Time to go...

I hate good-byes. It makes me sad to say good-byes so instead, like Martha and Faith Ann said, "see ya later" is much easier. So we said our "see ya laters" on Saturday to our fabulous aunts who travelled afar to visit us and this amazing country. They toured Auckland and Queenstown before making a last stop in Wellington.

Before going to the airport, we decided to make a stop at Mt. Victoria. It's 360 view of the city is stunning and we had great weather and not too much wind. It gets really windy at the top of the hill, 74 steps up to be exact. :) Martha and Faith Ann did well with the scary switch-back road to get to Mt. Victoria. It's quite a scary wee road but we made it in one piece. I only closed my eyes a couple times. (Just kidding, M & F!! :)

Gorgeous sun rising & peeking through the clouds over Wellington.

One last pic at Stonehaven.

Love it! Calvin & MaeMae are thick as thieves and best buds.

The Basin Reserve where cricket test mathes are played during the summer. It is internationally known throughout the cricketing world and is home to the Wellington Firebirds.

Welly harbour

Airport...yes that little strip is the runway. Makes for exciting landings and departures. :)

Climbing the Byrd Monument.

"This monument was built orginally in 1962 to honour arctic explorer Rear Admiral Richard Byrd. This has since been redesigned, it consists of over 2000 ceramic tiles depicting the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights." www.virtualtourist.com

We enjoyed a full week of day trips, card-playing (which Faith Ann did pull out the "overall winner" title but not without major competition from Martha and I!), lots of home cooking (see below), tons of laughs and many memories. They were so flexible and accommodating to the kids' needs. We will never forget their visit, as well as the other wonderful visitors we've had while here. It has made our year much less lonesome and much more memorable.

Thank you Faith Ann and Martha for everything!!

Home cooking we dabbled with this week: pavlova with berries, egg salad and kiwi & potato soup (Yum Martha!), omelets, tomato and cheese toasties, spinach lasagna, lamb chops and roasted vege, egg drop soup, Anzac cookies, chicken cordon bleu ala Sherry-style, spaghetti and much more! It was fun to cook for everyone - they say the kitchen is the heart of the home!