Arthurs Pass

It was a bit of a shock to the system to realise that the last time I had gone looking for the strawberries at Arthur's Pass Jon was only a year old and Toby was ten. Now Jon is ten! The strawberries were still there although very few were ripe - cant have been as much sun before Chirstmas as the plants themselves had spread. They are still right at the back against the bush and, fortunately, mainly behind the Catholic Tramping Club hut, given the rapid encroachment of the concept of private property in Arthur's Pass township.

Jonathan told us a couple of nights back that he is now officially a "tween" which may account for his sudden allergy to having his photo taken. Despite that he is still into hunting for the tiny fish if the stream behind the school. We met the guy from Mountain House today while we were up that way and he loaned Jon a special fish trap which he has just gone off to check on. I'll add photos to this post later once I have got the re-sized ones off the other laptop.

The weather has been reasonably typical - sunny and windy with cloudy patches most days although today (Tuesday) it has slipped to overcast with intermittent light showers

Jonathan turns 10

As is the ongoing family tradition for turning ten - Jonathan had a significant birthday party. Along with fourteen friends he hit Laserstrike Petone for a full on afternoon. He chose to have an ice cream cake (which given the chaos of decorating was great for me) Then after Laserstrike five of his friends came home for a sleepover. They watched Get Smart on Nick's big screen with popcorn and chips. Then they actually slept until a reasonable hour of the morning before everyone headed home after a pancake breakfast.

Granddad's new car

We had a surprise visit from Dad in the middle of the carpet laying - he had bought and a new car in Auckland and stayed overnight on his way driving it back to Christchurch. It was pretty cool. He also bought along a tent for Jon which they had fun assembling.

Tash's birthday

Oh dear - I loaded this photo weeks ago with the plan of finishing the post later and then with my laptop out of commission haven't had a chance to do the text.

Tash decided to have her 25th birthday at Vintage. Her hair was done earlier that day to bring it back closer to blonde and she had altered her sixth form formal dress to a long skirt which looked fantastic.

There was a great blend of old and new friends and they pretty much had the place to themselves. This photo is one Jon took earlier in the night.

The decorating update

The painters have started and Jon's room and the TV room only need the trim finished. The big lounge has had one coat on the walls and isn't quite what I wanted but we'll see how it is after the second coat. The new carpet gets laid over three days this coming week which is a bit of a worry as everything has to be off the carpeted floor and all the book shelves emptied. The living areas have already been done for the painting but the bedrooms will be a total mission.

Nick is heading off to Sydney on Tuesday so we'll be missing his pair of hands as well. It's my long weekend which will help although I'm thinking of negotiating half days for the three days the carpet is being laid for sanity's sake. The new curtains have arrived for our bedroom - once Jon's furniture is back in his room I'll take some photos. They look really beautiful.

In between times I was relaxed enough last long weekend to help Jon and two of his friends make advent wreaths. A whole week early!!!! I had been planning to get an Oasis wreath and am not too happy with my alternative of tied blocks in for live flowers but the boys had a wonderful time. I'm planning on replacing the test flowers with lilies this week. I've also put some more photos from the Egypt part of David's trip up on his web page if you want to check it out

And a David one

In the meantime David and Lauren have been swanning around Japan, Egypt and Europe including spending some time in Volendam with his Granny's family and friends.

A Natasha story....

I'm trying to get back in the habit of keeping the family blog reasonably up to date with any items of significance. Tash sent me this photo at work a few weeks back and I have only just got it saved onto my own laptop in a reasonable upload size.

For those of you who weren't aware she has been pretty busy as the election campaign went into full swing. While most of her electorate work was with Trevor Mallard in this case she was with the now MP - then candidate - for Rimutuka electorate, Chris Hipkins and the Prime Minister. Normally it is Natasha's role to stand behind the camaraman holding everyone's stuff while the photo is taken so this photo of her just to the left and behind Chris is a rare event.

At the moment she is busy helping with the pack-up at the Beehive after which she will be looking for a new job (the parliamentary ministerial staff are automatically made redundant at the election)

Jonathan and Tash at the Beehive

The second Monday of the school holidays Jon got to visit Tash at the Beehive - security pass to the executive wing and all! There are a couple more pictures on his phone I have to save to computer including one of him sitting at Trevor Mallard's desk. He was very impressed with the size of a ministerial office. This photo is of him having lunch with Tash at Copperfields - the Bellamy's cafe.
It is one of the rooms in the Beehive with about a three story high ceiling which is quite impressive.

Jon on the Vampire

Sydney

The weather was great for our spontaneous trip to Sydney last weekend. We watched David play rugby (without serious injury) on Saturday and had the dubious experience of watching the All Blacks v the Wallabies sitting in an Australian rugby club, commented by Australian commentators...
Sunday we did the tourist route through central Sydney including the Opera House and the Rocks - then we went over to Manley for dinner. 

Jonathan's team won the tournament

Jonathan had his first game of tackle rugby on the weekend at an under 8 tournament. His team won the tournament. As for the tackling - despite all the anticipation he was a bit disappointed - "I got hurt Mum!" He is re-thinking his commitment to rugby... 

Natasha's graduation

After four years Natasha got to graduate. She wanted to wear her yellow shoes but agreed that they wouldn't be right with a pink hood so she wore green instead. We were really proud of her.
Tim wants you all to know the great photo is by him! 

Wedding Anniversary

OK everyone - party details...

Hmmm what would we call this post

Dad showing Granny family history sites on the Net before we had dinner on Easter Sunday
Grandad and Jonathan playing with photo distortion on Adobe Photoshop Elements.
I guess it is the convenience of having a mobile computer. 

Commonwealth games opening

Natasha took these photos the night of the Commonwealth Games Opening while she was walking home. (if you click on any photos on the blog you get a slightly bigger version)

David's rugby game 1 April

This picture is from David's rugby game against some other team (they lost) but one of the guys in his team has a blog which he is keepign up to date with game news and photos. At least thats the plan except he wasn't there last week. 

David's view at work

David felt the need to share this photo with Ana last week. It is the view from his workplace. We aren't quite sure what the message was ...maybe he wanted to inspire her to come and visit! 

Jonathan at rugby club day 2 April

Jonathan is so excited that they will be allowed to start tackling about half way through this season. He cant understand why I am not nearly so thrilled. These pictures are of him doing drills at club day on Sunday with the tackle bag. The ladder exercise amused me as the coach kept telling them to have "light feet" ...shades of ballet.


He is playing for Hutt Old Boys Marist again and most of the team are pretty much the same kids from last year. They start games the last weekend of April
 

Getting started

Seeing as we are spreading far and wide and doing all sorts of different things, I thought I'd a family blog to my list of things to do. That way both the close and extended whanau wont have to miss the cute things Jonathan says, the trials and tribulations of our overseas travellers, the challenges met and overcome on the homefront. All without your email inbox being swamped.