MERRY CHRISTMAS 2015

Dear all

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2015

Well, we are in New Zealand, and in our new holiday home in sunny Wakefield. Actually, it was bloody freezing when we got here to be honest, but it has warmed up a bit. The (proper) locals were still mooching around in their bare feet whilst we quickly nipped to the shops to buy dressing gowns and slippers. Nipping to the shops has become a major component of the trip (especially for Bec) as we try to kit out the house, and deal with Christmas. I bought a hat.

It has been a big year, I guess. Buying our house in NZ was the biggest bit. We've been looking at houses in Nelson for a long time, and talked about whether we should buy something. Lots of reasons really. The Middle East is a bit of a mess at the moment, and we liked the idea of having somewhere to escape to, should the Saudis (close and populous) start to kick off as well. House prices have been increasing in Auckland, and we thought Nelson prices may eventually get dragged up. However, we are starting to think about a move back to NZ in a few years, hence the main reason was to help with the transition, and have somewhere that the kids can identify as ours, so that the move may be a little easier. That move is a while off yet though, but we are really pleased with the house!

There have been no major incidents in Dubai, but there has been heightened security this past year. The UAE has been an active participant in the war in Yemen as well, hence there is a slightly different feel to previous years. The economy is a bit patchy. Lots of doom and gloom due to low oil prices, and declining real estate prices, but the company I work for is still growing very strongly. Good in many ways, but it does mean that work is forever busy.

The kids are doing much of the same as last year, hence our spare time is still filled with rugby, football and drama (sorry, acting!). Daisy and Zach had a fantastic experience filming as extras for the latest Star Trek movie. They basically got to spend about 12 hours hanging with the stars, with Zach giving Chris Pine high fives etc. We don't know if they will make the final cut, but if you see a young pink alien girl in the movie, it will probably be Daisy as they spent a long time digitally recording her so that they can use her in any scene. 

Max has probably changed the most during the year, and has become a feisty little fella. Sebastian is growing up to be the daredevil in the family, and now sports a yellow belt in Karate, ha-ya! 

All the kids are doing well in school, with fantastic reports all round. Max is always creating havoc at playgroup (Lisa's School), but it will be a sad moment when he eventually leaves, as all of our kids have spent two wonderful years with Lisa before starting school. 

Bec started the year with a holiday in NZ, but our main summer holiday was in Switzerland again, seeing the Kackies. Great times and the kids really did not want to leave their cousins behind. Europa Park was one of the highlights, but we loved exploring the castles and countryside around Basel. 

Loads of concerts as always. We were lucky to get to see a private show by Prince at the start of the year. Literally feet away, so awesome and we (or at least I) have also got to see The Script, Bastille, Iggy Azelea, James Blunt, Sting, Ed Sheeran, One Direction, Kasabian, Spandau Ballet, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band (who?), Take That (oh dear), and The Stereophonics! We are going to have to get used to missing all this, boo!

There is probably lots of other stuff I should be mentioning, but it is Christmas already (1am in NZ), and it is time to go to bed so that Santa can work his magic.

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Lots of love from 

Ellis Inc x