one spring day

another beautiful start to spring meant we could explore a central place of our local area ...

around our new surrounds

it's said a fair bit around here {but especially in the summer season}, we live in a beautiful country and i can definitely vouch for that. especially after finding ourselves on the outskirts of the bay of islands and so close to the water after many years away. 

the great outdoors really grounds me and gives humble perspective on the blessings we all have, the grace we are offered so freely. i am so thankful for that... 

our far north get-away

we love the far north, a place to relax and unwind. this year we were delayed a little bit but it happened to pay off as we had the most epic weather possible! it was so good to get away and relax together, also having mark's parents visit for the last two days.

isaiah lights up even more in the outdoors and lapped up the wide open space and water {not literally!}.

a {farm park} birthday party

isaiah is an animal lover at heart and i couldn't think of any place better than to visit animals in a quiet location with our family to celebrate with.

serendipity farm park in whangarei, is a tranquil setting for a day trip, escape from the urban hustle or in our case, a 2nd birthday party! 

the day started off clear (as rain was predicted!) and so we prepared the food, packed raincoats and rain boots and traveled a short distance from the centre of town to a whau valley...

Whangarei is 50

in 1964, whangarei, nz became a {city} of more than 20,000 residents. it was a great time for the region and in that year over 60 local events commemorated this achievement. to mark this 50th jubilee a parade and after party was organised on saturday. and what a fantastic opportunity to bring some local pride and celebrate the uniqueness of who we are!

it's in the bag {ocean beach, northland}

for father's day this year, i had the idea of doing {the present or the bag} a take-off of the famous kiwi game show {it's in the bag} that toured the country in the 70's and 80's. hubby had to choose between the wrapped presents or a new idea on a handwritten note {well, i'll let you know he somehow managed to get them all by the end!}

one of the notes was to take isaiah to ocean beach for the first time. ocean beach is a place you have to plan to visit as it's positioned on the southeast side of whangarei heads; the entrance to our harbour.

tourists in our own town

we felt like tourists in our hometown this weekend when we explored the hatea loop. 

{we didn't have enough time to do it all this time round but will be back}

a stellar day on the coast

we had an invitation to house-sit family friend's place over the week and so we took the opportunity to head to the coast and enjoy the ocean. wednesday proved to be an amazing day, feeling like summer with sun, light winds and epic waves.

 the breathtaking view;

 isaiah got to try out the trampoline in the morning, this boy is growing in confidence every day!;

waipu cove feels like a second home to me. it is a beach we have lived by and always visited. the conditions were amazing on the day and i couldn't help but stand back with gratefulness to have this at our doorstep.

around our neighbourhood

we have been back in new zealand for seven weeks now and in this time i have found my camera not too far from my reach. if i need to get out of the house, i jump in the car and go and find a new road to drive down and stop to enjoy this beautiful area we find ourselves in...