Warning: This post is in grave danger of sounding all warm and fuzzy. Read on at your own risk!
Aren't we a smiley bunch? We had just spent the afternoon walking around Pukekura Park and had stopped for an ice cream. The whole trip was one long laugh with lots of new jokes, and the old ones never far away too. Anth has a lovely family who have a very strong sense of loyalty, belonging and 'family' - you know, the stuff you see in movies.
And here are the happy couple, who's 60th Wedding Anniversary was the reason we went over to NZ and I had those Cath Kidston tissue moments. This photo makes me smile for 2 reasons, the first one because it was taken on the actual anniversary which was a wonderful day; and second because if you look carefully you will see that Ngaire is wearing 2 blouses! She and I went shopping that afternoon and whilst I was going through every embroidered tablecloth and vintage hankie in a shop aptly called Vintage Linen & Home, Ngaire wandered next door and bought the blouse in the photo for 70p ($2). When we got home she couldn't wait to try it on so put it over the blouse she was wearing, got distracted and then forgot to take it off. It was only later, after the family barbeque that we realised that she had 2 on! In that heat too!
And next up with more family-love moments are my 2 favourites photos of my brother-in-laws. First my sweet Anth with his just-as-sweet taller brother.
And then this wonderful photo of Chris at the beach in Whangamata, his most favourite of places. Chris, an avid surfer, must have sea water running through his veins instead of blood. I caught him as he was gazing out with longing before succumbing to the 2nd swim of the day (too rough to surf).
And it wasn't just Wedding Anniversaries we celebrated, we had a 1st Birthday and a 50th (ummm I'm not spilling the beans on who!) which all played their part in making it the most happiest of family times. I spent time with them all individually, which was really special, particularly when I took my 21 year old nephew and 25 year old neice out, just me and them, thrifting, and they actually enjoyed it!
Oh I do so miss them all...