Family photos - November 2008

We had some family photographs taken a few weeks back and here they are - Natasha did a stunning job again!

Parys - 14-16 November 2008

Friends of ours have a farm-house on the banks of the Vall River just outside Parys. We were 3 couples who were invited out there with them. We ended up being 8 adults and 9 children, of which Andrew (4 years, 5 months) was the oldest and the youngest was 18 months old. A lot of fun was had by all! The big advantage of course was that there was alsways some-one around and not a bored child in sight.

Michael and the river

The view from the house

Another view from the house

My monkeys (sorry spidermen)

All the kids

Playing in the mud

The end result

Best friends

More best friends (these lot have known each other since birth)

Michael

Andrew

The finished product - October 2008

I love my pool!!!!

Kiddies Cycel Challenge - 12 November 2008

It is ages since I last updated my blog. Trying to pay more attention to it, but I don't always get the time.

I wrote the kids in for the 94.7 Kiddies Cycle Challenge where they had to ride a gruelling 600m in a "race" :)
So armed with their brand-spanking new bicycle helmets and Michael with his little scooter bike and Andrew with his bicycle off we went.
It was actually a lot of fun. I paired up with Michael and Ed paired up with Andrew (the parent has to walk/run witht he child. Michael refused to wear his helmet at first, but got used to the idea and off he sped. Needless to say about 200m into the race he promptly got off the bike and turned to me with his little outstretched arms - uppie mommy. So for the next 300m I carried both Michael and his scooter. I eventually put him down 100m before the end and he managed to go over the finish line on his own, but now with the dummy in the mouth too. Once he had his medal it was all smiles and he was so chuffed with himself - I am still waiting for my medal!!

Building a pool - September/October 2008

After many years of coping with the African summers, we have eventually decided to have a pool put in. The saying is not no pain no gain for nothing - it has been quite a ride, but (hopefully) by tomorrow (or if I really wish hard) tonight we will be able to swim!!!

12- 14 September - Dikhololo weekend

Ed, myself and the kids went to Dikhololo for the weekend together with Burnard, Vanessa adn their kids. What fun! It was a fantastic, hot weekend and was great to all spend some time together. The kids had a blast and just loved being in each other's company for 48 solid hours (with not too many fights).

Visiting mom - September 2008

The kids and I went to visit my mom the weekend - it was great spending some quality time with them and finally seeing my mom's (stunning) new house. The village is great and there are loads of walking paths and playground areas for the kids.

Mom's house (from the road)

Play area