Another beautiful day exploring the North Island

First stop was Lake Tarawera

Avery's new love is bread stick, she had to have it in the photo 

Kiwi 360 

A huge farm where tons of kiwis are grown 

1

She wasn't to excited about sitting on the kiwi

But she loved the sheep skin. As soon as i sat her on it she went into a wild frenzy of laughter and smiles.

We ended the day in the Bay of Plenty 

Absolutely gorgeous and intimidating

Huka Falls 

More than 220,000 liters of water per second flow through this point; it was loud, the water was moving swiftly, and you wouldn't want to fall in. 

Avery was captivated by the river, she clung onto the railing and was solely focused.

Next stop Kerosine Creek

A huge hot tube flowing river, it was so relaxing. Avery just kicked back, laid on my chest and enjoyed the bath.

A beautiful canopy of trees along our drive. Everywhere you look here is breathtaking.

For some who may not know, New Zealand was my childhood.

Christmas on the beach, family vacations to Curious Cove, riding sheep out in Swannanoa, eating Goody Goody Gum Drop ice cream on a hot day, playing in the pools at the Botanical Gardens, and living for fish and chip night. Life was simple yet blissful. My family was happy.

Moving to the states was something i never wanted.

It happened, i dealt with it, and longed for the day i would return home.

I have planned many trips to return to New Zealand but for some reason or another they never worked out; school, work, mission, marriage, being pregnant. There has always been something.

Have you ever felt homesick? Have you ever been away and wished you were home curled up in the security and comfort of your own bed and home? Have you ever had a wave of emotion and desire flood your body so strongly that you know you have needed to do something or in my case go somewhere?

This is how i have felt towards New Zealand for years. A longing, a yearning, a deep desire to return. To revisit my childhood, to create new memories, and to explore the vast beauty of New Zealand.

Flights were booked, tickets purchased, and we are off Home.

A huge THANK YOU to a mother who is always encouraging and supportive. 

With out your encouragement i don't think we would be here. 

Love you. 

Merry Christmas

A mini photo shoot with a teething 8 month old baby is like 

trying to wrestle a peanut from an elephant. 

She was screaming, fussing, grabbing all the bulbs and shoving them in her mouth.

Yes, we are cruel parents for making her do this but hey, we ended up getting some classics from it. Doesn't this first shot look like it came straight from the 80's? Staring off into sky. Absolutely hilarious. 

Family Photo Shoot

Avery is 6 months and a bundle of joy

Her little personality is very determined, fast learner, and constantly on the move

Don't mind that she doesn't look to happy in some of the pictures she was having 

one of those days 

Bahaa, love Avery's face. She was not having any of it. 

She is obsessed with my starfish necklace, thx to Steph :) 

Avery at 6 Months

Has one little bottom tooth poking out

Loves to crawl

Laughs and smiles every time she sees herself in the mirror

Sleeps on her tummy with her knees tucked under and bum straight up in the air

She is a fart machine (Adding new food to her diet has definitely increased her fartyness) 

She is the joy of our life!

Alright readers

Due to changing times and people getting a little lot crazy in the world,

we are going private September 1st.   

We love people following our latest world travels, crazy moments, and our family's growth

 so just send me your email address and you will be added. 

..........even if we are just acquaintances or only know each other through a friend of a friends grandmas sisters cousins neighbor, we would still love you to follow and stay in touch. 

So pretty please, send me your email address so I can add you :) 

Mahalo! 

How can resist following this cute face?

All succumb to the Avery pouty face  

My little Personality is 5 Months!

Love Her! 

Thank goodness for naps 

45 minutes, sometimes longer if I am lucky, to just do whatever.

Most nap times I am running sprinting around getting the house cleaned, 

toys put away, dinner started, showered, teeth brushed, dressed for the day (yes, some days 

I live in my workout clothes), and any and all other things that need to be done. 

But in those moments of clarity and perspective, I stop what I am doing and enjoy this... 

If we pause and examine our lives I think we will all come to the realization that the things

we think need to be done, in reality don't.

So what if your house is a little messy for a day, dinner didn't get served right at six, or you didn't brush your teeth until 5pm (yes unfortunately this has happened several times). 

What really matters are moments like this.

The last click of the button woke up my sleeping beauty