Auckland, West Coast, Hamilton etc.

Downtown Auckland is one of my favorite places to go when I visit my parents, Queens Street especially. With Japanese restaurants literally lining every street corner, Max thought he had died and gone to heaven. Although a lot of the restaurants serve fish galore, my favorite place to get lunch is Elliot Stables, where I promise you can find the best margherita pizza in all the world (plus it has the best street view of the Sky Tower).

West Coast beaches/Northland

The Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), two thousand years old. 

You can't tell from the picture, but it's 42ft around the base of this tree!

Walking along the beach at night, seeing dim lights from sailboats dotting the water, and the moon reflecting off the ocean, I'm certain, is one of the best things in life. I'm too afraid to go swimming after dark, but just looking at it was so pretty.

Hamilton, New Zealand

It felt so funny the first couple of years celebrating the holidays in sunny, 80 degree weather. But twinkle lights in palm trees, a trip to the temple, and having the entire family together (first time since our wedding!) entirely made up the difference. Spending Christmas on an island? Worth it.