New Zealand 2025

 I don't remember the exact timing of everything but at some point in maybe January 2025, Dion texted our sibling group chat to say that he was thinking about taking Dad to New Zealand for the Aukland temple dedication and asking what we thought. Would Dad be up to it? Could he afford a ticket?

We all thought it was a great idea and, with no rent or car or other expenses, Dad could certainly buy a ticket to New Zealand and would probably love to do so. Since he was in New Zealand on his mission when the first (Hamilton) temple was built, this seemed like a nice bookend kind of trip.

Some time passed and I didn't think of it again really. Then Dion starts sharing some emails/messages between him and some authorities who are arranging things for the temple dedication. He was trying to get dad a seat inside the temple for the dedication but it was proving difficult. The people he was talking to were very kind and trying to be helpful though in getting Dad into the church next door to the temple. It was all interesting but had no effect on me.

Then Dion said, "So maybe we should just plan to go and attend a session at a local chapel. What are your thoughts? Which of you can come? I can pay for flights and a place to stay."

I'm not kidding when I say that my brain just could not comprehend what he was saying in that text. I texted back that I was confused. Was he now saying he was going to pay for Dad's flight?

He clarified, "I would pay for flights and accommodation for anyone not his thread that wants to go"

Well, holy cow! I definitely wanted to go but it felt so crazy and weird and generous. I texted Dion and said that I was definitely in if he really wanted to do it and if others wanted to as well.  If it turned out to just be dad and him, I was ok to back out and let them have their time together.

In the end, we ended up with everyone but Daren and David on board as far as siblings and Ryan Owen and Summer (of course) were on board as well.

We all scrambled to make sure people had passports, TSA precheck etc. Dion purchased airline tickets for all of us and it was set. 

Dion set up a whole google doc for choosing Airbnb, activities to do, place to put all our information so we could travel easily (passports and whatnot). He originally chose a very nice looking airbnb but the owners weren't responding so after more searching he discovered some reviews stating that the place had rats and was very dirty. Thank heaven we could get out of that in time!  Summer found a different place right near the water in Half Moon Bay. 

Dion made arrangements for a tour of Hobbiton as well including lunch. 

We were going to New Zealand! April 8-17, 2025. Epic family trip.