WEDDING PHOTOS:

THE NEW FAMILY UNIT

Amanda and Andrew, Huston and Joel

The Bridal Party with the Wedding Car:

there were two of these awesome old cars.

Amanda with one of her 3 gorgeous Bridesmaids

The wedding venue was at the Hamilton Gardens,

very beautiful.

It was a stinking hot day as predicted, but luckily a little overcast so we didn't TOTALLY melt!

Here we have Mike and Abby slinking away for a quiet walk between photos being taken and the reception.

Here we have our daughter Kelly, her partner Gordon and their darling daughter Rena.

Hopefully we will be attending their wedding next!

(hint .. hint ! lol, no PRESSURE you understand)

After the Bride, the most GORGEOUS girl there!

Even with a grotty bib.

Our 6 youngest grandchildren..... Griffin (7) Huston (6)

Joshua (7.7) Joel (4) Brylee (8) and in front

being held by her Mum ... Rena (9 months)

Edit: Joshua is blanked out as I have not asked his parents for permission

to publish photos of him.

Here they are standing on a table watching a model boat being

driven on the little lake.

It certainly kept them amused for a while.

One of the surprises of the evening was for Amanda....Andrew had not told her where they were going for their HONEYMOON....

She soon found out when she was given this!

The incredibly yummy Chocolate/Fruit Wedding Cake.

I only had the tiniest piece, I swear!

Cutting the Cake...

talk about stating the obvious eh? lol

The First Dance .... which was followed by a dance

dedicated to Stew and Me!

Our song is: "I've Got You Babe" by UB40

I nearly cried dancing with my Stew, he really is my EVERYTHING..

I hope Amanda and Andrew have the same love for each other as we do, cos if they do they will have the most wonderful marriage.

The task of removing the garter, Andrew tried with his teeth, but gave up and hauled it off with his hand!

Two of my dearest girlfriends and our youngest daughter Kelly.

Richard and Jenny / Bronwyn and Glen.

Stew went to school with all but Jenny... they are our dearest friends.

Granddad and Rena, makes ya melt just looking at them.

(well OK, makes ME melt !)

Mike looking like a deer in the headlights....

Steve, looking very dashing.. he was the MC at the wedding.

and FINALLY.... on the way home yesterday....

totally KNACKERED... and quiet. Thank God.

So that's it for now with the photos! I realised I didn't get one of Amanda full length so have asked her to send me one.... *sigh*... it's a wonder I got any ... I was so hot and bothered most of the day!

It really was stinking hot... me knickers got drenched with sweat by lunchtime.... (too much information eh?) *smiles*... so I ended up not wearing any!

I was not the only one either! None of the Bridesmaids had any on either... it was just too hot!

TODAY:

Well we still have Mike, Abby and Steve here.... so will probably go out SOMEWHERE.... ONWARD...

My wedding outfit is shown on yesterday's post ... ya dorks! lol

End of Day: I think we are all feeling a bit jaded today... shopping/weddings etc sure take it outta you! nite nite.

HEADING HOME TODAY...

OK I'm cheating now! I'm 'forward' posting....

I can't tell ya how the wedding went yet.... cos I'm away from me computer....

When we get home I will hot foot it to me computer and download all the photos and show ya a few.

Guess you will see what I wore then too! lol

LATER..... and it might be really late today.... sorry!

WE are home ... safe and sound and very tired! The wedding was WONDERFUL... we had a lovely time, our daughter is married and all is good!

As promised ... here is my wedding outfit:

A WHITE Pants suit with the most gorgeous blue/purple top

Originally I wanted to wear some sort of flowing dress, with lots of colour, but everything I tried on like that was just bloody awful against my skin... I am very tanned... so white looks best on me. Luckily my daughter did not SEEM to mind me wearing white. PHEW, what a relief.

It has been a very full on couple of days and it is lovely to get home ... It's time to put our feet up, have a few drinks and just relax.

I promise wedding photos tomorrow... when I have more time.

End of Day: tired... but happy everything went so well. nite nite.

IT'S THE WEDDING DAY...

It's going to be a stinking hot day... and the wedding is OUTSIDE, ... and right now it can get to boiling point by 3pm in the afternoon.

Guess what time the ceremony is? ***** 3pm *****

I am hoping like hell we don't all MELT in the heat.

I'm taking lots of DIET COKE... and me umbrella! Shade will be necessary me thinks.

ABOVE: the necklace I am wearing. I think it's gorgeous.

First up today will be getting me hair put up... flowers put in... then getting ourselves to the bride's house.

Just got me hair done: what do ya think???

If ya don't hear from me again today... it's cos I can't access the internet! (or I'm pissed as a chook) lol

So.... in advance...nite nite.... and don't expect me to comment on ya blog ... cos I'm not here! PHOTOS will be posted when I get home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING

Ahhh what a hunk! Hope you have a wonderful day... at work.

TODAY:

Stew is dropping the teens off at the outlet shops again... saves me taking them in and then having to turn around and come home again.

Me? Dunno! Relax maybe. Work on me diet plan.... tis going great so far. Now I don't have to eat breakfast anymore I can get back to my 'normal'.... which is no breakfast, a good sized healthy lunch and a small dinner. It works for me.

I should no doubt get our clothes etc sorted for tomorrow too... make sure we all have everything we need for the wedding. I am really looking forward to it... remember.. I'm the FLOWER GIRL! *smiles*

What did I give Stew? A bloody tie! No home appliance... so there. I couldn't find a darn thing for him that I knew he'd really want/need so I just found a really lovely tie... he LOVES ties!

I just took the first step to being accountable with my weight again... I made a doctor's appointment for next Tuesday... I am going to discuss my weight with him and set up a regular weekly weigh in there... it will cost LESS than going to Weight Watchers, I will have a one on one consultation with him and not have to hear all the same WW's crap I am so used to!

Don't get me wrong though.. I believe WW's is a fantastic organisation, it advocates good, sound, healthy eating.. and IT WORKS... and I will be following the WW's plan still, just not going to the meetings. I am over the meetings.

Breakfast at 10.30 am... spaghetti and cheese on toast ... *drooling*

Stew in his new tie... I got it from the Kia Kaha shop... one of my favourite shops. Has nice stuff with Kiwiana type patterns.

The poor man will also get a lovely dinner I have cooked for him tonight... home made chicken pies! YUM... don't think I will be having one though... too much pastry.

I am so proud of myself! I did NOT eat a pie... and I could have, there were a few left over even! I drooled over the pastry... but THAT IS ALL I did. YAAAA ME. The family loved them too... which is just as well... cos it was friggin SWELTERING in my kitchen this afternoon.

Now that I seem to have my eating under control again, I just have to work on getting more DELIBERATE exercise again.

End of Day: It's been bloody wonderful really. Being in control of my diet again is so empowering... and makes me so happy. nite nite.

WHO SAID????

I just LOVE teasing you all! And WHO said my new wedding outfit was a dress??? Wasn't me.... but it could be! Or not...lol

Getting me hair coloured today... about time too! I have a good 3 inches of re-growth going on... NOT a good look I can assure you! Ikky.

On friday morning I go back and have my hair 'put up' in some sort of flash 'do' with the little flowers inter-twined... I hope it looks nice.

What else can I yabber about today? Hmmmm... might take the kids shopping again this afternoon.... I havn't been to the Dressmart they went to yesterday!

I'm looking at going to my Doctor's rooms and weighing in every week instead of going back to WW's.... I am so over WW's and hearing the same old stuff. Thinking about it anyway.

I have tried TWICE today to update, but blogger is being an arse. Hope it works this time.

I took the big kids to Sylvia Park this morning, then after they had shopped for 4 hours there I picked them up and took them and B & G to Manukau and left them all there so I could get me hair done.

Now home and got the dinner in the oven, then will get the washing in off the line... you know... ALL THE USUAL housewifey stuff.

ABOVE: the kids with TODAY'S shopping bags! They spent lots more today... shoes! Well, really expensive sneakers actually.

Feeling really famished.. been spot on with 'the diet' today... not slipped up once! Dinner will be chicken and salad... so no chance of being evil then either. woo hoo!

End of Day: I'm married to the best man in the whole world! He just folded and put away a week's worth of washing for me... I might just keep him! lol

nite nite.

YES.. YES AND BLOODY YES!

Today I go to the hospital for my LAST appointment with the Hematologists.. after today, no more blood tests, no more having to take blood thinners, no more friggin having to eat breakfast even!

YES!!!!!

6 months has really flown by since my 'fun' post surgical complications! It will take more than a major hemorrhage and then blood clots in my lungs to kill me off.... I am all better. SO THERE.

Hmmmm, now that I remember though, I think after this meeting I have to instigate another round of visits with the hematologists! They need to investigate WHY I hemorrhage after every operation! BUGGER.

After the hospital visit I am showing Mike and Abby where the Outlet shops are so they can do their shopping. Those two kids have been saving their money for over a year so they could come up here and SHOP ! See, my son takes after ME! *smiles*.

That's it for now... ONWARD...

Hospital visit - DONE

Drop kids off at outlet shop - DONE

Lunch with Stew - DONE

Buy flowers for me hair - DONE

ABOVE: the flowers I got to put in me hair for the wedding.

Mike trying to show Brylee how to do addition of 'big' numbers! lol

It has already been a LONG day, I'm knackered.... and it's only 3pm.

As I thought, I have to go back to the hospital in a fortnight to undergo even more blood tests to try and determine WHY I bleed so much during/after surgery etc. Looks like it might take some time ... and there is no guarantee they will find the cause. Bummer. In the meantime I may have to wear a medic alert bracelet... DO THEY COME WITH DIAMONDS? LOL

I'm now going to put me feet up for a while before starting dinner... what a fag.... cooking is a neverending thankless job.. as is washing, vacuming, dusting, making beds.... you know... all the USUAL housewifey jobs. JOY.

Hee hee, the minute they got home from their shopping I took photos, they EXPECTED it !!

Holding the 'booty'

5In one outfit....

5And another.

5Flash watch!

End of Day: well I do believe the kids enjoyed their shopping day... and they are going to do more tomorrow! They will have Brylee and Griffin in tow though as I have my hair appointment tomorrow. That's about all for today... nite nite.

A SNEAK PEEK... BUT THAT IS ALL.

Here's me wedding clothes:

PRETTY EH?

The colour is really lovely ... almost a deep purple.. but kinda blue too... I love it. So, full unveiling on Friday.

TODAY:

Stew is back to work, and I'm here with the kids... We are going to visit Lynda this morning... so that will be a nice interlude in our day.

Then home to get some more tan I hope!

Steve, Mike and Abby are due today too... so I better gear myself up to having bloody teenagers in me house again. Hour long showers, mess everywhere.... and lots of love. Awwwww. Can hardly wait.

Home again... had a lovely visit at Lynda's...lots of yakking about girly stuff! Noice.

Expecting Mike and Abby soon, seems Steve is stopping in Hamilton to help his sister prepare for the wedding. Shame, Griffin was SO looking forward to seeing him. Oh well, he will on friday at the wedding eh?

It's Stew's birthday on thursday, do you think I can find something for him? I KNOW he does not want another home appliance! I gave him a mincer for Christmas among other things! lol.... I've always wanted a mincer....*Pissing myself laughing* Still got a couple of days left to find something...

Awwww LYNISE you are a doll for offering to babysit so I can take me man out to dinner! I may even take you up on it! Will give you a ring in a day or two once we have given it some thought! But I reckon it's a darn nice idea! GAWD... dinner without the kids would be bloody amazing and fantastic!

End of Day: kids arrived safe and sound.... had a nice dinner of KFC... (evil stuff!)... chilling out for the evening. nite nite.

NO WAY...

There is no way anyone is gunna get to 'vet' my wedding outfit, so I'm not going to show you!

You will all have to just wait till after the wedding... which is on this coming FRIDAY afternoon...

Our sons Steve and Mike are coming up from Palmerston North for it too, so we will all be there except our eldest son Russell, who lives in Perth.

TODAY: no plans yet, still have to get outta bed eh? It will depend a great deal on the weather.... if it's pissing down we will no doubt stay home... if fine... dunno! Feeling very tired, been doing heaps lately... hope it helps with the weight loss!

ONWARD....

What a sight to behold... me darling 'barefoot' in the kitchen.... and YES, he is making my breakfast!

We are off out soon to try and get him indoors a tie to match me wedding outfit.... that is, once he's dressed of course! lol

WHOOPS! Forgot to update! We went out and got Stew a tie, and 3 new dressy shirts on sale at a fab Men's Wear Shop in Botany Downs.

Then we looked at Spa Pools... gunna get one in a few months....

Then home, where I stripped down to me knickers and lay in the sun... NO photos... use your imagination! I'd like to say I looked like Rachel Hunter.. but alas I think I'm more like Kirstie Alley! Oh well.... I'm healthy !

End of Day: well it's been a bloody nice day if I must say! I got me some sun this afternoon, not that you can tell .. pfffft! I lie out there for 2 hours and... NOTHING. Grrrrrr. Still, it's been a lovely day and I'm looking forward to tomorrow when my boys arrive. nite nite.

FROM THE MOST USED DIGITAL CAMERA IN AUCKLAND!

Our visitors have all left... we can take a breather until the next lot arrive next week.

Chris D and Teddy in his favourite spot....

Our pampered pooch and my niece Shelley

Mother and daughter (and spoilt rotten dog)

TODAY:

- housework

- get some more vege plants

- maybe if it's fine (?) get a tan!

Our ELDEST daughter's wedding is in 6 days! Still not 100% sure of what I will eventually wear! Daughter wants me to wear black dress/blue top... me? Still want to wear lighter/brighter dress/top combo. *sigh* Still in a quandry about it all.

Oh well... I suppose you and I will have to wait and see!

ONWARD....

So... we went to the Newmarket shops for another look-see... and I don't know how it happened but we ended up buying yet ANOTHER outfit for the wedding!

I could cry I'm that happy with it! We got home and I put it on, added the shoes and necklace and Stew said "stunning" so I think we have a winner! And it's NOT a white dress! THANK GOD FOR THAT.

It's pouring with rain right now... it just came down in bucketfuls! Stew and the kids are at the supermarket....

JENNY: Yes, I am told I have lovely eyes all the time! I can take no credit for them, I INHERITED them from my ancestors! *smiles*

ANON: My niece does not have a WL blog.... she has just had Gastric Band surgery... so she is on her way to being healthier and happier.

End of Day: it's been a fabulous day... out and about, finally settled on a neat outfit for da wedding... had a nana nap this afternoon.. just had a long soak in the bath (bliss), kids to bed soon then just relax! nite nite.

PHOTO MONTAGE

YESTERDAY, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

Leaving the pier heading for our 1.5 hr cruise

The Uylesses, the most expensive privately owned Super Launch in New Zealand, owned by Chris D's Boss!!! ($50 million !)

Westhaven Marina, and in the background the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Under the bridge!

See the red arrow? Dat's where you can bungy jump from! NO THANKS MATE!!! Maybe when I'm 90 yrs old and it doesn't matter if I die of a heart attack doing it.

Me and my darling... and LOOK! I'm friggin smiling!

Griffin just loved being on the boat.... from this low he could get his hand wet from the wake.... just!

Would ya look at that? I'm STILL smiling!



The ferry docked at Rangitoto Island, and you could get off for a few minutes... that's the wharfe in the background.

The members of our little group who GOT OFF! ha ha ha

Me 'resident hunk'




Our little POSER... Ashley... LOOK OUT RACHEL HUNTER!!!!

Griffin and Shelley.... getting windswept.


TWO LITTLE TARTLETS.


Chris D taking a photo.... and me taking a photo too.

I'm sure I've already got him on... but he's so cute.


A really cool sculpture at the bottom of Queen Street.... fire and water. Awesome.


Getting his confidence in the water... this is called an 'action shot'... ha ha ha.

On Devonport beach.... "Look out Kate Moss....." just look at those legs!

Dad said 'NO' you can't swim in your knickers.

PHEW... wasn't that fun?

TODAY:

My eldest child (Amanda) turns the big 3-0 !!! Shit I feel old!

Chris D goes home... boo hooo.... it has been wonderful having her here.

Shelley and Ashley go home this afternoon, back to Melbourne. Hopefully they are coming out to see our new home before they leave.

After all that? Well if it's sunny I am going to lie in the sun! NO OTHER PLANS YET....

whoops! Almost forgot to do me End of Day: Shelley and Ashley did come out, we had a lovely visit/lunch then Stew and the kids took them to the airport.

Rest of afternoon was spent just lazing around, catching up on some zzzzzz's.... has rained most of the day... very hot and humid now... sticky. Bloody mozzies are out in force too... hate them! Must get more flyspray.... nite nite.

TIS THE NEW YEAR...

We went into town around 7.30 pm... we went swimming in the hotel pool, was nice:

Chris D and my niece Shelley didn't go swimming, but the rest of us did. It was lovely.

Back in the hotel room we ate a few nibbles .. and drunk a few wines (except Stew who was the sober driver, poor bugger)...

The kids played around with putting make up on,... even Griffin wanted some on!

This was the view of the Sky Tower from the hotel room... we saw all the fireworks... it was so neat! I took a movie of all the fireworks, will try to download it in the morning! But for now, it's 1.50 am on the 1st of January 2009 and I'm going to bed ... I'm tired and a bit tiddly! nite nite for now!

7.50 am... Griffin did not sleep in! He got up at his usual time the little shit! I am feeling decidedly seedy...WINE is evil stuff and I should have learnt by now that it makes me ill the next day...DERRRR.

We are going out soon for a Harbour Cruise.... looks like the weather will be OK.. yaaa. LATER....

The harbour cruise was FANTASTIC... it was supposed to be cloudy with showers today, but it's been a blistering hot summer's day! We did the harbour cruise, then had lunch in Queen Street, did a bit of shopping, scored some really neat board shorts for Stew... then we took another ferry boat over to Devonport where Brylee and Griffin played on the beach and Griffin had a swim. Then back on the ferry to downtown Auckland, in the car and home. WE ARE TOTALLY KNACKERED.... but so happy.

Sore feet.... hot feet.... happy feet. What more could you ask for on the first day of a New Year!