I baked my first loaf of homemade bread, and it came out great - in typical Molly fashion for my first bread making experience I selected a recipe that makes 6 loaves. uh we are a family three, so we have a freezer full of fresh bread.

long time no blog - I have been in a bit of a fog trying to settle into our new home and country. In May we will have been here 7 months - how is this possible?

Kendall and I arrived to a bit of drama - our house had flooded and new carpets and paint ruined so despite the attempt I had made to at least get bedrooms ready for us we found ourselves still living out of suitcases and camping in an empty house - Mark's arrival was delayed by weather so we were lonely waiting for him to arrive. Kendall and I took the bus to Opua to meet Southern Star and being reunited after months was a very emotional.

We have spent the last few months really just settling in - and sailing, enjoying a beautiful summer. The house needs work and furniture - but it is coming along, and Devonport is becoming home. We are making friends, reuniting with sailing friends some of whom after spending some time exploring New Zealand will continue to cruise and are preparing to leave for Fiji. I can see part of Mark would really like to ditch the new daily routine and return to the sea - but the kitty does need to be replenished.

Along those lines - Southern Star is for sale. A bittersweet decision, as we have enjoyed sailing the bays here in Auckland, but we have discovered it is a bit more boat that we need for bay cruising. It was my home for a year and a half, and although it was an adjustment to live on the boat it became our family space, home. After the crew had been living on the boat, when Kendall and I would meet up with Mark our home didn't seem ours anymore, and it was a bit confusing for Kendall to have a boy living in her bedroom. So, Mark talks about the next boat and I think we have both learned what we want and don't want in the next one, so something to look forward to.

Winter is coming. Yesterday was very rainy and I understand we will have several months of rain. Tough for us both as we have been used to following summer for the past two years, but I like it - as long as it doesn't make it's way into the house.

I have discovered I love to cook. Mark laughs as says he would have appreciated this discovery of talent in the beginning of our marriage as he recalls I had a habit of serving grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner( in fairness I did work full time) Now he enjoys Indian & Thai along with the good old American standards of homemade meat loaf, and split pea soup. Who'd have thunk it - but I do have the time now, which was one of the reasons we moved here to have a better balance of family life. Kendall is in daycare part time, I work part time and Mark is home for dinner every night with us - it is lovely, and we are happy.

Ack...three more days, and we are off. I am crazed, Kendall and I are not packed and my list of "to-do's" feels overwhelming. We have had so long to get ready for this move, but now that it is here I am a bit crazed - just trying to breathe and accomplish one thing at a time.

Kendall had a farewell party at school on Friday, and although it was exciting to be the center of attention, she seemed a little out of sorts and confused by all the goodbyes. She must be feeling a mix of excitement to get to her new house and see her daddy, but anxiety about the change to her routine. Last night she slept with Grandma and Grandpa, and I think those cuddles are very comforting to her and she needs to stock up on that lovin' as we will be missing family after our move.

Sunday is Grandma's birthday, and I would like to try and relax and help her celebrate! Although she and Grandpa will be happy to have their house back I think we all all miss each other terribly!

How can it be September 20th already? I was just checking Mark's blog to find out where in the world he is and I hopped to mine and couldn't believe I hadn't posted an update since the Cook Islands! It's not that nothing exciting has happened since then, but wow time sure has flown by.

Kendall is enrolled in Berkeley Montessori through September and loving every minute of it - although she does know we are leaving for our new house in 2 more weeks! Actually 10 more days, but two weeks in preschool time. She is pretty excited, and about all I have done for the new house is make arrangements for her bedroom to be ready for her. Her one request -besides a dog (to keep Harriet company) has been a bunk bed - so that there will be a place for all her friends to stay when she has sleep overs. Kendall has been through a lot of change these pasts months, and has really missed her Dad, I know she is looking forward to a family reunion and the establishment of a routine - me too!

When I went to the Cooks I picked up the new Peter Godwin book, When a Crocodile Eats the Sun, to take to Mark, but got so into it - I brought it back with me so I could finish it. What a super read. I can't wait to try and give it to Mark again. It is an amazing story of Africa. Gave it to my mother, and though it's not her "genre" (dog detectives or heady english literature) she could not put it down either - highly recommend - now I am looking for another good book to get into. Send your recommendations! I left I am Charlotte Simmons in Tahiti and was really enjoying it - I should pick it up from the library and finish it.

Back from a very brief visit to the Cook Islands. Kendall and I began our vacation with one night at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. We prepared for the 10 hour flight by spending the day at the Santa Monica Pier and walking around the third street promenade.

Kendall was an angel on the flight, Mark met us at 5:00 am at the airport in Rarotonga and it was a thrill for us both to see him. Slight problem checking out of customs, Mark had asked for a few bottles of whiskey to last for the remaining few months of the trip and I also picked up a few bottles of California wine to enjoy on our visit. When checking out the agent asked how many adults in our party, and my reply was sheepishly one. She then looked at the six bottles, and confirmed we were visiting for 6 days.....a small fee and we were on our way.

First thing I asked was where is the tat! I have been reading Michael's blog and there was mention of a tattoo excursion with pictures of Andy and Michael, conspicuously missing was mention of Mark. The suspicions of this wife tend to be right on, and Mark revealed a tasteful and reasonable sized traditional design on his chest that incorporated the initials M & K in a circular wave design, regretfully I did not take a picture

Next on our agenda was to meet the crew of Liahonna, Jim, Wendy, Kiera and Kai. Mark has been telling me about them for weeks, fun crew, I would love them, and that I did. I met Wendy and immediately thought NBF! Kendall took to Kiera and Kai immediately and it was fun for us all to have friends.

The Gannaway family invited us to join them at their holiday home and for the six days we were in Rarotonga it was the center of activity for crew and new friends. Initially I was concerned about the comfort of others having us stay with our three year old in one bedroom in a shared house, but Kendall was on good behavior, and Wendy assures me year four is right around the corner and things will get easier.

I am back to work and hoping to finish up my assignment soon as the house in Devonport will be ready for us in August. Kendall and I will likely meet up with Southern Star again in Fiji, but this time flying from Auckland perhaps in October. Already it feels like the adventure is coming to a close although there are four more months until New Zealand. Time has really gone by fast.

After our romantic family reunion in Tahiti, Kendall and I returned to the unseasonably cool weather this spring of the Bay Area. We had to find some sun quick! So Kendall's pal Clara and her mom and I went for a girls gone wild weekend to Vegas at the fantastic Red Rock Resort. Wow, did we all have fun. Three days of ladies of leisure. The girls swam in the pool all day, we then deposited them each night at the Kids Quest Day Care and enjoyed grown up dinners. I cannot say enough about this resort for families - okay it wasn't Tahiti, but the resort was so luxurious. Multiple pools, high tech rooms, over a dozen restaurants, a bowling alley, a theater - and the service was out standing, friendly, helpful and the pool was full of kids for the girls to play with. How can you beat an hour plane ride, and mid week hotel rates? I am dying to go back. When it was time to check out Kendall asked please could we stay here, she wasn't ready to come home, nor was I!

Again, back to the routine of work and life at Grandma's. Which has it benefits, but it is not a resort!

We heard from Southern Star a few days ago and they are on their way to Bora Bora, likely they are there by now, and I am looking forward to getting an update. From what I understand Bora Bora is a very special place. Then I believe the guys are on to the Cook Islands. Kendall and I will likely make a trip in July to meet up with them again. Kendall sure is becoming the expert traveller - plus I have to the routine down or travelling with a toddler - take the red eyes!

Finally a few minutes to update our adventures!

Kendall and I met Southern Star in Papeete in May. Mark met us at the airport with leis and Kendall was over the moon to see Dad! She ran into his arms grinning ear to ear, squeezed and couldn't let go! It was so nice to see my handsome husband! I made it through customs with the 50 pound alternator with no problem. Whew! We spent our first night at the Sheraton on Papeete and the next day we walked to the Marina to meet Southern Star and crew. From there we had an amazing sail to Moorea. Alas, no fish! After all our living and sailing on Southern Star I have yet to eat a fish caught by Mark - the crew all swear fish have been had, but I have yet to benefit! We did have an amazing pod of dolphins playing at the bow of the boat and Kendall was delighted.

Upon arrival at Moorea, Kendall, Mark and I disembarked at the Pearl Resort and settled in to a holiday of leisure for 7 days. Mark enjoyed a bed, CNN, room service and the routine of family. We played in the pool, explored the island on bikes and by foot, took Kendall for a kayak ride, and relaxed! Lots of honeymooners at the resort, but also lots of kids - french speaking. Kendall made several friends, and they all figured out how to communicate through the secret language of three year olds. Kendall especially liked a little boy named Marius! She bossed "Morris" around like her pet and they frolicked in the pool for hours together. It was adorable.

Tahiti is truly paradise. The landscape, the water, the people - amazing. We had an incredible reunion. The smell in the air is so sweet. Alas, it came to an end much too quickly. The sail back to Papeete was rough. Not the peaceful sail we enjoyed on the way over, and poor Kendall was sea sick - shame.

We said our goodbyes to the crew of Southern Star with dinner at a very elegant French(how did we get in?) restaurant at the Marina, the Pink Coconut. Great food. The guys taught me a card game and Kendall had her own deck and game under our table for amusement.

We miss them! What a great trip, wish we could of stayed longer, but I suspect we will visit Southern Star again in the South Pacific for another reunion.

More pictures will be available for viewing by clicking the photos link.

Kendall and I enjoyed Easter in Berkeley with Family, Mark is still on Hiva Oa and the crew of Southern Star enjoyed Easter lunch at the Pearl Resort. Appartently there are some maintenance items that have delayed their departure from Hiva Oa, but I don't think anyone is complaining as the weather is nice, they are surrounded by other boats and most importantly good surf.

Kendall is busy and happy with school and ballet. I get such a giggle watching a dozen pre-schoolers dance about in tutu'd chaos - it is pure comedy. I am back to work tomorrow part time, and looking forward to keeping busy and getting into the swing of city life.

Kendall and I have plans to meet Mark in Papeete in May, we are both so excited! We have been able to keep in contact with him via email - but will be thrilled to be reunited in paradise, plus it will be fun to reconnect with our sailing friends and catch up on stories and adventures.