Steam Train

We were all so excited to be going on a picnic. Hayley arranged that we caught a steam train to Magaliesburg. The kids were so excited. Go here to find out more.

We really had a good but exhausting time. It was a 90 min train trip and the kids got frustrated after about 5. We loaded them with sweets and all sorts of crap and that made matters worse. By the end of the day, the carriage was humming it was so noisy!



Above are just a few of the pics.

Halloween

Christine you are a legendary party host!

We had Such a ball, everyone looked fantastic in their costumes. I am always amazed at how creative some people are.

Happy Halloween!

Christmas Planner

Have I told you I am looking forward to Christmas this year? We I am, I feel like a Kid again.. Maybe it is because my kids will love it this year. Also, every year I am disorganised but i have planned to be organised this year. I have already started planning the legendary family picture... I have got the layout for the letter.
My latest little bit of excitement is this gorgeous little Christmas purse planner. You keep it in you bag (yes with all the other things) and keep track of gifts, cards, {who sent you cards - Mag you about the only one who is safe there:-)}

I think it is really neat...

Cut the Crazy out of Christmas...Start Early

I have signed up for the BPS Class on Cut the crazy out of Christmas. I am definitely looking forward to Christmas this year and can't wait for the December Holidays. We had Rylee come stay for the weekend and so I decided that we would make our own Advent Calendars. I never expected them to come out as great as they have. These kids are creative! All the little bits and bobs were their doing. If I were to make it it probably would have been ultra boring!

Doodles!

Last Saturday, I went to a Sephanie Ackerman class on Doodling. You can visit her blog here

http://www.homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/

She taught us some really simple tricks on how to doodle. She doodled my name.

I just love her style. I then tried it??? Still needs a bit of work.

I did this one for Teresa of her Family name. How fun!

Here are Stephanie and I with our presents! I was so excited when Lara walked over and said" Who's present is that?" when she saw mine on the table. The strangest things connect people?!?

Our Glitzy Crop

So I am over a week overdue to put this on my blog and just can't let the opportunity slip by. We won an "organised" crop at our Big wig crop we did a few weeks ago. We decided to download the glitzy crop and make it real fun!

Kerry was the host ( just knew she would be good for this one!). I did the invites with Diamonds and all!

We all dressed up in glitz and Glamour! Don't we look terrific!

Simonne, Kerry, Christine, Donna and ME!

W all had a few pictures taken, trying to get the most out our dress up. Here is Donna,

ME

Check out my Bling ring!

And the Glamour Queen, Kerry!

Simonne, who really struggled with this but later anounced to us how she sunbathes topless?

Chris looking spectacular!

And this is is for those who never thought I would wear heels, I am far right.

We had a gossip competition I won't disclose all the details but Christine and Simonne came tied so we made them do a dance off.
Simonne won and was showere with a fantastic goody bag sponsored by Kerry.

This lead us to pm where we decided to actually scrapbook. We were having so much fun that it was a tall ask. We all managed to do t least one page. What fun it is to be a girl!

Challenge: Give Yourself a Present!

A challenge from Stacey Julian:

" I want you to give yourself a PRESENT. Look first and then I'll explain ...

You have everything you need right now to be vibrant, happy and fully engaged in the creative process of life. Sometimes you just have to slow down, look around and realize it! Here’s what I want you to do …• Snap ten or twelve photos of your life right now. Or find recent photos that you've already taken.• Compile these photos in one of these super-cute Bazzill Mono-Mini albums (keep reading)• Keep or carry this album with you, tucked in your purse or desk drawer for one full year.• Promise to glance through the album every time you stumble upon it or pull it out. • On October 1st, 2009, create a scrapbook page about your experience. Don’t worry – I’ll remind you. Just keep reading my blog!"

This is what mine looks like:

Damhoek for Easter

We took Michelle and Luis and their Kids (Connor and Cameron) to the farm for the Easter weekend. We all, as usual had a great time. Michelle is quite crafty so I took a bunch of crafty stuff for the kids (and Moms) to do. We made bunny ears, decorated Easter eggs and made paper bag animals. This is the age I am loving, getting to do what I love (crafts) with the kids. The hours just seem to melt away and I don't feel strained to look after the kids.

Mike, Amy and Ryan with their designer bunny ears!

Connor and Ryan will their full plates of eggs.

Easter morning was so much fun...the kids went to look for the Easter bunny and suddenly :-) Michelle and I spotted him running past the pool. They piled their plates high with wonderful eggs.

Amy still a bit confused as to what this is all about! (she was never a morning girl)

Some of the delectable eggs!
Cameron
Amy
Connor
RyanEaster Lunch
I was so proud. Mom taught me to make the ham, I ordered the raisin bread from the Spar in Maggaliesburg, grated the horse radish and dyed the boiled eggs.


In the evenings, we spent the time sitting around the fire.

Ryan learnt to ride his bike (thanks to Luis)

We found a mud patch on the roads and Mike decided to have some fun!

Water, Action, Smile Shutter!

Mike and I got new cameras today! Yes we each bought one so now we don't have to fight about who can have the camera when he goes fishing and I go scrapping! The good news is that I will be able to snap away for my blog again.....gee, I missed it!

So I got this funky little blue number and a matching pouch. It has touch screen and a smile shutter! (Simonne, I know you will love it it waits until your subject smiles and then takes the picture.... how neat!)
Mike bought this Lure looking lime green, waterproof camera. It will be a needed addition to his fly fishing tackle and I am certain with the colour his fishing prospects are going to be lookgin good! (Fish your heart out Wally and Quintin!)
This is a picture with Mike's camera of Ryan swinming....

Mike playing with his new little toy!

My smile shutter doing it's thing....

Just a cute one of Ryan!

So look forward to some interesting pictures in the future!