Christmas Break Stories
The team from Whutuporo take this opportunity to share what they got up to during the Christmas break. What did you get up to?
Blaire McCauley - Danced The Days Away
Christmas Day was tiring and long, spent making deserts for the in-law side of the family, which to no surprise were the stars of the evening stealing the spotlight. Indulging in too much food and champange added to the festive spirit.
This year we rang in the the new year with style by heading to the Rhythm and Vines music festival in Gisborne. A 6-day camping extravaganza filled with friends, music, and unforgettable moments. The weather was amazing sunny and warm with most of us getting sunburnt at some stage during the week. We had the most amazing time and can’t wait to go back again this year. I don't think I have ever danced as much as I did but I was really busting out the moves and showing everyone how it was done. If there was an award for best dancer I know I would have been the worthy recipient.
After the holidays it was nice to finally relax at home in Christchurch with another family Christmas and Birthdays. Now, fully recharged, and ready to take on the new year. The break was not just well needed but we also had a lot of fun. We egerly enter this new year hopefully filled with just as much laughter and adventure.
Clarice Maharjan - My World In Harmony
During my Christmas and New Years break, I enjoyed festive moments filled with warmth and joy. With the twinkling lights, decorations, the fat man Santa visiting and gatherings with family and friends, brought laughter and cherished memories.
In a daring quest for adventure, my family and I embarked on our inaugural camping expedition, plunging headlong into the great outdoors. Amidst the rustling leaves of forest walks and the soothing embrace of thermal pools, we discovered a newfound appreciation for the untamed beauty that surrounds us. The thrill of camping, previously an undiscovered gem, now sparkles in our hearts, leaving us yearning for a encore under the stars next year.
As the year transitioned, I reflected on the past year and set aspirations for the year ahead. Whether it was exchanging gifts or counting down to the new year with loved ones, the holidays brought a sense of gratitude and anticipation for the possibilities ahead.
Samantha Witt - Family Joy
Christmas 2023 was a long-awaited family reunion that defied the ordinary. After seven years, the stars aligned, and my parents made the trek from Taranaki, one brother ventured from Auckland, and another, along with his wife, jetted in from the far reaches of Perth. The gang was back together, tears of joy flowed and the holiday spirit was palpable.
Breaking away from the traditional Christmas hustle, I opted for a low-key celebration that proved to be the perfect recipe for joy and relaxation. Pancakes became our morning symphony, accompanied by the surprise presence of the kids' dad, breaking a seven-year tradition and promising a united front for future family gatherings.
Our 10-day family extravaganza unfolded in the midst of unpredictable weather, prompting us to trade the outdoors for an array of card games and a new gem called Codenames that the kids unwrapped. Laughter echoed through the house, mingling with a touch of healthy competitiveness, creating an atmosphere of spirited fun.
As the family departed, leaving an echo of joy in its wake, I seized the opportunity to embark on a rejuvenating escapade with Kane and Luna. The truck packed, we headed to Reefton for a week of sheer bliss. In the midst of golden weather, we indulged in the luxury of doing nothing, savored the pages of captivating books, and embarked on leisurely walks with Luna, our furry companion.
Returning to the daily grind, I found myself armed with a newfound energy and a readiness to conquer the challenges of the upcoming year. Christmas 2023 wasn't just a holiday; it was a chapter of reconnection, laughter, and the promise of more united fronts ahead.
Alex Strickland - My Awesome Christmas
My Christmas break was a very rewarding one that saw me spend time with both friends and family. After going down to Geraldine with my parents I spent Christmas Day eating too much food, then the next couple of days trying to sleep it off.
After that I spent New Years finishing up at my previous job at a Dog Kennel, enjoying my time in the sun spraying both the dogs and myself with the hose. I then went back home to my parent’s house in Lower Hutt for a week, celebrating my massive 22nd birthday with both family and friends. We made sure that was a party to remember. It must have been memorable because Mum keeps reminding me about all the work she had to do to clean it up.
It was a week of relaxation, and with the surprisingly hot weather I enjoyed going to the beach and taking our fluffy labrador Milo (complete with his pink ribbon) on walks all around the place.
Kerry Adams - The Battle For The Cup
Christmas and New Year is one where every year we escape to the big smoke of Temuka and hide away in a bach down there away from the world and people. It is quite nice that as a family we get some downtime to ourselves. Owning two businesses keeps us busy and this is the one time of the year where the kids are guaranteed to have us to themselves. We didnt actually do a lot during the days other than chill out, read books and do a number of crazy activities.
Whenever we are at Temuka we all battle for the "Temuka Cup" and which is awarded to the person who wins the most on the night at various card games. This year nearly every night there was ferocious battles over who was going to win the cup with accusations of cheating, teaming up and targeting being thrown around. Some nights we were reaching the point where chairs were also thrown but having fun at the same time. The three games that caused the biggest battles and which we all loved was Five Crowns, Uno Flip and Uno Wild. At the end of our break the winner was Keegan who proudly displayed the cup beside his bed. The challenge was laid down as we drove back this is not going to be his next time. He said there with a big smile saying otherwise.
Blaire McCauley - Danced The Days Away
Christmas Day was tiring and long, spent making deserts for the in-law side of the family, which to no surprise were the stars of the evening stealing the spotlight. Indulging in too much food and champange added to the festive spirit.
This year we rang in the the new year with style by heading to the Rhythm and Vines music festival in Gisborne. A 6-day camping extravaganza filled with friends, music, and unforgettable moments. The weather was amazing sunny and warm with most of us getting sunburnt at some stage during the week. We had the most amazing time and can’t wait to go back again this year. I don't think I have ever danced as much as I did but I was really busting out the moves and showing everyone how it was done. If there was an award for best dancer I know I would have been the worthy recipient.
After the holidays it was nice to finally relax at home in Christchurch with another family Christmas and Birthdays. Now, fully recharged, and ready to take on the new year. The break was not just well needed but we also had a lot of fun. We egerly enter this new year hopefully filled with just as much laughter and adventure.
Clarice Maharjan - My World In Harmony
During my Christmas and New Years break, I enjoyed festive moments filled with warmth and joy. With the twinkling lights, decorations, the fat man Santa visiting and gatherings with family and friends, brought laughter and cherished memories.
In a daring quest for adventure, my family and I embarked on our inaugural camping expedition, plunging headlong into the great outdoors. Amidst the rustling leaves of forest walks and the soothing embrace of thermal pools, we discovered a newfound appreciation for the untamed beauty that surrounds us. The thrill of camping, previously an undiscovered gem, now sparkles in our hearts, leaving us yearning for a encore under the stars next year.
As the year transitioned, I reflected on the past year and set aspirations for the year ahead. Whether it was exchanging gifts or counting down to the new year with loved ones, the holidays brought a sense of gratitude and anticipation for the possibilities ahead.
Samantha Witt - Family Joy
Christmas 2023 was a long-awaited family reunion that defied the ordinary. After seven years, the stars aligned, and my parents made the trek from Taranaki, one brother ventured from Auckland, and another, along with his wife, jetted in from the far reaches of Perth. The gang was back together, tears of joy flowed and the holiday spirit was palpable.
Breaking away from the traditional Christmas hustle, I opted for a low-key celebration that proved to be the perfect recipe for joy and relaxation. Pancakes became our morning symphony, accompanied by the surprise presence of the kids' dad, breaking a seven-year tradition and promising a united front for future family gatherings.
Our 10-day family extravaganza unfolded in the midst of unpredictable weather, prompting us to trade the outdoors for an array of card games and a new gem called Codenames that the kids unwrapped. Laughter echoed through the house, mingling with a touch of healthy competitiveness, creating an atmosphere of spirited fun.
As the family departed, leaving an echo of joy in its wake, I seized the opportunity to embark on a rejuvenating escapade with Kane and Luna. The truck packed, we headed to Reefton for a week of sheer bliss. In the midst of golden weather, we indulged in the luxury of doing nothing, savored the pages of captivating books, and embarked on leisurely walks with Luna, our furry companion.
Returning to the daily grind, I found myself armed with a newfound energy and a readiness to conquer the challenges of the upcoming year. Christmas 2023 wasn't just a holiday; it was a chapter of reconnection, laughter, and the promise of more united fronts ahead.
Alex Strickland - My Awesome Christmas
My Christmas break was a very rewarding one that saw me spend time with both friends and family. After going down to Geraldine with my parents I spent Christmas Day eating too much food, then the next couple of days trying to sleep it off.
After that I spent New Years finishing up at my previous job at a Dog Kennel, enjoying my time in the sun spraying both the dogs and myself with the hose. I then went back home to my parent’s house in Lower Hutt for a week, celebrating my massive 22nd birthday with both family and friends. We made sure that was a party to remember. It must have been memorable because Mum keeps reminding me about all the work she had to do to clean it up.
It was a week of relaxation, and with the surprisingly hot weather I enjoyed going to the beach and taking our fluffy labrador Milo (complete with his pink ribbon) on walks all around the place.
Kerry Adams - The Battle For The Cup
Christmas and New Year is one where every year we escape to the big smoke of Temuka and hide away in a bach down there away from the world and people. It is quite nice that as a family we get some downtime to ourselves. Owning two businesses keeps us busy and this is the one time of the year where the kids are guaranteed to have us to themselves. We didnt actually do a lot during the days other than chill out, read books and do a number of crazy activities.
Whenever we are at Temuka we all battle for the "Temuka Cup" and which is awarded to the person who wins the most on the night at various card games. This year nearly every night there was ferocious battles over who was going to win the cup with accusations of cheating, teaming up and targeting being thrown around. Some nights we were reaching the point where chairs were also thrown but having fun at the same time. The three games that caused the biggest battles and which we all loved was Five Crowns, Uno Flip and Uno Wild. At the end of our break the winner was Keegan who proudly displayed the cup beside his bed. The challenge was laid down as we drove back this is not going to be his next time. He said there with a big smile saying otherwise.
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