Okay - we've returned from a great vacation with our parents and Ashley! It's taking some time to get back accostumed to this time zone, but we're both back into the swing of things at work. We're hoping to make this year a year of more balance... please pray that we are able to succeed at this, as work has dominated both of our lives for the past year or two, and it may be difficult to get out of this habit.

New Zealand was wonderful! We had a great time connecting with our families, and truly enjoyed driving around the south island. The pictures will do a much better job of describing our trip.

(It was a bit chillier than we expected)

(Pancake Rocks on the West Coast)

(The top of the Franz Joseph... from the "warmth of a helicopter)

(a picture stop on a morning drive in the rain)

(another stop later that same day)

(two people on a bridge)

(dad's and my view for most of New Year's Eve... New Zealand v. Sri Lanka)

(seals at Milford Sound)

(along the drive to the Sound)

(Kiwis!)