3 Months in NZ!

3 months in NZ!  Hard to believe and yet when I look at all the photos on the laptop and all the school work the kids have done- I see where all that time went!  We are completely and totally loving our time in Ohope.  We have met a few neighbours and feel like we have a home!  One of our goals was to "live" somewhere else while we were away- Ohope has been perfect.  ( I still can't believe that the ocean is across the road.)

The kids will likely not go to school here- too tricky and not worth all the effort it would take.  The kids are content with that and are happy getting their school work done so they can go and play.  I'm amazed at what they learn and how fast.  I also admire those teachers at school and home schooling parents- not an easy task to teach!  

The fishing has been a whole new way of life around here.  We have a wonderful "grandpa" neighbour who has taken us all out on various adventures.  The men managed to catch 21 fish on their expedition last Saturday!  The kids now love smoked fish and mom likes the fish in well cooked dishes!  When we went as a family we tried catching flounder with a net that we set in the water.  The net was placed 50 metres downstream and we all walked in a diagonal line to scare the fish into the net.  Too bad the fish were not there that day- but we did learn a lot!  On that trip we did find some pippies (like clams) and dug those up.  Luke's big find was a piece of drift wood that looked like a gun.  That added to the sound effects in the boat!

Our "grandpa" neighbour also took the kids and I out a few days ago to try fishing in the harbour!  All of us caught a fish for the first time.  It was so fun to see the smiles and excitement!  I loved that I didn't have to bait the hooks or touch the slimy creatures.   When we got back Keith had the task of "preparing" the food- I don't do guts!

We have enjoyed the hiking in this area so far.  We did quite a long hike to Lake Tarawera and the falls.  We were impressed with the kids as they did a 7 km hike and ran one third of it!  The falls are incredible as the water comes right out of the mountain after travelling underground.  COOL!

We know all about Guy Fawkes Day now and have lit enough fireworks and sparklers for the kids to want to celebrate it at home!  Our neighbour next door had us over with his kids to light all these fun fireworks.  Whakatane had a big display too- we saw some of that as well.

So now we get the questions like- "how warm is it there in NZ?" or "will you still come home?"  We love it here and yes the weather is getting warmer all the time.  We're not running around in swimsuits, but we are putting on the sunscreen every day!  As for coming home.....  of course we're coming back to Canada!  We miss family and friends!  A few days ago Luke woke up in tears.  He missed Canada!  He missed his friends at school (listed them all), he missed his cousins (listed them off too), he missed his Gramma and he really missed his LEGO!   Poor guy- I think he got some ice cream later that day!   It is a little hard not knowing the "what next" in our lives, but we are totally trusting God to lead and guide us.  

Thanks for reading!  I love the comments- makes my day!  As for Christmas cards- send us an email  kthanson@live.com or mail them to my mom and dad.  I'll hopefully have a note to send -we'll see!  I love all the Christmas photos and cards- the pictures usually cover one side of my fridge all year long- so please still send them! 

Love and hugs.......  from NZ