2012 Here I am!

It's about time I showed up, isn't is?
well, we went away for Christmas this year, spent it with some of Josh's family. It was very nice, the kids got spoilt. then we did a bit of a road trip around the East Coast, which I'd never been to before. I loved it, stunning!

Our little box! 

What's in that present

Tahi and Clementine, wearing the best tutu ever

Unfortunately it wasn't much of a holiday for Josh. He'd built a cool little box (he ended up saying it was my xmas present, probably because he didn't have time for making anything else let alone think about what to get me!) with bunk beds so we could sleep in it during our little adventure. It worked a treat except for the trailer it was built on. It turned out the two metal bars that link the trailer to the car weren't solid enough, don't ask me for the technical term (although you'd think I know it by now).

There are many ways to ride a skateboard

The first time it happened we stopped for lunch on our way to Whangamata. Josh noticed a crack on one of the bars. Fixed it with some metal rods he found, and also changed the bunks around to make them more comfortable. We left, then spent some time with some friends who live up a river, i.e. there is no road access to their place. It was a rocky ride to get there to say the least. Tahi was screaming with joy and excitement and it felt like we were on one of those adventure rides you pay to go on at the fair. The trailer didn't like it either, and when we left Josh (doing his usual little check before getting on the the -tar sealed- road) saw a new crack on the same bar. Luckily he'd kept the leftover from that same rod he used for the first crack, and even more luckily he'd bought a power drill from the op shop in Waihi a couple of days earlier (the one he used on the earlier repairs was craping out). So, an hour and a bit later, we're on the road again.

We spent a few days, including New Year's eve, with our friends who live on a farm with no electricity in a 10m2 house. We had a great time, the kids played all day and we just hung out (except for Josh who as building a bunk in the box for Tahi).
When we finally set off to go home along the bumpy east coast roads, 20 minutes into our drive we heard a big "CONK" and felt a bump on the rear of the car, then a noise like metal being dragged on the road. Well, there was some metal grinding the tar seal, it was the two bars that linked the trailer to the car!

Luckily we were going downhill (I get the shivers down my spine every when I imagine what would have happened had we been going uphill instead...) and Josh managed to stop the car then drive it on the side of the road. He spent 3 hours fixing the trailer, no kidding. Meanwhile we were hanging out in the car on the side of the road. When we finally set off we were starving and tired and really looking forward to getting home in one piece.
It wasn't exactly the relaxing holiday we'd envisioned but a special time none the less. I'm sure the kids will enjoy hearing about our Christmas 2011 adventures on day.
So here we are two weeks later, 6 washing loads, house clean up and de cluttering. I've spent the last week clearing the workshop, getting rid of fabric scraps (20kg taken to the tip!), rubbish and unwanted fabric. A friend and I have organized a clothes swap this Sunday. Aaahh, finally some space, I feel inspired already!