Rhys's 2nd Birthday Party!

Well, it happened almost two weeks ago...time I go the pictures up! I made Rhys a farmyard cake...which was supposed to have a barn as well but things didn't go to plan with that one. He was very surprised when he realized we were singing to him!

Daddy giving Rhys a horsey ride
Thomas pop-up tent which he loves!
Eva wanted to help Rhys...and he needed it too...didn't have a clue what to do
Mommy finally had to coax him into opening his presents

Rhys and friends....

Well, I am officially behind and need to get my act together! Rhys has turned 2 (on Monday) and I haven't posted a single thing for ages! We are having his party on the weekend so pictures will come then. We've been having beautiful winter weather here...clear, blue, sunny skies and cool. I wouldn't mind it if it was a few degrees warmer as I have a sum total of three long-sleeved shirts, but I'll survive. Won't be long and I'll be wishing it was cooler...

A couple weekends ago we had the Morrisons over for lunch and Rhys sure enjoyed himself when the boys got out their scooters. They have four boys, youngest is 4, so Rhys loves following them around. And they are all really good about playing with him. They even let him use a scooter...a bit big for him, but he had fun!

Rhys with Harry, Zach and Darcy
Harry is 4 and is "definitely bigger than Rhys"....his brother give him heaps because he's the youngest.

Sam, the oldest, trying to teach Rhys how to ride the scooter

Zach giving Rhys a ride

Rhys's other special playmate, Eva! They sure are enjoying each other now. I think Rhys was teaching her how to bang on the mirror....such a good influence he is...

Rhys is so grown up...sitting on his little couch eating a whole apple, seeds, stem and all...but every time I asked him to look at me, he leaped up and ran for it....

one of the better ones...

On the slide I got from the toy library for his birthday. He gets a zap every time he goes down, so now he's decided that sending his toy trucks down is much more fun!

Stay tuned for two-year-old birthday pics!

Ireland #6: Wedding Part 2

Oh sweet! I love this one! It's only one step from holding the flowers to holding the purse, Daz!

All the pretty girls...doing the can-can??

All the boys in a scrum...

Daz and Justin showing a bit of New Zealand culture

Mike and Roz in the carriage...see I'm the only one who thinks its romantic!

The happy couple ready to eat...dinner

The very elegant cake

Denise and her sister and matron of honour, Olwyn

Listening to speeches

Eldon...emcee-ing

Mike after too much sherbet

Ireland #5: Wedding Part 1

Now the photos you've all been patiently waiting for!
The beautiful venue

The ultimate romantic arrival *sigh*

harpist

Darryn (Groom)

Eldon (Best Man)

Denise and her Dad walking up the aisle

Making it official!

Sweet flower girls!

Non-irish visitors

Irish wedding-goers

Kerr Family

Darryn and Denise with Steven and Beatrice Kerr

Denise with Dad and brothers Phillip and Steve

Patterson Family

Darryn and Denise with Murray and Sharon Patterson

Darryn with Roz and Eldon

to be continued......

Ireland #4: Giants Causeway

For those of you who do not know the legend behind this historical landmark...
Legend has it that the Irish warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) built the causeway to walk to Scotland to fight his Scottish counterpart Benandonner. One version of the legend tells that Fionn fell asleep before he got to Scotland. When he did not arrive, the much larger Benandonner crossed the bridge looking for him. To protect Fionn, his wife Oonagh laid a blanket over him so he could pretend that he was actually their baby son. In a variation, Fionn fled after seeing Benandonner's great bulk, and asked his wife to disguise him as the baby. In both versions, when Benandonner saw the size of the 'infant', he assumed the alleged father, Fionn, must be gigantic indeed. Therefore, Benandonner fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway in case he was followed by Fionn.