Aotearoa 2006

Aotearoa is Maori for "Land of the Long White Cloud". And it's truly one of the loveliest places I've ever been and I'm quite proud that my youngest children are citizens of this country. Actually, they're "dualies" as they have both US and NZ citizenship.

Doug and the smalls spent the last two weeks of November in NZ. Grandma Fay was celebrating her 75th birthday and it was the perfect time for an overdue visit!

They had a fantastic time with their cousins and other relatives! And from the sounds of things, were spoiled well! They had snail parties, and new foods, swimming with the neighbors, trout fishing (That fish is sure to make Grandpa Joe proud!), and a tripping around town. I hear the weather prevented them from doing all they had planned, but they loved it all the same and can't wait to get back!

They came home with many neat things, but I want to thank everyone there for the lovely new batch of Christmas ornaments! Fantastic! Every one of them! Our tree looks grand!!