Gabriella Mackay Hemsley

OK, yes it has been some time since this was updated. The main news is, of course, the safe arrival of Gabriella on the 23rd August 2007. She was 3 weeks early after Haidee spent and unscheduled 2-3 weeks in hospital but she is absolutely perfect (as you can see from the picture). Gabi has been home for almost two weeks and it has been an incredibly quick and slow two weeks. The days go by quickly as Gabi is very good but the nights can be long as she is not very settled yet. Needless to say, Mum and Dad have some sleep to catch up on and nap whenever they can.

She was 2940grams or 6lb 8oz at birth. It was by C-section as Haidee was having trouble with blood pressure and when she was induced, labour just wouldn't kick in, so it was time to go get Gabi. She was born with a full head of hair, as you can see, and her Dad got first cuddle. A very proud moment.

All in all, everything went well and is going well. The unsettled nights are completely normal, and we aren't really expecting them to be settled for another few weeks yet, unless a miracle occurs. (Which we would quite like admittedly.) Haidee's Mum, Gran, has already been up and cried when she saw her. Yes, first grandchild on her side, and Scotts parents were lucky enough to see her the day after she was born and they (Di-di and David) are both equally taken with her. Do-do (Haidees Dad) is due the end of Sept so that will complete the official meetings. Gabi has met quite a few people to date and is happy to meet some more so if you are in Porirua at all (or vaguely nearby and want something to do) contact Haidee and arrange a visit.

Scotts Car

Yes, Scott now has a new car.
A couple of weeks ago, he was driving along in slow traffic, slow because a car had been burning on the side of the road. As he got to it, the fire was out and the car was being loaded onto a truck, with all services in attendance. As you do, he glanced out to the left and when he looked back he found that the lady in front of him had stopped when she had been moving prior to his glance. He hit the picks and hit her doing less than 25 kms an hour. We know that speed as his airbags didn't inflate and thats what Holden told him. Anyway, he stopped and sort of went "Bugger" and relaxed slightly before thinking about getting out. Unfortunately, in the meantime, someone else hadn't noticed he had stopped and Scott got hit up the arse end of his car by someone else doing approximately 70-100kms. Once over, he got out of the car and the police headed over to him and asked if he was OK. He said he was a bit sore and had a sore back and before he knew it he was on a back board in the back of an ambulance on the way to Wellington Hospital.
Scott being Scott, happened to know the Head of Department, so he was straight through to be checked and then to Xray. We were out just after 7pm and he was fine.
The next day was sorting out the paperwork and he was a bit sore. But, the day after the day after is always the worst. He had a bit of concussion kick in and the next couple of days he was a bit fuzzy. He is OK now.
His 2 door Commodore ute was officially written off. Today, he picked up his new 4 door Holden Crewman ute. Pretty handy really as he needed to upgrade to a 4 door at some stage. Just not quite the way we would have gone about it.

The News

Ok, yes, for those of you who haven't yet heard, we are having an addition to the family. No, it is not another dog. It will be the pitter patter of only 2 feet. The baby arrives in September and is currently called Wizza for ease of identification.

Wizza wasn't totally expected (we were expecting a bit more practice) but that is not a problem. We found out officilly on News Years Day so it was a wonderful way to start the New Year.

This has changed the major house renovations we were planning. It is difficult to double your mortgage payments when you go down to one income!! So Plan D is currently being worked on.

Other than that, life is very good for us. Sport is starting and so life will get very busy again. But it will make time fly.

Saturday 10th February

We were all set to go to our nieces 2nd birthday (Kate). It started at 4pm and we were told we had to be there on time as a "Beat the Bounds" was also going to be performed as a housewarming celebration. Andrew and Robin had moved about 6 months prior but hadn't had a chance to complete this old celtic tradition.

Upon arrival, we were given a postcard size card, on the front was an old class photo and you had to guess which was Andrew and which was Robin. When they were 7 years old they were in the same class. Then when you turned it over there was a programme of the days events. I was thinking "this is a bit flash for a 2 year old birthday" and as I read the events it all became clear. At 4.30 was "Beat the bounds". At 4.50pm was Happy Birthday for Kate and also the singing of Wheels on the Bus. This was followed at 5pm by the Wedding. Yes, a wedding. Admittedly, we had suspected this last year but it hadn't even crossed my mind this year. It was a wonderful surprise for everyone, including both sets of parents and us. It was a wonderful ceremony and the sun shone brightly. Potluck tea then followed and soon the brazier was lit. Jeff then required a little nudge, and out came the pipes. He had played them just after the ceremony but he hadn't been heard in Ngaio for some time and it was wonderful. A great day and night had by all.
Attached are a few photos.

Last few months 2006

OK, so I thought for forms sake, I would update you on how the last few months of the year went.

Scott's work has been really busy. They started on an upgrade on a new site and will be there for some time. Always good to have regular money coming in. Hockey was all over for the year but it was time for the annual team catch up. So it was an afternoon of golf and an evening of stories around the BBQ. It happened to be the same night as Haidees work Xmas Party but that was OK. A good night was had by all.

Haidee ended up having a 10 day trip to Southland near the start of December. Her mum had an operation. It went really well and she is recovering nicely. Her sister Sharyn arrived the day before she left her mothers and it was good to catch up with her.

She also had a bit of time to catch up with her Dad and Nana. A great afternoon was also spent gossiping with Jennie. Good to see her.

Haidee spent two days in Queenstown relaxing and catching up with Louise. Louise had organised a ladies lunch and did it very well. It was a delightful afternoon. The weekend did revolve around food a lot, but also other friends of Louise. It was great to see Zoe and Kerry again.

After a two hour layover in Christchurch, and a catch up with Lee at the airport it was good to get home again.

It was back to work for the last hectic week prior to Xmas and also got great news from Mum that all her results came back good, so that was the best Xmas pressie that the family could get.

Scott finished work for the year on the Thursday and his car promptly got hit by a bus on the Friday. Not as bad as it could have been, it was still drivalbe, but certainly no what you need on the 22nd December.

And that is it really it. You are now all caught up. Take care.

Its 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Ok, so it has been sometime since the last post. Mainly because we haven't really been doing anything too exciting.
We hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Safe New Year. Was Santa good to you?
Scott and I had a great Christmas spent with Friends and Family.
No major stresses were had which is always an accomplishment in itself at this time of year.
New Year was spent at Tora. For those of you who don't know where that is - get out your NZ Atlases...A clue - head to Martinborough (Wairarapa) and then head to the coast. It was in the middle of no where and best yet....it had no cell phone coverage. Unfortunately it also had a lot of rain but we really enjoyed ourselves anyway as well as had great company.
Thats all for the moment. Take care

Tuesday 19th Sept 06

Yes, we made it home safely. Well - Scotts stomach might have something different to say about that but hey - one landing and one takeoff - always a good day.
Yes, we also made a little 45 minute detour....the Hakitaramera Valley is well worth a drive. A couple of things gave us the hint there we were going the wrong way....a dirt road and a sign said 75kms to Lake Tekapo.

After the bumpy ride home, Becs picked us up and we got home safely. Liz had kept the house from burning down and managed to spoil the dog....She is very good at that.

All in all - a great trip....but as with all holidays...just a bit short...

Thanks to Louise and also Zoe & Kerry. All ably assisted by animals Nick, Rocco, Milly, Toby, Smeagol & Kiri...
Pictures above are Milly & Louise....

Monday 18th Sept 06

This was the most beautiful day of our trip...so we took advantage of it. Yes, we headed up to Cardrona ski field for a magnificient day. The trip was dusty...but once at the top great. None of us had skied for some time so we got a lesson in the morning to check out our skills and then we headed up the chairlift. It was good snow...in amongst the ice....in other words typical spring conditions. We grabbed some lunch and after another run Scott decided to call it a day before he majorly injured himself on the ice. He just about launched himself to Queenstown at one stage. Thank goodness for the fences...shame he had the camera....
We were all pleasantly tired at the end of the day....fantastic..

Sunday 17th Sept 06

It was up early...and away early too...and a trip around Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy. We then did the Dart River Jetboat Safari. First up is a 4x4 bus ride and then a 40 minute bush walk. The guide Rachel, was fantastic. This was the area where a lot of filming was completed for Lord of the Rings and also some for Narnia. The day was a bit windy and cold with some low cloud but once we were rugged up we were fine. Haidee also managed with get the wet seat...doh...thats right the back right hand corner...oh well...how cold could it be....very very very cold....
As you can see - the setting was beautiful and we looked like Michelin Men...

By the way...ther person in the middle is Louise....Hi Louise....

Saturday 16th Sept 06

After a relaxing day and a game of tennis (with a horse...yes Nick we did see you...), we headed out for dinner with a friend of Louises and sampled dinner at Surreal. It was then off to 12 Bar and sampled some cocktails. Very nice....straight to sleep when we got home....

Friday 15th Sept 06

Yes...another quiet day - we were definitely getting into holiday mode. Scott did a couple of things around the house (Louise your bathroom will now be warm... and June you can now grill on both sides of the oven). Haidee also caught up with an old flatmate (Melissa) and met her two daughters, Olivia and Katherine.
Louise was housesitting for friends so we moved in there. Yes, we are old and had another quiet night....

Thursday 14th September 06

Adrian and Isa found their way to the farm to have a look a typical lambing. They were escorted around by Haidee. After a yummy lunch it was time to go and we hit the road to Queenstown. Adrian & Isa decided that via Queenstown was a good way to get back to Dunedin so they followed us. Driving past the Remarkables we saw a bit of smoke which turned into a lot of smoke....Yes...see the photo attached....large....

We caught up with Louise and said goodbye to Adrian & Isa. After disappearing to Louises we caught up with her Mum (June). A quiet night was then by all...

Wednesday 13th Sept 06

After doing a few things for Isabel and a trip to the Bakery (compulsory cream bun stop in Winton), and eating Scotts favourite lunch (corned beef sandwich) we headed into town to see Haidees Nana. It was good to see her and catch up. After sampling some of her delicious pikelets (not bad for a 94 year old - in fact still to be beaten...) Haidee visited her Aunt and Scott went with her father to visit Uncle Bill. Both are well.
Then it was off to the farm to catch up with Mary and to get well fed some more....that night Haidee kicked her fathers butt at Scrabble....and I think he was happy to call it a night at the end of that.

Tuesday 12th September

Haidee finally got away from work at 1.30pm. Made it to the airport and checked in for our flight to Timaru. We saw our seat numbers were 6a and 6f. For a second we thought we weren't sitting next to each other but then we realised no one was sitting next to anyone..it was the size of the plane....doh.... Scott turned a bit white at the prospect.
However, the flight was really good and at the end Scott proudly showed Haidee that his hands weren't even clammy....
Why Timaru I hear you ask...it only cost us $50 each each way. Thats why!! We grabbed a rental car and headed off to Winton. A 5 & 1/2 hour drive (including a 45min dinner stop in Milton). It was a bit windy and rainy but after getting a little lost in Clinton we made it safe. Good to catch up with Isabel.

Holiday - more to follow....

We made it back from Holiday today. We went on 12th September and go back to work tomorrow. It has been a great time. We caught up with Haidees Mum for one night and then headed over to her Dads for the next. The last 5 nights with Louise. Poor old Scott had a few jobs at each house to complete but started his holiday officially on the Saturday.

ENZO the dog.

The photo to the left is of our dog Enzo. We got him from the SPCA over three years ago and is definitely the spoiled one of the family.
Enzo was his name already and we thought it suited him so we decided not to change it. One thing we have never found out is which meaning of Enzo. We believe there are two options but we are open to hear others.
1) Named for Enzo Ferrari. Goodness knows he looks like a black ferrari when he is racing over the beach after a tennis ball.
2) After the album the NZ Symphony Orchestra and Split Enz did.
It just maybe one of those things we never really know.
He is definitely spoilt. On the rainy days we have had over winter, we have left him inside and come home during lunchtimes to let him out for toilet breaks. Then let him back inside again. It is hard to believe that I am a farm girl by upbringing!!

Its Us

Hi there
Its Scott and Haidee. We have been married since 2004 and have owned our house since 2002. The biggest thing in our life at the moment (apart from our dog) is our house. We are in the dilemma of what to do with it. It is two bedrooms but should we ever want the hear the pitter patter of tiny feet (ie we get another dog...) we need more room.
We have a huge back yard so it makes logical sense for us to do something here and we are looking through plans and costings at the moment.
We will keep you up to date.