Soundtrack of my night

You know those times steeped in nostalgia and sentiment when your insides feel as heavy and dense as the iron core of the Earth?  Well that's me tonight as I wait for Pauly to get home from another hard week's work. My dad and Sandy have officially made it back home safe and sound - maybe that's a part of it.  We had a really wonderful visit but again I'm reminded of what I'm missing back home.  This year has flown even though thinking back to last July seems like an eternity.  I know what you're thinking.  Don't get me wrong, I am immensely grateful for this time - we are beyond lucky to have these opportunities yet naturally I still yearn for "home".  Oh life, how you enchant me.   Ok take this mic away from me!   
Happy Anniversary to my mom and Buddy celebrating 4 years of marriage and Carolyn & Luther who are celebrating 65 years today.  WOW!  

Long and Winding Road

Skandy's visit has been full of laughs and other bodily outbursts!  We spent the first few days around Auckland, followed by a long weekend road trip over to Rotorua and then up to the Coromandel Peninsula.  Yeeeehaww!  

Photo shoot at Karekare 

Waiheke time!  Sandy has decided this is where she will retire.  

He's got that Paton flair!

So does she!

Volvo Ocean Race leg in Auckland

Lake Rotorua

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Love this shot Paul took

Best birthday present!

Inferno Lake - NOT Kool-Aid

Lake Rotomahana and Tarawera Volcano in the distance

Stumbled upon this on our way up to the Coromandel

Coromandel Peninsula - is that real?!

Opito Bay

Paul's new friend, Blackbeard who appeared and disappeared mysteriously
from that grassy stuff.  Was she real?   

"Skip, you were right"

Birthday digger!!

Heaven

Doesn't that look like Bits waiting patiently for somebody to throw her racquet?  

kthx byyeeee