Watch out!

Driving on the left side of the road. Just to give you a taste of what is second nature to us now.

The large white machine near the middle is moving the cement barriers. It moves them to the west in the morning to allow one extra lane going into the city, and to the east in the afternoon to give an extra lane to the commuters going home! Pretty smart.

Hamilton Temple Christmas Lights

The first picture shows the visitor center with the Christus statue framed beautifully by the sparkling lights. The second is the temple itself, also beautiful, with the surrounding trees lit, and a large screen where Christmas carols were being played. It was a perfect way to end one year and begin the next.

Volunteering at Long Bay Regional Park

We spent a fun morning volunteering at a local beach park. We weeded a wide area of newly planted NZ lillies, "ringa ringa", and afterwards they fed us milk and biscuits (cookies) :D

Some friendly mailboxes :D

We passed these on a rural road and just had to turn around to get a pic!

Our friend Moa

The Moa statue behind the ice cream eaters is a giant moa. A flightless bird which is now extict, but which used to roam the forests of New Zealand.

Apparently in 1914 tepid salt water baths were all the rage!!

Just another day in downtown Auckland

Photos By Kelsie

Just some of our now quite extensive collection!

All I want for Christmas...

The Tooth Fairy came along with Santa on Christmas Eve. (Her tooth was knocked out in the bishop's backyard by a playmate during a game :D )

Christmas Eve Elders

Our ward now has two sets of elders. They, along with us, were invited for Christmas Eve at our bishop's home. They are wearing the crowns from their Christmas "crackers" (an English custom that is very popular here). The crackers are what you see in Christmas wrap on the table, and have the crowns in them along with a small toy and a joke.

*Note the summer weather!

Christmas Day at the beach!

Swimming in the sea on Christmas made it a truly special day for us.

L&P

A soda made here in NZ.

The slogan...

World Famous in New Zealand.

Can't describe what it tastes like. Good, but very -

unique.

Rangitoto

This is a distant view of Rangitoto volcano which is in Auckland harbor. We hiked up it a few weeks ago, and were so proud of Zach for making it all the way to the top - way to go Zach!

A hiking trail bridge

There were a few of these on the trail we hiked. Also possum traps for those pesky possums once brought over from Australia and which are now a problem for native NZ wildlife!

Winderholm Regional Park

There is a beautiful nature walk/hike at Winderholm. We went up on a trail through the native bush and came out on a gorgeous lookout, then walked out over a meadow where we stopped for a picnic before heading back down.