uh hum..

I forgot my camera Tuesday night when we went out to dinner for Tinekes birthday. Sorry!! But anyway, the food was really yummy!!
Cheerio!

Tineke's birthday

We celebrated Tineke's birthday on Sunday with a braai and lots of other yummy food. I didn't take that many photo's, sorry! We're eating out with them tomorrow night, so maybe I'll take some more then! (Tineke hates being on photos, so I'll have to be sneaky!) On the right is Reinier and Gerhard Baker talking IT most likely! Reinier is doing some programing work for him.

Spunky Wian, he's such a laugh!

re-decorate!

Pieter Scheenloop came over on Saturday night to help me re-decorate the house! I work with him at Afrit, and he is very good with interior design! He gave me heaps of good ideas, and I've already started painting things....you'll have to be patient for the photos!

Reinier drew this picture of a Protea with crayons when he was 13. I really like it, and think its brilliant - of course!
I'm saving up for some Roman blinds, then this kitchen nook will look really cosy! I found a great spot for the rooster Alison - thanks alot!

Playing poker later in the evening with Pieter, Hans & Marjolein and Chris Brand. We couldn't convince Pieter to play for his Mercedes... I'm not sure who won, but it was fun!

You're in our lounge Mum!

Lallies baby shower

We suprised Lallie on Saturday morning with a baby shower! The tea-garden was decorated so nicely, and we had a really enjoyable time! We are so thankful that God has blessed Leon & Lallie with a tiny miracle, and we pray that a healthy baby boy will be born on DV the 25th August!!

chit chat...
mmm...

chocolate cake anyone??

or maybe some carrot cake?!

lots of beautiful presents

and some more...!

Lallie with her Mum and sister Renita

hoh!!

Wow!! One of Lallies friends sewed lots of things with stunning Biggie Best materials.

and another hand-made blanket

traditional tuesday

Pa & Chrisstel returned safely from their holiday in Australia. So, it was time to all get together again for our traditional Tuesday dinner! Louis is growing up so fast!

Danielle and Jean-Marie enjoying Chrisstel's company
Daan cooking about 100 hamburger patties for dinner :-)

Aussie aussie aussie! Look what Oupa gave me!

birthday

We went to Chris & Leandrè van de Weterings farm on Saturday to help the birthday boy celebrate!

the cute farm house
What a view! The wildebees were really close to the fence.

Chris keeping an eye on the yummy potjiekos, one was curry chicken, the other one was lamb & vegetables. The farm tannies sure can cook! We also ate freshly baked bread with tomato jam and malva pudding for desert. It was a really nice kuier! I couldn't get the recipe of the curry chicken potjie, farmers secret apparently! (reminded me of Auntie Gaye and her recipes...top secret!)Reinier & I all rugged up. It was freezing outside!! Leandrè and Chris with his best smile ever...

The lamb potjie in progress... They started making the potjies at 15h00. A good potjie simmers for a good 3-4 hours, the meat is just so soft! Njummy...

The doggies keeping each other warm. The two boerboel puppies Sasha and Bulla are 3 months old, they're going to be huge! Then Oscar the jack russel couldn't resist joining them.

Shadecloth really helps keep you warm you know!! (what a genius)

baby boy...

Daan & Jessica were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby son.
He was born on the 14th July 2009 at 16h17. Weight: 3.4kg, Length: 50cm
He is a little brother for Anmari

my fingers might be wrinkly, but they sure hold my dummy in real good!
Hello Luhan! Eks Oom Reinier, ek en jy gaan een dag vis vang met Pappa!

Kuier @ Tonies Pizza

Corrien was here from Capetown for Carina & Thys' wedding. She is a viticulturalist (big word!) at a vineyard in Capetown and always brings some wine along! We went out with some friends to catch up. Lots of good gourmet Pizza, wine, and giggles...

L-R: Willemein, Petra, me, Corrien, Anja.

Hans, Christiaan, Wieger, Reinier
Virginia
These two naughty dogs seem to understand Sotho PERFECTLY but English? hmm, say what?? Virginia always sits here to have her lunch. (Pity theres no birds to look at in our aviary!)

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Reinier & I took two days off work and headed off to "Die Wildtuin"! We left at 4:30am Friday (my birthday, 26th June!). It was the best birthday ever, who wouldn't want to be in Kruger on your birthday? Everytime we go there it is so enjoyable, and God's creation is always so amazing, all kinds of animals in different shape & form. We arrived at the Phalaborwa gate at about 10:00am, and headed North to Shingwedzi where we stayed for two nights. The third night we stayed in Letaba. Here is a photo of the Phalaborwa gate:

Impala - there are always lots of these, but they are still beautiful.

We stopped at Mopani for lunch

A young elephant, they are so cute!

Reinier relaxing and cooking some yummy meat for dinner

Its quite dry in the Kruger in Winter, this riverbed was completey dry!

The conservationist himself...

jigsaw skin!

This squirrel was making so much noise, we thought there must be a snake! Then we saw a few more acting like this, and figured it must be breeding season. It looked like he was guarding his nest, as he was just above a large hole in the tree. Cute little things, and they are always so quick!

This photo is a bit blurry, but we had a good laugh watching this turtle hitching a ride! Later on when he tried to climb a bit higher he slid off the side. The hippo didn't even seem to notice.

Water buck

Kruger Park is so relaxing...

Martial Eagle - we think? Maybe Ard or Gerben will correct us?!

Baster Gemsbok. They have really striking features and are quite rare.

Watching the rugby in the lapa at Shengwedzi. SA vs British & Irish Lions. SA won...yippee!!

The Shingwedzi reception & restaurant area. Its right on the river.

Our hut where we stayed for two nights

We were up bright & early, and out of the gates when they opened at 6:00am. Enjoying a nice & chilly sunrise!

ducks :-) we aren't birders ok?!

brrr...its cold! Still below 5 deg!

Francolin

Stunning Inyala buck

Whatcha lookin' at?

Black-backed jackal

"Pajama Paarden" as the dutch say...

Cheat! Cant be bothered using the water trough! Making bacon & eggs at a rest site.

Bacon & egg always taste better in the bush. Strange isn't it??

Water buck

Arrving at Letaba gate for our last night

Bush buck

Rhino. You can see all the scratches on him from bashing through the bush! I would NOT want to get in his way! Look at me, I'm so beautiful! Ground Hornbill.

Soaking up the sun...

And saving the best for last!! We saw this cheeta mother with a younger one. STUNNING!!