Cruising on the lake!

We took out the Shadwell family for a cruise around the lake today - had a blast! The boat is going like a dream! We towed the kids around on the ski biscuit - couldn't shake them though!

Jack - Bob the builder!

Something tells me that Jackson could end up in the construction game! He's such a natural tool lover! Can swing a hammer as good as dad can. ;-)

Rub a dub dude (and dudette)!

Jackson hanging with mates (Ella and Grace) in the tub. I'm sure Ben and Rose would approve if we worked on a 20year plan to get Ella and Jack together!

Jack the cool kiwi dude!

I'm sure the chicks will dig Jack! He's a but of a stud eh! I think black singlets should be in every Cantabrians wardrobe.

The Deck is taking shape!

Should only take a few days and it'll be ready to paint!

Rose and Ella's birthday bash!

We had a great day today at Rose and Ella's birthday bash. Heaps of kids there, was a cool bunch of people!

What a day! The French doors are in!

Well! Operation "Get Heaps Done" is in full swing... The french doors went in today and we'll finish the deck over the weekend. The only problem today was that the doors were straight - the house isn't!

The new Deck takes shape!

Sarah, Jack and I working on extending the current deck. This week we have the new french doors going in from the lounge to the front garden. Should be a lot more practical for Jack and Sarah ;-)

Jackson helping mum in the garden

Some large pines felled today

Sarah and Jack Chilling...

Jack At the Tractor show!

Welcome Baby Samuel Dobbs!

Our good friends Jess and Peter Dobbs recently bought a new baby into the world. Samuel Ryan Dobbs was born wieghing 8lb 1oz pounds on the 26th Feb, 2008 to overjoyed parents :-) Welcome to the world Samuel! Your brother Timothy, your puppy Flynn, Darren and Kates boy Jayden and our wee lad Jackson will make sure you've always got a playmate as you grow!

Here's some photos of the new blessing...

Hanging with Mates on the Lake!

We took off this day for a day on Lake Hood with Ben, Rose, Ella and baby Grace. Fantastic day had by all! I think we had the oldest boat on the lake but was still fun - it's a speedy wee thing...

Julian's Big Fishing Day!

I decided work was getting a little stressful so took a day off last week to go fishing up the Opihi river With a mate - Ben Vivian. It was good and I hooked two fish, but we thought there was better water upstream.

We took off to a gorge just below Fairlie which was absolutely beautiful. Walking up the ridge looking down to the crystal clear pools below we spotted a number of trophy trout. Fished to a few of them, but they were spooked easily. Great day though! Here's some photos...

Note: Click images for larger photos...

Daddys New Hat!

I thought it was time for a new fishing hat seeing as my favorite one disappeared ;-) Jack loves the new one though... better keep it away from him or I'll lose it.

Ella and Jack Hanging Out

Don't these two look like a cute couple?

Jacks First Tractor

Jackson's first Shave. He has to be cleancut to impress the ladies ;-)

Not bad eh! Teaching Jack to shave at 1yo. He's funny, I think he's shaving his ears... haha

Daddys Hack Boat Bracket!

I wanted to show off my achievement of the weekend (took 2 hrs). And yes, I know most people will be dumbfounded with the boringness of this post, but hey - I'm excited - I sold a problem! ;-)

I got sick of the boat's motor dropping off the standard mechanical lock when towing the boat on the road (bumps etc), and putting undue pressure on the electric lift gas strut, so I built a cool wee device from old scrap steel in my shed that slips onto the trim lock bar and also onto the engine clamp.

I buffed all the rusty steel to a clean polish on my grinder, measured and cut the pieces in my garage and went to Fergs where he helped weld her up on his ancient Arc welder. Painted it with an anti rust spray enamel - It fit’s like a glove and the engine doesn’t move an inch now!! You can only take it off by lifting the lack lever on the left side of the motor...

So what do you rate my effort out of 10? ;-) he... (builder bob!) - Julian
Not bad for a country hack!

Jackson Walking - Getting better and speedy now!

Welcome Baby Grace!

Our friends Ben and Rose (and Ella) just had an awesome Christmas present. A wee baby girl they called Grace Melissa Vivian. She's a cutie and just chilling at the mo as she gets used to being in the world. Welcome baby Grace!

Daddys New Hotrod!

In preparation for the new home we've bought down the road, I bought my first Rideon... Gunna have some fun with this!

Paddling with the dog...

Zzzzzzz - Chillin' in his crib...

We've seen some good sleep poses, but this is a new one... One foot through the side bars ;-)

Auckland trip. We visit the the Leonards ;-)

Jes (Devoe's mum) on the left looking beautiful and her mum (Shirley) and Devoe on the right. Was great to catch up with the family!


Devoe and her pink friend ;-)


Jack got a prezzie - a Rideon Truck. Before he opened it, he started making car noises (Raspberries) - He's such a boy!


MMMMM... Chocolate! Gimmee!!


We went over to Cornwall park and caught up with Sarah Perry, an old friend of Sarahs... Great to meet her son Alex... Take a look at Jack's expression. To this day I can't figure it out? Wonder what he's thinking?

Jack the poser!

Just some nice shots I took of the lad... Happy eh ;-)


In this one he's about to take some of his first steps...

Julian's Average Wakeboarding effort