End to 2023

NOVEMBER

This was a bit of a bittersweet month. My parents close mate had passed suddenly and came to NZ to be here for the tangi. It wasn't the best reason, but it was nice to see my family. We spent a lot of time together and got in as much time as we could while people were in town and it was really nice. 

Dad and I had some time just us and got breakfast together. 

My cousin/aunty lol and my best mate had their baby and I had a new cousin!!! Was so stoked that we got to go and meet him after only a day or two of being born. He was gorgeous and I love him so much already. 

We got fish burgers at the wharf in Rags. 

Some of the treats that were made for me by Laitin hehehe. 

You can catch some of the best views of the sunset from Laitin's deck, I swear by it haha. Here's a shot of that from one night. 

DECEMBER

Laitin and I got pizza from one of our fave spots called Umu in Auckland. They do wood fired style and that's my fave and they just have some of the bestest flavors so we are big fans on a day where we feel like treating ourselves hehe. 

Dumpling house, another favorite of ours. I love asian and they do fried rice and dumplings so well!!

Tried this sandwich place in Raglan, got me a reuben sandwich hehe. Was a good switch up from the normal things around NZ. 

Okay and as much as we love eating out LOL, we also have been trying really hard to be better at cooking at home, so here's some proof of us trying hard in that category haha. 

Beef and broccoli.

French toast.

Mihi made this one, but this is one of my favorite meals!

Fruit in the summer is TOP tier, so dang good!!! So we've been on a chocolate covered fruit kick.

My sister was off to Mexico for the MTC and then off on her 18 month mission to Argentina. This big softy obviously wasn't ready for her to go hehe. Loved this picture that my mum caught of Hermana Hawea off on her way.

Ngati Pango finally made it on the number 1 spot and won the money heist escape room after a few times and we were proud! 

Spent some time with this sweet boy hehe.

Hung out with Mesa girl hehe! Thank you to Beau for snapping this photo of us haha.

Another sunset pic!

My Koro has Christmas lights up at the house and they're freaking lit haha. Love that his house is very much so in the Christmas spirit hehe. 

Allen Stone with some of our faves! It was cool that we got to see him live all together. I like Jackson Owens and he opened for him, so that was another cool add on. After the concert we all went to Last Place for dinner and that is always a fave. 

Our new normal as a family hehe. All in different parts of the world, catching up over video call hehe but I am so grateful. Grateful for technology that connects us when were so far away from one another. It's such a blessing. 

The Hamilton NZ temple does temple Christmas lights every year, so it was cool that we got an opportunity to be volunteers one of the nights. Our mate Trent came over for dinner and then came along with us to volunteer. We got to catch up and see family and friends, and also meet lots of visitors who didn't know much about our church or had come from other parts of the world. It was such a cool and special night. So grateful we got to help and participate in that. 

2023 was so good to us. So excited for our 2024 and all the goodness that is going to come from the new year!!