We Moved // A Hike, Strawberries & Other Updates 

You go with your gut feeling about involving your son. Great to see you on you tube

So good to see you back. Didn’t even notice the hair, in fact was thinking how radiant you look. Motherhood obviously agrees with you!

Great to see y’all! Loved Wanaka when I was there. Lovely video!

So nice to get an update :) Looks like you are having a great time Mari! Lots of love

It's great to see you back Mari !!

Good to know you are doing well!

Yaaay Mari!! So nice to see a video from you again! 😊

Awesome 😎 good to see you all well.

Great to see you Mari. The new place looks amazing..fantastic views.

I love any of your videos! Motherhood, blogs, just hanging out! Thank you so much for sharing!

Was so excited you had posted! I was just thinking about what you and your family was up to the other day. Loved you sharing your family hike. I think it's important to show that an adventurous life can still happen after having kids!

Wishing for you good times back with your family and the Best to Nick and your little man. Take care back in the US with C! 🕊🙏🌞🦋🐞

Total respect and admiration for the decisions you've made to keep your sons face out of the videos! Nice to see you back sharing your life stories!

Mari 💜💜 excited to see you back 😎

Thanks for sharing your new adventures! PS: you are beautiful. You have gorgeous hair. Period.

Hey Mari Johnson. No your hair looks great. And you look healthy and beautiful. Glad to see you're doing good!

Happy to see you back. Congrats for upgrading your location, Wanaka is such an outdoor Mecca, should really suit you both!!

Happy to see a video from you! I watched you’re entire PCT trip and always enjoyed your vids. This one was great. You live in such a picturesque place. Have a great trip to California. And I love your comments about the hair situation!

It’s good to see you again. You are so beautiful, I would not worry about gray hairs.

Good to see you back on RU-vid! You've been missed! :)

Hi Mari! It's good to see you :) this has been lovely to watch, all the love to you & Nick & the little one!

So lovely to see a video from you pop up in my subscriptions. Hope you and your family are well 💚

It's so nice to see that you guys are doing well! The countryside is absolutely beautiful! I have never been to New Zealand so any videos about the nature, culture, food etc would be awesome but honestly, just super happy to see a video from you again!

Welcome back Mari ! Congrats to you and your growing family on the move. I hope the little guy loves California ! Take Care.

Nice update! Your PCT videos are how I discovered your channel. You do a great job narrating your adventures whether hiking or speaking of motherhood. At the end of the day, that is what makes your videos worth watching. Best of luck to you, Nick, and the little strawberry muncher.

Love hearing your life updates! Beautiful family:) btw totes hear you on the dye front. Am so over holding my breathe with so much ammonia on my head! Highlights unite!

Hello, so nice to see and hear from you! You all look wonderful. Healthy and happy. Rural life can be great (less Covid with more warning time) but I’m missing my Calif family too. Your video quality is superior and the travel vlogs were superb, but I was hooked on your PCT experience. Anytime you vlog-I’ll watch!

Happy to see a video from you. Enjoy Wanaka, it’s beautiful!

Yayyy you’re back💕

So happy to see you and your family back! And remember this is your creative outlet, so we love you tons, but no pressure! This was so lovely to watch (as I’ve been cooking dinner, haha) and this video was so warm to watch. Take care and good luck on the job hunt! Lots of love and light! ;)

Great to hear from you! You got me interested in visiting Welly. Never made it because of 2020. But so great on the updates!

Lovely to see you have a lovely family and a beautiful child . I remember when you came to Australia and you were so nice . I am glad you enjoyed your life in New Zealand .

Joffrey. That’s a good nickname. I’m just kidding, so glad everything and everyone is doing well! Glad to see you back!

Omg!!! Congratulations!

I’ve been watching you since those Cosy days of you traveling around Asia alone with genuine vlogs. Thank you for those days. It’s nice to hear from you guys and baby 🥰So cool to know you’re in NZ hopefully I bumped into you guys one day! ☺️

Good to see you back, after long time.

Greetings from Southern Arizona so great to see you all . You and Nick look very happy...enjoy your little guy time goes by so fast. Take care be well enjoy life!!!

Very happy to see you back guys! I understand some part of that homesickness because I wasn't home for more than 22 years, the difference is, I don't miss it! I'll be thrilled to see some videos about that little town you guys moved to and the area, even because I always wanted to go to New Zealand. I think you make videos when you feel like it and don't pressure yourself on it. You are also absolutely right about the comments! I think if someone doesn't like something, just walk away and watch something else, and don't waste time writing negative comments! That is rude anyway! I hope to see you guys again soon... The bell is on!! 😀

Good to see you after all this time. Welcome back.

Travel or nature videos are most interesting to me. Thanks! Loved the glacier and strawberry adventures

Great to see you Mari! Your baby boy is so cute! So precious eating those yummy strawberries! Beautiful scenery! You’re beautiful no matter what color your hair is! ❤️

Congrats and so glad baby is well. Hoping you guys ultimately become a two country family. California awaits your homecoming!🌿

It’s so good to see you again! I’ve really missed your videos. Motherhood is definitely way harder than non-parents could possibly understand. You look fantastic and I loved the way you filmed the little one while still hiding his face. I completely support you in that decision. Looking forward to the next update whenever you feel like making it. Lots of love to you and your precious family 😊

Welcome back!! Glad to see you and Nick. We liked the 'real factor' of your videos back when we lived in Belgium and will keep following now that we live here in NZ (1 month to the day).

OMG!!! I just thinking quick some times didn't heard from you yesterday, then suddenly saw your video come out today!!! wow...... Hello Mari! It's great to hear/see and update from you. All the love to you & Nick & the little one from me! Hopefully to see your next video soon ya.... Take care!

Loved the update on mum life! I’m currently using the Phil and teds escape backpack carrier and my 1 year old son does the same thing with leaning to one side!

Great to see you again Mari! as far as video’s, i really think vlogs are so wonderful! it’s just interesting to get a glimpse into your every day, and thoughts on certain things. i’m currently in chicago finishing up grad school, but am moving back home to the bay area for a full time job! very happy to be moving back home. anyways, hope you’re doing well!

Mari you are gorgeous. Loved seeing your beautiful family!!!!!!!!

Your hair is gorgeous! Happiness becomes you.

Love getting an update! I'm a fellow US expat in NZ, and came here to travel on a WHV and your videos helped so much when we first got here (pre-PCT)! I'm not expecting a baby so whatever content you make would be of interest and helpful.

I just had this video come up on my feed and I am so excited to have so many others to watch too. So happy for your little family and that your embracing your current look :) Honestly I was just thinking you looked so radiant. Color change is so natural and beautiful and I think it honestly looks really good on you !

Wow from Wellington to Wanaka, what a sea change! All of my family lives in the Hutt and the prices to rent or buy are astronomical so I get the move!

I just want to say I’m a fan and it’s good to see you. I got a shirt once and I even got your sisters book. Im glad you are thriving as a mom.

So good to hear from you Mari! I’m so happy for you and also I love the silver strands! I don’t think they really age people these days, most of my friends with dark hair started getting them in their early twenties - completely natural and beautiful. Safe travels to the US! ☺️

I forgot how much I love your videos! This was such an enjoyable watch 😊 (also FYI I noticed the greys but I thought they looked so pretty!)

Good to see you’re back Mari, you are looking and sounding well. Being a mum is the hardest job in the world! Us dads really respect you and the work it takes. I’ve been to wanaka a few times, the real estate their is always amazing, seemed like an architects playground. Good location to all the ski fields.

Embrace the gray/grey! ;) Thank you for the video - its been awhile. Love the little one, he has some awesome parents.

I enjoy your videos because you show your trips around New Zealand. I hope you’ll keep doing that. The South Island is amazing. Mari, you are beautiful. You don’t need to dye your hair if you don’t want to. Enjoy your silver sparkles. 💖

Do what's best for you & your family. Don't worry about what people think. You have a beautiful family living where you want living your life.

This was such a lovely update! So nice to see a little slice of your NZ life. You probably don't remember, we met in NZ back in 2016 (so long ago!) it was at a hostel, I think in Nelson (though not 100% sure!). It's great to see you're still there and to watch your little adventures - I miss the country so much! And Wanaka is such a beautiful place, I hope you and you're little family are settling in well :)

Didn't even notice the "silver highlights". You look great!

Great to see you again! Vlogs, cooking, home organization, thrifting, etc all would be interesting. ps I can't see your grey hair but I also let mine grow out once covid started - hooray for natural sparkle!

Hi Mari! I miss listening to your music selection! Btw, I’m currently following a couple hiking the PCT with their three children, all under the age of 5! Thanks to you and your PCT videos I have done trail magic twice. Thank you for sharing!!

Welcome back. When had my first scans my oldest who is now 9 was named blueberry and my youngest who is 6 was named rice bubble as that was the size that they were. We still use those names. Good to see you guys out and about. I had a front carrier with my boys but maybe tuck a towel either side to stabilise the sides and stop the movement. I've embraced my grey too. The only thing I don't like is the tiny ones that stick straight up on top... What matters is making sure we're all happy and healthy and embracing winter and getting outside.

Welcome back !!!!

Well hi stranger! lol awesome seeing you again! Thanks for the updates and congrats on the relocation! Incredible scenes on that hike. Being NZ, not surprised. Please don't feel any pressure to film the little guy or even disclose his name. Completely your discretion as what you wish to do. From what we see he is adorable. (love the hat) Very cool you're headed back to the US yay!! The hair looks lovely , those lousy shamers can take a flying leap. Much of my hair isn't gray, it's mostly invisible lol. Anyway take care for now Mari. Missed you too

Good to see you again 😀 I would love to see videos about parenthood. I have 3 kids and it is always helpful to know how others manage.

Good to see you back !! I live in Wanaka as well moved down here from near Christchurch 18 months ago !

Wanaka is stunning, but jolly pricey when it comes to housing!! Nothing like real fruit icecream! Seventh heaven for your wee man, sitting in the middle of a strawberry patch! So cute! Thank you Mari. 🍓🍓🍓👋🚐

Welcome back and Wanaka is a great place to be

Missed you! Glad you’re doing well💞 Welcome to Motherhood!🥰

Hi Mari, it’s great to see you on RU-vid again! Thanks for sharing your life with us and for sure keeping doing what feels best for you and you family :) I love all of your videos and as a viewer hope you do decide to upload more but if you don’t that’s cool too, I’ll for sure be rewatching your PCT journey though 😄

Good to have you back. Your hair is lovely. Just do you.

Good to see you m.j.

Thank you for everything ! The honesty and sharing our stories, on motherhood and being a woman in society today, is SO important! Lots of love 💕 p.s. any kind of videos are welcomed and we ended up with an off road stroller as the backpack was too much after a year ❤️

Welcome back! Keen for some tips on how to combine an active lifestyle with a toddler. Need to get out more with our 2yo... not as easy as it used to be :D

Weeeeelcooome baaack! I missed you so much!

Good to see you! I respect your decision to shield your little man from the camera right now. Motherhood IS hard but so rewarding. Any content you make is welcome because you are so interesting. You both seem like wonderful parents. Have fun, every stage with little man is almost better than the last stage. I know, my baby is now 38 and has given me identical twin boys, age 6. So much fun.

Kia ora! 🦋

Mari! What a lovely surprise. :) thank you for sharing some snippets of life with the little one. Loved the video and seeing what you've been up to! Can't wait to see whatever you feel comfortable sharing. Also, the silver hairs are beautiful and your hair has gotten so long! 😍 societal standards are trash; as long as YOU are happy, that's all we care about!

Good on you Mari.. motherhood is an important calling.. hope to see more content with you and Nick and the baby, hope you're looking forward going home to America, you must be a permanent resident of NZ by now. Good to see you's all back on the tube. 👍 😁 by the way the hair looks great.

Welcome to your extended global family little one .... It's funny as I always wondered if you wanted to be a mum or not as you seemed to like your independence but motherhood suits you and fatherhood suits Nick so I'm super happy for you three 💗💗💗 don't feel pressure to have him on until he can choose for himself but definitely would love to see more of where you live now and keep in touch. I still watch your introvert and apartment videos etc for fun. Yeah little videos as and when you want to are fine. Excited for your trip next year. Loved the strawberry farm outting. Take care you three 🥰🥰🥰 plus I like the grey hairs they are another aspect of you xxx

Hi Mari! Yes, long time no see! 👋

Hi Mari. I was first drawn to your channel when looking for tips on moving to NZ (i may be moving to Windy Welly next year from the UK) but then i started watching your other stuff - you have a very engaging style. Re child carriers - when ours were small we used a Karrimor child carrier. Its a UK brand, but i know they sell Karrimor gear in NZ as i saw it for sale in a shop in Christchurch when we were there on holiday in 2019 just before the pandemic. You can't stop them lolling about entirely, but the Karrimor had a good set of straps to keep them in. Our eldest loved it. It meant she could see everything we could see and feel part of everything. Having the back of my head and ears to look at, she duly pulled on my hair and whenever she wanted me to look at something she grabbed hold of both my ears and yanked my head to one side - for her a sort of natural steering mechanism. This could be alarming if you were negotiating a tricky bit of path at the time! This caused much mirth and merriment for adjacent adults, which of course encouraged her to do it more. now in my sixties, i like to attribute my lack of hair to my children and those hikes with the child carrier, though of course i suspect my genes may have more to do with it. Now in their twenties, my daughters are no-longer on my back (that would be weird) but they retain the same wonder and interest in what they see around them and make me immensely proud - well worth a bit of hair loss or even a few grey highlights.

hey mari good to hear from you. in the past few years, it feels like parts of the world have moved further apart and a bit out of reach, so it is nice to hear from the other side of the world! you have beautiful thick hair. a small wardrobe is an australian youtuber and she also talks about how she came to accept her grey hair.

Haven’t been anywhere either, and now my passport even expired, well just, but it’s hard getting a new one as everyone is applying at the same time. Hope to book something somewhere. Don’t worry about the hair, didn’t even notice.

I love that you respect your kid's rights. ❤️

Is it weird that your video is like listening to a friend catching you up on their life. I know I don't know you and have never met you but you have a quality that draws people to you. I didn't even notice the silver highlights until you pointed them out lol. I have gone back to watch your PCT hike again to give me inspiration to get back into hiking after breaking my ankle in September. Can't wait to hear the next update from you, Nick and Bub :-)

Good to see you again, Mari. We just moved to New Zealand and came to the same conclusion about Wellington. Its a beautiful city but the housing market is brutal! Also, I know its not about looks, but I personally love your silver highlights!

Wanaka is one of my favourite places on this planet. Was locked down there most of 2020. Amazing place to raise a child. Great to see you back there.

It's good to hear from you. Always enjoy watching your vids. I felt like a friend catching up as you were drinking tea lol! I totally understand about keeping your son's identity private I do the same with my ig account. Thank you for talking about your hair and bringing light into the subject. It's true, if I was a man I would not dye it. You have me thinking of going natural as well. Didn't know dying it dark is worse than lighter dye. Keep on doing you, much love ❤️ 😍 💖

Great to see you again "virtually" anyways. You are a great person inside and out, and your son and man are lucky to have you. I would just embrace the positive and ignore the negative comment if there is one. You look great!

Wow those strawberries looked amazing

Its good to see you. You are doing very well and making good decisions. Enjoy your life and savor every moment as a Mom. Before you know it, he will be grown and gone. Good Luck, Rick

Greetings from Huntington Beach

Long Time. 💕

Your hair looks lovely! If you haven’t been to Amigos or B Effect in Wanaka yet, I definitely recommend. I moved away 6 months ago and still think about them daily 😂

HI Mari and Nick.Thank you both for this latest video.Glad to see you moved down south..missed you guys!Mari you are a beautiful person inside and out and i can say that because i have met you(Mari's Christchurch meet ups,daily life) Do what feels right for you Mari.Hello Nick.Looks like you are enjoying fatherhood :) Hope to catch up with you 2 again.Superliquor Colombo Street ChCh ;) Stay warm.lol :)

So nice to see your beautiful face! I love that you moved to Wanaka. It’s my favorite place after two brief visits. I always thought if I ever had the privilege to move to NZ, that’s where I would go. If you are looking for video ideas more of life in Wanaka would be awesome! My daughter will head back to NZ in January for her Masters (finally after a two year delay). We are probably more excited than is normal. Looks like you and Nick and your little one are doing great. We missed you too. (P.S. Is there a good Māori word for baby?) (P.S.S. You are BEAUTIFUL, and I wouldn’t have even noticed the grey if you hadn’t mentioned it. I’m sad you even have to worry about it.) Lots of love to you all!

Welcome back Mari. It’s funny you posted this now because I’m sitting here in Julian CA after starting the PCT and I remembered from your video that I can get free pie at Mom’s! Guess what I’m doing tomorrow! Btw the PCT is hard