Jackson's first bandaid!!

All the big dangerous tools in the workshop to play with and Jack managed to get a cut on his finger just tripping up on the floor! Not even anything sharp there! Go figure? Boys will be boys!

Dad's Shed gets finished!

The shed is finally finished! The power is in and all the workbenches sorted. Just a few things to move across and then the attention will turn to the office...



Heaps of room in there eh!...


We'll keep the right bay free for projects. Boats, trailers, and anything I can find on TradeMe.

Dad's Shed gets a roof!

The builders have done the roof. The walls are getting sorted on Monday.
Then we'll be trenching for the power. Sparky comes next Wednesday!




Jack looking up admiring the roofwork!


Above is what Jack does if you say "Show me your muscles!" - What a stud!


He loves to climb!

Dad's Shed (cave) takes shape!

This is my new workshop being built! The office is taking over the garage soon so we needed another garage! They should have it built within a few days.
When finished, I need to move get power to it, move the workshop and then extend the office into the current garage giving us twice the room. I think I'll get a builder to help with the office extension ;-)




It's a double garage/workshop with two open bays on the right for the horse float and the boat. Should work out great and keep the toys from rusting out!


A few more pieces of wood from their kitset left to put on the shed. This is being built by ShedsNZ in Christchurch. They're doing a great job!

Julian and Ben hit the Mackenzie Country for a break

My mate Ben Vivian and I took off for a boy's day off to Mackenzie Country (Central South Island, NZ). We left about 4am on the Friday morning and came back the next evening in a snowstorm. Great break away - first 8hr continuous sleep I've had for years!

Even though the wind was gale force and predicted to get to 150km's we got out in the boat on Lake Aviemore in a sheltered bay behind a hill ;-) The old Seagull went well! Did a bit of trolling - no fish though...



Ben looking like a pirate!


Julian pretending to be a real southern man!

The Top10 Holiday Park in Omarama.

This was what they put us in! Both Ben and I took one look, got severely depressed and walked straight back to the office to upgrade to a decent room with kitchen, bathroom, lounge & TV. Better than getting stuck in a garden shed!


Ahhh! Thats more like it! Decent digs!


Yay! a kitchen!


And a lounge and TV!


Chilling to watch American Idol!


This is the bridge over the Ahuriri river. We stopped to spot a trout. I saw a fat one under the bridge.


There it is! Was about 10lbs. Shame the season is closed so I can't fish for it! Buggar!


Tekapo Canal on dusk!


And the other side...


Ben having a flick in the Tekapo canal


We got caught in a decent snowstorm on the drive back to Christchurch. Heaps of fun and a really relaxing few days!

This is Jack and Archie (his mate) playing in the mud. They're both soo cute! Jack didn't have a change of clothes so came home in a girl's pair of flowery pants.

Sarah and Baxter - Winners!

Well not really, but 4th place and that's fantastic (out of 25 others). Well done you two!

This was at the Hororata HunterTrials.

A day at the zoo!

We took Jackson to the Zoo on the weekend to check out all the animals. I think he enjoyed it? ;-) We fed the Giraffe!

Sarah's Family's Surprise Visit!

We have a visit for Scott (Sarah's Dad) and Shona (Sarah's Stepmum) over the weekend. Was fantastic to hang out and just spend some quality time. On sunday, we took off to Lake Hood. I wanted to check the Auxillary before heading out fishing with Ben in 2 weeks.


Dad and Jack heading out for a hoon!


Mum and Jack throwing stones!


The water was like glass! Was great to just blat along full tit and see how it performed. The boat is going great now we've added anti-cavitation plates to the motor. Much more stable!


The anti-cavitation plates totally make it plane faster and better and they smooth out the wake. No more roostertail! Thanks for the advice on this Ben! Really made a huge difference!


I love my family... but I think we'll need a bigger boat soon ;-) It's haps of fun but kind of a tonka toy.


Can't see him, but Jack is in front of Dad steering the boat. He's a very serious driver!


Shona looking beautiful - keeping warm!

Yummy dinner - saussies and vege!


Scott and Shona bought a toy piano thing. He loves it!. In the morning Jack would run to Scott's room yelling "Poppa! Poppa!"


My beautiful wife and I taking a break for a cuddle!


Getting the grime off - nice and clean!


The two troublemakers in the kitchen ;-) They took off to dinner and a movie to see a chick flick. Scott and I stayed back and with movies at home. Had boiled eggs.


Poppa imparting years of wisdom to Jackson...

Jack's Horse!

Our very cute son has fallen in love with a Tigger soft toy and a rocking horse. I'll upload a video so you can check them out.

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.