Christmas last year at Orewa followed a year of changes in the Bonnici-Carter Household.
Russ had a shaky start to the year, diagnosed with IPPFE – a chronic lung disease that doesn’t do well in cold weather and we decided to get out there and explore some warmer places in our world!
Fishing days at Waiwera over January..
Road trip to Wanganui for Russ’s Brother and sister in laws 40th wedding anniversary, stopping off at Te Kuiti to visit some Rugby legends.
St Patrick’s weekend at Ruakaka with the kids and Trudi – the last of the kiwi summer!
Hawaii in June with Jaxon Steph, George and Kat….
Russ decided to Retire and spread his wings further…we packed up the house in Orewa and rented it out ready for the middle age OE beginning in September (which is where this story began)….
We left Dan and Floyd (the newest addition to the family) holding the fort at Waiwera and headed to Malta at the beginning of September!
Back to my favourite waterfront in the world, Senglea in summer and sunshine!
The colours of the Maltese summer.
Party time celebrating Russ’s 61st birthday with family and Trudi, who spent the first five weeks with us exploring Malta.
George joined us for a week in Malta from his English home and enjoyed a welcome taste of Maltese warmth and hospitality.
We spent my 58th birthday with a mini break to the northern Maltese Island of Gozo. Trudi headed home and Russ and I headed to Italy to explore Rome and the Amalfi Coast with another friend Jill.
Eight days of sightseeing, walking, shopping, eating and ancient ruins in the busy crazy city of Rome. We then headed off to the Amalfi Coast for a further 10 days.
Our balcony view from our home in Vietri Sul Mare, a perfect place to explore from, at the start of the Amalfi Coast.
Dizzying heights and clear blue sea – a day trip to Capri Island.
Rocks and ruins at Pompeii!
Caught in a system (storm) in our last couple of days, Jill headed on with her travels and we made it back to Malta!
Next Stop Oslo – Norway, arguably the most beautiful city in the world. I will say no more, just read the earlier blogs.
Family time with George and Kat before crossing the Atlantic to Texas….
Thanksgiving and red Stangs!! (Heaven)
San Antonio and the cousins! And many adventures!
Riverboat trip and alligator hunting ….
90th birthday party! And a few other celebrations.
And back home in time for Christmas. A summer in the cottage at Waiwera!
The boys had missed us, and decorated our cottage in Christmas cheer.
So…in brief, the year has been a big adventure and lots of good changes…
The boys are all doing well and getting on in this world, we look forward to what the next twelve months brings and will keep you updated!
All who wander are not Lost girls 
Certainly an eventful and exciting year for you & your family. Thank you for sharing it with me. Merry Christmas and a happy New year.
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