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Halfway through a NZ winter
It has been in the back of my mind to update our website and some how that thought has been with me all throughout April, May, June and has followed me into July. So finally here we are online to write some news about how we have been filling in the days since our last blog sometime back in late March '08.
End of March, I completed the Christchurch Star "City 2 Surf" that was 12km from Start to Finish, Cameron came with me on this occassion given it was the perfect day for it. We did Ok with our timing also; see Fitness Fun photo album for further details. Cameron began swimming classes in April known as the "Tiny Turtles" designed for babies aged between 6-12 months. It's very cute watching what these little ones can do in the water. These classes have been such a success and Cameron has loved every minute spent in the water that we have enrolled him for a second term.
Start of May, I completed the Tai Tapu race that was 10km from Start to Finish, this was held on a wet and miserable day so the feeling of achievement at the end was more satisfying than previous races; see Fitness Fun photo album for further details. Mid-May we had a fantastic reunion with old London friends; Cassandra and Jason, and Yvonne who all came to little old Christchurch to visit us Lambs. Times like these you find yourself wishing that the world was a smaller place so we could all catch up a lot more. End of May we made a second trip up to Auckland for a family birthday bash and general catch up with family and friends.
On the first of June I completed my biggest race yet, the SBS half marathon (full marathon was 42km) that was 21km from Start to Finish and given I'd done little training with what free time I have, am proud to say that I finished race under three hours; see Fitness Fun photo album for further details. Later in the month we took a family holiday across to Melbourne to catch up with dear friends Renwick and Emma, we had lots of fun while over there ... Cameron went on his first train ride, Mummy went shopping (for Cameron only) caught up with family and other friends during our week stay, had dinner at a lovely French restaurant along the Yarra River and even made a trip to the Melbourne zoo!
House renovations have made a huge impact in the appearance of our home, we now have French doors installed in both the kitchen and lounge, which open out to large and new deck that will prove very handy when the summer finally arrives. We also have our new kitchen installed and have just started work on the third bedroom/home office that is the last major project inside the house. The rusty old garage that I'm sure The Big Bad Wolf called have blown down in three puffs easily came down in three tugs of a rope, thankfully it never came down during previous stormy days we have experienced in recent months.
Winter has been quite tolerable here in the South Island, some days are wet and chilly, whereas other days have been filled with blue skies and temperatures mild enough to encourage us outdoors for nice long walks around the park or neighbouring suburbs. Like all good cold seasons, we have been enjoying the social catch-ups over long dinners at ours. With the logburner going most days on full tilt, it seems to be a sure winner for enticing family and friends indoors, which is fantastic from our perspective as Cameron remains in his steady routine.
Babes! Close friends Rachel and Geoff announced they were expecting their first child, which is fantastic news so we will wait with eager anticipation to meet their lovely bump later in the year. More recently our dear friends Krissy and Daniel celebrated the safe arrival of their beautiful third child; Poppy Amelie who arrived in this world on 18th July '08, well done guys!
"Busy" in the dictionary translates to "keeping oneself occupied" which is something that both Matt and I are finding very easy to do. Matthew is constantly busy, between renovations and his web development work, one job or other can fill in his hours all to easily. I'm now part-time managing a dance school while continuing with my Journalism studies, while being a full time mummy which is my favorite job of all and the one that takes up most of my free time in the most rewarding way.
We have lots of photographs to share so will do a big upload over the next few days.
Travel: Since returning to New Zealand in 2007 we haven't made any major trips other than to Australia and around the North and South Islands here in New Zealand but during this time have seen some incredibly beautiful scenery. Future plans to introduce Cameron to a country OE are not yet known but we are working on some kind of travel plan ... so stay tuned.
If we haven't replied to some of you via email, then apologies as we have been allowing the days to get ahead of us while distracted with renovations and other activities. Hopefully we will be better at keeping in touch as of now, wait and see!
Have fun wherever you are and don't forget to keep in touch either by this web address, SMS, Facebook, telephone or the good old fashioned way ... signed, sealed and delivered!
Ps. We know you're out there reading this because we receive loads of feedback but not so many messages are written in our online Guestbook, don't be shy ... drop us a line for others to read too.
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