Norsworthy Family in NSW

The Norsworthy clan! We visited Grant's brother, Mike and family near Newcastle in NSW, Australia. For a few days Grant's parents, their sons and their families were all gathered together for a late Christmas and a few days of relaxing by the pool. A family friend took some fantastic family photos for us.

Max and Grandpa Norsworthy.

Us!

The boys! Max and his cousin Cale.

The girls! Cousins Georgia, Mellie and Ali.

Grant holding Max back while he went crazy in the pool! He loves water.

Max goes shopping at a mall in Chatswood.

Max and Grandpa again.

Cousin Georgia gives Max a geography lesson.

More relaxing in NZ

Uncle Jacob and Max.

Grammy and Max, out for lunch.

Max and Grammy in Upper Moutere.

Daddy plays the guitar and Max loves to listen!

Crawling with his friend Thomas!

Max asleep in Mama's arms.

At the beach! We went to Rabit Island. Grant took Max out into the water and Koro buried Max in his favourite new toy: SAND!! Here he is sitting in his first car - a BMW, apparently.

Helicopter to Awaroa

On Boxing Day Mum and Dad revealed our surprise Christmas present to the family: A helicopter flight to Awaroa! Awaroa is a beautiful beach in the Abel Tasman National Park that can only be accessed by boat, air or by hiking for several days.

Dad, Mum, Jacob, Grant, Max and Brooke ready to fly!

Max seemed to enjoy himself, although he seemed much more entertained by the voices in his headphones than the scenery!

Mum and Dad in the front on the way to Awaroa.

We flew over Motueka and then the National Park - the view was spectacular!

At Awaroa we sunbathed... some even braved the chilly water for a swim! We lunched at the lodge before heading back.

Max in the front of the helicopter on the return trip. Below: another view of the National Park.

Christmas Day in Nelson

Happy Christmas everyone! Max had his first Christmas in New Zealand with Grammy and Koro Briars and Uncle Jacob. He loved all the decorations on the tree....

Mum and I enjoying our Champagne breakfast with yummy berries!

Koro reads Max his new book: Hairy MacClary from Donaldson's Dairy.

To the beach!

Yesterday we went to our friend Mandy's wedding. It was lovely and nice to see one of my oldest friends get married so happily! In between the ceremony and reception we took Grant to the airport for a quick trip to Auckland for work... and we took Max to the beach! It was his first beach experience since the Bahamas cruise when he was 7 weeks old (and I was too scared to put him in the cold water). As an 8 month old he LOVED it! He was rather excited by the wind and the waves and starting bouncing up and down when Koro put him in the water!

More pics from Nelson

Max explores Grammy and Koro's house... and meets Samson, the cat I adopted for Mum and Dad 10 years ago without consulting them... oops.

On Dec 15th we celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary by walking through the hazelnut orchard we were married in! We stood in the clearing and said our vows and told Max all about it.

Tonight we went to the Upper Moutere Community Christmas Carol event. This is pretty much the typical backdrop at home (although it's almost always sunny in Nelson)! It was lovely to catch up with old friends and Max showed off his crawling skills.