Egan Family

Year 4 Living Springs School Camp

2009-10-27T01:38:00.000-07:00

The children walked from the Sign of the Takahe around the Port Hills and then down to Living Springs. It took a couple of hours of walking and many of the children complaining (thankfully not mine!) about the distance... city slickers!!

Navigating the mud was much more fun for those of us at the end of the line.

One smart dad managed to get us lost and led us straight down the hill towards the camp site. This cut about 30 minutes off our hike, but we all ended up with sore toes as it was rather steep.

Josh having a rare moment when he could sit and relax. It was a full on two days.

The group of boys here went out of their way to make the ropes course more challenging. They completed it blindfolded and then started each section from opposite ends and crossing over in the middle.

Josh was one of a lucky few who got the opportunity to share a sheep (with help).

All of the children got a small horse ride.

Change of career

2009-10-27T01:30:00.000-07:00

To date James has had careers that require the uniform of shorts, polo shirt, overalls and work boots. Today he signed a contract that will see him behind a desk and wearing a collar and tie. It think it kind of suits him!!

RIP Charles Phillip Arthur George

2009-10-26T02:47:00.000-07:00

Sadly in mid October 2009 Mum and Dad had to have Charlie put down. He reached the grand old age of 17 years but his body started to fail him rapidly. Above are a couple of photos of Charlie having swimming lessons in the hope that it would strengthen his hind end and help him walk again after a hip dislocation. It was not to be. Charlie shared his love with all of us and it is very quiet and strange without him around. We miss you old boy.

Kaikoura Train Trip - October 09

2009-10-26T01:50:00.000-07:00

In the Term 3 holidays Nana Anne kindly shouted us all a train trip to Kaikoura for a couple of days. Anne, Auntie Annie, and cousins Lachlan and Jack met us there. It was freezing cold and mostly wet, but we had a wonderful time. The train trip was definately the highlight, but it was also a great adventure to stay in the motel units at the camping ground.

Getting arty with the view from the train.

The Kaikoura coast line from the train.

One way to warm yourself up in the open viewing carraige. It was colder than freezing!

In a small window of fine weather the boys rode around the camping ground on this bike. It was a good way to burn off some energy after being shut inside for over 24 hours.

Nana with her grandsons Nicholas, Lachlan, Joshua and Jack.

Back to the train station for the trip home. Note the snow on the hills that wasn't there when we arrived. No wonder it was so cold.

A Much Needed Update!

2009-10-25T02:13:00.000-07:00

Joshua 8 years 8 months and Nicholas 4 years 9 months
September 2009

In September I took Nick out of Kindy for the day and took him ice skating. He is a born natural with a need for speed. I am looking forward to the rink opening again so I can now take both of the boys together. Josh is also a natural skater.

James and I took the boys out of kindy and school and took them to Porter Heights for a day in the snow. It was a perfect day with loads of sun, no wind and great snow for sledging.

I found Nick with my hairdryer all plugged in making the blades of his lego helicopter work. It shows what sort of mind he will have for learning. There is nothing like a boy who likes to fiddle and experiment with everything to drive their mother mad.

James' 36th birthday, with Joshua and Nicholas to help blow out the candles and eat the cake.

One cold, wet, winters day we took the boys up to the Cashmere Hills to do a big walk in the hope that it would tire them out and stop the bickering. It worked well.

We spent a few weekends at the riverbed in Amberly collecting free fire wood. The boys enjoyed having a go with the chainsaw... so did Mum!

In April we went up to Nelson for a wee holiday. Above is Nicholas with his cousin Lachlan. Below is Joshua and Nicholas with Nana Anne and Grandad Russell.

School Holidays - April 2009 - Nelson

2009-04-24T02:50:00.000-07:00

We all went up to Nelson for a few days to visit Nana, Granddad, the Aunties, Uncle and cousins. Above is Granddad Russell, Joshua, Nana Anne and Nicholas.

The Egan Boys - Granddad, Nicholas, Joshua and James waiting for a train ride at Tahunanui.

Granddad, Nicholas and Josh having a mini train ride.

Nicholas having a ride in Granddad's special little electric noddy car.

Joshua with Aunty Lou who was celebrating her 40th Birthday.

Joshua, Nicholas and cousin Lachlan were getting ready for a Bear Hunt in the hills behind Nana and Granddad's house.

Joshua.

Joshua 8 years, Nicholas and Lachlan 4 years.

Cousin Jack 2 years.

Nick and Lachie hit it off and are "best friends".

Joshua and Nicholas at the start of the St James Walkway in Lewis Pass, on the way home to Christchurch, after a wonderful few days in Nelson.

Wood Collecting - February 2009

2009-04-23T04:03:00.000-07:00

On the 14th February the Egan's (Julia, James, Joshua and Nicholas) and the Mummery's (Emma, Paul, Sophie and Sarah) got together to celebrate Emma's birthday (it isn't politically correct to say how many years) and gather free firewood off the banks of the Amberly riverbed.

Nicholas helping out.

James doing the gathering.

Josh helping out with a more manageable log, after giving up on the enormous tree trunk behind him.

Julia getting in first with the fun toys.

Packing up and going home absolutely buggered!! It is much harder work than it looks. We still had the job of cutting the logs into fire box chunks. The neighbour wasn't too impressed with the noise of a chainsaw in the city. Next year we will arrange to have a trailer with a cage and cut it all on the river bank.

Some more summer photos

2009-04-23T03:17:00.000-07:00

Josh and Little Bear

Nick and Little Bear

Julia having a wee drop of wine up in the Port Hills while the boys collected pine cones for our fire place. (I did have company... James, Mum/Nanna and Dad/Poppa)

Joshua and Nicholas having a silly moment together.

Nicholas

2009-04-16T04:13:00.001-07:00

Yes. This is Nicholas in our new wheelie bin.

James and Nicholas

National Mud Slide Day - Cub Scouts

2009-04-16T03:11:00.000-07:00

The Mud Slide

Tug of War

Wet Sponge - Throwing and being thrown at

The Water Bomb- Josh loved this one and spent most of the day here. He managed to refine the art of nearly hitting (or missing... depending on how you look at it) silly people who kept walking directly across the path of these misiles.

The Sling Shot (with really big, wet sponges)

The Slippery Pole - which was being turned by a helpful Cub Leader while you tried to get from one end to the other.

Joshua - Malvern Cub Scout

Elmwood Top Town Sports Day

2009-04-16T02:38:00.000-07:00

Elmwood School hosted its own Top Town Day. The Year 4, 5 and 6 children were split into four "houses" and participated in a number of different activities. Josh is in Rhodes (green) which was the winning house.

Below Joshua is participating in the School Cross Country.

2009 School Year

2009-04-08T03:09:00.000-07:00

Above is Joshua ready for his first day at Elmwood Normal School. He is now in Year 4 and is doing extremely well. His excels at mathematics, reading, and spelling, and has also started to learn French.

Below is Nicholas getting ready for Rutland Street Kindy. He was just having a quick read of the headlines first.

Summer at the School Pool

2009-04-08T02:53:00.000-07:00

This year we spent every warm day at the school pool. It was a fantastic (and inexpensive) way to spend the long summer holidays. Above is Nick doing his version of a starfish. He can hold his breath for ages, so it took some convincing him that he should be floating on his back. By the end of the summer he had amazing confidence in the water, and had even started to do very basic freestyle. Both boys would love to run and jump into the deep end. We just had to keep a close eye on Nick to make sure he had his "floaties" (arm bands) on. Josh also spent most of the summer under water chasing his torpedo pool toys. The hours in the pool perfected his breaststroke and he could tread water for hours.

Finally - Some Family Photos

2009-01-23T01:47:00.000-08:00

Finally we have some family photos, thanks to our new tripod. It is a great wee thing that can be wrapped around any object to hold the camera. Above and below are some photos from our walk from Victoria Park to the Sign of the Kiwi. Once Nick got the hang of walking on little stones without scuffing his feet and tripping over every little bump we had a great day.

Here we have some delightful shots. We had a number of days in a row of 40+ deg Celsius, and were desperate to cool off on a regular basis. We tried having a dip at the school pool, but were hot again by the time we got home. So this was the alternative.

Yes, Josh is eight and has to pull some sort of antic in every photo!!

Joshua - 8th Birthday - 3rd January 09

2009-01-23T01:20:00.000-08:00

Joshua spent his birthday with his best friend, Ariana. The three had a lovely time playing tennis, popping balloons and having a swim in the school pool.

Poor Nick wasn't too keen to pop the balloon.

Even Little Bear took part with a wee taste of a lolly pop.

January 2009

2009-01-23T00:46:00.000-08:00

Joshua and Nicholas having a bed time story with Nana from Nelson.

Nicholas and Joshua spent four days practicing for their "Stone Brothers" concert. It was wonderful to see them working together so well. Over that time they did not have one cross word with one another. That in itself was fantastic!

Christmas 2008

2009-01-12T00:34:00.000-08:00

The boys were easy to please this year. Joshua asked for "surprises" and Nicholas asked for "toys".

Nicholas came out with a balloon stuffed up his top stating that he is "fat just like Santa". Then he waddled off to his room for a wee rest.

The Egan's, Carpenter's and Green's at our house, for Christmas dinner. As always too much food and alcohol was consumed.

Joshua

2009-01-11T23:27:00.000-08:00

Joshua was chuffed that he got an early Christmas present from Nana and Granddad (from Nelson). It is a two person dome tent and is great for entertaining two boys on rainy days in our lounge! It is just a shame that it isn't sound proof.

Queenspark (Year 2 & 3's) had a Christmas picnic at Spencer Park in December 2008. Joshua had a blast in the newly renovated sandpit. Above he is pumping water into the trench the children dug. There are also concrete animals buried in the sand for the children to dig up.

Below is Joshua's best friend Ariana.

Joshua with his Year 3 teacher, Mrs Brigitte Duncan.

The last day of school made for a sad day when Josh had to say goodbye to Mrs Duncan and his friends at Queenspark School. Next year he will start at Elmwood Primary School in Year 4.

Queenspark Kindergarten

2009-01-11T01:38:00.000-08:00

Nicholas and another little boy at Kindy had to stand up the front of the class while the others sang them Happy Birthday.

Nicholas up close and personal with Santa at Queenspark Kindergarten. This is the first year that he has voluntarily sat on Santa's knee and not looked terrified. He was an easy child to please and asked for "toys".

Next year Nicholas will start at Rutland Street Kindergarten, as we have shifted. He will do 8 weeks of afternoon kindy, then change to morning kindy, five days a week for the rest of the year.

Nicholas - 4th Birthday - 26 November 08

2009-01-11T01:11:00.000-08:00

Nicholas had a "family" birthday with his Mum, Dad, brother Joshua, Nanna, Poppa, Aunty Wendy, Uncle Tony, and cousins Andrew, Christopher and Jennifer, and Andrew's girlfriend Mim. We played pass the parcel, and everyone had a giggle with the blowers. And no, it isn't Christmas Day. Nick just enjoys wearing his Santa hat.

Willowbank

2008-11-09T00:45:00.000-08:00

Nana and Grandad came to visit us for a few days in October. We had a lovely warm day, so spent it at Willowbank. Nicholas was thrilled at the concept of getting up close to the animals, but wasn't so keen when he realised that he could feed them with his own bare hands. We saw some interesting looking animals, and the boys enjoyed a donkey ride. Unfortunately Joshua's donkey lived up to it's reputation and bit him on the hand when he tried to pat it. afterwards. The grumpy old muel bit down hard and I had to prise its mouth open to get poor Joshua's hand out. It gave him quite a fright.

The Antartic Centre

2008-11-08T01:21:00.000-08:00

We had a great day at the Antarctic Center during the last school holidays (September). We got to experience an Antarctic storm, ice skating, seeing the penguins being feed, a Hagglund Ride (Nick was terrified) and had a good look through some of the impressive Hercules planes that fly to Antarctica.

Nicholas Jeremy Egan

2008-11-08T01:03:00.000-08:00

Nicholas sweeping the pollen off our drive way (and it was only September).

Nicholas had a great time filling the sand pit with water, with the aim of sinking his trucks. He was disappointed to find the water "disappeared" every day!

My poor accident prone child had a run in with the slide at the park. He landed one beauty of a shiner. It was more impressive when his eye was swollen shut.

Friends and Family

2008-11-08T00:42:00.000-08:00

Nicholas (3 years 10 months) & Joshua (7 years 9 months)

Nicholas, Lachlan, Joshua and Jack (cousins from Nelson)

Joshua, Nicholas and Ariana Miller (best friend!)

Brick Shifting Day at Nanna & Poppa's

2008-11-08T00:12:00.000-08:00

The boys were both a big help when it came to shifting the bricks for Nanna and Poppa's house extension, from the drive to the back of the property until they are needed.

Every good turn deserves a wheel barrow ride!

Kea Scouts - Burwood

2008-11-07T23:59:00.001-08:00

Joshua became a Kea Scout in August 2008.
Below is Joshua on his first Scout Camp at Journeys End, Mid-Canterbury.

Joshua is at the end in the blue togs and hat.

Joshua Michael Egan

2008-11-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year I started Joshua rock climbing at the YMCA. He is a born natural, and now I can't wait until he is old enough and heavy enough to belay me.

It is a long way to the top, but he made it with style.

Steam Scene

2008-07-22T22:07:00.000-07:00

This was a family trip to Steam Scene. We spent the morning riding the cute little trains. You get 12 rides for $10. It is a wonderful to way to spend a warm morning (very strange weather for the middle of winter) without spending too much money.

Porters Pass Snow Day

2008-07-22T03:20:00.000-07:00

In the July school holidays we took the boys up to Porters Pass for a play in the snow. There is a great spot just before Lake Lyndon with a steep slope for fast sliding, and a long run off so you don't end up on the road. We had 4 fantastic hours of running up the slope to come down in a couple of seconds flat. Joshua and Nicholas discovered that Mum and Dad are big kids too! I discovered that as adults we don't bounce as well as we used to. Thankfully there isn't a photo of my little accident. (Three weeks later and my tail bone is still sore!!!)

The First Winter Snow Storm

2008-07-22T02:44:00.000-07:00

Nicholas had his first memorable experience with snow this year.

This is one of Josh's great photos. This is the result of the snow that slid down the boys slide.

This is Nicholas and Joshua in a cave at Sumner after a day driving around looking at the snow. The boys didn't believe us at first when we showed them and told them about Lyttelton being on the rim of an extinct volcano. They were also a little afraid of climbing through a small hole into a pitch black cave after me. I had to keep taking photos with the flash to convince them that it was ok.

James' 35th Birthday

2008-07-22T02:34:00.000-07:00

Nick and Josh were on hand to help James blow out heaps of candles on his birthday.

Nanna and Poppa's House Extension

2008-06-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

Joshua, Nicholas and Poppa showing off Kiwi Ingenuity. The spouting is to keep water out of the foundation area for their new extension.

Joshua took most of the photos the day we poured the concrete in the boxing. I think he has quite an eye for photography. This is my favourite.

Julia waiting for her first load of heavy cement. I finished the day with arms that were a few inches longer!!

James and I poured the concrete, while Poppa Bruce did his thing with the trowel, and Nanna Jan had the pleasure of taking Josh to his swimming lesson and keeping two intrigued boys out of the wet cement and mud.

Touch Rugby 2007/08 Season

2008-06-03T03:39:00.000-07:00

The Dragon's Touch Rugby Team. In Year 2 Josh was lucky enough to have Mr A (Simon Adkins) as his teacher. His dedication, energy and enthusiasm puts me to shame. In his spare time he coached two touch teams (as all of the children wanted to take part) and spent many of his lunch hours playing "scrag" with the children (rugby without rules from what Josh described). The photo above is after a game in 40+ deg heat. Below shows that even the best can loose control of our little darlings. The opportunity to take a group photo lasted about 10 seconds, if that.

Ferrymead Historic Park

2008-06-03T02:55:00.000-07:00

Caught!! Nicholas fiddling again.

Nicholas with Nana and Grandad from Nelson.

Joshua, Nicholas and James had a lovely day with Nana and Grandad at Ferrymead Historic Park in the Term 1 school holidays (April/May 2008). Joshua was excited to have the opportunity to show Nana and Grandad everything that he had learnt about the "olden days" from a field trip earlier in the term.

Our Proud Moment

2008-06-03T02:35:00.000-07:00

In March (2008) Nicholas had his training wheels taken off his bike. He rode it first time without any help. Our clever wee monkey was only 3 years and 3 months old!!! He has had some amazing spills off his bike since then (speed demon), and each time he gets back on without a "melt down". In April we started to take him on the mountain bike track through Burwood Plantation. The first time he managed to spin out on the gravel; hit every tree and tree stump possible (scary thought in a plantation!!); and career off the track at the top of a hill. He was quite apprehensive about going into the forest again, but the second time he applied everything he learnt and is a born natural.

Some of the Latest - January 08 to April 08

2008-05-26T02:15:00.000-07:00

Joshua and Nicholas having a great time with our slot car set. The lounge suit was sent away to be recovered during the Term 1 school holidays (Nicholas managed to accidentally knock the iron onto the couch and burn it) so we had heaps of floor space to occupy. We were surprised at how well Nick managed. He is a true petrol head and certainly gave Josh a run for his money.

We had a lovely day at Sumner/Scarbourgh. The boys had great fun going through the cave of The Rock, and poking the sea life in the surrounding rock pools. Above, Josh shows his true seven year old colours. I don't know what it is that makes children this age stick their tongues out for photos.

During the Summer holidays we spent the day with The Miller's at the Airforce Museum. We all had a great day. The adults showed their true competitive sides when it came to the very cool flight simulators. (I even ended up with motion sickness ... how lame!)

James, Joshua and Nicholas standing in the engine of a new 777 at an open day put on by Air New Zealand.

Joshua and Nicholas all set up to help paint the planks the boys have on their play gym/swing set. Nicholas got a little bored and started to paint himself from head to toe in brown paint. It took quite some work to get it off him and his clothing (yep... he had it so thick it soaked through the overalls).

Entertainment After A Storm

2008-05-07T03:54:00.000-07:00

The joys of living in a subdivision that floods when there is more than one days worth of rain at a time... The boys had cabin fever after two days of rain in the April/May school holidays so we blew up my old boat (it is about 25 years old) and pulled the boys up and down the flooded creek at the end of our street. It was great fun for them. The two in the boat together is enough to pull your arm out of its socket, but it was a great way to spend a freezing cold afternoon. The heavens opened yet again just as we were packing up and heading for home.

Nicholas At Queenspark Kindy

2008-05-07T03:41:00.001-07:00

Nicholas started Kindy at the end of March this year (at 3 years, 4 months). He seems to be enjoying it, and already the speech development has started to progress. In the above photo he is enjoying playing with rice flour. By the time I came back to collect him at 3pm he was covered from head to toe in the stuff. It was all gunky in his eyes, in his ears, up his nose, and mixed with a dash of green paint. I am just disappointed that I didn't have my camera on hand for the end result. Josh would pat his head with great delight as a large flour cloud would arise. Only Nicholas could manage to create such a mess.

James' New Specs

2008-05-07T03:41:00.000-07:00

James declared that he couldn't read the time on our microwave clock from our dining room table (only a distance of about 4 meters) So I sent him off for an eye examination. Unfortunately he now requires nice and expensive glasses to wear all of the time. "Graduated lenses" just doesn't have the same ring as "bi-focals" when describing a blind bat. Here's hoping they will help him see all of the little things that need doing around the house... just kidding.

More Of The Boys

2008-05-07T02:32:00.000-07:00

In 2007 (Year 2) Joshua's teacher convinced most of the class to form a Touch Rugby Team. There were so many involved that two teams eventuated. Above is a shot of Josh at one of the matches.

This is Nicholas having fun at our friends new house. He was nearly two years old. (October 2007)

This is the lovely Joshua (6 years 10 months) after having his face camouflage painted at Nicholas' 3rd birthday. The children had a blast, but it took a gallon of face cream to remove the paint. The face flannels and bathroom basin were an interesting sight afterwards. Mental note - apply plenty of face cream (especially around the eyes) before the paint goes on next time.

Christmas 2007. Santa's reindeer and the boy's having a great time at Little Kaiteriteri. Nick wasn't too keen to put his feet down once he discovered heaps of little crabs in the sand. He was probably just following my/Mum's act. I must remember to take our surf shoes up next time.

The Boys

2008-05-06T03:10:00.000-07:00

Joshua helping Nicholas in our back yard.

A Few Photos From The Past

2008-05-06T01:44:00.001-07:00

This is The Egan Family, and this is what we looked like at the end of 2005. Joshua was nearly 5 years old, Nicholas had just turned one, James was 32, and Julia was 34. Wow. Time sure does fly when you are having fun.

Julia and her cuddly boys.

Our little girl, Nibbles. Here she is enjoying her first Christmas at age 1 year. She is now two and sadly won't be with us for too much longer.

We never imagined that her time would be up so soon after finding her tumor. She died the night I posted this blog. RIP Nibbles. We miss you.