Sep 2012 - Family and Friends

Late September saw Nic, Jaxon and Indianna head across to Brisbane to spend time with Nana C. Nana C was very ill after 12 years of battling cancer and needed some moral support.

 

 Chris (Nic's mum) also headed to Brisbane for a few days to help Nic out with the kids while she was taking care of Nana C.

Making the best out of a bad situation, any opportunity to spend time with friends and family is always a welcome time.

 

 Nana C's eyes gained some sparkle when Nic, Jaxon and Indianna arrived. Nana C really loved having the grandkids around.

 

Unfortunately Nana C passed away on the 18th of September. Having Jaxon and Indianna around in those final days was a real blessing for her. Nicola did a magnificent job taking care of the situation until I arrived on the 21st. Rest in Peace Nana C.

 

 Being over to spend time with Nana C also gave us an opportunity to catch up with the majority of my family who are all based in the Brisbane area. My cousin Megan was a real hit with the kids.

 

Oh no: these little monsters have eaten Meeges' head......

 

 Once again another opportunity to make something out of a bad situation. My best mate Lyndon was in Cairns with one of the Tongan patrol boats so we caught up for breakfast on the way through.

 

Kath and Jeff have been over to Pohnpei to visit Dean and their daughter Heather a couple of times since we have arrived. Jaxon and Indi are a big hit and we loved catching up for a couple of hours for lunch one day.

 

 Next stop was Toowoomba to visit three separate lots of people. First it was to Ma and Monique's for a great dinner, sleepover and breakfast. The kids all got on like a house on fire keeping us on our toes past ten pm.

 

 These Campbell kids sure are great huggers.

 

 Good mates seem to pick things up where they left off, even if the last visit was over five years before.

 

 Ma and Mon, still going strong - great to see.

 

 Ma cooked up a bbq breakfast storm which the kids loved.

 

 You'd think after a late night that they might have slept in - no such luck......

 

 A camera with a timer: you've got to love it.

 

 Instand BFFs.

 

 Next stop was over to Grandma's and Granddads for morning tea. The years are definately passing way to quickly and it was great to spend a couple of hours together.

 

 With my Dad having already moved on to the next life it was the closest we could get to four generations of Campbells in one photo.

 

 Our third and final stop in Toowoomba was to catch up with my 2nd cousin Owen. A nicer bloke you aren't likely to meet. We'll have to make more of an effort to stay in touch.

 

 As 'luck' would have it my friends Jodie and Belindas' Grandmother passed away about the same time as my Mum. This created a unique opportunity for us to catch up with even more friends as the funeral was the day after Mums. Lyndon, Ian and I enjoyed the opportunity to catch up for a beer or two. Even more bizarre is that Lyndon wasn't even there for the funeral, he was there to have a root-canal operation. Meant to be.

 

 Destressing....

 

Uncle Kel and Auntie Jeanie. I'm not sure that Jeanie was too healthy the day after this photo was taken.

 

 Uncle Sean decided to join Indi with a bucket of bubbles.

 

 I'm sure he was asking himself "What the hell am I doing?" Alcohol must have impaired his judgement.......

 

 Super Model Cousin Cammie popped over for a quick catchup one afternoon. Great to see her again.

 

 We spent the most of the time at Rowan and Sean's place. It's nearly summer and it was bloody freezing. Below 20 degrees C - who chooses to live in such conditions.......

 

 Our last day in Brisbane saw us catch up with the Quirkes and Gordans for one last time.

 

 What is it with kids and fingers????

 

 A great group shot. Lyndon was there in spirit I'm sure.

 

 Two of my God Children. A fantastic opportunity to catch up.

 

 My cousin Lizzie (aka the killer 'egg and bacon pie' maker) also joined us. Great to see her once again also. Lizzie was a great help to Nic by taking care of the kids a few times over the weeks we were in town.

 

Jodes and Bindy - Ain't love grand.

 

So not withstanding the reasons we all had to be in Brisbane it was fantastic to catch up with so many different family members and some or our closest friends.