Bonjour Wendy, its amazing how school french can go along way. We're all coping well, communicating with the locals and we even felt like we were heading back home yesterday once we crossed the border from Spain back to France. I can see how living here would have children fluent in no time.
We have been keeping up to date on the ChCh earthquake...I see Wellington also had one. That must have given everyone a scare.
We are having so much fun and the boys are learning so much without even realising it. Of course we have our normal family moments, bound to happen when you're living in hotels, but it's all worthwhile. Good to hear all is well with you...have to admit to being a little homesick a couple of times....but not for too long. Missing routine and order :-)
Lots of love from us all xxx

Cats -Bonjour mon amie - Ok, that's about the extent of my schoolgirl french (it was a while ago)!

...sad day for the South yesterday - as if the earthquake wasn't enough (they reckon the damage will run into the billions, water, sewage, power out for lots of CHCH all day, huge splits in roads and buckled train lines and bridges, and a curfew in place last night to deter looters - would you believe NZers would do that! and fears over unsafe buildings - some caught fire as power was switched back on) but also a tourist plane crash at Fox Glacier killing all on board. It was a beautiful spring day which helped all involved but today is grotty and gale force winds forecast for the whole country. That won't help the emergency services at either site.

Enough gloomy news - loving the photos and the latest video. Have to confess to teary eyes looking at both yesterday, which is so silly- we don't see that much of each other when we live in the same region but finding I am missing you all... the boys look as though they are having the trip of a lifetime. All good here - work continues to be great and I am so happy with the staff and partners - into week 8 this week - did I tell you we are refitting a brand new medical centre in the old Newlands Pub building! Really exciting and plans are almost ready for quote and council steps. We will have almost double the floor area, better access, parking etc. Better let you go - take care, love to all, Wens

Hi guys and girls,

You've probably heard about this already (apparently it's the headline all over the world) but this week has been horrible - there was an earthquake in Christchurch magnitude 7.4 and a state of emergency has been called. No - one has been killed but some of these photos are horrendous - see the link:http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/quake-aftermath-live-updates-3760678

Hope you all enjoy perpignon!!!!

Josh.

Wendy, great to hear from you...we've been out of action for a while on the blog because of the Canal Boat. Also, I got a little tired and slowed down a bit. The boys are growing....Jack and George especially. Good to hear spring is springing......will be nice to come home to. We've had good weather although it did pour down one day on the boat...poor Mike got very wet. Not doing a lot of girl things - I've sort of just gotta go with the flow....being the minority - its easier to just follow the crowd. Glad to get off that boat I must say....I don't do well without good running water, toilets and a hair dryer. Take care of yourself will talk soon....xxx

Just checked out the latest photos - love the boys in the woods and George as a gladiator. What are you feeding those boys, or have you got an elongating lens on the camera? They all look as though they have shot up, esp George. All good here, first day of spring tomorrow. Blossom trees are coming out and there are daffs everywhere - love this time of year. Hope you are having a great time, and getting to do some "girl" things too. Love to all from a still rainy NZ, Wens

Glad you are having some family time - must be nice to catch up with Stewart and Rico is such a cutie!.. How did the boys manage to get into the media box at Lords? Talk a bout a great view of the game from there! Have been meaning to say that I love the NZ teeshirts (and Ben's Phoenix one) being worn all over the world - good look guys! You look ed a little "stressed" at Camden market - a meltdown in the making? or just trying to keep tabs on the boys? Gorgeous mild sunny day here - makes a change - we have had so much rain! Love to all, Wens

Hi Wendy, thanks for the update. We're in London now and suffering a little from overtiredness. We can't seem to get enough sleep and so we're trying to slow down the pace a little. Its great being with family and also great to be in cooler weather. Will catch up again soon....probably send you a postcard from Paris ;-)

Hi team ... love the photos of Washington, and glad to hear you finally got some retail therapy in, Cat. All good here. "News" from home...Phoenix season opens tomorrow night, and All Whites playing two internationals in NZ in Oct, one at the stadium vs Paraguay. All Blacks won vs Aussie last weekend, tho tighter scoreline than the last few games. Lots of press around the NZ soldier who was killed in Afghganistan - first military casualty in 14 years (I think that's right). Work is great. Enjoy your last few days in the US - hopefully the UK will be a bit cooler. Catch up when you can, Wens

Hmmm....copycat.......

Might be getting a 16GB iPhone 4 - nearly saved up!!

lol 101 degrees celsuis.......jeez thats hot in washington.......

Get me the president while you're there!!!!

J.

P.S You've missed out on quite a bit of stuff around here - I'll tell you when you get back.

Hey Josh,

Man its so hot here. Yesterday it was 101 degrees. Oh sorry. Thats in Farenheit. It was about 38 degrees Celsius. Im so tired. Guess what, Im going to save up for an Iphone 4g. I wanted to get an ipod nano but i chaned my mind. Might see you on skype.

Jack

Hi everyone from a cold and windy (obviously) Wellington. Looks like you guys are having heaps of fun from all the photos you uploaded. Skiing was fantastic (though, obviously not as good as your holiday!) Will P came along and we went curling and had heaps of laughs. Snow....snow...snow was all that was there and it was brilliant. Grrr.....still quite jealous () - we got heaps of homework and lots of projects. Get Jack to skype us sometime - it'd be great. Enjoy NY!!!!

J.

Hi Wendy, good to hear from you. All the boys say Hi!! I shouldn't whinge about the heat I know, especially when we've left such a wet winter. It's been so hot I'm having problems keeping the sunburn at bay! I love New York so I've been looking forward to this part of the trip since we planned it. Yankees game tomorrow and a picnic in Central Park today. Haven't done any shopping yet but there hasn't really been anytime and it doesn't seem to be as important now I'm here. We've not really kept up with the NZ news at all...so thanks for the update. Looking forward to that wine ;-) Take care xx