Our first visitors!!!!

We have welcomed our first visitors to NZ! Last Wednesday my Mom and Dad arrived in Auckland and its been such a fun time showing them around the north island.

Here we are enjoying the view from Mudbrick Vineyard on Waiheke, if you look closely you can see Auckland in the background. Its official, its our favorite restaurant-ever!
We took advantage of our day off of work (thank you ANZAC day) and visited the west coast.
This is the view from the top of Whites Beach, it was such an amazing hike......
Check out my mom practically rock climbing to the bottom!

Here they are at Ransom vineyard with an awesome nibbles platter.

Over the weekend, we drove up to the Bay of Islands. Although it was a very rainy day we enjoyed an overnight stay in Russel (the historic little town that was originally the capital of NZ). This week, my parents are going to explore the south island; Mat and I cant wait to fly to Queenstown and meet up with them. More pictures and adventures to follow!

In the NZ Herald Today

Did Neanderthals speak like New Zilanders?

LONDON - Neanderthals have spoken out for the first time in 30,000 years, with the help of scientists who have simulated their voices using fossil evidence and a computer synthesiser.
And they may have sounded a bit like New Zealanders.

Is this why I cant understand anyone?!

Full Story:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10504671

Christchurch

Happy Birthday to Mat!!! We celebrated by traveling to the south island for the first time. It's only a one hour flight to Christchuch from Auckland and you are in a whole new world. Our 3 day weekend was spent exploring Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region.

Highlights of the trip included perfect fall weather, the Banks Peninsula and Arthurs Pass.

Check it out: http://picasaweb.google.com/megan.leanderson/Christchurch

On another note, we are preparing for our first visitors; cant wait to welcome my parents to Auckland next week!!!!

Tornado Races

A couple weeks ago Mat was invited to attend the Tornado Races in Auckland Harbor. Here is an amazing photo of that day by a local photographer that we love. More on the races later...