beaches

We couldn't have my parents come all the way to New Zealand and not spend time at the beach

Pahia, Auckland......

 Russell, Bay of Islands....
Yes, it was still much too cold for swimming but that didn't stop Max and Maya. 

Tapeka Point, Bay of Islands.....
This lovely spot was just at the end of the road from where we stayed for five days in the Bay of Islands.

auckland whale cruise

We just finished a two week visit from my parents.  We went on lots of adventures and took a lot of photos.  I will try and post them in the next couple of days.  

The day after John and Cookie arrived we went on a Whale and Dolphin Cruise in the Auckland Harbour*.   After a very cold week, we were nervous about the weather, but the sun came out, the skies were clear, and it was a glorious day.  We couldn't have asked for a better introduction to New Zealand for John and Cookie.  We saw lots of dolphins, and we were even lucky enough to see several whales.  Max and Maya were great on the boat, except for the one time Max slipped past all of us and out onto the side of the boat just as it lurched almost sending him overboard.  Trent slept happily in his baby carrier, played in his pram, and was passed around between the four adults.   

*We even found half price tickets on GrabOne.

father's day interviews

Today is Father's Day in New Zealand.

What is your name?: Max Mercer Elliott


What is your favorite color?: Blue, green, yellow and orange...those colors.


What is your favorite animal?: giraffes, lions, turtle, horseys.....and also I love trucks.


What do you like to do with your daddy?: Wrestle with him, play with him, play with his toys and his game.


What does your daddy look like?: Very big, tall, he does everything.......just that stuff.


What does daddy do at work?: He goes on boats.


How do you know that your dad loves you?: I like to laugh at him.  We like to snuggle together.  



What is your name?: Maya Catarina Mercer 


How old are you?: Three years old.


What do you like to do?: I like to play at Playcentre with my friends: Isla, Austin, Carl and you too Mommy.


What is your favorite color?: Pink and red.


What is your favorite animal?: Zebras and no more.


What do you like to do with your daddy?: Play with him....play his game, go to the doctors, go to church.  Sometimes I get really mad but I don't get mad at daddy.


What does your daddy look like?: Big...like this size (puts up hands).  He has legs and a tummy and a head, a forehead and eyes.


How do you know your daddy loves you?: Because he does....cause he does.  He gives bigs hugs.  I can talk to him.


What does your daddy do for work?: He stays there.  He eats his lunch.  When he is done he comes down the stairs onto the path and he walks home.  We don't even have to pick him up.  

trent's blessing day

beautiful sleeping baby

helicopter

A couple of weeks ago, on a very cold day, the New Zealand Air Force landed a helicopter in a field and invited the locals to come and take a look.  Max and Maya were thrilled.  Trent slept through the whole thing.  

family

white

baby burrito

These two might be my favorite photos....but it is hard to chose.

newborn photos

My wonderful photographer friend Zoe Sasulu, who also did my maternity photos, came over when Trent was about 10 days old to take newborn photos. 

I'm already amazed at how much he has changed since she took these photos.   He no longer has the peeling skin from being born 10 days over due.  He also no longer has the white spots covering his nose that caused Maya to comment "He has a silly nose" when she first saw him.  While he still has chubby cheeks some of the swelling from the birth has gone down.  He has also gained more than 2lbs since we took the photos, which is quite a lot for a little guy.  Trent seems to be growing up faster than Max and Maya ever did.  Maybe it is because he started out much bigger and "older" than they did,  or maybe it is because life is so busy that time passes more quickly, but I am glad that that these moments have been recored.  

If you are looking for a newborn photographer in Auckland I highly recommend Zoe.  She was patient and flexible with Trent's schedule.  As a mother she also understood Trent's and my needs, taking breaks for nappy changes, breast feeding, and cuddles.  You can find her website here: http://www.zoesasulu.com/

*Zoe had the photos ready a little while ago but I wasn't able to upload them to my blog because Max had put a coin into the disk drive of our computer.  Like I said, life is busy these days.