This is no Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Damn It.

On Sunday afternoon, I dragged Aaron kicking and screaming to go pick out a Christmas Tree with me & he was NOT happy. Aaron's tradition is to get in the Ute (truck) and go to the country and cut down a random tree. Now, that sounds all romantic and wonderful and fabulous, but I have seen the stolen trees and they are of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree lineage. So, it took a lot of work to get him to agree to BUY a 30 dollar tree (which I thought was QUITE a bargain.) But we found the "Keeper" and we brought it home after a trip to Kmart to buy some decorations (which aaron says costs us $200 - which is such an exaggeration. I can think of so many more decorations to buy, Mr. Grinch).

The cats have left the tree alone UNTIL today when I bought the tree skirt. Well, that makes all the difference. The cats now love the tree. Love to sit under the tree. Love to look at the lights. It is weird.

Here are some pictures of aaron and the tree, the cats and the tree and our niece, Daisy Mae, under the tree. She LOVED the flashing lights. Cheap entertainment!

Russell... he is a mess



"Merry Christmas" love Rico and Russell. Goodness they are ugly.




Daisy Mae.


Daisy loving the lights.

Aramoana Beach

Today was a STUNNING day. We had little cloud with temperatures of mid 70s and I spent almost the whole day outside in shorts and a tank top. To celebrate the unbelievable day, Aaron and I took a walk on Aramoana Beach (about 20 minutes from our house). Days like today, I am thankful to be living in this beautiful country. (days like yesterday... not so much)! :)

Engagement Party at Luna

Chanel and Damon threw Aaron and I a wonderful engagement party. Last night, us and 60 of our closest friends (here in Dunedin!) met up at a bar that over looks the harbor and the beautiful lights of the city.

Chanel did such a great job coordinating the details of the party.... she even hired a magician for the event and he was a HIT! Super funny and very smart. Added such a unique spin to the party and a fun talking point afterward.

As with Kiwi weddings, when people can't attend in person, they will send "telegrams". Telegrams are just a written toast, but they add such heart to these parties. Chanel organized to have mom, dad, mel and Haley/Chris to send Telegrams... and that was such a nice touch for me who was not able to have any of my friends at the engagement party. It was so cute when Chanel was reading out the Telegrams, she couldn't say the word Yall and it came out more like "youuuul".

We are so lucky to have so many people supporting us and our upcoming marriage. Last night made me so excited for JUNE 4th!!!!


Aaron and me
Mr. Magician and Aaron
Me with the boys....Billy, John, Tim and Aaron
Me, Chanel, Daisy and Becs
Richard and Helen

Melbourne Cup Day at the Wingatui Races

Melbourne Cup Day is one of the biggest days in Dunedin.
Most work places have Christmas Functions and my work decided that the Wingatui Races would be our Christmas celebration. About 2.30 on Tuesday, we loaded up our entire office into a bus and headed out to Wingatui. It is called Melbourne Cup Day and as the name suggests it coincides with the actual races in Melbourne. Similarly to the Kentucky Derby, the girls get dressed up and wear hats... but here and in Melbourne they wear little hats called fascinators (I couldn't bring myself to wear one, but you can see them in the pictures below).

Dunedin had one of the prettiest days we have seen out of the whole year. I would say it was 75 degrees and perfect. We couldn't have asked for a better day and I was excited I could wear a real dress with out a jacket.

As part of the christmas function, the Radio Network had a tent with all you can drink champagne and beer. As would be expected, we left the races not nearly as polished as when we arrived!

View from our Radio Network Tent
The Races
General Admission tickets...
Aaron and Me all prettied up.
Aaron, Nick and Danny outside of our Tent
Me and Alana
Jane, Michelle and me by the ZM truck (one of our radio stations)
More work friends.
Aaron studying the bets

All the girls in our dresses enjoying the sun


Jayne, Aaron and Me toward the end of the day!

Pot of Gold???

The other day, we had such a pretty rainbow outside of our window. I made melanie Skype me so she could see it..

Chanel's 30th!

The weekend after Aaron and I returned from the States, Chanel had her 30th birthday party. Damon booked out the fabulous yacht Tiakina for Chanel and 50 of her closest friends to celebrate on the harbor of Dunedin. It was a fantastic night and a fun way to celebrate Chanel finally joining us oldies in our 30s! Good job Damon!

The birthday girl and me on the boat.
Damon and Chanel (and her beautiful b-day present diamond necklace!!!!!)
Me and Becs
Helen, me and Chanel
Me and the fishmonger!

A good couple of weeks.

Aaron and I had an amazing time back home. Who wouldn't want to hang out for a week at the lake then play with the family in New Orleans for another week, get engaged in Austin (yay!), see friends in Dallas, and then end the trip at the Golden Gate Bridge? Just a shame we couldn't stay longer or see more people. I am already missing home every day...

First night at the lake house. Note the whiteness.
The Randy and the Betty!
Mel and Lisa

Game of Darts with the family.

Aaron's favorite day at the lake. Shoot'n guns..

Mom, Mel and Dad in Nola



Pat O's and hurricanes!


Old Trolly in Nola thru Garden District

Cap'tain Reggie and Mel

After our fantastic airboat tour

Daddy and the Mary!

Ze famous Cafe Dumond

Mom and Aaron on the Creole Queen down the Mississippi

In Austin, night of "the engagement"

Last night in Dallas at Haley's

San Fran stop over... and then back to NZ.