New Zealand 2022

 *Disclaimer: You should start at the bottom and read to the top! Oops Then, we played at the park after also visiting the library to pick up more books and go to a game store to look at Pokemon cards. Cheesecake from the local grocery store was his request. He wanted Pizza Hut for lunch: cheesy garlic pizza. And we got the NZ soda L&P, which is kind of like ginger ale but it's even more carbonated. He got a Lego Minecraft bakery set, which seems perfect because it combines three of his favorite things. If only it somehow also incorporated photography and K-Pop!  J planned a birthday day full of fun and exciting food and activity experiences. We started with making a blue pancake that is from a kid Minecraft cookbook, making foods that look like things in the video game.  Matt has been super excited to see a little blue penguin since he learned of their existence. We were unsuccessful at seeing them the first two times we visited the Wellington Zoo. So, we went on Wed...

Monday, August 1 We moved into our flat, the electricity got turned on, but there was a leak in the bathroom with the hot water heater. That has since been fixed, and our broadband (Internet) got turned on on Wednesday. I've gone to my new school a few days this week unofficially to do parent conferences, meet some new students who will start school when they turn 5, and do training to help a new student with Type I diabetes. I have loved the daily practice of tea time at school and the routine of teachers sitting down together during the day and being together. It's amusing to us that our new address is Austin St. after living in Texas for 16 years! We're making it our home in the Porter way: games and tea (except for Matt who still thinks it's dirty brown water!). Last week, we climbed Mt. KauKau, which reminded me of a rainforest mixed with the mountains of Colorado. It was lovely!  Yesterday, we went back to the zoo and were able to see the sun bear. Today, we went ...

Thursday, June 23, 2022 We just landed in Australia. A few pics from Houston, LA, Australia airports The 14 hour flight was fine: we slept, ate, watched a bit of movies, and are sore and tired but doing fine. Our next flight is in a few hours and we hope the logistics and getting through customs in NZ later today. Thanks for your prayers and notes. The 14 hour flight was fine: we slept, ate, watched a bit of movies, and are sore and tired but doing fine. Our next flight is in a few hours and we hope the logistics and getting through customs in NZ later today. Thanks for your prayers and notes. Our first sighting of NZ from the airplane window Friday, June 24, 2022 First night and full day in NZ Airport and customs The view near our house Botanical gardens by the house Matt driving on the opposite side of the car and opposite side of road! Countdown grocery store: trying lots of new NZ brands Saturday, June 25, 2022 Pictures from the hike today across from our air bnb Monday, June 27, 2...