The Conclusion

I've been back for at least 48 hours.  On the plane ride on the way back I came up with my best of for my trip.

Best moments with each Mac

Tyler Rose: getting to meet her.  I really enjoyed just talking to her when everyone was busy.

Mackenzie: hanging out and talking before getting up on our last day in Rotorua

Keanna: nothing beats our giggle fest in Rotorua, except all the other times we started giggling and couldn't stop

Andrea:  sharing our birthday ties with all our discussions

Roger: late night talks that result in this:

For me the next day

Or 

Sunrise at Red Beach

Favorite Museum: 

North Island Rotorua 

South Island Otago Settlers Museum

Best Beach

West Coast Muriwai

East Coast:  Red Beach wins for the sunrise

Craziest thing I did recorded on film:

Tie between my feet in Lake Taupo

And swimming in the warm river:

Favorite Airport: Christchurch

Favorite flight: SFO to Auckland 

Favorite drive:  any in Rogers's car

Favorite Meal: ribs in Paihia

Favorite Pudding: Keanna's Lava Cakes (I can't believe I didn't get a picture of it!)

Favorite Nap:  any in Rogers's cushy chair 

It's way more comfortable than this

Favorite Getting Wet moment: my last day sprinkle by Mackenzie

Favorite Gift I bought for someone at home: I can't wait until Sawyer gets his gift.  It has to do with:

Favorite Melody Moment:  creating the term a "Melody" which means you've spilled your food on you.

Favorite Purchase for myself: charm bracelet

Favorite gift from the Macs: family charm

Only regret: not finding a sheep farmer or pilot to marry so I wouldn't have to come home

My three favorite pictures well maybe four or five:

Auckland skyline from North Head

Our Rainbow Springs Picture

Holding the sun at Red Beach (credit to Roger Mac - his idea and camera skills)

Photo of all of us the last night.

Action shot of my hair flicking skills

Big smiles from the girls

But my favorite is 

And

Thanks Macs for the most incredible experience of my life

My Last Day - August 13

I'm siting in Auckland International Airport at gate 8 waiting for Air New Zealand flight 8, trying to keep it together.  Later I'll write the best of, but I have one last day to record.

Roger and I were up until 12:30am because he kept making me cry and that was his goal the whole day.  When I got out of the toilet this morning Keanna gave me a good scare and Mackenzie made sure I got wet.  We spent time talking, giggling, and singing Party in the USA (one of our theme songs during the trip).  After they left for school and I got cleaned up, Roger, Andrea and I went to brunch.  Roger kept asking what I was going to do for the afternoon and to get him off my back I told him I wanted to go for a ride in his fancy car.  We drove out to a beach(I can't remember the name and I only get the Internet free for 30 min).

The beach

Roger made me sit on a tree

Showing off my famous hair flicking skills I developed as a 19 yr old

Then we went to see his parents and his Dad gave me a tour of the Silverdale Firestation.  It has salaried firemen during the day M-F and then volunteers the rest of the time.  I got to sit in the volunteers engine

After that we finished the pre airport day with a hot chocolate from McCafe

We went home, got the girls and my luggage and came to the airport

During the ride I was surprised with a whole bunch of gifts inicluding the All Blacks pillow pet Keanna is holding for me.  I also received a couple of charms for my bracelet.  We had some food where little gifts kept appearing on the table - two more charms

A very full bracelet

Not appearing in the close up is my silver fern.  I also got, from the bottom Adventure, Anzac poppy, and happiness.  The best one they gave me was the family one (right above happiness). 

I burst into tears when it was time to ride up the special elevator to passport control.  I stopped crying, but as soon as I'm settled on the plane I know it will start again.  

This was an amazing trip, I couldn't have asked for a better adventure, fun, and amazement.  Even if I'm not coming home with a sheep farmer or a pilot (roger would say its not over until I get off the plane), this was exactly what I needed at this time.  I should have come long ago, but I don't think it would have had the same impact.  Thanks to my Mac family.  I will miss you!

12 August - A special day in Mac house

It's a special day in the Mac home. It's my last full day here.  My flight leaves at 7:15 tomorrow night.  I've packed an extra suitcase borrowed from them with lots of New Zealandy stuff.  I got to experience Four Seasons in one day.  Warm, hail, chilly wind, beautiful skies - saw it all.

Tonight we went out for dinner

11 August

These are getting harder and harder to write because its getting closer and closer to the end.  We all had a big sleep in on Sunday and then went out to brunch, shopping, and came home to relax while watching Space Jam.  I guess I should mention that my relaxing was sleeping until I was brutally attacked with water, but I finally saw the end of Space Jam. Lots of clouds and rain.

No pictures from the day, but here are some previously non posted pictures:

Ferry in Russell

Trying on Kiwi and Sheep hats

Look its a redwood!

Average size of New Zealand carrots in the store

Me on Mackenzie's sled

Me and the penguins

Portrait of me by Mackenzie

Pumping water

Keanna and I at the Auckland museum treehouse