Day 5 - In search of fur seals

 Hiking to a waterfall never seems to get old.  Learning from my mom, we have come to appreciate them in our family.  She used to tell her now famous Queen of the waterfall ones stories on long car rides, so good we're still encouraging her to publish them. Two years ago my parents visited us in NZ and on a road trip around the west coast she spotted over 100 waterfalls that had appeared just after a HUGE rainstorm - I'm talking our car drove through lakes in the road over 1 foot deep, not highly recommended but fantastic for adventure.

 Here are some pics of our last day in the Catlins before heading up to Ashbuton, NZ to see more friends just south of Christchurch.

 Footprints in the sand - daddy carries E.  I love this pic because of all it stands for.  T loves his little girl just like God loves us and carries us when we need him too.  I am blessed to have a hubby that loves his little girl as much as T loves E.

 We went to Suret Bay on our way home in search of fur seals that like to hang out on this beach and sun themselves.  We did find one big guy laying out sleeping, it looked like a big brown lump about as big as a cow!  Forgive the lack of pictures  - to be honest it didn't photograph well :)  The daddy, daughter duo did however.

Day 4 - Baby E caught a cold...

Day 2 of our Catlins adventure and our little E has caught a cold.  The good news is we had the house all to ourselves this weekend, the bad news... she cried most of the night and we had to sleep on the couch.  Baby girl does not like being stuffy.  However, with every problem there is a solution - saline spray, steamy showers and the nose sucker and we were back in business.

We had a beautiful little cottage for the night, I highly recommend coming to visit this area - it was beautiful.

On the way we stopped at Curio and Porpoise Bay both well know for dolphin sightings.  In Porpoise Bay you can actually wade out into the water (if you dare - we are pretty close to Antarctica) and the Hector dolphins (smallest in the world) will come swim around you! 

Baby E traveled quite well in out snugi circa 1984 - thanks mom, we had a few layers over top and she stretched out her little neck to see all that was going on.  I would have to say this is the best way to travel with an infant if your back can handle it.  They get to look around and be a part of what is going on and it's much easier to navigate than a stroller in uneven terrain (which is everything other than pavement).

Lots of love to our traveling buddies Morgan and Hayley - we miss you guys heaps!

Day 3: Catlins anyone?

 Your chariot awaits!  Our red rocket took us down with Morg and Hayley to explore the Caitlins in southland.  One place none of us had been, but had only heard raving about and with good reason.  It's one of the true hidden treasure left out there.

We arrived and immediately the boys jumped out of the Hilux and out to explore the shoreline with Thomas capturing every possible view with the camera.   

The cliffs were a big highlight :)

Baby E was a trooper as we fought off sandflies and trekked over the rugged terrain in rainbows and cowboy boots to see all the amazing ocean life that was hiding in the rocks.

A special moment with our little girl.

The infamous traveling companions - we had to fight to get this beauty.

Hidden among the inlets were starfish, anemones, paua, crabs and lots of other little treasures.  It was amazing to see all of these right up close.  

I love this place!

Day 2: Our big hike

 Mt Cook was calling our name today.  We have been working in Oamaru getting ready for the big wedding celebration on the Easton farm and took a day to enjoy the surroundings.  The drive took us up along the glacial lakes, above is Lake Pukaki.

 The weather was 21 deg C, sunny with a bit of wind.  The whole time we were praying for the rain to hold off for out 2.5 hour hike into the lake at the base of Mt. Cook.  (Don't worry that we are standing next to a beautifully poisonous plant - if you touch it you swell up).

Our beautiful friend and the newest Mrs. Hayley Easton.

Baby E loves hiking with her daddy.

Overlooking one of the glacial lakes on the hike.

We made it!

And this crazy man thought it would be a good idea to swim with the icebergs!  no thanks.

Love from New Zealand.

Day 1: A lazy hazy afternoon

 We landed and hit the ground running.  It was a wonderful sunny day in Christchurch and we finally got to see friends Morgan and Hayley after year of being away, a wonderful reuniting.

 Easton felt grass between her toes for the very first time and loved it!  She can't be happier to be here.

 Our first day was a bit rough, but I can officially say we are all over the jet lag and E is back in her normal routine.  Thank you Lord, and thanks to everyone for your prayers.  We are so blessed to be here, it's like jumping back into your favorite pair of slippers after leaving them in the closet for too long. Strangely familiar and oh so wonderful.

Our press pot coffee and marmite toast for breakfast.  Happy Morning!

Off to see the world.

Traveling with a 4 month old is told to be the best time to travel with children.  E took her first flight two days ago and did beautifully!  The flight attendants all one by one fell in love with our little red head from Philly to San Francisco and beyond she was a trooper.

 On our stop over we went out to explore the city and found the Blue bottle coffee company in San Fran, Ca.  The line was out the door and around the corner, but the experience was wonderful.  Not to mention the coffee was to die for.

 This is E after the first 6 hour flight, a very happy camper in dad's arms.

 Our special pot brewed just for us.

 We walked around the city (a very small part of it) on our layover.  E was very happy in our snugli c/o Grandma Ter circa 1980's, it's the only front pack she will ride in.

 Waiting to board our plane.  I don't know what we would have done if E was crawling or walking, I can't even imagine trying to keep track of her then.  We did a lot of rolling, walking, singing and playing.  I brought a play mat special to lay down on the airport floor so we didn't have to get our blankets dirty - best idea ever.

 More pics to come :)