USA/NZ: Birthday Wishes Across Time Zones

Here on the east coast (USA), it's still December 29, but in NZ it's already the 30th — which means we get to say happy birthday to two people, who have different birthdays, at the same time.

A big happy 60th to Auntie Linda — not sure if you're in the middle of moving again, but here's to a wonderful day. I hope you are celebrating in style.

And to Susan, happy birthday wishes to you as well. Don't party too hard woman, it is after all, a school night! (Wait till the weekend when you're with the Milnes of Denville).

Slaínte!

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Christmas Day in Denville

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Merry Christmas!

Spent Christmas Eve with Dad and Susan and great friends. Now Chris and i are back on the road and headed to see David, Tracy, Jordyn, Mackensey, Mumsy and Russell. Hope you are all enjoying your holidays.
Love,
Joanne

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Merry Christmas!

Spent Christmas Eve with Dad and Susan and great friends. Now Chris and i are back on the road and headed to see David, Tracy, Jordyn, Mackensey, Mumsy and Russell. Hope you are all enjoying your holidays.
Love,
Joanne

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Merry Christmas Everyone!

Here's to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season.

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USA: Sweet Greetings

Download now or watch on posterous

Movie 6.mov (10391 KB)

In case there was ever wonder in your minds about why going home for the holidays means so much to me — take a look at this video, just sent to me this morning.

Did I tear up? Oh, yes. One week till I see them and I can hardly wait.

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What are your holiday plans?

Hullo, hullo!

This is a wee shout out to see what y'all ... yes, I said "y'all" ... are up to this holiday season. I'm hoping to get a little list together to post right here on milneclan for all to see. So please send me a line or two (to joanne@milneclan.com) that you wouldn't mind sharing and I'll spread the word. And here's wishing you a very, very happy holiday season.

Slainte!

Joanne
 

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An American Holiday

Here in the states we take one day out of the year to give thanks. Today is that day and so to my family and friends across this ever-changing globe, I say thanks for being in my life.

To my family in Scotland, England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and Australia: this may not be your holiday, but know you are being thought of today. It's been a wonderful year having more and more of you join milneclan.com to share your lies with the rest of us. This year so far, we got reports from the tail end of Gordon and Sarah's world travels which took them (finally) to New Zealand; followed Dave and Susan on their three-week South African adventure; felt the tremors of the countless earthquakes along with the Russells in New Zealand (which are still going on!); got word that Allan's first-born daughter, Caroline, will be getting married next year; and learned of the births — and saw the pictures — of four new family members: Bethan to Cathy and David, Jayden to Evonne, Ryder to Greig and Kelly, And Ryan to Lorraine and Frankie. Keep us posted, we love hearing about you all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Joanne

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Scotland: Welcome Ryan Logan!

Our Lorraine and her man Frankie finally had their baby boy yesterday! Due in late October, Ryan Logan arrived after a bit of coaxing from the doctors and with all the hugs and kisses he got from his proud big sisters, I'm sure he's wishing he arrived sooner.

All the best to Lorraine, Frankie, Caitlin, Aimee and wee Ryan. Welcome to the family wee man.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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NZ: Earthquakes

Hi there,

just a wee update for you haha

go into www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz  you will see we are now up to 1069 after shocks.

Amazing aren't they. 

We are between Christchurch & Lincoln, near Prebbleton

very interesting.

Love to all

Linda   x

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NZ: North Island Quakes as South Rumbles On

Christchurch is still feeling aftershocks four days later. Linda reports some as high as 5.4 — and this after the north island had its quake yesterday (as it happens I have cousins — from my mother's side — living there as well, in Hawke's Bay), though experts say the two quakes were not related. That one registered at a 5.2 magnitude with luckily very little or no damage.

As for the Russells, well here's the latest note from Linda:

"Hi there,

well we are all still well here.

I am amzed nobody has been hurt.

Christchurch is such a mess.

Greig's house has been looked at by EQC & Ins. & before we had yesterdays awful jolts, last nights & todays they were saying could be looking at $200,000 of damages.................................

Kelly was all organised with a bunch of friends to go today to clear out the food from fridge, pantry etc. which has to get thrown out.  we then got a few big jolts. up to 5.4 so we'll have to see.

Greig< Kelly & kids are still living with us as a structural engineer hasn't been to see how safe the house is.

I mean with 2 kids I don't think they need to be in  a hurry back. We have plenty of room here.

Summer at 2yrs is  starting to realise that all is not well.

Karen, Tim & kids are all doing well, all organised there.

Lorna as of this afternoon is responsible for Jonnies brothers, 4yr old twin boys.  agh !!!

Must ring her to see how they got on when we had a big one a few minutes ago.

WEll should go , will keep you all posted.

Love to all

Linda  xxxxxxxxx"

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USA: Back to School for Jordyn ...

Second grade already!?

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NZ: Christchurch the rocking city

Here's another letter from Linda (below) with a look at the damage in pictures — just click the link. Apparently they've had more than 200 aftershocks in the 65-plus hours since the earthquake! Can you imagine? Also, Kelly reports that the insurance company lady thinks the damage to their house is around $200K! Again, can't imagine.

Here's the email from Linda:

"Hi there,

Just found this web page. Check it out & you'll see what it's like here at the moment.

www.crashbang.co.nz/quake040910/index.html?ref=nf

It's amazing that nobody has been killed.

We are fine no problems

Love to all

Linda & John xx"

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NZ: Earthquake Update from Linda

From: Linda Russell 

Sent: Sun, September 5, 2010
Subject: earthquake update

Hi there,

firstly thanks to you all for your concern.

We are all safe & well here.

We have Greig & Kelly staying with us as their house has lots of problems at the moment & has to be certified safe by a registered builder.

Karen & her family all slept in their lounge fully dressed last night, prepared for anything. 

Greig & Kelly stayed in a room together with their little ones.

John & I in ours.

Lorna & Jonnie well they were out partying, hens night & stag night .  Had to be done, oh to be young haha

We have had more than 30 shocks today alone & as I type this one we are shuddering a little.

That is now 41 hrs of living on the edge haha

But we are all well & we will keep in touch.

thanks again for the well wishes.

Love to all from the rockin centre of New Zealand, down under    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pictures are from Kelly via Facebook

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NZ: All are well after quake in Christchurch

As you all probably know, the Russells were awakened to a 7.1 magnitude earthquake early yesterday morning. R

After several attempts to reach Linda and John, reports finally came through via Facebook late yesterday that all are okay, though there has been damage to some of their houses — Greig, Kelly and the kids having the most with what sounds like considerable damage to their home, sorry to say. 

I think I can speak for the rest of the clan by saying we're just happy you're all alive and well.

Story from The Press: http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/4094979/Huge-earthquake-rocks-Christchurch

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Scotland: Back to school

Pictures (courtesy of Alison and Lorraine, via Facebook) of Caitlin, Aimee, Martin, Dale and Andrew as they head back to school.

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NZ: More photos of wee Ryder (and family)

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NZ: Please welcome Ryder William Russell to the clan!

 

Hi there,

well this is the latest clan member, born 24th July 2010.  7lb 10 oz

Kelly & Ryder both doing well & Greig enjoying it all.

Summer is over the moon, is quite amazed at wee man haha

Will be a busy time but thought I'd send a photo on.

Take care & love to you all

Linda  xxxx

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World Cup 2010. Day 2 (England v. USA)

Right, well, today's England v. USA match will no doubt be a good one, but you know I'll be rooting for the US. Apologies to the Landsburgh side of the clan. I wish your team well, and you have the odds on your side. I just hope both our teams advance through the group stage. 

Go USA! 

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World Cup 2010

Wishing Milne Clan's South African family and friends a good showing and long run for your team in the World Cup. Go SA!

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Weekend with the Girls

Grandpa Dave and Susan had the baby sitting duties last weekend while David and Tracy attended a wedding. The weekend activities included homemade jewelry, manicures and pedicures (Grandpa stayed home for that), horses, geese, goats and running through sprinklers. 

Hoping Susan and Dave recover in time for their trip to the beach in two weeks time!

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Congrats to Evonne ... and Lorraine!

Looks like the stork has landed again! Allan's youngest daughter, Evonne, has had another wee boy, Jayden (pictured — sorry if the spelling is not quite right). Big brother David must be thrilled.

In related news, another of Allan's girls is expecting a visit from the stork as well. Congrats to Lorraine, who is due in 5 months time.

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Brianna's graduation party

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