Trip Back!!!

July 2nd:

Today we finished packing and traveled to Invercargill for the last time.  The small airport there has no security:)  We arrived WAAY to early but the kids did good and we had a short one hour and twenty minute flight to Christchurch.  We sprinted through the airport to catch our connection to Auckland but made it and so did our luggage.  We came with three and are leaving with five!  The flight to Auckland was only one hour and ten minutes.

Our living room and front door.

Our "dining room" and kitchen-the fridge is 1/2 the size

of one in the US + no dishwasher:)

Invercargill Airport.

Tara, Ursula, and Brody on Air NZ!

July 3rd and back to July 2nd  

After a restful nights sleep and an awesome breakfast we headed into the International Terminal which was right across the road from our hotel and flew to Honolulu.  We left on the third but crossed the date line so landed on the 2nd.  The flight took longer as we battled a stiff headwind.  Some family tried to steel the shuttle van we had reserved!!! What?  We finally arrived at our hotel at around 10:00pm. 

Mountains of NZ from the Air.

We arrive in HI!

July 3rd (again):

Our first real day in Hawaii.  We spent it at the Waikiki beach and walked around.  Today was much less crowded than we expected but that is all going to change for tomorrow!

July 4th

Today we were up super early to make it to Pearl Harbor.  It was really an amazing experience being there at all, but especially on the fourth.  We toured museums, watched films, took a Navy boat to the Arizona Memorial (they limit the numbers who go so we had made reservations previously).  It was very emotional.  The kids enjoyed touring USS Bowfin submarine (I found it a little claustrophobic).  It was awesome touring the Mighty Mo’ Battleship.  It is hard to pick a favorite moment but it was probably getting a personal tour from James Bugbee, a WWII vet who flew a B-25 (the same ones in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo) and new “Jimmy” Doolittle.  He is in his 90’s and really took to the kids.

The kids were able to have hot dogs for lunch after a 7 month drought!  We took a swim in the hotel pool as it was shaded and everyone was super hot, before walking around.  The crowds really picked up from our first day here.

Tara, Gabe, and Brody in front of the USS Arizona Memorial.

An aircraft carrier.

From inside the Arizona Memorial.

Inside the USS Bowfin Submarine.

USS Missouri

Mr. James Bugbee gives us a private tour!

The crew in front of a B-25.

Flight simulator.

Our first hot dogs in 7 months!

A hanger with bullet holes from the attack on Pearl Harbor.

July 5th:

Today we were up early again and after a quick breakfast headed to the beach.  This time we went further down to the reefs where we saw lots of fish and had lots of fun battling waves.  However, the area is really rocky and the waves would occasionally batter you against them.

July 6th:

Today we ate breakfast and headed to Diamond Head to climb to the top of the volcanic crater.  The army had peppered it with lookout bunkers and guns prior to WWII.  While it was a wonderful walk we saw more people in the first ten seconds than we had in seven months of tramping in New Zealand.  We definitely prefer the unhurried and uncrowded trails of NZ.

Of course, we had to head to the beach and did lots of swimming the rest of the day!

July 7th:

Today the boys and mom headed to the beach while Tara and dad hit the pool.  There was a family parade just down from our hotel which the boys and mom were able to see.  

This afternoon we headed to the Atlantis Submarine Adventure!

Tara on the boat ride out to the Submarine.

The submarine surfacing.

About to board the submarine.

We sat right next to the captain!

Sunken boat!

US Army Museum of Hawaii

July 8th:

Today we had an awesome breakfast before heading to mass.   We took our last trip to Waikiki beach.  It was a short trip to Iolani Palace (we forgot the camera:( ) So here are a few pics courtesy of Google Images

Saint Augustine by the Sea.

Tara and Mom

The boys!

Tara on the beach.

Inside Augustine.

Tara with her new bikini.

The boys searching under the sea.

Walking home after our last trip to the beach-"hang loose"

King Kamehameha statue.

Inside Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace

Sunday July 1st Good-Bye Winton

The kids last day of school was Friday 29/June.  It was a very tearful good-bye and each class did something special and memorable for the kids.  Tara had a party and received a pillow with a unique panel from each of her friends.  Gabriel had a party.  Brody had a party and received many cards.  All three were recognized at the school assembly by Principle Smith (who has really been awesome the last six months).
     We were able to go to Splash Palace one last time!  The kids all had a blast.  They have been taking competitive swim team lessons this last term and learned an absolute ton!

Splash Palace!

Lots of detail, the support beams are trees and ocean scenes dot the walls

while sea gulls fly overhead.

The outside of the Palace.

Tara and Mom in the swim lanes!

After Brody ran the computer for our last Mass here in Winton we talked with neighbors and walked the town one last time!

St Thomas Aquinas Church

Inside the church.

McGregor's Construction (Hunter and Maisy's Dad's business-Tara's friends).

The sign for Winton!

The Bakery!

Electrical store, jewelry store and cafe.

Jamieson's Building.

Downtown Winton.

Little Angels, very cool store!

Park

Merv n Milly, where we got the kids school uniform,

it used to be the bank.

Bank of New Zealand.

New World grocery store.

Winton Police!

Another favorite store, Treatz N Treasurez!

Mom outside the Medical Centre.

Old Anglican Church.

Winton School.

The backside of our house, no yard, but there is a rugby field right next to it!

Our last post from New Zealand:(  What a great experience!  We fly off in the morning to Auckland via Christchurch and then spend the night there before heading to Hawaii!