family ties

Family is family... and, in the mind of my whole family- both immediate and extended...it really is as simple as that.

My dad's brother Steve, and his family, have lived in Auckland as long as I can remember...although there was a stint in Sydney when I was a very little girl. growing up in 2 different countries meant, of course, that we didn't spend as much time together as any of us would have liked. My childhood memories of my aunt, uncle and cousins though are even more vivid and special as a result....my cousin Trev as a teenager hanging out at our grandad's house....(as an 8yr old i thought he was just so cool....and i still do....)! The whole family hanging out together at Movieworld on the Gold Coast.....Trev on my wedding day laughing with me as we wired up my bouquet of colourful gerberas....

as we walked through the arrival gates at Auckland airport this morning, to be met by Uncle Steve and Auntie Maria, I knew we would be met with hugely welcoming arms even though we had not seen eachother for 11 years....We could not have asked for a more warm reception back to our home hemisphere....and as we stepped into the warm southern hemisphere sunshine - it felt like we'd never left...

coffee...lunch...eagle eye views of auckland....an all encompassing tour of big boy's toys....indian for dinner....and lots of fun laughs and chats with very special, loving family...

more tomorrow - stay tuned.... xx