it easier for them to get the sleep they needed to keep their energy for our full days out at the mountain.
Aaahhh, sleeping beauty!
We made it to the mountain Sunday, Monday and Tuesday... the weather was no good on Wednesday (which was fine by me since my body ached and I needed a break)... then back again on Thursday!
We had all the gear... Tony had all the motivation... I planned and packed all the food... and the kids, well... they just had all the guts to try and keep trying...
Helena, aka The Pink Panther (or Pinky Pie, Pink Puffball Princess or Pinky)...
We all took lessons again on Sunday - one hour private lessons due to no other regos! Hunter was amazing! He was right into it. Helena caught on a bit better this time around. Me... well... me....I had met my instructor Oscar during my previous lesson in July - which was kinda cool. I definitely caught some new skills but then I had to practice...
Helena is not afraid... Helena is fast... and not afraid!
And when she falls - she just gets back up...
On Monday and Tuesday we had the brilliant idea to put Helena in the Turoa Yeti Centre so she could play inside for half the day while we tackled the slopes at top speed. Monday was a gorgeous day - it was sunny, fairly warm and the snow was actually pretty good. Hunter is really catching on!
Spot the difference!!! We did manage to get a helmet for me at a really great price - now I can really adhere to our family motto - "Safety First". And just in time... on Tuesday on one particular wipe out (well, I wiped out a lot) Hunter said, "Mum, it's a good thing you've got a helmet!" - Yes, Hunter it was a good thing!
During the second half of the days, I hung out with the Pink Panther while she went up and down, up and down, up and down the learner slope. She did decide we needed to take a break and make a snowman... and then I decided we should make a snow cake for Aunt Amber's 40th birthday!
Happy Birthday, Dear Amber!!!
Oh and our little shredder! On the first day, he had trouble using the platters... but after his success on the big slope, he was super determined and confident-charged and made it up the platters with ease!
We did have a bit of time at home... playing games, watching DVDs, running around the house...
And then... on Wednesday (the day the weather packed up) Anne, Caleb & Aidan Burrows arrived for some good times as family friends!
With the time off the mountain, Tony's body decided it was naptime so Anne & I took the kids out and about - and of course, we're the Clark's so we went to the LIBRARY!!!
Lucky us - there was a craft table - and a computer. It was a warm, cosy place to hang out - a very relaxed environment for two mums to 'switch off' for an hour or so without spending a cent! That's a great holiday!!
On Thursday, the Simkins were up the mountain too - so Helena and Eleanor were snow buddies going up and down, up and down, up and down together...
I did spend quite a bit of time in the cafe where with either of the children - or with my phone - taking advantage of some quiet moments and letting Tony and Hunter 'shred' at a faster pace!
Here we are - the Snow-boarding Clarks!!
The snow started blowing again on Thursday so we were only on the mountain for half the day - what to do for the other half??? The swimming pool at the Powder Horn was a good option. Oddly enough, it was not the usual hot water that we were looking forward to... it didn't bother the kids, but after an injury on the mountain the last thing I wanted to do was hangout in the tepid bath. Thankfully, Tony finally joined the party!
We packed up on Friday and headed home through the rain. We decided to make a proper stop in Bulls for lunch - and after a quick stop at the veggie market in Levin we made it home by 4:30...
It was a fun holiday... good mix of outside/inside... friends/family... rest/exercise...
And now - the holidays are OVER!!!
One term left for 2013...
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