2007 with the Gordon Gang!

We started 2007 camping at Mangamate Falls in the nth island and will end it camping in the sth island. In between, the years been full of the usual life stuff (eating, playing, working, sport, church, music, art & swimming lessons, birthday parties, vomitting bugs, sleeping) and we've added a few extras for a bit of variety......... Pete playing a sexy & very dashing groomsman at Danielles brothers wedding, Charlotte and Pete both having surgery & me having to put up with Pete being off work for three months - yes that is 3 months this year and 2 months last year! It was fantastic!! Drew getting to know the insides of Tauranga hospital pretty well with 2 visits to A&E and a few more to other departments.


While Pete was off work he oversaw the conversion of our carport to a garage, and we got a fireplace put in just in time for winter, and also finished off a few other bits and pieces we needed done to get our code of compliance and make us all legal! Petes still at the same job cabinet making - he enjoys it and gets the use of the workshop after hours which is handy!


I (Danielle) got to deliver my first lamb in the middle of the night - after staying up with it all night in front of the fire trying to get it to feed it was named 'lucky' by the kids in the morning. A few hours later as they buried it, they changed it's name to 'unlucky'. Some happier animal news was getting Tinkerbell (Tinks), a maltese puppy who our neighbour is sure is his missing slipper! We never thought we were small dog people but she's the best pet we've had!


We've continued to do respite care for Open Homes in the holidays and in July took on 1 & 2 year old siblings which was to be permanent, though as they do, plans have changed (7 or 8 times in total!) to the stage we were told we definately wouldn't be having them permanently so have gone to having them for weekend respite. A few weeks ago we found out things have now gone full circle and we're back to the start with the possibility of having them permanently again. They'll be coming to live with us Jan 25 until their case is sorted out, we're hoping they'll be staying forever! Lily and Journey are only 6 weeks apart in age and are so like twins - man they have fun together! The kids have been amazing with them and found it hard when we found out we weren't going to be having them permanently. They've loved having them for respite and we've all learned lots through the experience. I guess it's a case of watch this space!

Lildre, Journey & Lily LOVE hanging out on the hammock - best $3 we ever spent!

We had our first ERO (education review office) visit midyear. Despite the few weeks leading up to it being a bit frazzled, it went well and we were given the big governmental thumbs up! Apparently our kids are being taught at least as regularly and as well as in a state school (in essence that is what they need to know). Nothing we didn't already know!!


All in all, life while busy, sometimes crazy, is good - in a crazy good kind of way! God has proven himself to be faithful and true to His word over and over again.


And now over to the kids..........




LILY
If Lily knew more words she'd tell you that she is pretty much leading the stakes for the most mischievious Gordon kid yet! I'm not kidding, she's a little houdini - she can get into anything and up to anything! Of course she does it all in the 'isn't that the cutest thing you've ever seen' kind of way! Guess that's to be expected with so many older bro's & sisters to copy! Apart from mischief her favourite things are shoes (anyones), cookies, bubba dolls and playing with anyone who wants to!

Honestly, this kid can climb anywhere!

Eating on the job - Lily loves going on the ride-on with Dad

CHARLOTTE

I homeschool and do maths and had a party. Josiah was a black widow spider at my secret garden party. I like dressing up as a ballerina and eating lunch and not going to bed. I like lollies! Love Charlotte

The birthday girls having snuggles

JED
I had a fun time at the homeschool get together, it was fun doing christmas things. We are going to do a concert at an old folks home. I'm going to dress up into a different costume. This year I played soccer, I want to play rugby, baseball and tennis ball. I like playing with my friends outside on the waterslide, I like making bread - it's dough, we just put water and not playdough, water and flour and just cook it or we can make a pie with a dough, we can make a bacon and egg pie with dough.

RIANA

I like arts and crafts, I like going to art lessons with Drew, and making things at home. I like eating yum things like luncheon sandwiches, sweets and chocolate eclairs. I like to play with my friends. I like having a tidy bedroom but I never have a tidy bedroom but sometimes I do. We look after 2 little kids called Journey and Lildre, they're very cute! I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas cuddles - this photo won the girls a prize on TV!

DREW

I'm the tallest kid in the family, and I like soccer, bugs and animals (and girls - Josiah wants me to write that but it's not true). I play the clarinet and I go to art lessons. I like doing craft stuff and science experiments. I'm learning how to ride my unicycle - it's hard to ride. Have a fun Christmas and a happy new year.

This bird flew into Drew while he was riding his bike, then didn't want to leave him!

JOSIAH
I'm the oldest kid in the family and I like motocross, soccer and all things extreme. I like playing my electric guitar, and I like to sing and dance hip hop. I'm looking forward to going down to Nelson - I'm wanting to do paintball, gold panning and hang out with friends - I can't WAIT!!!! Have the best Christmas ever peoples!

Joey and Journey

Well that's our year in brief (or not so brief, not in briefs!)

Lots of love from our family to yours