David and I are originally from Northern California but most recently from Northland, New Zealand. David is a general dentist at Viewmont Family Dental. He has advanced skills in implants and cosmetic dentistry. Dave will be coaching tackle football this fall with another neighbor and has waited his whole life for this season to coach both his boys. 

I am a registered nurse and have worked in Labor and Delivery, nursing aesthetics, orthopedic home health, and 1 year as a nurse at a top-security state prison. I dabble in curating custom travel tours and am organizing a women's retreat to share my passion for New Zealand with others (Join me!). 

Jules (13) likes musical theater, started violin lessons, and often has her nose in a new book series if she's not off adventuring outdoors. She hopes to play volleyball this year and try out for cheerleading at Northview Middle School. She has a vibrant personality, is very responsible, and wants to start babysitting for local families of Moore's Ferry. 

Porter (11) is a die-hard for whatever his passions are. Right now, he's obsessed with fishing every day and is looking forward to both the upcoming football and soccer seasons. He's been blessed with natural vocal talent and is often voluntold to sing in church, etc. 

Walter (8) is our clever prankster with a booming, loud voice. He's playful and loves board games as well as various sports. 

Ari (4) is the sugar and spice of the family. Her favorite color is rainbow, and her room is full of Barbies. She loves swimming and popsicles. 

We met abroad. David's grandmother had passed away and left him some money, and I spent the previous summer working for Holland America in Alaska. We both emptied our savings accounts to attend a study abroad in Jerusalem.  We met on the first day and were inseparable after. We explored the streets of the Holy Land, learning about the three main religions of the world, falling in love, and walking in the footsteps of Jesus' mortal life. At the end of our 4-month study abroad, we knew this was the real deal and got engaged. After we married, we moved to Dallas, TX for 4 years, then later to Wilmington, NC, where Dave worked in finance, and we started our family. Dave changed career paths and went to dental school in Sarasota, FL. 

Dave's first job as a dentist was in Hickory, and we lived in Falling Creek. We left the area for a few years to spend time near family out west and then went on a big adventure working and living in New Zealand. Dave's previous employer called him earlier this year with an offer to come back to Hickory that we couldn't turn down. We moved into Moore's Ferry in March of 2026. We knew we wanted to be in the Viewmont area to be close to work, but finding a home in Moore’s Ferry with lake access was the cherry on top! We believe each day should be fully lived to work AND to play, but it's a whole lot easier when the recreation we love is close in proximity to home. Our years in New Zealand reinforced our desire for work-life balance, and we do our best! 

We love to slow travel and experience local culture by truly connecting with the people and area. In recent years, we've been fortunate to do some of what is called "Worldschooling." It's a newer global movement where we join hubs in different foreign countries to experience travel coordinated by a passionate local with a community emphasis consisting of random families from all parts of the world. It's been such joy to travel this way and to become friends and connect with such diverse people. It's incredible to share with our kids deep history and culture, let them marvel in the majesty of the nature around the world, and learn that there are so many different ways to live. We've participated in worldschooling in Bosnia, Spain, Peru, and Guatemala and chose to spend 2 years in New Zealand, where we worked and lived fully immersed in the Kiwi culture. 

In New Zealand, we stepped back, slowed down, reprioritized, and spent as much time as possible in nature. We call it our great life reset. In New Zealand, time is slower, consumerism is minimal, and nature is abundant. Nearly everyone there has an ocean view or a mountain to hike in their backyard. We long-term housesat on a coastal family farm called a "lifestyle block" where we cared for pigs, cattle, chickens, bunnies, and dogs on 20 acres overlooking the Parua Bay sailing club. Our kids played rugby, cricket, & golf. They jumped off every cliff, bridge, or dock they found; we went on multiday backpacking trips "tramping into the bush", and took sailing lessons. The schools had fewer rules and were designed to be half indoor and half outdoor. Our kids didn't wear shoes to school (it's a Kiwi thing), climbed trees, and went snorkeling in the bay or animal trapping in the mountains that surrounded their primary school for field trips. Academics weren't the highest priority, but our kids lived such a beautiful version of childhood in those 2 years. 

We take every opportunity we can to explore in nature. For long weekends, we often head to Carolina Beach (where we used to live) or up to Knoxville/Smokey Mountains. As a family, we take every opportunity to hike, camp, fish, or paddleboard. 

If you frequent the Moore's Ferry marina, you'll see our son Porter there fishing every day. He's currently saving for a fishing kayak to take his pals out and search for fish in the nooks of Lake Hickory. Locally, our family likes to go to Lake James or up to Wilson's Creek for day trips. 

We enjoy the food and historic atmosphere of Hickory Tavern and the lake vibes, music, and activities at SandBar Marina & Bar, and of course, no night out is complete without ice cream (it's our food love language).