The Palms News
Visit www.meetourfamily.co.nz to meet the Champion Family.
MEET THE CHAMPION FAMILY
The Champion clan is your typical New Zealand family, doing their best to live the New Zealand dream - and have a lot of fun along the way. Proud parents, Sarah and Paul, provide a loving and safe environment for their four kids...oh, and Millie the dog. Teenagers Chloe and Will are getting a taste for independence-but still love their Mum's home cooking - while pre-school twins Charlie and Annabel keep the whole family on their toes. Sure, they're slightly dysfunctional, but aren't we all
MEET SARAH CHAMPION
Sarah is one busy woman. Sure, she’s fast approaching her fortieth birthday, but she’s got the energy of a 30-year-old. Whether she’s chasing after the twins, playing netball or organising a school formal, her days are crammed full of activities.
She wouldn’t have it any other way. Sarah thrives on being involved in her family and friends’ lives. She dotes on her husband and kids, cherishes time with her friends…and still finds a spare moment each day for a bit of personal pampering.
A SHOP AND A GOSS
“My shopping centre? Well, it’s my second home…And the thing I look forward to most? A shop and a goss with my girlfriends.”
Sarah couldn’t imagine life without her local shopping centre. It’s where she goes for everyday necessities and life’s little luxuries – and everything else in between.
MEET PAUL CHAMPION
Paul has worked hard to get where he is today – and made sure that he had fun along the way. He’s pretty good with money; as a financial planner, he’d want to be! When he’s not working, he’s either at the poolside barbeque entertaining friends, playing with his latest gadget (he was the first guy at work to get an iPhone), or kicking back in their home cinema with the kids.
Getting the priorities right
Paul knows when to delegate. He says, “I’ve worked out what’s important too...and spending time with Sarah and the kids is much higher on the list than mowing and repairs. That’s why I pay someone else to do those jobs.” Besides, it gives him the time to pursue other passions too
MEET CHLOE CHAMPION
Gorgeous, vivacious and stylish, Chloe Champion turns heads everywhere she goes. But she doesn’t let it get to her head. She’s too busy getting on with her life! Right now, life for Chloe involves hanging out with her friends; mixing and matching her many clothes and accessories to find the perfect look; and…of course…hot guys. To fund her shopping habit, she works part-time in a café at her local shopping centre – which is also a great place to meet new boys and have a laugh with the other staff. Her friends are her world; and she cherishes the company of her Mum, who she loves going shopping with.
Going digital for work and play
Chloe is studying digital graphic design – and can’t wait to get a real job. When she’s not studying, she scours the web for new looks, the latest Twilight goss, and new releases from her favourite bands. She then hits the shopping centre, and is a dedicated follower of fashion!
MEET WILL CHAMPION
On the surface, Will is your typical 15-year-old Australian male. Surfing, skateboarding, music and mates rock his world – he’d happily quit high school to join the ASP World Tour to make his mark on the surfing scene. In fact, he’s already got a sponsor with one of the major surf brands…but Will won’t quit school. He’s way too smart for that; besides, Dad would never allow it.
Rocking Will's world
Aside from surfing, Will’s a passionate muso. He plays base guitar, and does the odd garage gig with his mates. When he’s not jamming, he’s downloading new tunes to his iPod – and listening to them far too loud – or he’s at the shopping centre flicking through racks of CDs, old school style.
MEET THE CHAMPION TWINS
“I don’t care who started it; but I’m here to finish it!” Twins Charlie and Annabel hear this from their parents a lot. Not that they fight heaps – most of the time they love playing together. But they’re rambunctious four-year-olds, bringing a healthy dose of havoc to the Champion household. Naturally, the twins have their big brother and sister wrapped around their little fingers – and they adore being babysat by them.
We still believe in magic
Santa Clause, yep. The Easter Bunny, yep. The twins even believe in the Tooth Fairy – and they haven’t lost a tooth between them. At four, the magic of fairytales lights up their world. As does Yo Gabba Gabba (“so much better than the Wiggles, Mum!”)
MEET MILLIE THE CHAMPION DOG
When the Champions first collected Millie from the RSPCA, they thought they were getting a small dog. But the loveable pooch just kept growing; and now she’s almost too big to sleep on Charlie or Annabel’s bed. Luckily, she’s pretty well-behaved – probably thanks to the months of obedience school when she was a puppy. The kids love her, although Chloe has been known to hold a lengthy grudge whenever Millie gnaws on her new shoes!
How to be the boss of your owners
Millie has the rest of the family all figured out. When she wants some action, she’ll pester Paul into taking her for a walk. When she wants to chill, she’ll seek out Will – who’s most likely lounging in his room. And when the rest of the family go on holiday, she’s made it clear that she won’t tolerate going to the kennels, so Paul and Sarah – both softies – find a dog-sitter.
