Friends and Family

Going back to Australia was in a lot of ways like "going home." Our focus this trip was on revisiting our favorite flora and fauna but it was also a lot about seeing our human friends as well.

We spent Christmas Day with Juli and Dave's family. Didn't manage to get a picture of Juli or Dave but got plenty of the kids!

Tex waiting to do the rest of the Christmas Crackers.

Andy reading the joke from his Cracker, with he and Tom sporting their paper crowns.

Tex and Darcy off to enjoy a new scooter at the skate park.

We spent New Year's Eve with Bernie and Kristian. Turns out this is the only pic of Bernie...

Coffee with Paula and Julie and other parts of the Deakin gang.

Walk in the coastal bush with Barry.

And Rachel.

Marita and her daughter Serenity joined Paul and us at the beach.

Otha and his family invited us for tea. The two older boys had gone to a friend's to play basketball.

We had a lovely lunch with the lovely Rox.

Maureen, our former landlady, put some chips on the barbie while Andy supervised.

Melbourne friends Kate and Denham with Siena and Lulu

Melbourne friend Peta out on Southbank.

We also had the pleasure of spending three nights with Dawn and Alan and their kids and their kids' friends while we were in Auckland. So much fun playing Clue with the young people.  

Our New Zealand family

Included in these meaningful relationships are Bernie and Kristian's dog.

Izzy

And Dawn and Alan's dogs.

Ollie

Teddy