The Ostrom Family Adventures

Aunt Jill and her friend Rhonda (now Our friend Rhonda) came to visit after their own epic Pacific Moana crossing via Carnival Cruises. They traveled from Seattle to multiple Pacific islands – waved at us as they cruised below Tonga, and then had a week on Sydney Australia before flying to Auckland to see us!

It was a lovely week, we picked them up in Auckland and fit all the luggage and the 5 of us in our car, Gnar Gnar Mitsubison, and drove north to Matakana and met up with Tommy and April for an incredible dinner at Matakana Market kitchen. Saturday morning we all walked around the gorgeous Matakana Market, had breakfast and said hi to the Tuna (Maori word for Eels).

We bought picnic fixings and all went out to Tawharanui reserve and beach and had and awesome time in the sun and playing in the waves.

Then we had a lovely visit at Tommy and Aprils place up in Leigh and dinner at The Stables restaurant. Delish and so fun.

The next day we had a fun breaky from Ringawera Bakery and bit o’shopping and then headed south to Muriwai beach to introduce them to the Gannets! They have eggs in their nests now and it was so fun to see them in this stage since we last saw them in July.

It was also fun to be there with Tommy and his fancy Camera. Check out his Instagram for some really incredible photography https://www.instagram.com/fruin_t?igsh=cG5tZWc0dnk5YW00. Or see his website that I just found <Tomfruinphotography.com>

We had an awesome picnic on Maori Bay beach and even whispered a gentle “Hi there” to a sleepy seal hanging out on the beach.

We then took a travel fatigued Aunt Jill and Rhonda back to our house in Hamilton. We had a relaxing week hanging out and playing a lot of games of SkyJo and Blackjack and Farkle.

Jill and Rhonda helped me find a dress for Tommy and April’s wedding next July. And we took them to the Waitomo caves to see the Gloworms or Titiwai in Maöri.

They lived our real day to day lives with us and We also went to Leif’s first Touch Rugby Match ever. It was so fun to watch him figuring out this new sport.

I am so impressed with and proud of this kid! He had 1 practice and knows very little about playing rugby but said “I think I’m just going to have to Forrest Gump this game.” And he did!!! He got an awesome breakaway, but he misunderstood where the Try (Goal) line was and set the ball down too soon. His coach was awesome and let him know that was a “right of passage” in rugby and everyone has done it. He had such a great attitude and was so cool to watch.

We got them out to the Hamilton Gardens before Rhonda Left on Thursday and introduced them to New Zealand Butter Chicken Pies and Feijoa smoothies.

I’m so thankful for this time together with Aunt Jill and for all the travel she has inspired me to do and that she has done with us.