Step into the light.

My inspiration for a cloudy day.

Day 6 - A party worthy of the couple

Welcome to our best family photo op (ever) - the Matthews have never all looked so good, not to mention all looked at the camera at the same time.

 Setting - a shabby chic old wool shed at Twin Terrace Farm overlooking the Waitaki Valley.

Event - Celebrating a newly married couple with family and friends in from all corners of the globe.

The party was fabulous with good food, good wine and a great band to close out the night.  These pics just show a small glimpse into the night and the decor that turned the barn into a fun party space.

 With fresh cut hydrangeas from the garden, we dined on locally sourced food catered by Riverstone Kitchen - see their cookbook, with a host of seasonal recipes where you won't be disappointed.  I have one in transit to my kitchen now and I can't wait.

 The only thing we had forgotten and a word to the wise, get a sitter for your 5 month old baby.  She was now old enough to play on her own and had finally past the point of sleeping anywhere and everywhere.  Thankfully we had super friends across the table from us that were happy to help love on the little one.

One thing I love about a NZ wedding is all the speeches and memories that are shared.  People that cannot attend send messages to the couple that are read, friends and family give speeches.  It's a wonderful time to share stories and advice for the newlyweds - sometimes we have to cut things short, but for the most part they are fabulous.  Thanks to the Lamborn family and Depeche Mode in Ashburton for the outfits!

Day 5 - In search of fur seals

 Hiking to a waterfall never seems to get old.  Learning from my mom, we have come to appreciate them in our family.  She used to tell her now famous Queen of the waterfall ones stories on long car rides, so good we're still encouraging her to publish them. Two years ago my parents visited us in NZ and on a road trip around the west coast she spotted over 100 waterfalls that had appeared just after a HUGE rainstorm - I'm talking our car drove through lakes in the road over 1 foot deep, not highly recommended but fantastic for adventure.

 Here are some pics of our last day in the Catlins before heading up to Ashbuton, NZ to see more friends just south of Christchurch.

 Footprints in the sand - daddy carries E.  I love this pic because of all it stands for.  T loves his little girl just like God loves us and carries us when we need him too.  I am blessed to have a hubby that loves his little girl as much as T loves E.

 We went to Suret Bay on our way home in search of fur seals that like to hang out on this beach and sun themselves.  We did find one big guy laying out sleeping, it looked like a big brown lump about as big as a cow!  Forgive the lack of pictures  - to be honest it didn't photograph well :)  The daddy, daughter duo did however.

Day 4 - Baby E caught a cold...

Day 2 of our Catlins adventure and our little E has caught a cold.  The good news is we had the house all to ourselves this weekend, the bad news... she cried most of the night and we had to sleep on the couch.  Baby girl does not like being stuffy.  However, with every problem there is a solution - saline spray, steamy showers and the nose sucker and we were back in business.

We had a beautiful little cottage for the night, I highly recommend coming to visit this area - it was beautiful.

On the way we stopped at Curio and Porpoise Bay both well know for dolphin sightings.  In Porpoise Bay you can actually wade out into the water (if you dare - we are pretty close to Antarctica) and the Hector dolphins (smallest in the world) will come swim around you! 

Baby E traveled quite well in out snugi circa 1984 - thanks mom, we had a few layers over top and she stretched out her little neck to see all that was going on.  I would have to say this is the best way to travel with an infant if your back can handle it.  They get to look around and be a part of what is going on and it's much easier to navigate than a stroller in uneven terrain (which is everything other than pavement).

Lots of love to our traveling buddies Morgan and Hayley - we miss you guys heaps!