Kia Ora!

WE. ARE. HERE!!!! Sorry it has taken so long to finally post. We’ve been busy and had some internet difficulties. Here is a report of our first days here (a bit lengthy-sorry):

PICTURES WILL BE COMING! (I CAN'T STAY CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET LONG ENOUGH TO UPLOAD THEM. PROMISE TO KEEP WORKING ON IT!!)

The flights went well. The boys were so excited on our first flight to LA they could hardly stand it.

Marlee was a bit nervous, but after we took off, she was in love with flying. Elijah did well too, until it was time to land, and his ears started to bother him. The LAX airport is always an interesting place. I love people watching in the airport. We got through our second airport security fine, and only had an hour till we boarded our next flight. We boarded our Qantas flight anxious and ready to sleep (it was about 11:30 pm by then). Unfortunately there was a medical emergency with one of the passenger’s right before take off. So that delayed us a full hour!! They had to take ALL of the luggage off the plane to find the one suitcase that had the medicine this person needed. AHHHHH!!! Like 13 hours on the plane wasn’t long enough, they had to add an extra hour!!?? Anywho. Our flight had at least 50 kids under the age of 12 on it, so it was nice to not feel “alone” in our trek. And surprisingly it was a quite flight.

Our kids did really well. They all slept at least 5 hours, so that helped. We had a patch of turbulence that made me a bit nervous, but I survived. Vance liked the Qantas flight better than the Delta flight, because it had better food. We were happy to find all 10 pieces of our luggage made it to New Zealand safe and sound. And surprisingly, there were other families with much more luggage. Marlee was excited when we went through customs in New Zealand. She turned to me and said, “Mom, they are talking Maori, and I can understand it!!!” I then explained to her that the customs inspector was just speaking with an accent, and that it was English, not Maori. J After meeting family, and trying out how to fit all of our luggage in one van, and the rest of us in another van (had the same problem in Salt Lake too) we went to see Nathan’s Nanna and Grandad in Hamilton. This picture made me realize that all the stress and sleepless nights getting ready for this trip was all worth it. This is why we came. . .

Of course the kids had a blast riding on the golf cart with Grandad. (I think Grandad enjoyed it too) After that Nanna read them “The Cat in the Hat”.

It was beautiful seeing them with their Great Grandparents, and their cousins. I was amazed that there wasn’t any shyness with all the new Aunties, cousins, and Grandparents. Everyone was holding hands and enjoying each other straight away.

We spent the next day just relaxing. It rained the first few days we were here, so we didn’t make it to the beach straight away. But we were able to get a few walks in around The Mount, and see a cruise liner come to port (just across the street from where we are staying). We’ve had family Bar BQ’s, eaten Fish and Chips, and meat pies, attended a Christmas fireside, celebrated Marlee and Marshall’s birthday (they both turned 7 this last week), checked out the mall, taught them how to make “American Bar BQ chicken” aka chicken with bar bq sauce - grilled, and had a stomach bug. Yup, that’s right throw up. It seems to be a small 24 hour bug. Elijah started, then Nathan, then Van, then Cherie and Nathan’s mum Maerea. I’m sure the rest of us will get it sooner or later. But, like I said it’s not a bad one, just a bummer when we all want to be out doing something. Like this. . .

Love to you all. Miss you all, but are glad that we are here. We heard that it’s FREEZING in Utah today, so for all you Utahan’s out there if I walk out my door and walk directly across the street this is what I see . . .