My holiday...

Last year, at the beginning of October, whānau from Rotorua traveled down to Hokitika for my mum’s,
my little brother’s and my Toua’s birthdays followed with my parents getting married! 

Lots of people were at my home helping to set up for the occasions. It was hectic, I've never seen so
many people at my house before. My cousins and I were kept busy helping my nan and aunties cook,
while all the boys and men set up the tents and heavy stuff. 

The following day, even more people started to arrive for the big birthday, we were all very happy as the
day was going by. Somebody shushes, conversation hushes, and all eyes flicker with delight as we watch
the food cruise out of the kitchen and slowly descend in front of us and the amount of presents begins
to pile up. 

Later, after lunch, most of the kids started playing games, people drifted home, most of the parents started
to drink, while my cousins and I set up the beds and babysit. Finally, with the babies asleep, we quietly
escape outside to eat lollies and play on the tramp. 

The next morning we cook breakfast, clean up, then my cousins and I head out to town for the day.
We brought heaps of food, lollies, and drinks to save for later in the day and night. We finally walk home
to relax for the rest of the day.

When it started getting darker outside, we still all had lots and lots of energy, so my cousins and I decided
to play games of spotlight. As we were playing, it got colder and even darker, to the point where the
parents told us to come inside. We went in, made our beds, played some inside games until settling
down to watch horror movies. Most of us started to fall asleep as well. 

The next morning we all got up for my little brother's birthday. Everyone got ready, had breakfast and went
to the Kiwi Centre to look at all the things inside! 

Later, we went to the beach for a whānau (family) photo in front of the big Hokitika sign, then ate lunch
before heading home to prepare the food for the wedding and my Touas birthday. After dinner, us kids
started to go to bed while the parents stayed up to finish preparing even more food. 

The next morning, it was a sunny day, not a cloud in the sky, everyone woke up really happy looking
forward to the big wedding day!! We all had breakfast, dressed up in our nicest clothes, with most of the
people putting makeup on, before heading to the church at Arahura.

 At the church, everyone quietly took their seats, waiting for my mum, younger siblings and I to walk
through the doors, as soon as we walked through, my uncle and cousin started singing. When the
ceremony was finished, we all gathered around outside the front of the church for photos and other stuff.

Afterwards, everyone headed back to my house for the speeches, celebratory dinner and spend the
rest of the day with my Toua for her birthday. During the speeches, everyone shared funny and happy
stories that brought happiness to everyone. When dinner finished, we all gathered around to sing happy
birthday and eat the big birthday cake. The parents then stayed outside while us kids went inside, to make
our beds and watch movies. 4 movies later, we were all asleep. 

The next morning my nan, koro, aunties, uncles and little cousins headed back home to Rotorua. We 
went to the airport to say our goodbyes, before returning home for the big clean up.

There's nothing better than whānau celebrations. After all, there's something special about spending
time among loved ones celebrating, well, love.