Leading up to Christmas...

Over the last couple of weeks, it's been a challenge for us to get into the Christmas spirit. Not because it's not celebrated here, only because it's not snowing and -15 degrees. Since this is our first Christmas without any of the white stuff, we've been extremely surprised at how much the white stuff influences our mood and plays such an important role in the Canadian Christmas.

Snow + cold weather = typical Canadian Christmas
vs
Hot & sunny + 24 degress = kiwi Christmas


However, we finally had a Eureka moment. If we are in NZ for Christmas, let's do what the kiwis do to get into the swing of things... so we have and guess what, we found our Christmas!!!

It started with Christmas in the Park. Over 12,000 people gathered in the local park to have a picnic, sing Christmas carols, and welcome Santa who arrived via helipcopter to be escorted by the firefighters to the main stage. It was awesome! Very special when you consider that there are only about 45,000 people in Whangarei. We all really enjoyed singing "White Christmas" while sitting on the green grass.

Then it was the Christmas parade that took place just at the bottom of our street here in Kamo. It's the only Christmas parade in the area and you could tell since everyone was here for that one too. Mackenzie loved watching all the floats, musicians and people cheering on as the parade took place. It was 27 and sunny. One of our hottest days since we've been here. There is something to be said about cheering on Santa and not simply clapping to keep warm.

Of course, another important ingredient to spreading the Christmas cheer was decorating Fraser and Sarah's tree. This was so much fun. Christmas really came alive to see Mackenzie's eyes light-up as we wrapped the tree with as many Christmas lights, garland and decorations as we could! The tree looks amazing! Fraser, Sarah, you've herited some extra Christmas decorations thanks to Sue and Jan!

We can't forget the Firefighter Christmas party. How wonderful and different! Picture all the kids playing in a swimming pool, running and sliding on the "wet banana", having water fights and jumping around on the inflated castle. Back home there would also be a lot of slidding and jumping around, it would just be in the white stuff!

Finally, the most important ingredients of all arrived this past Sunday: family -Aunt Jaqueline and Mr. and Mrs. G. Jaqueline still can't believe she is here and Mr. and Mrs G. had an amazing time on their trip. WE are so lucky to have them here for Christmas!

We all can't wait to spend Christmas with Sarah's family at their batch on the beach enjoying a real kiwi Christmas filled with lots of sun, sand, food, and great company.

Michael, Mackenzie, Breeana and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family. While we are having the time of our lives here we do miss all of you very much.

Love you all!