Victorian Heritage Celebration

This past weekend, we attended the annual Victorian Heritage Celebration in the historic town of Oamaru, about an hour north of us. We arrived in time to catch the parade through town.

Bagpipe Band

Scottish culture is strong in this part of New Zealand.

(Click the play button to view.)

Next, we hit a favorite attraction--the annual penny-farthing races.

Two competitors round the bend

Later, we met a nice old man on the street, who turned out to be the mayor of Oamaru. Our friends--visiting from South Carolina--pose with the mayor and his wife.

(Click the play button to view.)

Shumate Family Arrives!

We are excited to welcome our long-time friends, John and Deanna, who have arrived with their three children to stay for two weeks.

Climbing the Hill to Our House

After two days of sleeping in a lap or a plane seat, Genevieve couldn't test out her little girls' guest bed fast enough.

Genevieve locates the blanket and snuggles in, and Rachel arrives to see what's going on.

Genevieve opens her present from Marisa and Jeremy: a stuffed kiwi that makes a real kiwi call when you squeeeze it.

Baby Jane was born seven weeks ago and is already a world traveler.

They all amazed us by staying awake until 8pm, but then it was all over.