Queenstown Adventures - Graemes 30th

In May we were lucky enough to spend 4 nights in Queenstown, without the kids! Just us!! The kids were happy as can be with their grandparents, and we were living it up large with Hilton Hotel Life.

So, I never realised that hotel people do all your dishes. That was such a surprise to me. I need to get out more! haha! / become so wealthy I never need to do dishes again. It was like living in a dream! 

Anyway, 5 nights away, what a dream come true. We had been squirreling away money for the last year for this trip, as a big Happy 30th Birthday to the man of our house, so we could have some time away from our house! Graeme was also blessed by a lot of his friends for his birthday, with cash towards adventures in Queenstown. 

We planned to live up large, eat out and buy desserts, drink coffee and wander the streets and do as many adventurey things as we could. It turns out, we ticked all of those boxes.

The highlight for me was definitely Milford Sound. It's about 3.5 hours drive from Queenstown, so it really does take up a whole day; leaving in the morning, going on a cruise around lunch time, then returning home after dinner. It was a big day and we were shattered by the end of it. I think that was the one night we got takeaways and crashed in bed. 

But Milford sound, what a beautiful, stunning part of the world. Breathtaking. Even the drive there, I wish we had spent more time stopping off to take in the views. So much beauty and goodness that is so refreshing for the soul.

We went on a Jucy Cruise which was, I assume, just as good as all of the other cruises on offer. All up about 2 hours on the boat. 

I was lucky enough to end up at the front of the boat and was doused in water from a waterfall. It was a happy accident, and from then on we stayed at the front of the boat and loved our cruise. Much better to be out in the fresh air, although it was FREEZING cold. Wind chill felt like it was in the minus'! Still, I sipped my red wine, bathed in the sunlight and thanked God for all of these moments. 

Those last 2 photos above were from a video we took. We tried to get a photo of us and the waterfall, except the wind was all up in thurrr. You can see the video on my Instagram here.

Following that we spent our time in Queenstown on the shot over river (above). I had been on it as a kid, in which I had thought for sure we were certain for death, but it wasn't nearly as scary as I had remembered. Still, thrilling none the less. Graeme "woohoo"'d his way down the river, and it was a joy for me to see him having fun (while I held on for dear life).

We ate Fergburger, Winnies Pizza, drank lunch time beers and wines, sat by fire sides, talked about silly things from my "conversation starters" (which were a great idea to take, when you're wanting to talk about things other than kids, but your life only consists of kids). 

Speaking of kids, we almost forgot they existed. And when we phoned them they said "we need to make you a card, can we hurry up and say goodbye now?" So never mind them.

On our departing eve, we found the local c3 Church and treated ourselves to a couple massage which was divine. We finished off the day by eating a ridiculously expensive meal which was a ridiculously huge hunk of steak, and drank from a ridiculously large wine glass. Ridiculous. All of it. 

What is this life?

*Sigh* Last day and time to go home. 6 hours later in the car and we were ready for our own beds. But I definitely could have stayed in that dream bubble for a little longer.

Thank you to Nannie & Poppa, Grandad Jimmy & Colly for all of the Baby Sitting hours you racked up! And to all of our friends who put in for our adventures!

Lots of memories made. Thank you. 

Happy Birthday Graeme! xx

Training

I've nearly completed my second week of training for the 14km City to Surf run in Christchurch in March.

I haven't really done any exercise since becoming pregnant over 3 years ago so this is a bit of a shock to the system (if you dont count all those km I tread each day getting from A to B with the pram and no car), although not an unwelcome one.

It feels good to be getting fit, slowly but surely. Mentally, too. Exercising the body does wonders for all things in your life. Funny how expending all that energy actually gives you more in return.

My one goal is to be able to keep up with MrMoo on race day. I thought training together could be some sort of marital bonding activity, and we can do the walks together with the pram (and they are lovely) but all of our training runs have been done seperately at night so far.

Looking at MrMoos run stats on his phone its becoming glaringly obvious that his big man legs give him a definite advantage. If I think about his stats all hopes and motivation for me shrink away by the second. I may need to trip him up on the start line. Just a little sprain, nothing major, just enough to slow him down a little....

Mr. and Mrs. Moo Pillowcases

In January MrMoo and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. We follow the traditional gift themes, the 4th year being linen / flowers and fruits. I gave MrMoo a new shirt and he printed a picture of His and Hers pillowcases, vowing to give them to me when he was more organised.

Months passed...

*cough*

I took the picture off my fridge and just decided to make them myself. I gathered what I needed before Baby and stored it away, knowing full well that once I had a new snuggly baby I would just need to create. I wasn't wrong. Just like with my last baby I had an overwhelming urge to create and achieve. On days when it seems like nothing gets done its nice to know you can finish something.

So here are our Mr and Mrs Moo pillowcases! Happy anniversary to us!

Is it a little self centered that we have our nicknames on our pillows? Please don't judge us! Ha!

I actually really loved making these. The font, the black and white, the clean lines. Tracing the words, ironing them on, stitching around them - every part of the process was so pleasing to me!

If you want some pillows like this and can't do them yourself just email me! :)

READ MORE:
Creative Posts on Sophie Slim
Sewing on Sophie Slim
Sophie Slim on Pinterest

Surprise!

Yesterday was MrMoo's 27th Birthday!

He wanted to have his family over for dinner (his request was meatloaf, his fav) and attend his weekly Wednesday night indoor cricket game. Sneakily I had arranged for some of his besties to come over while he was at cricket and surprise him with a dessert party afterwards!

YAY!

I LOVE SURPRISES! (especially when I'm planning them)

I'm sad to say I fell asleep on the couch around 10.30, and am completely beat today, but it was all worth it. MrMoo had a great time and was completely surprised!

Today I'm cleaning up, putting all the toys back in place and having the cutest little girl over (and her Mum... she's pretty cute too) for a play date.

Oh, and I'll be making up a few more LOVE BOMBs today too :)

[happy]

Spencer Park Animal Farm

Spencer Park Animal Farm

This was a great find within Christchurch, suggested to us by a friend as part of our Stay-Cation agenda!

Spencer Park is in Brooklands, just on the outskirts of North Christchurch. The entrance to the Animal Farm is directly opposite the main entrance to Spencer Park. It isn't sign posted, you wouldn't even know its there.

There's a little driveway, a few carparks and a sign on an inconspicuious gate that says "Open 9-5. Please shut the gate" and that is the only clue (that and all the roosters crowing). There is no one there to collect money or supervise you. Each time we have been there has always been at least one other family there. 

Inside is a small area of land - chickens and roosters roam free, bunnys are in huge hutches, peacocks (my fav!) wander around and do what peacocks do, there's about 6 aiveries filled with birds and 3 or 4 Kune Kune pigs inside a very large pen.

Our little girl loves anything that moves and has something other than human skin (dreading the day she realises some people actually collect animals as pets!). She loved this animal park and we went back multiple times over the summer! 

Each time was different, with different weather and times of the day some animals preferred to sleep than hang out with us! 

Do you have any hidden secrets in your town? If you live in Christchurch please share yours in the comments, we're always on the look out for fun (cheap) things we can do as a family! 

[This week I'm reminiscing in my 2013 Summer Series. I had a great summer but most of it wasn't blogged about due to morning sickness. Here's my record!]

Akaroa Memories - The Best Ever

To Akaroa

My absolute favourite part of the summer were the 3 nights we had in Akaroa together.

We were told in December that we could use a permanent caravan over New Years if we wanted, for free with all amenities, all we'd have to take was our own food.

YES PLEASE.

We got Avril the day before we left for Akaroa.

Akaroa is a small town in Banks Penninsula. It has a whole lot of history and is one of those quaint holiday destinations that Cantabrians often frequent. MrMoo spent a few years growing up in a tiny bayside town nearby. My own experience in going there has always been arriving and saying "now what?" then leaving again. There isn't a whole lot to do around the place unless you have an agenda. 

A collection of memories:

I have SUCH fond memories of watching MrMoo walking around holding Millas hand, of saying that she was just getting to that age where we could take her somewhere and teach her something new to make the most of it. Her sitting on the mat eating her breakfast, watching cars go by out the front fence. Playing swingball. Oh, that giggle. 

We had eggs bene for breakfasts, fish n chips for lunch and barbecues for dinner 

We woke early from birds on the roof and dreamed / plotted of ways to get rid of them. 

We packed our bags and frequented little bays and beaches around the penninsula. MrMoo loved driving our new car and he held on to my leg in a reassuring way because I hated the twisty roads on top of volcanoes. He kept us safe.

We fished and explored and collected sea shells.

We made sandcastles by day and played cards together by night, outside, underneath the setting sun and the stars while MrMoos ice clanked around in his whiskey and my own juice bubbled away and music sang from the laptop. (This moment: My favourite of the whole year. I'm so glad MrMoo snapped a photo of it (below).)

We talked about our favourite parts of the year, what we loved doing, what we wanted to do more of. We talked about our goals and hopes and dreams. We talked about the newest addition to the family and became excited together. 

We went to bed at 11pm on New Years Eve, our second year in a row not making it till midnight - proof of family status. MrMoo joked that I was too pregnant to last till midnight, and I laughed when he fell asleep on the sofa at 11. 

We invited a friend to come stay with us for a night, he taught MrMoo more about the barbeque, they went fishing and stayed up really late watching movies. 

We laughed and loved. Funny how those two go hand in hand. I don't think I've ever laughed and loved so much before.

Akaroa, you were good to our family. 

[This week I'm reminiscing in my 2013 Summer Series. I had a great summer but most of it wasn't blogged about due to morning sickness. Here's my record!]

A Generous MrMoo

Last week MrMoo layed in bed and told me how proud he was of me; All of the time I spend on others, the committees, the volunteering, the strangers.

To be honest, I don't consider myself a giver or a generous person. I have a lot to learn and thankfully I have some amazingly generous role models to look to who teach me about giving and living on a daily basis. However, I hear this "generous" word and my name thrown about a lot, I think a lot of people have a warped perception of me and perhaps it seems that way from the outside, but to hear it from someone who knows me best, that they are proud, well.. That means a lot.

It was great to hear that my husband appreciated the way that I use my time. As a stay at home Mum I am very aware of the fact that what I do with my time earns us no money. And in the worlds eyes could be considered a waste, but I always have a driving desire to use my time well and to have it benefit the world. Whether that brings in money or not. 

It could be easy for my husband to say that I waste my time on all these "free" things that I do. That as a stay at home mum I should be solely focussed on our family. To say that I could probably be working and earning some money with all the time that I give away. 

But he doesn't say that. He appreciates me for it, and thanked me for making this world a little bit different (and hopefully better) each day.

I thanked him for waking up each morning with a smile on his face and going to work each morning to provide for our family. He works hard and never ever complains. 

Today is the beginning of the Annual Plunket Appeal. I was hesitant to tell MrMoo that I had signed up to help again this year, knowing how much it required last year. I have organised a week long collecting stall at my local mall. I eventually slipped it into conversation that that is what I was doing, and he was thrilled. 

It is so good to have a partner who supports what you do, and to use what you do have for the benefit of others. And you know, I actually feel rich for it. 

Thank you MrMoo for understanding about the important things in this world; you make it really easy to be me.

[[I am reminded of the Proverbs Woman and feeling a teensy bit good about myself::

Proverbs 31: Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. ]]

Proposal

Circa 2007, dating at the Zoo. The boy I fell for. 

This is the account of our engagement, as told by MrMoo, written in 2009.

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Our One Year Anniversary of being together was coming up fast and I’d been secretly paying off a great wee present, small, round, shiny and expensive…

I threw in small comments about making it a special night, the 7th of July, talked about how cool it was how we got together on that day, being 07/07/07
Those who know me well will be certain I set that one up, but its pure chance and I’m stoked on it.
So throwing these comments around got Sophie started on suggestions for how to celebrate, making all the plans her idea and I would agree.

She suggested we go up the hills to one of our favourite spots, one I’d already thought was a great proposal spot.

So a couple days before hand, Roy and I went for a drive to see where to setup the equipment.

That was fun because it involved dodging a road closed sign and getting stuck in snow! then building a snow ramp to jump out of a ditch with my trusty Max (my car)

All set and it was time to do this!

Monday came and I had a flash of a day at work, thought it would take ages considering what lay ahead that night..

4pm came around, I met up with my team of setup ninjas and gave them a brief on their all too important mission.

We parted ways and I headed off to pickup Sophie.

Trip to the supermarket for some food, hot chicken, nice rolls, marshmallows, candles, sparkling wine. We were set..

Phone call from ninjas… Snow is worse! Roads closed again, won’t make it through this time.

Move to plan B! different location, same setup. Go Go Go!

We drive up the hills, looking at the lights as we ascend, its beautiful. Perfect view.

I drove to the road closed sign as if I don’t know, I acted really gutted that it spoiled our plan for our special anniversary night. She bought it.

Out of nowhere I "had an idea." We headed down the other side of the hill.

“Where are we going?” She kept asking
“I have a backup plan” was my response

Up a few crazy roads we end up at a house on top of the hill overlooking governors bay. A beautiful wooden deck sticks out over the hill with a stream running below it, blankets and pillows laid out in the middle with dim lights shining on our setting.

We sit down and I light the candles, they form a circle around us and light up the
picnic beautifully.

We eat, and cuddle, and smile, and talk.
Reminiscing and laughing about the great past year we have had.
Talking about the past, the present and parts of the future.

After some of the food and wine is finished, we stand up and walk over to the rail and look out at the harbour, then up at the stars.

Cuddling close I ask “Are you happy?”
“Yes”
“How happy?”
She makes motions with her arms stetched as far as they reach.
“Could anything make you happier?”
She pauses…
“No”

Time to prove her wrong.

I lead her back to the centre of the candle circle. Standing in the middle embracing one another I tell her how much I love her and how important she is to me.
That I wanted this night to be special.
That I have wanted to have a night like this for a long time.

Cue part one.

From the bushes and under the deck comes music, our song, Stolen by Dashboard Confessional plays loudly. The distinctive electric guitar riff in the intro pierces the silence and brings a shocked and very emotive look upon her face.

A moment later, a spot light from above lights up our center stage.

Now completely frozen in a jaw dropped position her eyes slowly fill with tears as I stare straight into them.

“Sophie Anne Hawes” (thats where she blacked out when recalling it later)

I told her further more about her importance and my appreciation for her in my life, removing a hand from her tight grip.
Now holding a small box I open it up, get down on one knee and ask “Will you marry me?”

“Yes” came through a teary, surprised and overwhelmed smile.

Ring on the finger and standing there hugging and crying, she wouldn’t let go of me.
I was happier than ever before.

We stood there for a long time and took in the moment.

It was amazing.

We got in the car and headed back down the hill.
We reached the bottom and pulled into a bar/cafe across the road, Families and friends were all there waiting and full of hugs and congratulations.

What an awesome night. Bring on the rest. I am so stoked.
Thank you God for such an amazing blessing. My fiance Sophie.


READ MORE IN THIS SERIES:
Stalker Boy - How we met
The Wedding Ceremony
A Newly Wed Disaster

Valentines Hearts

Happy Valentines Day Lovers!

I sent MrMoo off to work this morning with 10 of these kraft paper sewn hearts filled with sweet chocolates! He was under strict instructions to deliver to each of his work colleagues and to look happy about doing so! I hope they were received well! To be honest I can't imagine how they are supposed to be opened without spilling everywhere! :)

I love Valentines Day. I love the idea of expressing love and I love receiving love. 

At the wedding we went to at the weekend we sat across from one of MrMoos work mates who has divorced in the last few years. He was with a new woman, also divorced. He looked at me and said out of the blue "Marriage is great. But DONT. GET. COMPLACENT"

Love is a verb, its a doing word. Every single day, loving each other. 

READ MORE:

The Wedding we went to 

Valentines celebrations 2012

THE DETAILS:

Linking in with Show n Tell

The Wedding Ceremony. Part Three.

I woke up next to my Sister, eager to see the world outside the curtains.

The bright sun shone through. I breathed a sigh of relief because today was the day I was getting married. I had no other plans, determined to get married amongst the green berry fields and when thunder was forecast the night before I threw my hands up in the air not knowing what to do.

Hours later as soon as my necklace was fixed and flowers in hand we rushed to the cars. For some reason I was desperate to arrive on time, not giving us any "late bride" slack.

My Step-Dad drove myself and my Father in his car to the venue, a small moment I took the time to notice and remember.

I found myself sheltering under a large tree holding up my white dress to air my sweaty legs. We watched guests arrive in the car park and hurry towards the ceremony. A Canterbury nor-wester was blowing through, bringing with it a burning sun and just as hot air. We couldn't escape it. It was hot and we were melting but it was time to go through.

The Youth Pastor had edited our favourite song, the one he proposed to me with, into a mix of instrumental with vocals. It was extremely choreographed and timed well and we all had to focus on when we were to enter. I wished he was there with me, knowing I would most likely screw it up.

I walked slowly and in time, my father on my arm walked out of time. "I'm so sorry!" I thought in my head, hoping Youth Pastor could hear.

For most of the walk down the aisle I was blinded by the sun shining onto my vale, I trusted my Dad was leading me in the right directly and tried to focus on smiling, not knowing who was smiling back at me.

"Hi" Youth Pastor breathed as he took my hands in his. His hands were slippery but they firmly held onto mine. He was dashingly handsome and I felt like we were in a fairy tale.


READ MORE:
Stalker Boy. Boy and Girl Meet. Part One.
A Newly Wed Disaster. Part Two.

Sister Amy, Camilla, Brydie, Dad all waiting under a tree hot and sweaty

The first meeting on the altar

4th Wedding Anniversary with MrMoo

Last week MrMoo and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. We were married in 2009 on a hot Canterbury Nor-Wester day, amongst fields of berrys and shaded by ancient trees.

This was the first year since then that we purposefully celebrated the occassion. We decided last year that we would mark the occasion with gifts from the traditional anniversary gift list.  This year, our 4th, being fruit, flowers, linen or silk.

I gave MrMoo a nice new shirt to also celebrate his becoming an official celebrant! He has his first wedding to officiate this weekend and I wanted him to have something new to wear!

He promised to give me these cute (and rather creative) pillows to make our bedroom a nicer place. 

Although I didn't actually get the gift on the day, he printed off a photo and wrote a super sweet message along with it. It all counts and I am a happy lady until they are on our bed :)

Nanny Moo showed up to baby sit and bought this super sweet cow with her! We felt very loved!

MrMoo took me out to a local restaurant. We happily talked the night away and ended up having to avoid another iced-chocolate disaster to finish the night off. (Same place, no cream, boo!) (I'm thinking an iced-choc revolution needs to be started. Cafes, hear our demands!!)

And finally, the *first* Baby Moo bump shot on the blog. My view waiting at a cash register. Wearing Breastmates new maternity line, more on that later. 

It was truly a great night. Our third date night for the week. Feeling over spoilt and craving a night at home I considered cancelling it, but as part of my 2013 goals, glad we went out and celebrated more. We took an extra moment to leave the coffee shop as I could literally feel my happy cup filling. I sat there, closed my eyes and soaked it in.

MrMoo, I love you. 

xxx 

"Cool" Crochet Doily

After our first year of marriage MrMoo and I attended a one day marriage / family life workshop with some dear friends of ours. The course covered many areas of relationships, each came with its own discussions to have as a couple, goals to set, things to correct and praise to give. 

We loved the course and have since done one on parenting under 5's. We love doing things together than can build up our family and give us helpful positive advice, along with getting on the same page.

From that marriage course one of the main goals I remember setting is that I wanted to turn our bedroom into a place we want to be. A sanctuary, haven type place that we could relax and find comfort in.

Confession:: I'm not a naturally tidy person, I have to put a lot of energy into keeping our home clean and tidy for MrMoo (he loves a tidy home). As a result, our bedroom is often neglected because we don't have any visitors there. I focus on keeping the living areas, kitchen and bathrooms clean instead. 

For the last 3 years since the course I have been slowly working to change that. We have bought new duvet sets, sheets, last year I finally put some photos on the wall in our bedroom and a string of bunting. 

More recently we finally got two matching bedside tables and lamps, and have just crocheted some bright (yet deep) green cotton doilies to go on top. 

I was so ridiculously proud of myself. Often its the small things that make a difference to an atmosphere. The tiny touches that turn $15 Warehouse shelves into something that feels personal and comfortable next to our beds.

For a week after making them I would say "Good night, I'm just going to put my glass of water on my doily"

"Cool" Mr Moo would reply sarcastically.

I got the impression that he wasn't as fond of my doily as I was (crazy!) so when I apprehensively asked him if I could make a matching one for his side I was surprised and thrilled when he said yes, but requested a square one instead.

I CAN DO SQUARE! 

As for the bedroom, we're getting there. I plan to give our room a lot of love an attention over the next few months as we prepare for a baby moon.

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 THE DETAILS:

I found my circle doily pattern from Pinterest.  Hers is a lot more flatter (stretched out, chrisper etc) than mine. I did try "blocking" for the first time. Is that the effect it is supposed to achieve or has the original maker done something different? Would love to hear your thoughts on how I could achieve that look too!

Follow my Sophie Slim Pinterest boards and see other crochet inspiration!

Linking in with crafty Show & Tell 

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MORE:
Did you see the crochet owl purse I made last week? If you would like to purchase one let me know!

Avoid an Iced-Chocolate disaster on Date Night!

We have been so spoilt this weekend, two date nights! In a row! 

Once again my Mum was over from the Westcoast and while she stayed at our house and started a puzzle we skipped to the car singing "if you're happy and you know it.." well. Not really, but we were excited and jumped at the chance to disappear for a few hours together!

On our second date night, Monday, we ended up sitting in the hot sunshine as it fell behind the southern alps. Absolutely beautiful. MrMoo had a little rainbow on his forehead. 

He had a mango smoothie and I narrowly avoided an iced-chocolate disaster. 

Thats what I'm really here to share about today. See, iced-chocolates matter. In fact, I've had four of them in the last week. Thats not my normal consumption rate of them but I feel like i'm becoming a bit of a pregnant connoisseur. 

I have discovered while ordering its best to ask what kind of iced chocolate you're going to be getting. As far as I can see, there are two different ones on the market and prices and menu boards do not make any distinction between them.

The first iced chocolate is the sad one. Still (over) priced at around $6 you're getting chocolate milk and ice. Wapwaaow. 

For the same price at any resonable establishment you might luckily be in for iced-chocolate number two, my obviously preferred favourite which I will happily shell out $6.50 for. She consists of milk and chocolate, some sort of chocolate swirl on the inside with a little bit in the bottom, ice-cream  topped with cream and sprinkles. 

Ahh, yes please. A dessert in a glass. Just what my unborn child would like please.

Last night, I narrowly avoided the first (sad) chocolate. 

While ordering I asked "what comes in your iced chocolate?" 

Uhhhh... they look stumped.

"Does it have a chocolate swirl in it?"
"No but we could put one in if you want"

"Does it comes with icecream or whipped cream"
"We could put icecream on if you want it"

"What about sprinkles?"
"no but we could do them?"
"Yes please! I'll have that!"

To which MrMoo butted in and said "Sorry, she's pregnant"

C'mon ladies, advocate for your iced-chocolates! Don't settle on a glass of cold milk! Can I get an amen ladies?

How do you do yours? Leave a comment and let me know!

See our latest Date Night with the moo2s  the last time Mum was in town!
P.s - its our 4th anniversary this week! Any ideas what we could do to celebrate?! (pps, we'll be without Milla! 3 dates in one week!! WHO ARE WE?!)