Summer Holidays 2016-7

What a meaningful trip to the USA!  I feel very thankful.  Our summer holidays were full of people who are important to me...

Family, including many fascinating and precious kids of:  

• Dan and Megan
• Amy and Aaron
• Ani and John 
• James and Rachel 
• Ammon and Kristin 
• Dad and Mom Jones
• Noah on Skype 
• Lucinda and Neumann and their extended family
• Mom and Dad Miller
• Jon and Megan 
• Carolyn and Doug 
• Tracie and Marc  
• Savanna 
• Jen and Jeremy (briefly!)

Cherished Friends...  

• Miners 
• Jorgensens 
• Sessions 
• Osguthorpes 
• Hobsons 
• Holmsteads 
• Ebertings
• Mt Mahogany 1st Ward, including Bishop Faux and the Hills
• Hales 
• Greens 
• Beckwiths 
• Blacks 
• Addams 
• Mechams
• Sage S. 
• Irene
• Melissa, Jen and HollyS

Maybe putting you all in a list makes you imagine that you are lumped together in my mind, but it is exactly the opposite.  I felt that naming you by name is the only way I can begin to acknowledge each of you and the varying relationships that I personally have with each of you and many of your kids.  

Special thanks to Dan and Megan, Amy and Aaron, and Nana and Gramps, for letting us stay in your homes.

Also, special thanks to Steve and Michelle who have hosted Danny, Robin and Cory who hosted Oak, Rachel and James who hosted Sage and Joyce.

The last picture I took in the USA before boarding our flight back to NZ.

My holiday included some amazing books:

reads like a dystopian novel, but it's real

set in North Korea

intriguing stories of "talent clusters" and master teachers

this book never fails me

annual family read-aloud

Audiobook on the way to and from our family backpack in Tongariro

I'll never see Dr. Seuss's "Oh the Places You'll Go" the same way again...

Links to videos made by Mike, Oak, Mercy, Maihi about the last couple of months:

Maihi- Second New Plymouth Young Men's video 

Mike- Sledding with Nana and Gramps

Oak- Skiing at Alta

Mike- Tongariro Backpack

Mercy- Tongariro Backpack