Twinkle twinkle little worm

Yesterday my parents arrived to our little island all the way from snowy Rochester.   Words don't describe how excited we were for them to come, or how wonderful it has been having them here.  My dad is loving the kiwi phrases and has claimed "no worries mate" as his own, and my mom swears the coffee is better and stronger here than in the states.  It's a running joke that everything is different here b/c technically those of us who come from the northern hemisphere are really standing on our heads down here on the other side of the world.  Thomas and I have had time to acclimate, mom says they'll come around:)

Tonight we ventured back into a glow worm dell after a late night dinner.  It's set just off the road 50 metres, and as you walk back into a rain forest type area  in the dark you suddenly see all these little glowing dots all surrounding you.  It was like looking into the starry night sky right next to where you are standing.  So we decided to sing them a little song to them...

Twinkle twinkle little worm,
How I wonder how you squirm,
Nestled in the dirt so deep,
As you twinkle while you sleep,
Twinkle twinkle little worm,
How I wonder how you squirm.

Little wormies with glowing bums:)

happy happy holidays

Merry Christmas and happy new year!  Our holiday time has been a wonderfully busy one.  It's been a bit since we've updated on what's happening in the lives of these New Zealanders, but I'm happy to report we're still loving this crazy life of ours.

Christmas was spent with the fabulous Easton family (also known as our bestest buddies over here)

We spent Christmas morning opening prezzies with Morgan, Hayley, David and two of the boys that work with Morg on the farm.  Thomas spoiled me with Canterbury rugby gear and a new (1979) singer sewing machine.  I had to be a bit more stealth with his gift- flown all the way in from the Apple store in Aussie- an FM transmitter for his IPhone- yay!After breakfast we headed out to Dunedin to spend the rest of Christmas day with Joy and Lockee Easton (Grandma and Govenor), and the rest of the aunts, uncles and cousins.  The whole time we felt so welcome and happy which is what you would hope to feel at Christmas time.  However, when you're not near family, it's a rarity to feel so at home.  Joy pulled me aside as soon as we arrived at her house and said- please feel like this is just like your Christmas too, not just our family Christmas.  She is quite a spunky and amazing woman.

The rest of Christmas afternoon was spent on the beach soaking up the 30 deg./ 75 deg. sun and dipping our toes in the icy cold southern ocean.  Not typically something you would do on Christmas day in the northeast- Pa or NY.

Even though we were so far away from the ones we love, all in all it was a wonderfully memorable Christmas.