Tazism

This morning the Tazling decided she was in a joke telling mood.

Taz: What does a cow wear?
Mack: I don't know, what?
Taz: A windshield (laughing to herself), get it? A windshield.
(more laughing to herself).

The way she said it was so funny that Mack and I just cracked up.

Too bad I still don't get it.

New Zealand Day Four

Saturday 11th August:

Auckland Botanic Gardens.  It was a little rainy this day and Grant had to work, so we spent the morning just hanging out, and then decided to go check out the botanical gardens.  It reminded me so much of hanging out at Kirstenbosch with Jen when we were kids.

 Looking at the eels - gross!

Blast From The Past

 Christmas 1978

 Don't we look like a happy family?  Huh?

 Told you I was an angel child.  Pre-school age 5

 End of year pre-school play, age 5

 I was the flower girl at my uncle's wedding, age 4

Three generations, with my Mommy and my Ouma, age 6 or 7

New Zealand Day Three

Friday 10th August:

Hamilton Gardens, is absolutely gorgeous.  Jen said it was less impressive than when she went in the summer, but i didn't have anything to compare it to, so to me it was just sublime.  Its essentially a botanical garden, but its themed, yay!  And best of all it didn't cost a thing to get into.  The girls loved running around in each of the different gardens, and it reminded me of being a kid and hanging out with Jen at Kirstenbosch.  The weather was great too. 

 Family photos, aren't they the best?

 Jen, channeling her inner warrior

 I can just picture this garden full of Marigolds

 Looking for the turtles

 Mom, look at me

 BFF's forever

 I want one in my yard - seriously

 Picnic lunch - need I say more?

 I have a freakishly long tongue, but I felt right at home here

 This kid is obsessed with chickens and spotting this little hen completely made her day

After the gardens we went to Pokeno for some delicious ice cream.  Food of the Gods!

New Zealand Day Two

Thursday 9th August: 

One thing I've learned about travelling non-rev internationally is that if you check any bags, they will definitely NOT make it on the same flight as you.  Our first full day in NZ found us without our bags.  Luckily, both Mack and I had packed an extra set of clothes in, but unfortunately I had already gone through all three extra outfits I had packed in for each of the girls.  Jen loaned us some of Noah's clothes for Taz and Heidi just wore dirty clothes.

We had our first look at the famous black sandy beaches of NZ this day.  We were the only people on Karioitahi beach (only tourists go to the beach in the winter right?) and it was stunning.  The wind was whipping around us, but the sand was so soft under our feet and sparkled beautifully in the sun.  Oh and did I mention it was black?  I loved it.  Taz ran around collecting shells.  Little Miss H however wasn't thrilled with the wind.

 

The drive home was beautiful, and we decided to stop off and take a look at the Waitangi Falls.  It was really refreshing to be able to walk around and not have hand rails and warning signs everywhere.  We were just able to enjoy nature.  It was fabulous!

New Zealand Day One

It was a long flight especially with two very young kids, and travelling non-rev, but eventually we arrived in NZ and my friend Jen was at the airport to meet us (too bad our luggage didn't make it with us).  It was so good to see Jen again and we started catching up immediately on the car ride to her house.  When we got there she had made a delicious meal which we wolfed down and then just chilled.  The kids were pretty tired, especially Little Miss H who was kind of glassy eyed and looked a little shell shocked after dinner, so come 7pm which is their normal bed time they went to bed.  Taz, Mack and I had to borrow some pj's as ours were in our suitcases, but luckily I had a pair for Miss H.  I couldn't believe the kids went to bed at their normal bed time.  It was great.  Mack and I only made it till about an 1.5hrs later.

Knackered after a long flight

  

A glassy eyed Little Miss H with Uncle Grant

 The Tazling excited to be sleeping on a camp cot

 Mack taking full advantage of the massage chair

Daniel, Jen and Noah