Summer Christmas

Christmas this year was at our place, strange because at my age Christmas doesn't feel the same. There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child. Well it actually not all about presents but about the ultimate gift. No not the movie although wasn't that a great movie, The Ultimate Gift? It is actually about God's gift to an unwelcoming world. Well they needed him but didn't know it, the ultimate gift, Jesus. Anyway I'm digressing, here is Kenneth, Connor, Matthew, Amy and Braeden all enjoying the pool on a hot summer's day, sorry Christmas Day.

Okay where did I put that cream?

Here is Kenneth, Carol’s oldest son with their first born. “Spike” David Hales was born at 16h15 yesterday afternoon. Spike is just a place name until they can decide on a name. Being a first time dad is not easy with so many things to remember and all of a sudden you’re have somebody depended on you. Now changing nappies is supposed to be easy if you can remember where you put that cream. Added to this good day of visiting the new grandchild is that Sophia came home from the Vespa agents. Although I am R2566 out of pocket at least she back home safely.

Baby Shower

Today is a busy day in our family calendar. Kenneth, Shannon and Carol have organised a baby shower for Simone at the Secret Garden in Norscot Manor. Simone’s parents and her brother Daniel secretly arrived up from Durban to be part of the surprise. It is Carol’s birthday on Monday so they got Simone to the party on this pretence. With all her friends and family around, I could say positively that she was radiant. See for yourself in this photo of Simone with Kenneth.

Family Christmas

Since someone in the family tends to away over Christmas, we normally have a family day on the 16th which is a public holiday but this year we are leaving for the Cape on the 16th so we got together today at Shannon. It was a lovely day and the kids swam and played Frisbee. The grownups, me included, sat around and enjoyed the day. Here are the grownups, Steven, me, Carol, Darrel, Shannon, Kenneth and Simone, around the lunch table. We got Matthew to take the photo.

Mother and Child

Took my poor sick computer in to Sterling because it is still under warranty and she is not well. Ken and Simone brought Steven back from Midrand and stayed for supper. Here is Kenneth with Carol relaxing after supper.

Family wedding tree

Here are the family weddings on Carol’s side. (From right to left): Jimmy and Daphne (Carol’s mom and dad); Ken and Simone (Carol’s son and daughter-in-law); Darrel and Shannon (Carol’s son-in-law and daughter) and finally but not least Carol and I.

Reunion

Malcolm, Joy (middle), Henry and Kayleigh flew up from sunny Cape Town and landed in rain drenched Gauteng. It was good to see them again and we all (that is Kenneth (right), Shannon, Simone (left), Darryl, Carol, Matthew, Connor, Amy and I joined them for dinner at Cappuccino’s Café & Pizzera in Midrand. When we arrived there load-shedding had started and spent a hour and a half in candlelight. Just as we where about to order (only Pizza or Lasagne), the lights came back on. So I ended up with my favourite 600g oven baked T-bone steak. Uhmmm. Henry and Kayleigh are spending the night here with Matthew. Malcolm and Joy will pick them up tomorrow morning on the way to the Pilanesberg National Park.

Christmas Lunch

Ken, Darryl, Shannon, Mom, Simone,
Carol, Matthew, Amy and Connor

Ken in nearly finish kitchen

Three Weddings

Farewell to Malcolm and Joy

David, Daryl, Kayleigh, Malcolm, Jerome
Greta, Nicky, Carol, Kenneth, Daphne, Joy, Simone
Henry and Matthew

Family over for Dinner

Kenneth, Simone, Daphne and Carol

Brothers in Arms