Family Bonding in Christchurch

Originally we thought we'd be able to get some time on the mountain in CHCH before Dad's wedding in November... unfortunately the mountain closed two weeks prior. Instead of changing our flights, we just went down a few days early anyway and had some quality time together. It was a well timed re-grouping after Tony's first 6 weeks at work.

 For our train crazy son we bought cable car passes so we had unlimited access to the CBD!!! The first day was a stunner... absolutely gorgeous! I could live here in Christchurch if not for the winter snow!

 We actually had time to stop and smell the roses! Now this is the kind of holiday we need more often...

 We also got to have a mini-reunion with some dear friends we'd met in Taiwan... Rich and Claire hosted the evening and Greg and Jess came along too! It was so fun to reminisce about the big smoke as well as catch up on the latest adventures in each other's lives. Thanks McFed's for the beautiful meal and organizing the details... we really enjoyed our time with all four of you!!!

 Two nights later we (well, Lynne's famiy) hosted our own mini-reunion with the Stewart cousins!! It was fun to meet baby Joshua and see Jennifer, Mike and Warren again! Thanks, Jen for arranging your side!!!

Sasha and Jennifer

Then there was the actual wedding day... This is the only photo of Tony and I since I was behind the lens the whole day. It was fun to catch up a bit with some of the Clark uncles and aunties and it was good to meet Lynne's family and friends. Now we'll be all set to come down to Christchurch for visits!!!

Ken and Judy came up from Hamilton...

along with Nancy and Graham.

Uncle Alistair and Jenny... they're always a kick to catch up with.

Dad's brother Keith and Anne also came along - so all of his siblings were there!

It was also fun to finally meet Sasha's new beau - Phil.

 Brian and Katie (Lynne's daughter) have 3 boys who our kids just loved hanging out with so family visits will be loud and lots of fun.

Nicci is Lynne's daughter who lives in Auckland... hopefully she'll come down for family visits too!

 

So these are the grandkids... oh what fun to have 'cousins' in NZ and a new Granny too!