Willowbank

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nanna and Poppa's House Extension

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.