Oops it's 2013...

And I'm the last one to do a blog update!  Not sure who stealed the time away and not even sure where I should start.  Early new year went to Auckland for a 10 days to (pretend) help Amy get something sorted for the baby - guess she will update on all that sometime, and Sunday was a really hot day where we had to eat lunch outside in the park for some air and a walk around afterwards.

Then Kate and I had a couple of days in Taranaki, and got to see the Fitzroy beach - briefly.

 And then Isaac came to stay a night when I got home.... He totally attacked Marks 'big ted' who was 'weally hebby' ..

 Body slamming all over the lounge floor..

Then a little piano playing

And building blocks with Grandad with Big Ted watching on

The curtains are finally up in the smoke room

 Espalier apples looking delightful

 Dad had the digger home saturday scraping out the carpark area and cleaning up so decided to find the patch of lawn that always dies in summer - and yes he found the old septic tank, caved it in and filled it up.

Drains have all been done while we were away a week ago and downpipes connected

Graham concreted in the stormwater culvert on saturday

 And Stuart managed to spread some fill before sunday over all the dirt and drains

The laundry cabinetry is not quite finished.  Couple of drawer baskets to go under the ironing board but this gives you the gist..

The back deck when we got home last week

 And the wee deck outside our bedroom which is having two slab steps down onto the boardwalk fitted today

Tonight there are two new solatubes that are also lights in the laundry utility area, and its giving amazing light even after the sun has gone down!

 Dad's birthday john deere tractor seat on the back deck where he'll take his shoes off as he comes in :) Well that's the plan anyway...

 And our boardwalk ramp to the deck is entirely finished tonight, after I gave the boys the right curves to cut it by!!  Graham thought he would just do straight edges.  Now we can replant this area and hopefully nobody needs to stomp all over my ferns anymore.

And I reckon I've taken long enough here and its past my bedtime ... so will endeavor to not leave it so long next time. G'night.

Reno #25

Thought I'd update the BMW on this wee eco friendly 3 wheeled model...

Now for a tour around the house ..

All painted around the outside.. even the front face of our bedroom and the gable end wall.  We will be able to take down the scaffolding this weekend.

Since last Tuesday Graham has been working on this wall of the bedroom and bathroom... only 8 days and quite a ways to go.  Next step is cutting in a door behind the palm where the laundry is.

 The honeysuckle smells beautiful of an evening.

The rest of the exterior lights were fitted at the same time as the dining room ones.

The heat pump and face of the wall removed to reveal the void behind ready for pre-plumbing and electrical work for new laundry space.

The day the end cabinet was put in the Kitchen, Stuart, John & Chris decided it was a great place to display all types of footwear, clean or otherwise!  Still haven't finished putting all the china away.

I'm thrilled with how the wallpaper looks with copper leaf and brass lights!  Even Dad thinks I've chosen alright.  Not sure if he was talking about the wallpaper?  Slowly getting things finished off.

 Now that all the visitors have gone, I have two new king single beds delivered this morning.  They gave me one the day of the funeral but made it a lot lower to the floor than the other beds.

Hopefully the next update means the exterior cladding is all finished and painted :)  Till then.. be good.

An Ode to Grandad

Its hard to believe his life is gone, but we're glad for the last few years when there's been the fitting in and thankfulness for all that has been done.  We remember with love the times we've had together as family, and can laugh and smile about the more challenging times in the past.  Just last year there was fascination with a new great-grandson..

End of 2011.. before we started renovations

Beginning of 2012 - Jos arrives home for a couple of weeks.  We had a picnic lunch at the Motueka Wharf.

Easter 2012, engaging well with the family.. except when the reading got a bit heavy :)

 Kate helping Grandad down the stairs to sleep out for afternoon siesta.

Bruce came and visited in May..

Last day at Kihilla Road beginning of June 2012..

Out from Wensley House to attend Nan Eggers funeral..

5th July 2012 - 84 yrs old at Anchor Bar & Grill with a dozen Bluff Oysters

End of September 2012 - David's 30th

The Gardening Crew - Labour day 22nd October 2012

Just a week later final farewells

Last time at Nayland Road..

 We carried him out

Gorgeous old Plymouth with Stuart riding shotgun with Dianne.  

The flowers were beautiful...

And some had to hide behind dark glasses ..

 The Jag was cleaned for the occasion..

Five days later the flowers still looked beautiful.. the cooler nights have acted as refrigerator.

We had siphon coffee at Oxford cafe - sitting right between Grandad's accountant and lawyer - to warm up afterwards.

His cheese cutters are living on in the next generations..

We're glad there are no more struggles and ill health for you Grandad.