Family Visiting

We were so excited to have Tom (aka Papa) and Tannis join us in New Zealand.  They spent 10 days with us out of their 1 month tour of the Islands.  Tom had already been to New Zealand but it was a first for Tannis and like us she seemed very impressed.

Together we toured the local attractions around Auckland from the East coast beach in front of our home to the rugged West coast.

The weather was fantastic throughout their stay and we often found ourselves in our pool and hot tub at the end of the day.

I admired their willingness to try anything.  Naysa certainly picked up on this as well and had them dancing and following her bizarre yoga poses.  Each of them did a solo dance (Papa's was my favorite!).

Tannis seem to enjoy the downtime from her busy work schedule and was often seen gazing at the ocean or wandering the beach.

Each kid missed school and spent a special day alone with them.  Naysa enjoyed a beach walk with a picnic and an afternoon at the trampoline park.  Everyone was stiff the next day!

Together with Jonah, they did some snorkeling near Goat's Island (1 hour north of Auckland), toured the local hippie town and devoured some tasty treats.

It was wonderful to spend the evenings together relaxing.  Thank you Tom and Tannis for coming all this way to join us on our adventure!!

Erin's on a 'Roll'

Fresh off the success of Erin's first bike race, we headed to Rotorua this past weekend for the 100km Flyer event, a race from Rotorua to Taupo.

This was a much bigger race than her first experience.  There was a separate elite category and 518 competitors in the open category.  Luckily Erin ran into a couple of her Saint Cycle morning ride buddies so she had some friends to ride with.

Of course Jonah and Naysa think she's number 1 as well, and wished her good luck.

It was a tough and fast course with some reasonable hills and a bit of wind, but Erin managed to best her previous pace (just shy of 33km/hr) and finish in 2nd place for the Female 35-44 years category, 12th overall Female, and 115th overall!!

With a little help, this time she had enough energy to celebrate by lifting her bike over her head.

Rob and the kids took the opportunity to get some Rotorua adrenaline before going to pick up Erin in Taupo by heading to Agroventures Adventure Park.  We did the 'Shweeb' and the 'Freefall Xtreme'.  You are allowed to laugh at the following pictures!! 

And as an added bonus, some fun animals next to the adventure park.

Then a celebratory night out for supper and home.  Rob was not able to compete this past weekend in his triathalon due to his recent bike accident.  We will cheer him on even more when he tackles one back in Canada!!

Next weekend, Paihia for a Wheet-Bix TRYathlon which both kids will compete in.

Erin Wins her 1st Ever Road Cycling Race!

After being the one number supporter of everyone else in the family, Erin finally got to be in the spotlight.  We participated in the Lions Charity Cycle Race in Te Kauwhata, ~ 1 hour south of Auckland.  Erin challenged herself with the 103km race, and Rob participated in the 60km event.

Erin found a great pack to stick with for the race, frequently taking turns in the lead to share the work of the wind.  She kept a pace of just over 31km/hr for the entire race.  That was good for 1st place in the Masters women division and the 4th woman overall!!  Pretty impressive for her first ever cycle race.

She had hoped to hold her bike over her head in her victory picture at the end but was too exhausted to lift it!

Rob managed to stay with the lead pack of racers for the first 35km, then found a friend for the next 10km, then just survived to the end.  Thankfully he only has to do 40km when he does his triathlon.  

There is always more running here!

Feel like going for a run in Auckland?  You can always find a race.  We have participated in a few lately.  The first run was a 5km fun run in Beach Haven near the kids school.

Once again, Jonah participated in Beach Series.  He has come 2nd or 3rd every time, but finally managed to top the podium!

Then it was the Collier's Coastal Challenge, a 6km run from Takapuna Beach down to Devonport.  It was low tide, but you still had to get your feet wet from time to time, and scramble over many rocks and little cliffs.