Grandpa Verne and Grandma Claudia came and we drove them all the way out to Cape Palliser, because we love it, and that’s what we do.
Tapeka Bay, waaaaaaaaaaaay up in the Bay of Islands.
Lucy took this while playing the brilliant photography scavenger hunt we came up with to keep the kids occupied. They had to go around and take photos of everything on the list we made, including such items as a white car, a mermaid, dad’s underwear that blew off the porch (and please retrieve those as well), and apparently, a sunset…
After 3 days of relative luxury, we moved our way down to the Sugar Shack at Pakiri Bay. As you can see, it was awesome.
kiwi bridge to the long, hot, dusty trail to the beach…
ah, sweet relief.
sugar shack, up close and personal…
the two single cabins, kitchen cabin and bathroom cabin next to the sugar shack.
Grandma and Lucy brave the bridge with Pancha
horseback riding on the beach and me without my camera…
view from the kitchen window of the sugar shack.
Borrowed dogs are the best kind of dogs…
Scott and Nadine under the pink Opotiki skies…
East Cape…
East Cape horses…
swimmin’ hole! smart kids wait to see if the adults get eaten before getting in…
A very kiwi New Years eve at Tokomaru Bay. despite being awoken in the middle of the night by drunken horse-drivers who were waaaaaaaay too close to our tent for my liking, it was paradise!
Good morning 2010!
Lucy woke up with me to watch the first sunrise of 2010 and my 35th birthday! It would be more accurate to say she got up with me, as none of us were sleeping as a result of having decided to camp in the very spot where the locals welcome the first sunrise of the year with really loud music!
Surfing in Gisborne…
That pink sky is amazing!!!!!
Hello~
First, you have abeautiful blog, and a beautiful family! I came across it, because I was Google(ing)Okinawa/homestudy. My husband and I are moving to Okinawa in the summer, and I would like to pursue a second adoption from China. I see that the person who did your homestudy traveled from Okinawa. Would you mind sharing her name/ the name of her agency with me? I would be eternally grateful. You may use the above e-mail address. THANKS Liz
Love the pictures!! Beautiful scenery, beautiful family! :o)
Looks fan-freakin’-tastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What beautiful scenery! Looks like an amazing vacation!