The fun-filled mystery tour

This morning the family had a morning out - dubbed "the fun-filled mystery tour"!  Danial took us to Ohakune Lakes, which is where the mystery tour started.  I really had no idea where we would stop next, hence the name of the trip!  There are two lakes, but public access only exists for the largest (which is actually not very big, more like a big pond!).  Despite the weeds that my husband is trying to rid from the reserve, its a lovely spot and quite sheltered.  Ideal for novices wanting to hire a canoe or kayak and get out onto the water - I'm definitely thinking about it!  Had a wander into a tall forested part of the reserve, which was unexpectedly quiet, open and serene.

Onto the next spot - on the way there, we stopped to look at a monument standing in a sheep paddock, next to the road.  Turned out to be a memorial to six men killed in an exposion at the Ohakune Railway Ballast Quarry in 1916.

Then it was into the Ohakune Cemetery.  I love wandering through cemeteries, particularly old cemeteries (strange, you might think) - mainly for the untold stories of the people who now lie there, hinted at by their headstone epitaphs.  Growing up with a father who's a monumental mason, with a over 100-year-old family business, probably helps too!

Red and Black Day

We are usually big Central Districts supporters (and Otago since we lived there for 5 years), but this weekend Campbell and I dressed in red and black to support "Red and Black Day for Canterbury's Earthquake" - a very simple way we could show we were thinking of Cantabrians after this awful tragedy.  I didn't get any photos of me, but here's a couple of my son...

Kia kaha Christchurch, stay strong.  I'm so proud to be a New Zealander after seeing how so many Kiwis have given and donated of themselves to help out those in desperate need.

Second birthday party - Masterton

Well, the second birthday party went really well this past weekend, thanks to the help of extended family.  We held it at the vineyard that my cousin is managing, which is a great venue for parties!
Thanks to everyone for their help, and coming along to make Campbell's party an enjoyable day!
Here's a few pics from the day -

My father enjoying a game of backyard cricket with the young uns!

The second cake!

The birthday boy blowing out his candle for the second time!

Present opening time - with a little help from my friends!

First birthday party - Wanganui

My little boy is now a big 2 year old boy!  Crazy mummy thought it would be easier for everyone to have two small birthday parties - one in Wanganui and one in Masterton - to accommodate all the family and friends.  So we had the first last Saturday in Wanganui.
Thankfully, everything went well, and Campbell had a blast!  I didn't get great pics, but here's a few of the best of them.

In the pool with the rest of the kids, using his bug catcher.

Campbell's favourite present of the day - a new puzzle!

His 2nd favourite present (or is Mummy being biased?), his new balance bike and Thomas helmet.

He liked the Thomas design on his birthday cake more than he liked the taste of the cake!