Coming home!

Well, I am about to start packing for the big trip home! Looking forward to Texas Christmas.

I board my plane at 2 p.m. today (7 p.m. your Thursday). Wish me safe travels and I will see you all very soon.

much love...

We Moved!!!

Thank God almighty.... Aaron and I are out of our crap apartment. We moved. We (he) owns a house now! We are in the land of the living!!! There is light in my house now. There is heat. There is space. I am happy.

I will post more pictures but here are a couple. We have a great view and a bit of a yard... not much though (but we kind of like it that way. Not much to do!)

Christchurch with Ben Harper & Pearl Jam

Thanksgiving weekend, Aaron and I and all of Dunedin went on a road trip to Christchurch. Not since the Kings of Leon concert in April has there been a more talked about concert here in New Zealand (well, at least the lower half of NZ).

I have posted some pictures from the concert. It was a great concert, although I was a bit disappointed in Ben Harper (who I love), but Pearl Jam put on one hell of a show. And to those of you who saw them at Austin City Limits... he drank from a bottle of wine the entire set.

Rachel's 22nd Birtday

On Nov 26th, Aaron's little sister, Rachel, turned 22. Ah, to be 22 again....

The whole family got together for dinner at the latest, greatest, Dunedin hot spot restaurant - Pier 24. And I must admit, I was impressed. The service (which is non-existent in NZ) was wonderful, the ambience was beautiful and the food was amazing.
We had a great night with the family for Rachel's birthday.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Well, this is my first time away from home at Thanksgiving and I am so sad to be missing out on all the family, fun and festivities. (and not to mention all of Betty's pilgrim and turkey decor). Thanksgiving is always one of my favorites... So, I was not about to let New Zealand get in the way!!!

Last Sunday, we hosted Thanksgiving dinner at Aaron's brother's (Damon) house and invited the whole Cooper clan. Now, the most spectacular thing about the whole idea was not that we were having Thanksgiving in NZ, but that I, yes me, would be cooking. And anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a horrible cook. But their family put their faith into me and prayed that it would turn out okay. Which, I would like to add, it did.

Aaron and Damon were in charge of the hot ham (which is something never cooked here - they only eat ham cold, weird...). Chanel made a yummy potato salad, Ainslie - his mom - made broccoli and asparagus with fattening cheese sauce, his sister made a wonderful pumpkin pie and then I made Deviled Eggs, Dressing, Cranberry Sauce and Corn Casserole.

The dinner was a HIT! What fun to host thanksgiving and what fun it was to cook. And I didn't kill anyone with my cooking! YET!

MoVember

Lord help us all! Aaron and the other 2 million men in New Zealand all have mustaches. No no no, the ship carrying razors wasn't hijacked by somalian pirates... it is MoVember, Prostate Cancer Awareness month. Aaron's grandpa passed away of Prostate Cancer last month and Aaron and Damon are taking part (as they do every year) of MoVember, but this year has an extra special meaning for them.

At the end of the month, the boys find people to "sponsor" them to shave off the Mo. That money is then donated to a Prostate Cancer Research Non-Profit.

So, although my boyfriend looks like a dirty, shady man... in support of Beau Heather (Pop), I will tell Aaron and all the other boys that I love their mustaches.

Whoop and Gig 'Em

I thought this was a great picture of Aaron supporting the good ol' Ags all the way in New Zealand. This was taken on Oct 31st in the Dunedin Harbour. We spent the day drinking beer in the harbour with a couple of friends.  WHOOOP!