New Zealand - Waihi Beach

We arrived at our house in Waihi Beach late afternoon on December 23rd.  Yes, it was hard for us to believe that Christmas was right around the corner...in 70 degree weather...but it was exciting for all of us to get settled for awhile and get ready for Christmas.

We were so pleasantly surprised by our home.  It was so spacious and beautiful...and while it wasn't considered ocean front, it might as well have been since there was nothing to impede our view...which was my favorite part!! The other cool thing, that went unnoticed as we were picking this home, was the lack of TV:)

After we figured out who was sleeping where, and got organized with some meals, we went to work with the cooking.  We absolutely LOVED eating every meal outdoors with the fireplace going and the wind shields down...since the beginning of the week was cooler and windy.

Smores were also a common occurance

The next day we explored the beach, relaxed, prepared meals, and figured out where we were going to church.  We found a little Presbyterian church in the town of Waihi, about 20 minutes away.  As we walked in to the "family service" we were a little inconspicuous, but people were very gracious and welcoming.  We sang Christmas carols we knew, talked about the birth of Jesus, and then sang some local Christmas carols (summer not winter)

Found out her two best friends were coming to visit Hong Kong

Finally got a smart phone

Matching Waihi Beach t-shirts

Lots of play in the "garden"

Instead of candles for Christmas Eve service, they gave out glow sticks

Pavlova for Christmas dinner!

Some more highlights of the week were:

Hiking to a beautiful bay around the corner from our beach.  Unfortunately we arrived at high tide and couldn't swim in the water as we would have wanted to...but we had the beach to ourselves and the view was gorgeous.

Bike riding trip from Hades.  We traveled about half-way and Andy's tire got a flat.  They did not send us with the correct sized tire, and after messing with it for over an hour, we barely made the train back.  Then, Rebecca and I tried to go to a petting farm with the kid while Andy and Ron finished the ride.  This was a fail because we didn't have the cash, and then two little girls were VERY unhappy.  So, Andy encouraged us to go to the tunnel that they just checked out on bikes...but we parked on the opposite end and had to hike 45 minutes to and from...another FAIL in the kids eyes (we almost "lost" Abby on that leg of the trip)

Andy toted the "littles"

Our new Dutch friend, Jeanette, was a big help

We saw lots of cattle on our bike ride

Look carefully and you see Abby sulking

Caught the last train back

Trip to Taraunga and Mt. Manganui.  This was about an hour's drive for us and a place that Liz had taken me before.  We started in Taraunga...hit a Starbucks and walked around town.  Then we made it to the beach at Mt. Manganui and absolutely LOVED it!! We didn't hike the mount like Liz and I did, but we just enjoyed the beautiful beach/ocean and weather that the Lord gave us that day...it was fabulous!!!

One of the reasons we couldn't stay longer at Mt Manganui was becuase we had reservations for the Hobbiton tour...and it did not disappoint!!!  We had an absolutely beautiful day and thoroughly enjoyed touring the set of one of our favorite movie trilogies

The Shire

An ending drink at the Green Dragon

Back to Rotarua!  One of our goals was to find a natural hot spring.  Liz had taken me to Kerosene Creek near the Geothermal Wonderlands.  Since leaving Rotarua, we searched and searched but could not find what we were looking for.  So Ron, Rebecca, Abby, Grace, Emma and I decided to go and search for Kersosene Creek.  We also went to the town, since we had some souvenirs yet to purchase, and I thought it would be fun to check out the Redwood Forest.  It was a bummer that Andy hit his limit of day trips, but it was good that he stayed and chilled at home with Sarah and Josh...and we had a blast.  We found the hot spring...with 100 of our closest friends (couldn't believe how popular it was) and also enjoyed the Redwoods and more shopping!!

Merry Christmas in Rotarua

Redwood selfie

Me and my beautiful girls

Catch up, Ron!

We found Kerosene Creek

And finally, one of my biggest highlights was hosting our friends, Jon and Cath Widdifield...teachers at ICS!  They were nearby visiting family (Cath is a Kiwi) and we had them over for dinner.  They helped us grill some delicious lamb...Jon went shopping with the men while Cath played ball in the yard with the kids and Rebecca and I showered:) Then we played games into the night and laughed our heads off!!  It was such a sweet time of friendship!!

When our week was over, and thus our time with Ron and Rebecca in New Zealand, we were amazed at the memories we made with our dear friends. We loved exploring this incredible country...and God truly revealed His glory to us over and over and over again.