New Zealand

Lets just say to start the trip - Matt and I ended up on different flights from LA to Australia.  But we made it there at the same time.   We usually struggle with something when we go on a trip.  After we had landed I headed to the bathroom and Matt just so happened to see Shemar Moor who is a famous actor - one that I like.  So he took some pictures.  I was very sad that I had to go to the bathroom!

After our long flight it was morning but we only had two days in Sydney so we went out sight seeing .

Opera house  - So cool!

Manly beach

We went to the animal preserves which is like a zoo.  And got to see koalas and Kangaroo's.

Then we took a tour and hiked up to the blue mountains.

Where Matt met a group from Italy.  It was cool to help them out.

Then we headed to new Zealand to bring in the new year with the Nielsen's and Olson's.

Hiking through the redwoods.

These signs were everywhere!  I guess they have a lot of people that like to stand on the toilet. :)

Exploring New Zealands beaches.

The water was so pretty.

Wendy's bday.  We went with their friends on their boat to the islands.

Matt meeting up with the ..... They use to be mission presidents in Italy.

More exploring

Taking a gondola up to see the sites of Rotorua.

Riding the lugue

We couldn't get tickets with americans to go see the Shire - or hobbiton so we went on a tour with the chinese group.  We got a lot of looks. :)

The hobbiton was amazing!!

We got put in a group that spoke english.  They were hilarious.  From all over Europe.  They reenacted this still picture.

New Zealand temple.

Beach in Auckland and Uncle Giff and Aunt Wendy's place.  This was our last night.

On to the pictures from my phone....
We were in the same area that our sweet neighbor Ellory Osborn was on.  She was leaving for her mission to Spain.

First view getting out of the airport.

Cool sculpture of large bullets.

Sydney views

Cool rock sculptures and gardens around the opera house.

Matt trying to get a plumeria for me.  They don't smell like they do in Hawaii.

They have the coolest candy there.  And this was just a place in the middle of the boats that you could get it.

I had to get this pic for Mikaela. :)

At the zoo....

Kangaroos are so soft!

The koalas were still pretty sleepy when we got there.

But so so cute!

This is as good as it gets to petting or holding a koala.

Cute penguins

Very large birds - but if you act like a bigger bird - they are scared of you.

Blue mountains

We hiked down 1,000 stairs.  I loved it!

Had to take this picture for Mikaela - because of the puppy. :)

Downtown Sydney.

Very scary!!!!!  Matt driving on the other side of the road and the other side of the car.

New years Eve games.

Redwoods.

New Zealand beach.

So many shells

They had a very cool place to see the amazing waters.  It wasn't a big waterfall - but the water was so pretty.

So they let the damn out every 4 hours so I got shots of this little lake filling up.  Its pretty cool!

Aunt Wendy's Bday

Playing with the ducks.

There are hot waters all over New Zealand.

Drew jet sking

Baby ducks

This is the steam that comes up from all the hot water.

Such pretty places to hike.

Gondola

Hobbiton

Apparently where you get beer - at the green dragon.

So I haven't seen any of the movies - but I loved this place.  Everything was little.  It was amazing!

Temple

We had to take these pics for Koby.

In Auckland where Giff and Wendy live.

Walking a long the beach to get licorice ice cream.

Such a fun, beautiful, amazing trip!!!!

Mikaela watched the boys and the dogs while we were gone for 10 days.  Koby was still recovering from nose surgery, the dogs are not potty trained and it was Christmas break so she had to entertain them.  She did great!  It was pretty rough for her but she was a rock star.  And on top of it all I came home to this gift from her.  Melt my heart!!