Strawberries in New Zealand

(Nathan took this photo - it's not just one I found off the Internet.)

Around this time of year I get really excited for strawberries. Every couple of days I go to the grocery store to look at the strawberries. They're just not looking so great this year. Maybe it's because 3 months ago we were here. . .

picking these. . .

(Again, Nathan took this photo. Is your mouth watering yet?)

We had never been to a berry farm before. This farm had strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and other fruits I can't remember. You could pick whatever you want, and then pay for it all after. I think they do it wrong. They should weigh you first and then weigh you after you're done picking, and charge you for what you gain while you are there!

They were the reddest, biggest strawberries I have ever seen!! They were unbelievable! And oh so delicious.
Picking them went something like this, "Two for the bucket, and one for my mouth."

I think that's what everyone was doing.

Aren't these two cousins cute!!?? This was one of the few times they weren't fighting. (It was such a love hate relationship between Malachi and Tama (Elijah). They are only 3 months apart, and didn't like having to share the "baby" of the family position)

And don't even get me started on the raspberries!!! They were my absolute favorite!! It was so calming, almost therapeutic, to be out in the sun picking them right off the bush. Nathan had to drag me away from them.

Here was our harvest. . .

I am drooling thinking about those fresh strawberries and New Zealand ice cream!!
P.S. This was mid-December in Ohauiti, New Zealand. I have decided not to try and post about the trip in chronological order. It was just too much for me. So, I'll do a little here and a little there, and together we'll get through this. :)

New Zealand . . .

I miss you

Aroha

P.S. stay tuned, more pics and stories to come, soon!!

Sleeping Beauty

Found my baby ASLEEP like this . . .

Video

This is just a small portion of our trip. Thanks to Rick and Elly (Auntie Babe) for putting it together!! I promise that there is more to come . . .

Really Mom?

When Marlee left for church on Sunday I cried. She looked so grown up in her blue dress, cardigan and with her hair pulled back into a pony tail. I can't believe how much she has grown in the last little bit.

That night while watching "The Incredibles" Van asked me why super hero's wear masks. I started explaining that they wear them so that we don't know what they look like when the are normal.

"I wouldn't want anyone to know that I was really Elastigirl" I said.

Marlee dropped the crayon she was coloring with and looked up at me. With her eyes big in amazement she said, "But Mom, you would tell us if you were really Elastigirl! Wouldn't you?!?

"No I wouldn't that would be confidential." I said.

"What's confidential mean?" she asked, amazed at the possibilities.

"It means top secret. I wouldn't, and couldn't tell anyone. Not even Dad!" I explained.

"But Mom, you would tell us, right? Are you really Elastigirl?"

"You'll never know" I said, and winked at her.

She just stared at me, trying to read my soul. I loved that she believed, if even for just a few minutes, that there was a possibility that I could just possibly be Elastigirl.