December 2017 - Nerelle

Family Photos on Christmas Day

Dec 28, 2017 | Lifestyle

My little family has grown so much in the last few years. I met my boyfriend, he brought home a stray kitten he named Officer Scruffles, and more recently we’ve adopted our favorite pup Yodi. We’re head over ~~heels~~ paws in love with our unlikely family of drifters.

Christmas Day was sheer perfection. Read more about what we did in my post here.

We took some family photos doing what we love – hanging out in the ocean!

Yodi is a natural in the water. She grew up here at Coconut Point so she’s always swimming whenever we go out. And in case you didn’t know, Officer Scruffles does in fact swim. Photo or it didn’t happen? If you want to see him in action, check out my Instagram video here, where he jumps into the ocean for a swim.

Manuia Le Kerisimasi from our family to yours!

It was so fun to just hang out with my furry family under the sun.

Ian paddled out with Officer on the kayak

I took the stand up paddle board and Yodi swam

Ian jumped into the cool blue water

While I hung out with Officer on the flotilla

A curious Officer going back and forth between the SUP and kayak

Another family photo in action!

The brave Scruffles. Officer Scruffles.

Saw a shark(!!!) for the first time in the water (not pictured). And a bunch of sea turtles <3

Ian took this rad shot of us all heading home

Moffman and the Officer kayak surfing in the small waves!

JOURNAL 6/52: (Christmas) Best Thing That Happened This Week

Dec 28, 2017 | Journal, Lifestyle

It’s the week between two of my favorite holidays – Christmas and New Year – so it’s only natural that the best thing that happened this week was Christmas Day. It was just a perfect day. Breakfast on the balcony (my fave). And our last day of advent gifts. Bittersweet because it’s been so fun to give and get little thoughtful gifts daily!

And I just want to share… YOU GUYS, I got a BCD! It was hilarious – we opened our envelope of clues and I could not for the life of me figure out where my gift was. Ian gave me a hint. I could see it from where I was standing. I scanned the entire house and still nothing. Ian started laughing harder and I followed his eyes OUTSIDE – and finally laid my eyes on a gift FLOATING in the lagoon! I ran out and saw my gift was atop a boogie board tied up to a nearby mangrove. I kind of already knew what it was, and I was beyond thrilled when I tore it open right then and there. A shiny new BCD that fit perfectly! We already made plans to go SUPing so next week, I’m starting 2018 off with a scuba dive!

We joined our friends and neighbors for a community brunch. Ian made baby back ribs, mmm! Then we all gathered on the beach for a group photo to be shared with fam and friends near and far.

And probably the best part of the day was out on the water. I wanted to take a ‘family photo’ and since our pets are known for their love of the ocean, we grabbed our SUP and kayak and took Yodi and Officer Scruffles out for a swim. We hung out just beyond the reef. I saw a shark for the first time in the wild!!! A friendly black tip reef shark, so no biggie really, but it still made my heart pump. And swam with a bunch of sea turtles. Like I said, it was perfect.

Here’s a sneak peek of our family photos, (and you can find the rest of them by clicking here).

Thank you Louise for helping take these photos!

And while I’m writing this, I want to give a shout out to the Man with the plan, the Reason for the season, Jesus Christ. Thank you for your life that gave me mine. And thanks for another beautiful day.

Excerpts from a Chill Christmas Eve

Dec 27, 2017 | Lifestyle

An excerpt of my Christmas Eve photo diary.

Breakfast. Ian took the moto out to buy bread while I fried some eggs.

The north wind on the porch has been so refreshing.

Opened our second to last advent gifts. Snazzy speaker for me and Surf trip for Ian.

Tidied up the house, and Ian worked on my car.

Went SUPing past the reef and saw 7 turtles. 7 wishes.

Yodi swam out with us. Such a beautiful calm day. I got a tan.

Last minute groceries and gift wrapping.

Church Christmas service, games, and filipino food. Mom and dad are back.

Home by midnight, and obligatory family photo.

zZz, see you tomorrow!

PHOTO DIARY: Aoloau Lights

Dec 27, 2017 | Lifestyle

A super cute night, all lit up with Christmas magic at Aoloau. I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who felt super Christmas-y this year, because the entire village of Aoloau got together and each family decorated a “tree” made up of lights and garlands along the road up to the lookout that oversees the Tafuna plains.

xoxo

Journal 5/52: Quote to Live By

Dec 24, 2017 | Journal, Lifestyle

Journal #5: A Quote to Live By

APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

EXPECT NOTHING.

These four words have resonated with me for nearly 5 years, and it continues to do so. It’s the lens I look from whenever I find myself in a new environment. It’s my refresh button when I feel tired of the routines, the nine to five, stagnant energy, even the weather. I have so much to be thankful for, and I count my blessings every day.

Today is Christmas Eve and it’s a beautiful day. My heart is overflowing with love today, and I am excited to spend the day with my loved ones. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and so very soon, a Happy New Year!

xoxo

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