MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM NEW ZEALAND!!

HO HO HO!

YES, AND A VERY DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS IT IS!!

The days are a balmy and in the 70's and the flowers are profuse and as beautiful as can be. No hint of snow and we chuckle at the words of many carols! They simply do not apply here!

Our little 3 foot Christmas tree pictured above sits in the warm sunshine and we took this picture of us at the Hamilton Gardens. At least the colors seemed Christmasy!

 For Elder Brown's Christmas present, we went flying! Without a license in NZ we needed to take an instructor, so I sat in the back taking as many pictures of Orewa Bay as I could...the plexiglass made for some fogging, but it was a beautiful day nonetheless!

 There are probably more sailboats here than cars...and that is saying a lot as the motorway is always congested! Sailing is the national sport!

 The Bougainvillea above and the Bottle Brush tree below bloom in December. Nature is doing it's best to shout Merry Christmas!!

We were able to make a trip down to the temple and thought the contrast to the Lights on Temple Square with all the flowers in bloom here was stunning. Although next week the Hamilton Temple will have their lights on and we hope to get down in the evening to see them!

 After our session at the temple we went over to the Hamilton Gardens, where there are many acres of beautiful themed gardens and also open parkland. This is the Italian Garden below.

 Well kept and interesting Gardens...too many to add pictures here....you will have to come and see them yourself!

 The Indian Garden was also lovely and the flowers were so colorful.

 These guys looked a bit too serious. Whether Egyptian guards or gods, they needed a little lightening up!

 These frightening fellows line the perimeter of the Maori Gardens. Very austere and severe in their artwork, but warm and friendly people!

Thought you might enjoy seeing this cruise ship pull out of our harbor. Certainly does dwarf the skyline...we see cruise ships here in the port about three times a week in the summer! Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

Our Senior Missionaries got together this past Saturday to celebrate Thanksgiving. With lots of talented and generous Sisters we managed to pull it off in good order!

We had 47 missionaries and friends and everyone pitched in!

We have had several new couples arrive in the past 6 weeks and they are all amazing and 

dedicated to the Lord's work!

Since it is coming on summer here, we had to be resourceful in finding "fall" looking items 

for our centerpieces. It was a challenge!

Since we could not be with our family for this favorite holiday, we were happy to 

share with our NZ family! 

Believe it or not, they do not have cranberry sauce here, so thanks to Sister Haleck who brought some back with her after General Conference, we had a REAL Thanksgiving dinner!

Brother Neiztech and family had been having the Seniors to their home every year until our group got too large...now they come to dinner with us!! Was nice to have a few children around!!

We had a thankful tree where everyone wrote something they were thankful of and tied it to the tree!

Creative centerpiece from one of our talented Sisters!

It was Elder and Sister Broberg's last day before going home. 4 of their 5 kids came 

to tour and take them home!

We even had our traditional candy corn in honor of the pilgrims...

we DO have so much to be grateful for!!

Believe it or not turkeys are wild here and not raised for their meat (I see a business opportunity) They have to be imported, probably from Australia. Consequently we paid about 75.00 for each 16# turkey! Yikes...was worth every penny!!

 Pumpkin pies, carrot cake and fudge..the Libby's was imported from the US as well...

maybe you are seeing what a feat it is to have an authentic dinner in NZ?!

 We had a wonderful time together! Holidays can be difficult, even for the Senior missionaries...Elder Brown and I took some leftovers and fed our young missionaries on Sunday...they were delighted!

Our brooding harbor today...the little storms have been blowing in every 1/2 hour or so...never get tired of watching the weather move across the water....an ever changing view!

Picnics and Parachutes in Paradise!

The days are warming up here in the Southern Hemisphere, just as fall takes root in North America!

Our Chinese Branch held a picnic after Sister Serena's baptism. We had not yet been to Omana Regional Park...very lovely!

 President Liu is our Branch President, and never was there a kinder more upbeat fellow! Our newest member of the branch, Serena, is sitting on the blanket enjoying the afternoon.

 This is Samuel, President Liu's little man...he is a charmer!

 The tide was out, so the pools held interesting critters. Eli and I (President Liu's oldest at 6) went hunting for interesting little swimmy things! This seaweed below was of interest!

 Sheep in the pasture by the park with a large housing development on the adjoining hill. I guess that is called progress. Hmmm?

 Seriously, this photo is the raw image...what a beautiful day in New Zealand!

 Elder Brown rests on a bench at the viewpoint overlooking the stunning vista of the bay, Rangitoto and Waiheke Island.

 Next stop was the Parakai Airfield which is a very active skydiving arena. We spent a lazy hour or so watching groups of brave souls jump from perfectly good airplanes!! It was like fireworks in the daylight as the parachutes opened, one after another!!

 No, this is not Elder or Sister Brown, but it did look like fun!!

 Sunlight through the gathering storm...it is exciting to watch the weather move across "our" harbor!!

 The following Saturday was also lovely, so we ran off with our friends, the Taylors to enjoy more of this paradise we are privileged to serve in! We went to Karekare beach, which is rather off the beaten track, but well worth the hike!! This wooden carving is one of the many Maori works of art that are extraordinary!

 Our 20 minute hike proved quite productive as we came across this lovely waterfall and wading pool. Tempting...but no.

 At the end of the trail we were gratified to find this impressive display...the Taylors are amazing too, but we meant the waterfall! :-)

Hundred year old trees are not the exception here. They are majestic and very beautiful!! This one happened to have four little monkeys in the boughs!!

Both Karekare and Piha Beaches are famous for their black sand and rock formations.

Sister Taylor and I left the lazy ones on the beach for a nap while we explored the tide and rocks and enjoyed getting our feet wet!

On the dunes approaching the beach, the wildflowers were profuse and if you look closely you can see a little honey bee going about his business!

Ka kite ano!!

Around the Block

 Spring is doing its best to get here, but the wind is bringing showers and there is still a chill in the air. Soon! We headed down to the Hamilton temple with our friends and fellow missionaries, Bill and Bonita Reynolds. They have headed home after completing a wonderful mission. Very remarkable people and we miss them!

 Here we are after our temple session. The Reynolds are great people!!

 Took off with some friends to explore the Shakespear Park on the northeast coast. Was a beautiful day! The grass is so green from the spring rains and the sky and water were nothing short of a travel brochure!

 This is for you Ariel! I believe they mow and fertilize the grass at the same time by having all of these sheep in the pastures...had to watch where we were walking! Lots of young lambs!

 Such a serene moment- far away from the traffic and the hectic pace of the city. The island in the background is Rangitoto- the 600 year old island that just "blew" into existence one day while the Maori people watched!

 We made it to the look-out on top of the hill. Was so good to get out into the open and see the lovely vistas!

As we walked along one of the beaches we saw this interesting scene. We thought that Tangaroa was coming ashore!

I have been walking through our neighborhood for quite some time and thought it was time to share it with you! We live on a peninsula and Devonport is an older area of town with many restored and well kept homes from a century ago.

 This one was built by Shalimar in1910 and is by far my favorite house on the point...or anywhere else! Old world charm, stained glass windows and gingerbread scrollwork on the porch and in the eaves.

 Since the peninsula is wide but there is only one road that goes through, people have built their homes two, three and sometimes four deep off the main road. Loved the wisteria along the fence!

 Another gem for your architectural palate!

 Modern co-exists with classic and somehow it all works well. The spring flowers are beginning to add some color after a chilly and overcast winter.

Here is one of the modern homes amidst the old charmers!

 No post is complete without a picture of our harbor! This was taken from the park down the hill from our flat.

 Another amazing estate on our street. I enjoy visiting with the two dogs that often sleep next to the gate. Complete with carriage house, this villa property would probably sell for 3-4 mil.

Back to my favorite place...notice the monstrosity in the background that rises 12 stories and is the only building on the peninsula that is more than 3 stories? 

Right, we live on the 10th floor...drop in any time!!!