Our first New Zealand Christmas was celebrated by sending our love home to family and friends and embracing new experiences.  A memorable Christmas eve was spent surfing small waves at Back Beach at low tide.  I wish I could send you all a photo of the mountain and shoreline bluffs glowing in magnificent green hues against a dark blue sky.  The view from the ocean looking back to the shore was gorgeous. 

Our friends Dan and Anneke invited us to join their group for Christmas breakfast or “brekkie” as they call it.  Dan just completed the house build.  His lot has room for 2 cows and a horse and overlooks a small valley.  The ocean view across the highway captures Paritutu Rock.  Hannah, Esther and Bede are all very special, young people.  Kai kinda likes the attention from young Bede. 

It took 54 years but I finally roasted my first turkey!  It was good, not great. Well cooked but dry.  Maybe next year I’ll get it right.  We had Sam and his Spanish-German friend over for dinner. I found out both were vegetarian… good thing I made 4 veggie side dishes.  They loved it and all went well.  Sam and Gabriel took off the next day to hike the  top of Mt. Taranaki. I think they succeeded; they sent a video of Gabriel sliding down a snow covered steep section on his butt screaming for about 1 minute straight!

New Year’s Eve was mellow.  The Festival of Lights at PukeKura Park is now running.  We look forward to nighttime photography attempts to showcase the scene. We left early that night though.  Live bands were nice and we met some friends for a picnic on the grass.

Here are a couple photos of a trail 2 blocks from our house. Just a few minutes and you’re in the “bush”!

Des and I played golf with 3 guys from the hospital.  Well, Des played “top golf” once again and I explored ponds, creeks, and thick bush looking for my balls. Westown Golf Club is really fun, inexpensive, and majestic.  Considering how expensive most things are in NZ, I was surprised to only cough up $20 for 9 holes and $15 for the cart!  So we’ll definitely give it a go again soon.

Happy New Year once again!!!  I think the best holiday card we received so far was from Mike and Lisa Ray. They challenged us to “Make mistakes in 2019.”  If you’re making mistakes then you are trying new things, challenging yourself, learning, pushing yourself, and changing your world.  You are “doing something”.  I’ve made a couple big ones already which I may share in later posts!   Sending our very best wishes to everyone in 2019.  Woohoo!

Here are a couple of virtual Happy Holiday cards to our family!  And thanks for your cards too. Our mail delivery driver is sweet as!