Christmas 2009

This year, Christmas eve was at our house. Ingrid was in charge of the tables and Rob the food. The theme was silver and 'Tiffany' Blue, with lots of fairy lights, it all looked beautiful.

Chris and James had to help decorate, putting up lights, putting out the favours and serviettes etc.

We had 20 people in all and had a great evening, the food was absolutely fantastic and poor Dawn roasted about 70 potatoes.

This year each person had to buy a gift to the value of R50 which was put under the tree and we then played a game where you drew a number and picked a present, the problem being that the next person to draw a present could, if they liked your present, simply take yours.

The only theiving that went on was between Chris and Gill and Grandpa, to see who could secure the biggest box of chocolates.

It was sad that this year my father didn't join us, but it would simply have been too much for him, so he came around with my Mom on Christmas Day, with Nicky as well.

James spent most of Christmas day building his lego that he received, he ABSOLUTELY loved the 3 in 1 lego set he received from John and Sandy.

Gill and Morten chuckling about something . . .

Chris and Rob removing all the paper from boards they got from Granny and Grandpa, that apparently give you the same sensation as surfing, snow boarding etc.

Gran and her daughter (Rob's mom) Dawn.

Sarah's First Holy Communion

James and I attended the Catholic Church for Sarah's First Holy Communion. It was my first time being inside a Catholic Church (that I can remember) and must say I felt a bit out of my depth when everyone around us started reciting things to the minister / father and we had no idea what was going on.

The incense that was burning was also very strong and caused a lot of coughing around the church, but aside from all that, Sarah looked lovely.

Scamp! Our latest addition

So there I am innocently minding my own business when a friend of our Tracy phones to tell us about a little border collie puppy that someone has rescued from a farmer who was going to drown it, but that they can't keep it as their Jack Russell dog is trying to kill it.

So off Rob and I go to have a look and 15 minutes later we are home with our new addition. Of course Splash just growls, Kelly is oblivious and most of the cats just run for the hills, all except of course Mickey, who now has a new playmate, check out the video below.

the first night, Rob's all, ' oh no, its got to sleep in the kitchen' so we barricade the kitchen closed, well that lasted about 5 minutes before she jumped over and charged down the passage to James who was in our bedroom on a mattress on the floor. (Reason for this is we had Granny and Grandpa staying with us for Christmas). Needless to say that was the end of that idea and now she sleeps wherever her fancy takes her.

Splash has also started warming up to the idea of her.

Weekend Away at Bettty's Bay

December 2009

Chris and a whole bunch of his friends went away with us to Betty's Bay on break-up day. It was quite an experience being away with 6 x 14 year olds for the weekend. But they were all very well behaved and polite and a pleasure to be with. Nana and I were pretty much barricaded into the bedroom as they took over the remainder of the house. James got a bit bored though. Nana then left on the Sunday morning to go back to town to see 'CATS' the show, whilst Rob drove down from Jhb and arrived the same Sunday afternoon.

We all had a great weekend, with swimming in the lagoon, braaing, walking, the beach, the botanical gardens and Chris driving Nana's car around. It was quite a freaky feeling driving behind him, thinking that's my baby driving that car.

The only place they didn't get to go were the penguins and the sand dunes, oh well, next time.

Chubby Bunny anyone?

This is where they spent a lot of their time, lazing around in the lounge, reading, playing poker and other games.

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A FAMILY FIRST - JAMES GETS A TROPHY

Last week I got a call from James's teacher to say that I must make sure to attend school prize giving as James is getting a prize. That was it, no indication as to what the prize was.



With Rob being away, I dragged Gran and Nana along with me. We sat through the prize giving, waiting to see what he would be getting.



Towards the end of the prize giving, they came out with a prize for the top femal swimming,

so I thought, OK, this is it, he is going to get the top boy swimming, but no, they then went on to the FINAL prize of the day.

For the most improved student in Grade 5 - JAMES MULLER.

Those of you that know me, will know that I was crying whilst he was going up to get it.

We are SOOOOOOOOOOO proud of him. Well done James!

Reports are due today, but Chris has also done so well this term having made dramatic improvements in his marks. Well Done Chris!

Our little Pussy Cat Was Sooooooo Sick

Poor old Jess, came into the bathroom and politely threw up her dinner all over the floor, now that has happened occasionally before, but that night she continued to get sick all night. She hid under Chris's bed and called out in pain all through the night - needless to say I didn't get much sleep as I kept getting up to check on her.

Took her to the vet the following morning and he said she must have eaten something that got stuck in her throat, so after various jabs I took her home again, and asked Gran if she would keep an eye over her.

Well needless to say, Jess was given a seat of honour on the couch and food and drinks provided, but sadly for over 2 days and nights, she quite literally did not move, she was so weak she could not even lift her head off the couch, nor support her own body weight whilst lying there.

Gran was the head nurse and every couple of hours gave her water with a t-spoon so she didn't de-hydrate.

Thank goodness yesterday she managed to perk up slightly and is now back to 100%.

Party Party Party

[click on the picture to enlarge]

Rob continues to amaze me, even after 17 years of marraige this month. We were invited to a Halloween party last night and the invite had strict instruction - no fancy dress, no entry.

Now you need to understand that Rob is the one who always goes 'Nah, I couldn't be bothered'. . .

Well Rob went to town and this is the result, right down to the fake nails he (or should I say I) put on. He looked great, and I think its only the 2nd time I have ever seen him dress up.

Boys will Be Boys

so there we were Cindy and I sitting inside working on a proposal, when we decided to take a break and get some fresh air, as we opened the front door and walked out, we were greeted with a body flying off the roof.

To our horror James and her son Warick had positioned the trampoline in front of the pool room doors and taken matress and themselves up onto the roof and created their own jumping game.

All the while videoing each other whilst doing it.

Have a look at this. . . Much as I was horrified, I had a good chuckle at the vidoes. I have only loaded the one, but trust me there were plenty of variations.

The one was shot with Warick under the trampoline and James jumping down on top of him - GOLDEN RULE BROKEN - no one under the trampoline.

Photo Shoot

It was so cool, Ingrid won a competition and we all went for a photo shoot at the New Age Portrait studios.

Although the shoot was for free, we spent lots of money afterwards buying photo's the worst culprit was Rob, I told him I was getting him one for his birthday, well R2500 + later when he said am I paying - the answer was very clearly NOT!!

But we all had a ball - something I can highly recommend. The cost of the shoot itself is only R200, its buying the photo's later which is where the costs come in.

It was Morten's idea to wear the jeans and white t-shirts - as he said, these are classic and we won't grow tired of them.

visit their website on www.newageportraits.com and book yourself a session, its really worthwhile.

My beautiful Mom, Nicky and the boys