Disco with Saveloys

Why, hello there!

We left home weeks ago and have finally gotten settled in our new home in Taupo, Waikato, New Zealand. There's so much to catch up on - but we'll just start with today - in media res :)

There was a disco at the Hilltop School and both boys attended. The "disco" was during school for Jasper's class and shortly after school for Aidan's. Jasper was psyched he got to wear pj's at school and Aidan's theme was "Hippies and Nerds." Here's what we came up with:

You can guess which he chose.

We were told that the children would have saveloys on a roll (what???) and lemonade as a special treat at the disco. Here's a pic of a saveloy:

Aidan says they taste about as good as they look. He had dinner when he got home. Jasper said, "They're like a hot dog with red stuff wrapped around it."

The disco really was a dance party -they played dance music, they had a smoke machine, there were glow sticks for purchase - and all the little kids bopped around and drank their lemonade. Aidan single handedly purchased and consumed 3 candy bars. It sounds like everyone had a great time.

I know everyone's really looking forward to photos. We had one full week of pouring rain, though - remember it's winter here -- so we've really just had one weekend to look around -- so more photos soon, but for now:

This was upon our arrival in the airport

So we were amazed at the color of the yolks in their eggs - they are really orange-y yellow.  Our favorite breakfast place in Wellington was called Floridita's. The boys still talk about it.

The ceremonial canoes kept in Wellington. Jasper speaks their language.

Of course, we had to visit the Weta cave.

Aidan doesn't know yet to be scared of Gollum. Tom, on the other hand....

Some friends we made in Wellington. Two of the other doctors who were attending the  orientation program in Wellington were there with their families. Tom made friends with their spouses and we spent some time hanging out together.

The best sculpture on Cuba Street in Wellington is called "The Bucket."

Our first visit to the Hilltop School!

First day! In uniforms!

This is the view from the school - on a cloudy day. We'll get a better photo later.

The view from our house, looking over the lake and the mountains beyond. You can see the snow on the big one.

Some photos from our first hike around the Tongariro River, in the town where I work, Turangi.

Some photos we took on our drive back - this is my drive to and from work, around Lake Taupo:

The boys are playing with their DS's in the car while Tom and I get out, walk a bit, sigh at the sunset, and joke about the kiwi who's driven off with our abandoned children. And how our children wouldn't notice that they're being driven by a stranger till their DS's run out of charge.

The next day we went to see them open the gates at the dam a little bit. They do this for 15 minutes a few times a day. I'm not sure why. There's a pretty dramatic change in the water level.

Near Huka Falls

OK - that catches us up :)
We are hoping to hike the mountain behind our house this weekend and maybe bathe in some thermal pools. Will post again soon!!