Discovering our new home

Wellington Zoo

This was a good day trip the week before the kids went back to school.  We were able to meet many of the other Fast families and their children.

Oriental Beach, Freyburg Beach Park

We had a great time enjoying the beach.  The first week in New Zealand was rainy and windy, so when the next week the sun came out we were super excited to get out as well.  What a beautiful place.

Titahi Bay

We were in Poirua, a city north of us quite a bit for shopping purposes (furniture and household goods) the first few weeks in the country.  This is a park that is off the road right on the bay.  The younger kids loved chasing the birds.  Zachary had a great time reading.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

One of our first excursions was to the Te Papa.  This is a museum that shows the history of New Zealand , both European and Mauri.  It was very interesting and it had children's discovery centers throughout which made it enjoyable for the kids as well. 

Grand Canyon

We drove down to Kanab for Malachi's blessing.  It was wonderful to see the Van Dyke family.  While there we played some soccer, visited Kaydrie's grave, played with cousins, and visited the Grand Canyon.

On the way down we camped in SLC at the KOA.  It was a fun  stopping point.

 Here we are at the Grand Canyon.  It was my first time to visit and it certainly was grand.

 As a postscript:  The kids were amazing in the car on the way down and back.  What a blessing!!

Craters of the Moon

One day we took a day trip to Craters of the Moon.  The car trip had me questioning our plan to take a longer trip the following weekend, but while there we had a grand time.

Idaho ~September 2015

We spent a month in Idaho.  Although we missed Kyle as he flew out 2 days after we arrived, we spent the time having fun.  We played a lot with cousins, celebrated Zachary's birthday, visited grandparents, and enjoyed the Idaho Museum and Temple Visitor Center.  I failed to take a lot of pictures, but here is a sampling.

Zachary's Birthday celebration

We were welcomed to Idaho by a hail storm

Visiting the grandparents

Visiting the Idaho Museum and the Pirates

Enjoying the view of the temple and the visitor center

Welcoming Daddy back and preparing to go to New Zealand

August in a Nutshell

The first week of August a company came and packed all our stuff and moved it to a 10x20 storage unit.  

 Good-bye 160 Silvertree Crossing

Welcome to the Residence Inn

We then settled in to the Residence Inn 2 bedroom suite for a month while our home was painted and new floors were put in.  While there the kids started school, 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade. 

 Hello, Idaho

The end of August we put the house on the market, sold all three cars, and flew to Idaho, where the kids and I waited for our visas, while Kyle went to New Zealand and started work, found us a house, and bought a new van.

Driving across the Mississippi River on our way to the airport.

Family Photo before Kyle flew out the next day.