new Z nielsens

KIA ORA

Jenna, Jordi and Maya made the trek to NZ!!!

Hooray! Haere Mai and WELCOME to New Zealand! Our first family visitors!!! We're thrilled!

After 7 hours at LAX, 10 hours to Fiji Nadi Airport, 3+ hours there and at least that many more into Auckland, they finally arrived. Jenna is a super STAR! We LOVE YOU!!!

We gathered all belongings and happily left the Auckland airport for cute Takapuna and our Beachy Paradise!!!

A quick photo on the deck with Rangitoto in the background. So happy to be together in New Zealand.

We couldn't have showered our shell leis upon a more happy and appreciative recipient. Jordi is so cute!

The first thing he wanted to do was swim. Even though it was cold outside the kiddos loved the baby pool behind our apartments.

A photo from our apartment shows the new arrivals happily engaged in paddling. So fun to look outside and see them this nearby!

Since Giff was home for the first weekend of their visit we headed toward Waitoma Caves--home of the glow worms. We took a rest stop at the beautiful and historic New Zealand Temple.

I'll love looking at this photo and reliving all the memories when they live and forever afterward!

Every direction around the Temple grounds it is beautiful. We walked around the whole perimeter and enjoyed the beauty and exercise.

I love the Norfolk Pine trees all around the temple. Jordi loved posing and I loved shooting photos. What a team!!!

Sibling love. Families can be forever so this photo is very appropriate methinks:)

Just another photo of this precious family. Looking back toward the Visitor's Center Jenna and kiddos are perfect models.

Someday there will be a Youth Campground in these parts. Such beautiful farmland. Love the clouds.

After another hour or so we made it to Waitoma and took this photo outside the caves.

Granny Lois would smile if she saw her glowworm caves. I hummed her favourite song the whole day.

Cute models near this Maori Tiki near the cave entrance. Really fun day with adorable cherubs.

Here we are entering the path toward the glowworm cave. Isn't it gorgeous all around New Zealand? We love it.

We got our own boat ride (because we were a bit too lively for the senior citizenry in our group) We loved the privacy. The caves are spectacular and the worms are beautiful. Loved the tour.

After the boatride we came out of the cave here. Our first New Zealand adventure was a hit. Not without its trials, but still very fun.

Just a shot of the green beauty all around Waitoma and the caves. So fun to be with my cherubs again!

On the way back to Auckland we stopped off for ice cream. I love Maya's gusto going after that delicious stuff!

Jordi was just as able at making the creamy New Zealand treat disappear. Big AZ icecream cones!

I love Rangitoto at all times and in all seasons. Just a pretty shot at dusk of our favourite volcano.

We played at a park in Devonport for a while before boarding the Ferry to Waiheke Island. Such a lovely place.

Little Miss Personality will not be denied. I love her sense of adventure and verve. She's a life force!!!

Cute Jordi is a ball of energy. So much fun to be with. How we adore these little angels. So fun to be together!

Jordi loved every shell and bird. It was fun to see the world through the eyes of this fun and energetic child.

A view of Auckland from the ferry. This is a beautiful city and we had a good ride on the boat across beautiful water.

This is a beautiful island--not exactly child-friendly but we went to a beach and had a great day.

After a fun day together we headed back home. Jordi loved looking out the window from inside the ferry.

Another view from the ferry. It was very fun riding across the lovely water together. I love the ocean.

This carpet is so soft and fun to feel. We all love lying or crawling on it. Jordi quite agrees!!!

Nature treated us with this pretty double rainbow. Always beauty in every direction. Fun to share it with our family!

We had a Maori party soon after Jenna and the kids came. We met in the Church Office building.

Maori jewelry and poi balls for dancing were available to buy--I did some early Christmas shopping!

Maya was shy at first but had a great time--especially if Papi held and danced with her.

We had pot luck food, including Maori dishes like fry bread. It was delicious.

Agnes, Patsy and Binny were the fry bread queens. Binny had the advantage being Maori herself:)

There it is. Authentic Maori fry bread. there was lots of food and it was all very tasty.

Jenna enjoyed the food and history of the Maoris in New Zealand, but the best part was poi ball dancing.

Jenna danced at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii and she still has the talent to make those poi balls spin. It was fun watching her!

Rebecca Hall teaches about the Maori culture and history in the schools here in New Zealand

She brought a powerpoint prewsentation teaching about The Maori people and culture.

It was very informative and educational. We loved it.

After teaching about the Hongi she had people play a game beginning with the traditional welcome gesture--they tried to take the feather from their opponent. It was fun to watch.

Jenna was a great sport and teamed up to try her hand at feather grabbing. She was amazing!!!

Two Church employees, Kai Manuel and his co-worker, Natham were opponents. Fun game!

Papi enjoyed watching and learning, along with Kourtney's good friend Alan Babcock who is in New Zealand on holiday.

Jenna and Maya were active participants all evening. Jordi was being shy but sat and listened too.

Rebecca had many songs and games that kept the little ones entertained. There was a great turnout of Church employees and their friends and family.

One favourite part of the evening was the men learning the haka. Here are the words and meaning.

Natham lead the haka and Papi fit right in, don't you think? Well maybe not his tie:)

Not to let any grass grow under our feet, we headed to Kai's farm about 40 minutes from us. Here's a sample of the kind of fun we had there!

Isn't it quintessential? Kai and Julia are the nicest people alive and we had the time of our lives!

Maya petted a chicken and we all watched their goats cavort. We all wore our "Wellies" and generally felt like down home folks!

Jordi didn't miss out on a thing. What a wonderland for children. He was even more willing to pet the hen.

Feeding the chickens was interesting. You could feel their little beaks pecking your hand and it tickled/hurt. Jordi was very brave!

You've heard of the troll under the bridge? Well under this bridge is a huge, old, eerie eel!

There's a goat and Jenna walking into the animal pasture. Those goats were frisky. Very fun to watch!

Jordi and Evil Kneivel have much in common:)

What did I tell ya?

Maya adored Julia--who wouldn't? They bonded over four-wheel watching!

Maya also loved swinging. There were so many child-friend aspects of this farm. Heaven.

Julia's mother and assorted relatives were in town for a Maori tradition of visiting the grave of a loved one a year after the burial. These women cooked, cleaned and entertained us. The best!

Jenna and I posed with Julia's mom, Binny outside the back door. Talk about gorgeous--oh, the scenery too:)

Julia, Maya and Jenna were three peas in a pod. We really loved our time on the farm.

The gang's all here. Four of the Manuel and Nielsen children become the sensational seven.

Lunch was healthy and delicious! Perfect hosts.

Okay, blurry photo but in full disclosure we have to say this might have been Jordi's favourite activity.

Kai and Julia we love you! Thank you for opening up your paradise to us.

Steve the eel wanted to say good-bye! I told you he was eerie! Don't go falling in the river will ya?

One of our days was spent at this wonderful park. There are tracks for bike/scooter riding, slides, swings, and a zip line. Jordi is posing atop the slide.

He made it to the bottom. What happened to his shoe? Fun times.

Jordi demonstrates his zip lining abilities. You had to hold on tight at the end!

Jenna and Maya almost dragged the ground after zip lining. We loved this place!

Jordi even mastered the zip line standing up. Made us nervous but he was a champ!

Jordi and Maya loved the park next to our apartments. We fed birds, climbed trees, had picnics and loved life!

There's Takapuna Beach with Rangitoto in the background. Maya sometimes fed herself along with the birds:)

This was a fun place to spend Sunday mornings before our 1:00 church. always lots going on at Takapuna Park.

the seagulls are so used to being fed that they'll come right up to you. Jordi loved making friends with them!

Here's one now. Cute little fellers aren't they? We have grown accustomed to their faces:) (And other less attractive features:)

Took me right back to my childhood. Such big, beautiful trees to climb in our park. Comfortable.

Maya was not to be denied. Whatever Jodi could do, she could do higher:) She is one brave girl!

Here's the ferry ride to Rangitoto. Yes, we did pick the coldest, rainiest day for our jaunt into the unknown. Maya's expression was prophetic:)

A little rain never hurt anyone right? This ferry won't return for 4 hours. Amazing how long four hours can seem in freezing rain with little protection.

So far so good. Nice Maori welcoming Tiki. We were all smiles at this stage of the game.

We did have the good judgment to choose the train ride to the base of the volcano--instead of the two hour hike. Give us some credit!

Jordi wanted to sit up on the post for a picture. No problem.

Of course, Maya had to follow suit. Those rain clouds are getting darker and nearer. NO worries.

This volcano is beautiful and fun to explore. Lots of pathways and foliage to enjoy along the way.

All aboard the open air train--pulled by a tractor. All systems go! This part was really fun. Though the train got really bumpy along the jutted roads--built by prisoners in the 1930's.

Here's a perfect example of a New Zealand beach house--called a "bach". Probably named after the bachelors who used them for work houses decades ago.

Not long after the train started we were given ponchos as the rain came in earnest. They saved us.

I'll spare you photos of walking the 350 stairs to the top. Here we are at the summit. It doesn't look like lava rock inside the volcano. Foliage has grown over the last 50 years. Jordi was very upset by the "unvolcanolike" appearance after that long trek to the top.

The soil is very fertile and everything grows beautifully here. There's lichen on the trees-signalling pure atmosphere and optimal growing conditions.

Got a little windy at the top but still a fun adventure. The view is barely visible but you can see the ocean a bit from here.

This structure is at the top and these nice boardwalks. As soon as the rain let up Jordi took off his poncho.

On the ride back down we stopped at this lava rock field. Jordi loved posing--he'll make a great model someday:)

There's the train and tractor in the background. Jordi is smiling--that's a really good sign. Jenna and sleeping Maya are on the back row of the train.

After waiting 1 1/2 hours for the ferry home we nearly missed it. We ran to make it and bid good-bye to Rangitoto. After looking at it every day since we moved here it was fun to see it up close and personal!

Jenna and Maya, not much the worse for wear. Happy to be on the warm, safe ferry ride back home!

One day we went to Mount Victoria--a lookout post during World War II. Here is Jordi posing at the top of the mount (really a hill but who's quibbling?)

Jenna and Maya atop Mount Victoria. Shocking, but another windy, chilly day. Our next neighbour south is Antarctica, so we could expect a lot of that right?

Nice bit of Auckland skyline in the background. This is a beautiful outlook with views all around the Auckland/Takapuna/Davenport areas.

Jordi is on a "mushroom" ventilation system painted later to look like colourful mushrooms. Good ol' Rangitoto in the background.

Jordi and I go together like peas and carrots. I'm always shooting photos--he's always posing. Perfect match!!!

Now we're on North Head, another station for guns and lookout during WWII. There are cool tunnels and guns to explore here.

Jordi loved running up and down the pretty hills along North Head. I wish I had half his energy!

Another perspective of Auckland skyline. Really a distinctive and lovely view I think.]

Bishop Cain, Sally Ann and their daughter Esther joined us for a picnic on the side of North Head. Such sweet people!

Maya rode up in style. A bit chilly so we covered her with a towel. She was such a good sport.

Here's one of the guns Jordi enjoyed seeing, climbing, pretend shooting. They are huge!

Maya was mostly content to sit this one out. This hill is really a fun place for kiddos and adults to explore and enjoy.

Here's Jordi target practicing. These guns are all along the top of North Head. Well, at least a few of them are.

Often Jordi opted for bare feet. I don't know how he stood the chill but he seemed to manage. Pretty shot of the water.

Jordi loved Bishop Cain, who entertained him all day. He is a master with children. They totally bonded.

Here he's showing Jordi where the wild fennel grows. He is so knowledgeable and kind. What a good man!

A pretty view looking back toward where we live. The building in the far background is a marker if I'm ever lost. It looks like an ancient helmet up close. That's Cheltenham beach where we got the sand dollars.

Sweet Esther helped with Maya and was generally fun to be with. This is one great family and we love them!

Both children loved Bishop Cain. He was such a champ to play with and teach them all day.

Stairs go up and down this hill from the tunnels to fields where soldiers would play ball and relax.

Here's an entrance into a tunnel. Men would sleep there and go for protection in case of bombing.

Another perspective of the stairway leading down to the tunnels. Kids can run and chase all through these things. Lots of fun.

Here's the tunnel in person. Loads of them going all directions. Little rooms/caves along the sides to explore.

Maya loved being free and exploring the guns with Jordi. Pretty background scenery every direction.

Nothing scared this girl. I love her verve and sense of adventure. What a fun playground for kiddos. These two had the time of their lives all day long.

Pretty view looking over to the other hill--Mount Victoria. These two hills are defining features of Devonport.

Fun day at Devonport and environs.

So this is Jordi climbing along the condemned stairs leading from Takapuna Beach up to our apartment. Much safer right?

There's the pathway to our apartment from the beach. the pool is just beyond Jenna's head on the other side fo the fence.

I loved watching Jordi find creative ways to get everywhere. What's that called, "

Barefoot boy with cheeks of tan. How I love this little scamp. He makes everything he does exciting and adventurous!

What's better after a chilly day on Takapuna Beach than a refreshing, warming hot tub! We loved this place!

This blob of interest kept us fascinated! Jordi and bishop Cain found it on Cheltenham Beach and enjoyed playing with it.

They also found this platform where they ran, jumped and played for part of the morning. What sport!

Jordi reluctantly threw his jelly blob back to its mother sea. What diversity and creativity there is in nature!

Jenna and Movie Star Maya enjoyed the shallow waters of this beach. You could walk for 100 yards and not be in over your knees.

Now Jordi is the movie star. He needed time with this "dad" the father of our ward. They had great fun together.

Oh the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer--even if our summers need jackets to fend off the wind. We had a great time.

Jordi and Maya were troopers on both flights--to and from New Zealand. Here they are during one of their layovers. They flew from SLC to LAX to NADI, FIJI, to NZ. 24 hours total. The true and living trooper was Jenna!