Cream Colored Ponies & Crisp Apple Strudel

Yesterday I googled the lyrics to the Sound of Music song, "My Favorite Things" and Mary Poppins, "Chim Chiminey." I would never have imagined doing such a thing except that by chance Mike discovered that the rhythm of those two songs really puts Chloe to sleep. So, I only know a few lines of each of those songs and after singing them for the hundredth time, I decided I should know the entire song. I'm certain Chloe will find them much more interesting and entertaining now (smile).

A Note on New Zealand Culture

We have a friend in town from the States and as we went about explaining nuances of the Kiwi culture, I was reminded of one of my first bus rides through the city. It was five 'o clock traffic. The bus was completely packed. We were driving up Symonds Street when I realized how quiet it was on the bus. Not a single person was talking on their cell phone. I thought, well, there must be some rule about talking on the cell phone on the bus or maybe Kiwis are just particularly considerate of others. I mean, if this were LA, surely there wouldn't be a single person on the bus not talking on their cell phone. It wasn't until later that I learned the Kiwis are texters. There are only two cell phone companies in the entire country and talking on the phone is really expensive, but texting is relatively free.

Reminiscing

Now that Chloe is all grown up, I've had a hankerin' to go back and look at her baby pictures. Okay, so she is still a baby. Let me correct and say I've gone back to look at her LITTLE baby pictures. Oh, can you believe how tiny she was?

Chloe & Daddy

Chloe loves her Daddy and he loves her. Its been so cool to watch their relationship grow and see how he is with her and how she responds to him.

Better Than the Movies

Mike and I braved our way to dinner and a movie last night, Chloe in tote. It was her first movie. If you've heard anything about the film or seen it you know there are phases to a magic trick. First you make something disappear, but the real part of the trick is making it reappear again. The reappearance is called, "The prestige." Well, Chloe seems to have this act down pat. During the previews, she cleverly made her voice disappear, but just as the theater got silent and the title of the film appeared on the screen, Chloe's voice made its reappearance with a boisterous, "Wha, whaaaaaa!" She claimed the prestige and all its glory. However, the audience did not react with applause, and she was quickly ushered offstage! Though it wasn't part of the act, we were able to get her voice to disappear again without missing any of the film. She actually slept through the whole thing. After the movie, I was so excited to see her again. It made me think of those times in life when a movie is really good and coming back to reality is disappointing. This time, though, when the movie was over, even though it was a really good film, as I walked down Broadway with my husband and my daughter, I realized that life right now is so much better than the movies.

The Sling

Chloe loves to go everywhere with us and I love to carry her around in her sling. One thing I wished for during pregnancy was to have a kangaroo pouch so I could see my little baby from the very beginning of her life. I had to settle for the ultrasound! But now I can carry her around in my own little kangaroo pouch. She loves the snug positioning and womb-like movements and I can look into my pouch anytime. This time was at the ill-named "Mosquito Beach." Like Iceland the name keeps people away, but there wasn't a mosquito in sight.

New Zealand Christmas Tree

New Zealanders have dubbed the Puhutakawa tree their Christmas tree because the beautiful red flowers bloom in December! Highways, beaches, and skylines are transformed by their festive red and green holiday spirit!

New Year's 2007

2006 has been one of the best years of my life! When we made the decision to move to New Zealand, God used the story of Moses and the Israelites going to the promised land as means of confirmation, but little did I know New Zealand would be such an Eden! We're surrounded by beauty that doesn't cease to amaze me, we've been met with such hospitality as I've never experienced before, we've grown in our marriage relationship, we've found a church and small group that we love, and we've received one of the greatest gifts we could imagine with the arrival of our daughter. How could life get any better? Somehow, I think it still will. We look forward to seeing what God has for us in 2007 and wish many blessings on all of our family and friends! Happy New Years! Hmmm, here we are with yet another great view of the fireworks right from the balcony of our apartment.

Chloe Talk - Broadband

the funniest baby in the world

Chloe Talk - Dial up

This baby is FUN.