Waihi Beach

We packed up "Jucy" and left Auckland behind heading east towards Waihi Beach (in the Bay of Plenty).  I have lots of blurry photos of beautiful scenery from the window of our speeding van.  Here are some highlights...

We arrived to a little house a few blocks from Waihi Beach.  Our timing couldn't have been better - arriving the day after their holiday break when school was starting back.  It left us with a long, beautiful beach, almost all to ourselves.

Beach Fun

Gpa Terry getting his feet wet

Isaac getting his feet wet!

We managed to find a playground to burn off some steam before dinner. 

Tunnel climbing

Is Grandma Elaine going to fit?

And a bunch of evening photos of "our" empty beach.  So, so beautiful - the pictures don't even do it justice.

I should have known something was up when Perrie wanted to lay under her beach towel instead of play in the ocean.  Sure enough, she woke up the next morning with a fever and bright red rash on her cheeks & body.  Poor Perrie - luckily we packed some Tylenol & she was a pretty good trooper.  She was remarkably quiet for several days though - if you've been around her lately, you know that's unusual.

In fact, last night she said:  "Mom, do you know why I don't really like to talk very much?"
    "Really?  You don't like to talk very much?"
    "Um, actually I do like to talk a lot."
Another quote of the trip:
     Dad:  "Perrie, more ears, less mouth"
     Perrie:  "My ears ran out of batteries."

Perrie & her rosy cheeks