Whakarewarewa

Day 3 was off to an early start.

Breakfast...nope.

Ice Cream...yes!

Please just try to imagine the best ice cream you've ever ever ever tasted. 

Now multiply it by a gagillion.  That is NZ ice cream.

This special little shop is where all the General Authorities go to try the best NZ has to offer, at the best price too.

11 scoops?  I'd like to see that one in real life.

Hokey Pokey, mint cookie, passion fruit, boysenberry...you name it! 

Oh Pokeno...I miss you!

Then it was off to the next destination...Temple View.

This is where Phil went to the MTC.  That's the whole MTC behind us.

Yes, I said whole.

One house..their dorms were separate.

Look famililar?

The sign is gone (there is a new MTC closer to Auckland now) but here's Phil in his 19yr old glory!

He told me all that's changed is now he's able to choose his companion.

Pick me! :)

Temple View is so pretty.  

It's where the old church college used to be so there's a little community there.  

Onto our next stop for the day....Rotorua!

It was a rainy & foggy day so we had to get creative.  Luckily we were able to visit a māori village where villagers still live.

The bottom sign is the name of their village in māori.  

Try to say that, and then when you're done, try to say the eaiser version up top.

(Fakarewarewa)

The village was built on hot pots which the villagers use for heating their homes and for cooking and bathing.  We got to see their 'earth ovens' where they cook all their food, right in the ground with no fire, just the natural steam.  It sure smelled yummy!

And we also got to see a show including traditional māori music and language.  

They use their tonuges and eyes to generate fear in their enemies.

It worked...I was definitely freaked out!

Phil's demonstrating his tongue of fear here.

Scared?

We enjoyed Whakarewarewa and learned heaps about the māori culture of old.

Phew... enough for now.

Gotta go practice my tongue of fear.

Hei konā rā

xoxo

Good Friday

Good Friday was next up in our holiday to New Zealand.  

In Phil's family, the Easter Bunny comes on Good Friday.

Australian & New Zealand chocolate on a Friday = mmm GOOD Friday indeed!

Phil loved his "Cow Poo & Flies" that Jade got him.

Here's the whole fam-dam.

Look at all our chocolate. Cadbury chocolate.

Australia/NZ does Easter -right-.

Then it was off to the natural hot springs for a nice relaxing day.

I never thought that New Zealand would have so many hot springs, but it is a dormant volcano so go figure!

They had massive slides with no lifeguard at the top so you could just go whenever you wanted.

And then plop down on top of each other at then end.

We loved those slides.

I love no rules.

I love New Zealand.

Ha... I had to put this one up of Dad.  

After trying to dunk mum over and over, he took the plunge himself.

And again...under water.

Hot water.

Sorry Rach, you didn't make the cut. :)

Phil and I like to fight.

I am stealthy.

I always win. 

Always.

After coming home for a quick rinse to get rid of our lovely 'sulphuric odor' it was right back out again to 

SPOOKERS!

Haunted Houses just don't happen in Australia so when Rach found this one in NZ she was keen to go.

And who better to go with than a seasoned Haunted House go-er?

"Seasoned": meaning they exist where I grew up and I went during Halloween...sometimes.

It even had a corn maze. (this is exciting and uncommon down under alright!)

Ha.

We were a little bummed to find out the corn maze portion was closed but after being frightened just waiting in line we figured maybe it was a good thing!

 I led the bunch through our terror.

I told them I would lead, but that I'd scream and I did not disappoint!

ps. Mr Gorilla man, you are scary!

Honestly, best Haunted House ever.

Again the no rules in NZ made for the best.  It reminded me of the old days.

They wouldn't get sued for touching you, making you crouchl in a tunnel by spooky psycho man or leading you into pitch black corridors.

I'm not kidding. PITCH BLACK. While they grabbed our ankles.

Yikes!

.......................................................................

But we made it. And loved it. And were all happy that we braved our way through it.

Such an Good Friday.

Ah New Zealand...

xoxo

New Zealand...day by day

New Zealand.

This blessed place has a soft spot in my heart. 

 I love it.

It's quaint while there is still plenty of city lovin.

The livin' is easy.

And it's BEAUTIFUL.

I've never seen such a beautiful place. Ever.

I know photos won't capture it but I tried mmk?

We arrived at 12:00am Thursday morning.  

It was so good to see Mum & Dad again.  We've missed having parents!

After a sleep we woke up to our 'real' Thursday morning.

We took a little jaunt around Takapuna to see Mum, Dad & Rach's stomping grounds.

Can I just say that I love Takapuna?

Small cafes, local shops, beach views, island views...mmmm.

This beach was a 5 minute walk from Mum & Dad's.

It looks straight out to Rangatota Island.  It was beautiful.

Then it was off to a yummy Teppanyaki restaurant for lunch. 

Dad met us all there to enjoy lunch together.

We'd planned to go to the hot springs that night, but with the holiday weekend coming, all roads (the one) leaving Takapuna were packed, so we made a quick change and decided to do some Auckland city exploring.

On the way we stopped by a beautiful park...that was next to the speedway.  

(We know that's why Dad really wanted to stop there. ;) )

The park was beautiful!

(maybe I'll just say beautiful ten million times in this post)

It was picturesque everywhere you looked.

It even had this odd contraption...

This beast rotated and went in and out like a see-saw.

We couldn't quite figure out how to 'properly' use it, but we had enough fun!

Mum & I even joined Phil & Rach on it later on.

Oh my, that was an adventure!

Beautiful.

(make that ten million and one!)

And what better way to end the night than with Wendys!?

Yesir, my American taste buds were jumping for joy!

You can't get this in Australia!

I actually think that New Zealand is more like America than Australia is.
Who would've thought?

mmmmm. Now I'm hungry.

More to come.

Love New Zealand and miss it already.

xoxo

joy

hey it's me again.

Kaylee Bennallack.

oh, Kaylee Perucca Bennallack to be exact as them taxes are still goin down with the P-name.

Nothing much to report as of late...

We had the best dinner with Andrew and Alex last night.

Thanks Andrew for having a birthday.

Three months ago.

Whoops.

I'm ready for the holidays.

5 day weekend this week.  Bless Australia and their extreme Easter.

Add in a day of leave for me = 6 day weekend.

Holla.

We'll be voyaging to New Zealand.  Visiting the parentals & rach too.

Leaving on Wednesday.

Personally, I cannot wait.

Cannot.

Tis all for now. 

But enjoy something that I enjoyed.

I secretly wish that all my memories played out in my head like this.

Joy.

En-joy.

always want what you can't have

I want to eat whatever I want...

but I want to lose weight.

I want it to be warm...

but I don't want it to be sweaty hot.

I want it to be fall weather too...

but only until I want it to be warm again.

I want to live in Australia...

but I want to live in America.

I want to travel the world...

but I want to have savings.

I want to be perfect...

but I want to aim higher and improve.

I want to rolling waves at the beach...

but I want beautiful snow capped mountains.

I want to get a college degree...

but I want to never do homework again.

I want a giant lovely home with picture perfect furnishings,

but I want a cozy place that is within my means.

I want to have all the time in the world...

but sometimes time can't pass quick enough.

I want to be responsible...
but I don't want too many responsibilities.

I want everyone to be loving and understanding towards me,

but sometimes I'm quick to judge.

I want to be everywhere, every minute, everyday...

but I am content.

Right here.  Right now.

at least until the next verse comes along... :) 


xoxo

He's Mine

This be him.

The boy I love.

So classy.

I just was taking a small gander at some old photos and these beauts popped up.

He's a weirdo yes?

My weirdo.

Yes. 

This one gives you a sampling of his exclusive dance moves.

I say exclusive because I'm pretty sure the only an exclusive amount have witnessed them.

Including the cabin in Wyoming...and the broken porch.

Good one Phil.

Here's a sneak peak at Phil's softer side.

(A little treat for Jo too)

Look at Tony.

Such a cute little boy.

Tony has sure gotten bigger...or maybe just taller. :)

So cute.

This Phil boy is a genius.  On many accounts.

He knows how to woo an American into moving to Australia.

He knows how to buy me cute fabric.

He knows how to hold me when I'm sad.

He knows how to do the dishes for his wife.

See told you,

Genius!

Love you Phil.

Yesiree.

Favorite

Maybe my love of this has to do with my percussionist years.

This is cool and amazing.

I want one in my yard, or mountain.

One or the other.

Genius.