Our Last Christmas in New Zealand...

I have always sort of lived towards something, towards a celebration, vacation, day, or deadline. Although I try to keep a much more positive view towards life, the little pessimistic voice that rarely comes out anymore reminds me, "don't live a life of countdowns." Christmas has come and gone, but reminded me how fast time goes and also gave me a helpful hint of relaxing. This time last year I was dragging Luke all over the tri-state areas, in and out of family homes and celebrating the holidays with my family in New Jersey. It was a joyous time of year and filled my heart with so much happiness. Fast forward and a lot has happened to me, to us, to my family. I can't believe a WHOLE year has passed.

2011 was filled with lots of happiness, a few trying times, and of course: lots of learning and lessons, that's what makes life exciting. As we enter 2012 I am awakened by the fact that soon a HUGE chapter of my life will finish. I am blessed, for lack of a better word, at how this adventure has helped me see, appreciate, experience, and mold myself into a better person. I don't think I needed too much fixing prior to my travels, but I'm glad that I took a chance to live on the other side.

The only way is up, or so I've been trying to think. With only 7 months, estimated, left in New Zealand I am definitely going to slow down and enjoy the moments. You never know when we will get the chance to come back and life doesn't need to be rushed anymore than it already is. I think I will become a reborn traveler and try to see and do as much as I can - on the cheap, obviously.

How we spent our Christmas holidays -

[ Christmas cards from family and friends ]

[ Part of my morning tea shout at work - Strawberry Santa Hats - A Summery Christmas ]

[ Our Charlie Brown Christmas tree - It's a wild pine tree that I cut down from a local farm paddock ]

[ Luke surprised me - of course it was wrapped in two layers of duct tape and four layers of wrapping paper - to find a beautiful charm bracelet! ]

[ I was going to give Luke this later, but after his beautiful gift, I had to match it. :) ]

[ Justine and Jean, Luke's mum ]

[ Lisa, Luke's sister ]

[ Colin, Luke's dad, opening up bar stools that we got them for their bus renovation ]

Luke's Parents, Jean and Colin:

• Bar stools for their bus renovation
• Bath Products
• Christmas Gift Basket filled with lots of goodies
• Bach cd and hand creams

Lisa, Luke's sister:

• Wireless mouse
• Laptop cleaner
• Shorts, candies, handcreams, odds and ends

Justine, Luke's sister:

• Lady Gaga cd
• Bath sets
• Hair accessories
• Candies and handcream

Luke and myself:

• A bottle of Gin and whiskey glasses - from me :)
• Calander and Supermarket Voucher from parents
• Pandora bracelet for Anna from Luke :)
• iPod touch for Luke from Anna :)
• water bottle