Releasing Blue Penguins, March 2012

On a questionably fine day, it rained on and off, 3 blue penguins were released. It was part of the Omana Family Day festivities. Wild Bird Care had taken care of these 3 and it was time for freedom!

Mandy, placing the little blues into boxes to carry them down to the beach.

"We're so close... I can smell it!"

3... 2... 

1..  After a few moments of confusion..

They begin to get the idea.

And once 1 got it, they all followed along.

Making their way through the waves.

A look around, and

off they go!

The first week of February 2011

School started on February 1st. The weather is still lovely then, so dinner on the deck.

The many faces of the Osipov children...










Swimming, swimming, and more swimming!

S in the surf - oh... this is a non-wavy beach - Maraetai. It is located about 20 minutes from our home, so a good place to go after school or a short weekend dip.


J without his water squirter, no long distance splashing.




Then, back at home, where Lydia and Ethan were waiting to be entertained!

"Don't get me wet", says Lydia!!!


Oh, never mind...


Everyone was in on the trick! The screeching was amazing and then the revenge was sweet!

Day 2 - 1 November 2009

We woke up to the Auckland Marathon! It ran right by our Apartment building. According to the web, 1268 men and 590 women ran; this included at least 1 Storm Trouper!


Near the start, the view from our balcony.

Coffee at Esquires, with a view of the racers and a Princess Cruise Liner.




The spectators were colorful too!

The best playground ever!

We were confused by this round toy at first; it is fun to ride on, but then we saw how it should be done.




More, different, spinning!
First Kiwi girlfriend!

There are people walking around out there! They also bungee jump off that ring!!!!

Fun with Seed Heads!






The Sky Tower from our balcony. It is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. And the Posers!

31 October 2009

Our first morning in Auckland New Zealand. We survived the flight from Milwaukee/Los Angeles/Auckland and arrived at 0500. We had a studio apartment until our “real” apartment was ready. So we dropped off our 10+ bags in the tiny apartment and took off to get breakfast. The place where we are staying is called Latitude 37 and consists of 2 attached buildings with this gigantic court yard with 3 gigantic planters.

We breakfasted at Esquires, right on the edge of the port.

We found this great stepped fountain in the center of the city.