So we made a last minute trip to NZ to visit Grandma who will be undergoing surgery soon. We thought this surprise would brighten up her day. We especially wanted make it down while Gma and Gpa Calles were there so that the pictures would be complete. This would be Hali'a's first time seeing Smith family and to NZ and Nanea's 2nd trip.
Day1 (22nd Monday)
Packed up all our luggage and boarded Hawaiian Airlines Flight 445 at 2:50pm. While waiting for our flight, Keao stood in the window and yelled at me and daddy and everyone about the airplanes. Thanks to Aunty Keao we were able to fly standby to NZ. We packed and checked in 6 bags. The flight was open so they gave Nanea and Jason a 4 seat row and Hali'a and me a 2 seat window row. They traveled so well. We were actually very happy with the Hawaiian airlines service. At first we were nervous because we're so used to flying Air New Zealand.
We landed in NZ and Aunty Lian picked us up. We went straight home to surprise Grandma, at 12 am right after she went to the toilet.
Day 3 (24th Wednesday)
We spent the day trying to catch up on sleep and adjust to the NZ time zone. Gma and Gpa woke up to the surprise and got to meet Kawena. Nanea enjoyed playing with her Pemberton cousins, Brooklyn, Israel and Kingston, and with her Aunty Lee and Mahina. Grandma did coloring activities with the moko.
Day 4 (25th Thursday)
NZAC Dawn Parade-Holiday today. Since we were all up, we went the one in Manukau. Down to Hamilton and stopped at Pokeno. Dinner with Aunty Kris and Chantel who had a caterpillar in her burger!
Day 5 (26th Friday)
Taniora came with us for the day. He and Nanea play well together. We went to Aunty Lee's and Uncle Ross' to play with more cousins and toys. It's a little easier to watch kids with more around because they entertain each other. We then had dinner with Bronson and Taniora.
Woke up to go to the Last Frankton market. We bought some earrings, a beach mat, and some food. Chilled at Aunty Lees and napped. Family photos at the Chinese Garden in Hamilton Gardens in Chinese outfits and with Chinese Grandma Calles and Grandma. Dinner at McDonalds. Jason and I went to the Chiefs vs. Sharks Rugby game with Bronson and Taniora, dropped off and picked up by Jackson and Quinten, while Aunty Kris and Aunty Chantel watched the girls for us.
Day 7 (28th Sunday)
Church with the Pemberton's at the McKay Ward where we ran in to the Fruean's, the Daniel's and many other family friends of the Smith's.
Day 8 (29th Monday)
Jason went for a morning surf with Jerome Kaka. Meanwhile, we spent time with Taniora as we all walked to the Fruean's house on 9 McKay with the stroller. The hills are pretty mean when pushing 3 children on a double stroller. They were our neighbors at TVA and we hung out together quite often. Their kids have grown within just these past 4 months. More time at Aunty Lee's.
Day 9 (30th Tuesday)
Daddy went for another morning surf session with Jerome, I went running. Hung out at Lee's with Aunty Mahina. We went to Lily's for a quick ice cream and lollies. Headed back up to Auckland to see off Gma and Gpa Calles with small visits from Aunty Baari, Aunty Tash and cousins. Time to spend more time with Grandma and papa.
Spent the day at home with grandma. Went to the $2 shop to look for some stuff. Got a roast/plate lunch dinner.
Day 11 (1st Thursday)
Jason went down to Hamilton for a surf with Jerome. We stayed in Auckland and hung out with the Pemberton family and went to Aunty baari's house to play this cousins while grandma and Aunty Lee got things ready for moko madness.
Moko Madness! We helped prep for moko madness. Went to Aunty Baari's for a little play. Enjoyed loco moko's for dinner with broccoli, carrots and cheese sauce. Then, moko movie night with snacks (ice cream, popcorn, oreo dessert).
Moko Madness! Breakfast with family, then off to watch and support Aunty Maraea and Uncle Ross with their crossfit challenge which they won against a team in Auckland! Ross competed in the strong man and Maraea in the individual endurance running. Jason and I were so excited that we were just about ready to jump in and get dirty too. We'll go and workout with them on Monday. We managed to fit in a most up to date family photo even though everyone was not in their prime appearance most sporting their jackets from grandma. Ate lunch at Denny's and then home for a nap.
Day (5th Sunday)
Hung out with Grandma, Papa and Aunty Mahina. Went to Church with them. Nanea went to Nursery fine but came home a little under the weather and tired. We drove down to Hamilton at night.
Day (6th Monday)
Nanea was sick all day with a fever so we just stayed in all day and enjoyed some fish and chips for dinner. Hali'a Spat up in daddy's face.
Day (7th Tuesday)
I got a massage from Kelly Rachel in the morning. It was awesome. We attended the funeral service of Uncle Tom Kershaw, then visited Nan's grave. It took a while to find it, but when we did Jase cleaned it. At night we all gathered together in the to play at the school. Everyone just played and ate snacks. We had a blast.
Jase went in the water, the girls and I spent time with Aunty Lian, Brooklyn and Kingston while going to the playcenter and stopping at the doctors on the way home since Nanea had this weird rash.We made sure to stop at the temple. It's been 3 years since we were married in this temple so it has a very special place in my heart. We went to do some initiatories while Lee and the kids watched the girls for us.Spent our last dinner with them, Kris and Chantel eating curry. Stopped to say bye to Taniora and Bronson. We made a needed stop to Lily's for some lollies. Stopped at Matt's so Jase could see the twins.
Last full day with Grandma and Aunty Mahina and we just chilled indoors. Jase was hurtin' from the crossfit workout with Ross and Maraea that he hit the spa while we were napping. Had our last feed of roast and fish and chips. Hali'a started to come down with a fever just in time for the flight! We did some last minute shopping, then left for Hawaii, home, at 11:50pm.
