Charlene Basson

AMber and her new puppt Dora

2011-09-02T10:36:00.000+02:00

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. In short- Amber loves watching Dora the Explorer and just recieved a puppy from Tannie Muis. Need I say more.

Dora (the explorer...)

Amber and Dora on the way to ballet

Lowveld

2011-06-29T11:22:00.000+02:00

I had to start with this photo of Ambers first ballet class! She loves it so much! I remember taking two ballet classes as a child and hating every moment. Who would have guessed that I would enjoy watching my Pixie enjoy it so much!

AMber and Xanthis having a bath at Graskop. This is bribe material for later in life :D

Nadine and Shawn joined us on our trip to the Lowveld. We had such a great time despite the cold!!

Fireplace

Impala in the kruger Park. They are so full up there that everyone refers to them as MacDonalds :D

We were so lucky with these elephants. They suddenly changed direction and started running straight towards our car and crossed the road right in front of us. Amber and Xanthis were so excited! It was too cute to see the babies follow there mommies across the road!

Ambers favorite is the Zebra

Oom Seekooi

This was a little turtle sitting on a rock in the middle of this watering hole

Amber had flu during our trip and was still such a good and brave little girl. We took the quads through the mountain on an hour trip and Amber loved every moment. This photo was after the helmets were off. I wish we had taken a pic with the full gear on. She kept turning and looking at me saying: Mommy, are you enjoying yourself? We were so full of dust and dirt as it is winter and very dry!! Amber didn't complain once despite being sick. My brave little Pixie

You go girl!!!

Nadine and Xanthis.

Shawn and Xanthis!

AMber and Sing Star

2011-05-31T16:58:00.000+02:00

AMber tells me a story!!!

2011-05-10T12:31:00.000+02:00

For Melissa

2011-04-17T21:22:00.000+02:00

Melissa, I so wish that you were here with your sisters. It was so great seeing them again. I posted this especially for you as I know you aren't on facebook and I wanted you to see some of the pics :D

All the cousins together in a photo

Sam and me

Uncle Mike and my Dad!

Pixie playing pool

The 5 of us

Nanna and her 4

I love this photo

Cindy went crazy for the chocolate

Joburg Zoo

2011-04-11T14:17:00.000+02:00

We took Amber to the Zoo on Sunday! We haven't been for a while now and its always great to go see the animals, have a great lunch and spend some family time together.

Amber really enjoyed the giraffe, elephant, hippo, polar bear and the camels.

Also, she loved the rides they had and it was a big fight to try and get her away from them. Bribing with ice cream didn't even help :-)

Hope you enjoy the photo's!

Daddy pushing Amber in the Hippo Car

Mwah

Amber and Isabella. Issi couldnt stop looking at AMber.

Amber loved taking pictures of the animals with her camera!

When she saw Timon her first question was - mommy, where is Pumba??

The Mosterts

Riding the spaceship

2011-04-08T18:20:00.000+02:00

My sister in law- Sune invited us all for a weekend away to Mabilingwe game reserve. Why, because her results were being released that weekend and she did not want to wait for them alone :-)

Needless to say, she passed and is now officially a chartered accountant!!

We had such a great weekend. I am sooooo behind with the blog, this was the beginning of March but I had to post some pics so enjoy!!

Sune, Oumie Daleen and Amber in the jacuzzi

Pumba at our front door

Mommy and Amber going for a walk

Amber loves riding on Daddy's shoulder because then she is bigger than mommy!!

Cutie Pixie

My beautiful little Amber

Pumba and her babies visiting us

AMber the big sister!

2011-03-14T13:36:00.000+02:00

Rihanna - Hate That I Love You ft. Ne-Yo

2011-03-11T09:03:00.000+02:00

Cutie Pie Pixie Face

2011-02-08T15:29:00.000+02:00

This is the special hat Teacher Jeanne made Amber for school this year!

My heart just melts at this naughty little smile

On our way to watch Tangled

This is an old pic I discovered of Candice and me at Lusito land 4 years ago

Another golden oldie of a sister I hardly see;-)

Photo's from January

2011-02-04T17:47:00.000+02:00

Getting ready to ride bike

Watch me go

Nothing tastes as good as a mango!!!

Eileen and Irene- my two students

Amber and Xanthis having a picnic

My beautiful Pixie

;-)

Amber and Xanthis dancing

Cricket

Happy Holidays

2011-01-11T17:25:00.000+02:00

We were lucky enough to be on holiday for 3 weeks this year!
Our trip started out to Ramsgate were we spent a week on our own enjoying the sun and beach. Unfortunately they broke into our apartment while we were sleeping and stole my camera(with all my holiday snaps), our laptops, Sias's wallet and iphone while we were in bed sleeping. I thank the Lord that we didnt wake up while they were there:-(

Thereafter we drove 400km to Sodwana where we went diving. Candice also completed her diving course so she joined us in the see. Mom and Jess promise to complete theirs this year!!
I do have some nice underwater shots.

We then drove back to Ramsgate where we spent Christmas with my inlaws and Sune. We had such a great time and really needed the break. Amber was swimimg in the lagoon and under water without any wings on by the end of the holiday! Was great spending so much time with her!

My little Pixie is starting a new school tomorrow and its all in Afrikaans of which she doesnt speak a word. Hopefully she'll catch on quickly. She is also turning 3 tomorrow so watch this space.

Fun in the sand

Candice and I

Thats me!!

Oumie Daleen

Candice and Dad

Oumie Wilma

Jess, AMber and Candice

Stunning shot of Sias that I took and love

This is a frog fish! Very rare find.

Amber and her baby born dolly

Amber and Lola! Lola went to the see with us

Turtle eating off the reef

Merry Christmas Amber

Daddy and daughter.

I hope everyone had a lovely relaxing festive season and didnt pack on too many extra kilo's. Happy New Year to All!!

Painting Nails

2010-12-09T07:49:00.000+02:00

Amber Bassonitjie!!!

2010-11-22T11:30:00.000+02:00

Amber is very very camera shy so this must be the longest recording I have of her! When she watched it and heard the question how old are you she immediately said 2 but for some or other reason said 3 in the video.
Lately her favourite song is 'I'm gonna be a mighty king' from the lion king so I am working on getting her to sing that for the camera- no luck yet!!!
Also, our surname is Basson and Amber thinks hers is Basson'itjie....

SoccerStarz

2010-11-22T10:53:00.000+02:00

Amber had her prizegiving for soccerstarz on Friday! Shame, only then did I realize that she was the youngest and also the only girl :-)
She kicks a ball so well after doing these lessons so I guess the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup also helped my Pixie become better!!!!

Most of the boys were over 4 and Amber is under 3 and the only girl. ALso very much on her own mission...

Getting ready to kick to coach!

This is called the stop street or something like that! Too cute!

Recieving her medal and certificate!

Eastgate Fun

2010-11-13T16:28:00.000+02:00

Round about with Amber :-)

2010-11-08T18:06:00.000+02:00

Amber loves splashing in the muddy puddles with her wellingtons, so here I found her butt naked splashing away.

Say cheese!!!

It's Clamber Club time. Still so much fun after all these years!

Painting with custard during messy play!!

Slippy Slide!!!

Hey- where'd she go???

Luckily I wasnt the only mommy to forget a costume :-)

So, just a quick peek into some of the fun things my Pixie gets up to! Lately, to my dismay- she only wants to wear dresses to school every single day!!! The other day she had soccer starz and she was doing it in an ankle length dress!!! So cute :-)

Walking the Dog

2010-11-03T18:54:00.000+02:00

I decided (to the dismay of my husband) that the dogs need to go for walks more often. Three dogs = three willing walkers so we got everyone leashed up and ready to go!
Amber did so well walking Li'l Einstein. It was the cutest thing. They did the whole block on their own with Einstein only escaping twice :-)
She was so funny. At one stage she tripped over her own feet and poor Einie had to take the blame. Should hear her telling him how naughty he was!!

Only grabbed my camera at the end of the walk but had to share some...

Halloween

2010-11-02T16:27:00.000+02:00

So I know that South Africans arent really big on Halloween but Dowerglen Ext 3 residents decided to have a group initiative this year and all the kids went trick or treating together. Residents that participated had to put ribbons on their door to show the kids they could knock.....

Fairy Princess

With Oumie Wilma

With Oumie Daleen

Little Pumpkin friend

First door

All the sweeties

Amber was lucky enough to have her beloved grandparents there as well as her favourite Aunt- Jess to accompany her! She was very hesitant due to all the 'monsters' lurking around and also to knock on doors that is until she saw that the reward for that was sweets....
It was such a lovely evening and the walk did us all good.
While the woman were out we left it to Oupie and Sias to hand out sweeties to the kids. When we eventually arrived the sweets were nearly all finished because Sias was giving each child about two handfulls each- LOL!! Next year he will be better trained.....

Random photo's

2010-10-19T12:00:00.000+02:00

Amber swimming and Xanthis watching from the sidelines :-)

Ready for paintball

Candice and I. We had such a painfully good day! Those small balls of paint really pack a punch!!!

Driving range

2010-10-05T19:52:00.000+02:00

Daddy showing us how it should be done :-)

Madam fetching her golf set

On the way to the putting green

She just loved tying to get the balls in the hole! Didnt do to badly either...

Basket with washed balls.

We all had such a good time at the driving range it almost convinced me to start playing golf. But then I had a cold savanah and decided I much prefer watching from the sidelines ;-)
Mwah

PRO 20 Cricket and Innibos

2010-09-28T12:55:00.000+02:00

Amber and Oumie Wilma

Amber and Xanthis

Jess and mom

Oupie Arnold and Oumie Daleen

Shawn and the terrible two!!

Big Hug

What a shot

Pa en Seun

Ma en Seun

Amber lying on Uncle Shawns back

At Innibos in Nelspruit with Tannie Muis

Sias and his boss

Amber having an ice cream

Glo in the dark

Amber loves the rides and even did a few that I was to scared to go on!!

This one moved so fast I couldnt get a photo

Bobby

My favourite- Theuns Jordaan

Elgro River Lodge

2010-09-13T17:47:00.000+02:00

We were once again lucky enough to have Vodacom treat us to a family weekend away! We really needed the break and we had such a good time. From rowing 12km and getting badly burnt, crossbow hunting(only rubber animals though), mampoer tasting (Phew) and all the good food and friends I really didnt feel like ever coming home!!

Packed and ready to go!!

Swimming time at the the lodge whilst the Ostrich watches :-)

These two played and fought the whole weekend. They are so cute together!!

Lucky Sias with two 2 year olds....

Amber enjoying the game drive

Some blou wildebeest

Amazing still to see these amazing animals in their natural habitat!

Amber and Mignonne

The beautiful Vaal river! I must add that when rowing on it for 12km one tends to forget the beauty a little and wish it wasnt quite as long....

Amber preparing for the bow and arrow hunt!!

I tried but did not succeed!

Sias trying his luck

Amber and Mathian. She cant wait to have a brother or sister :-)

Look who had her first haircut....

2010-09-07T20:09:00.000+02:00

Before the haircut

Getting ready

Look at AMber looking down so the hairdresser can cut nicely

Blowing dry

Say cheese

My daughter is the new improved version of me. she is who I would be if I'd thought about who I was going to be before I became who I am.

2010-09-04T00:13:00.000+02:00

Hee hee

Watering the garden for mommy

Amber and Oumie Daleen at Spur on the train!!

The three special people in my life :-)

Having an ice cream at Harties

30th Birthday Bash

2010-08-25T16:35:00.000+02:00

elissa and Dalene( Sias's nephews wives)

Me and Shawn

Christo and Nicolene

Francois and Amanda

Cornel and |Steph

Crazy hubby

Claire, Renier and Adelle

Candice and the new man in her life - Riaan. He is a pilot for those wondering!!

Sune( who gave me the sweetest birthday present)

So we had such a great time with my birthday this year. We went to Rhapsody's and had dinner and dancing till the early hours of the morning. I was lucky enough to have ,my father and mother in-law there too having a good time with us young bunch! Thanks guys, you are the best!
I was so spoilt this year and received so many beautiful gifts that becoming 30 didn't phase me as much as I thought it would. No hiding under the duvet for the entire day waiting for it to pass but rather embracing it with friends and family!
I even received a phone call from a friend who lives in GALT, California in USA!
All in all I realized how lucky I am and how many special people I have around me!
Mwah to all!!!!

Ambers Swimming Classes

2010-08-19T19:15:00.000+02:00

I give extra Afrikaans lessons so I havent been with Amber to swimming in a while. I was so surprised to see her swim this evening, all on her own without daddy having to get in the water with her! Feels like just the other day were I took her as a 1 year old for her very first lesson. Now she swims under water all on her own without a hint of fear!

Getting ready for her swim

My little Pixie is growing up way way way to fast!!!

August getaway

2010-08-16T19:56:00.000+02:00

So we finally went away as a family for the long weekend. My father in law was kind enough to let us use the flat for the weekend. I really enjoyed relaxing and listening to the see in the evenings whilst enjoying a glass of good red wine. Amber just loved playing in the water and building sand castles which she loved to destroy( especially those that her daddy tried to build)

We keep promising ourselves that one should do this more often, but.... you all know how it goes. We also managed to spend a night in Umkomaas and did a dive the one morning! Once again it is reggie season so there were plenty of ragged tooth sharks around. |

It feels like summer is around the corner and I cannot wait to embrace its warmth after this terribly cold and long winter! Hope you enjoy the photo's :-)

Guess??

2010-08-04T11:34:00.000+02:00

Guess who is going diving Thursday en then going on to the see???

Yip, we are going diving at Aliwal Shoal on Thursday and then moving on to the flat at Ramsgate for some much needed relaxation and family time. + its much much warmer down there than it is up here!!!
Watch this space!!

Gautrain trip

2010-07-25T18:50:00.000+02:00

Amber enjoying Nelson Mandela Square

Amber having her ribsOn the way to the train.

Sias and I enjoying lunch in Sandton

Amber on the train

So we all really enjoyed the trip. I dont know what is going on with the picture upload cause I cant seem to get them in any order! This last picture was taken outside the station. Amazing day spent with family!

2010-07-19T18:13:00.000+02:00

I took AMBER to watch Toy Story 3 on Saturday! This was her first visit to the big movies and she was such a good girl. On the way we saw a HUGE grasshopper :-)
She sat still the whole way through eating her popcorn and drinking her juice.
Also, my Pixie is finally 100% potty trained. No more accidents for this big girl.

Moms 50th

2010-07-11T16:39:00.000+02:00

My mom turned 50 on Sunday and I threw her a party on Saturday night to celebrate her 50 years of being the greatest mom and friend I could ever ask for!
Doesnt she look great? Mom, thanks for all you have been and done for me! I love that I get to see you every day and be there for you in many ways. Thanks for being such a great Oumie for Amber- she loves you sooo much!

Family pictures

2010-06-30T18:56:00.000+02:00

Our wedding photographer came to visit us a while ago and he did a family shoot for us. It was after 8 in the evening so Pixie wasnt the easiest candidate. I am very happy with these photo's and just had to share some of them with you.

The ones of Amber and I are too big to download, but are amazing!!

Fathers Day Day

2010-06-24T21:05:00.000+02:00

SA vs URUGUAY @ Loftus

2010-06-17T20:09:00.000+02:00

Soccer World Cup and my first trail race!!!!

2010-06-14T18:35:00.000+02:00

Preparing for the World Cup - The Big Picture - Boston.com

2010-06-11T22:21:00.000+02:00

Preparing for the World Cup - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (The Official 2010 FIFA ...

2010-06-09T22:02:00.000+02:00

ABBA BABY ;-)

2010-06-08T17:46:00.000+02:00

WE had an ABBA fancy dress party for my friend Anells birthday! No words to describe the photo's. Sias dodged the camera the whole night ;-)

Dads new Bike

2010-05-31T18:17:00.000+02:00

Yip, he finally did it! Dad went and bought himself a 1200CC Honda!

Amber wasnt very keen for a ride!!!

Mom and Dad, drive safe and enjoy!!

Baking a Cake and Rugby Pics ;-)

2010-05-29T15:35:00.000+02:00

So Amber and I decided to bake a cake last weekend before the family arrived for the rugby!
We had such fun. The best part ;-)

Helping mommy

Having some fun on the couch!!! Looks worse than it is!! Sias completely outweighs me which isnt fair but doesnt stop me from trying - LOL!!!

Mommy/Oumie

The best mom-in-law in the world ;-)

So the Bulls are playing the stormers this weekend in Soweto!!! Go STORMERS!!!

Happy Birthday Candice

2010-05-15T11:21:00.000+02:00

Happy Birthday to a wonderful, beautiful, loving sister who turns 25 today!
Candice se glimlaggie is een van daai wat mens darem altyd laat beter voel maak nie saak hoe erg ander dinge vir jou voel nie. Haar opgewekte stemmetjie oor die telefoon al weet ek sy kry swaar so op haar eie in die Kaap herinner my net aan die pragtige mensie wat sy is!!
The little sister who always used to follow me around and always wanted to wear the same clothes as me. Even when I was 13 and she 8 years old... (atleast she stopped that - LOL)

Dis sissie wat my gehelp het om van n baie slegte man in my lewe ontslae te raak omdat sy vir my gese het sy ken nie meer die mens wat hy my maak nie en sy mis haar ouer sis na wie sy altyd kom opkyk!!!

I love you for everything you are and for the joy and love you bring into my life! For being one of my best friends and for always listening!

This year is going to be your year and you deserve every single bit of it!

Mwah Mwah Mwah!!!!

Loftus Blue Bull Rugby

2010-05-10T20:49:00.000+02:00

We were at Loftus again on Friday to watch the Blue Bulls play the Crusaders on home field for the last time before the Soccer World Cup!
Sias flew to Boston the next day so we really enjoyed our time together!

My friend Anell also went along. She is a huge Bulls fan...

Odds

2010-04-29T19:57:00.000+02:00

I Havent posted anything in a while so I thought I'd overwhelm you with a few family fun times.
Oumie and Amber having supper :-)
Poor Oumie hardly had any food for herself after Amber was finished... Candice and Dirk. Candice is off to Cape Town to start her new career so I had a family dinner at my place for her before she left. (sob sob)

My Pixie Face :-)

The three musketeers....

My table setting for the family dinner. You cant see on the photo's but Candice even got treated to candles and Sias made Jan Ellis Pudding for dessert... Mmmm

Cutie Pie with her cow slippers

We were in Buffelspoort for the long weekend. We go with Sias's family and friends every year!

This is a rare brother and sister pic.

Amber is a race star on her scooter!!!! Amazing how fast they can go on these things

I hope you enjoyed my update! More to follow soon....

Diving Weekend at Umkomaas!

2010-04-07T16:08:00.000+02:00

We had another wonderful weekend of Diving over the Easter holidays! My mom went with to babysit and Dad also dived with us! I qualified as an advanced Padi diver and had to navigate with a compass and write my name backwards at 30m under the water!!!
I loved it and cannot wait to go dive the red sea in Egypt in June!!
Amber in the car on the way to Umkomaas which is about 60km from Durban!

My Mom and Dad in Sabastians

Us!!

This is me!! Sias bought me an underwater camera and housing when he was in Hong Kong which I just love!! I love taking photo's and now I can take them 30 m underwater too!!

A ragged tooth shark!

Turtle eating of the reef!

My old man....

LOL- this is n real close up of me 20m under water!!

A beautiful photo of a moray eel!!

Sias at the Produce shipwreck! I was surprised that this came out as it is 32m deep and very dark down there!!No light comes down to colour the photo's!

This is actually a fish on the shipwreck! Look carefully and you will see!

Easter Egg hunting!!

And to top it all of Amber decided that this was the weekend she was going to give up nappies for good! Well done my Pixie- at 26 months Mommy is so proud of you!!

Now we just have to dump the dummy.....

My Pets : Sias not included in photo...)

2010-04-01T09:27:00.000+02:00

Elton John Concert

2010-03-26T21:03:00.000+02:00

Sias and I were lucky enough to be VIP's at Elton Johns concert in the botanical gardens last weekend.
I have never been a huge fan but I must admit that the man sure knows how to entertain.
We really had a great time in the beautiful night sky with more or less 30 000 people around enjoying the show!!

My brand new kitchen!!

2010-03-20T15:16:00.000+02:00

Just thought I'd show you some pics of my new kitchen. The photo's dont give it justice though!
I love it!!!!
We still need to put the blinds in but we want to do that when the whole house is done:-)
Here are photo's of my brand new smeg washing machine and dishwasher! An oven and stove any woman would die for.....
My previous stove was gas so I opted to go that route again!

A very nice wine rack and vegetable cupboard

I hope you like it as much as I do!

End of term @ ClamberClub

2010-03-15T17:26:00.000+02:00

Amber has been a ClamberClub member since she was three months old. We had another end of term event complete with certificate and even big Jog came to say hello. Needless to say: Amber was terrified of big Jog. I have never seen her so scared in my life- POOR BABY! Suppose life- size frogs just arent her thing.
This was Saturday after Kelly concert. Then we still had a birthday party for one of Ambers friends afterwards!
They sure know how to take up your weekends...

Conner was following Amber around the whole morning!

Isnt she just the cutest! Mommy just loves this little face!

Kelly Clarkson

2010-03-14T16:24:00.000+02:00

I took Jessica and her friend Bonita to the Kelly Clarkson concert on Friday night.
Kelly was fantastic, we enjoyed every minute of it, as you can see!!

Kitchen sneak peak!

2010-03-07T21:39:00.000+02:00

So, once again we had to go out for breakfast this morning because I am still without kitchen.... Isnt she the cutest?

My new gas stove. Still standing in the dining room though!!

Never thought I would see the day my husband cleans out shelves,Hee hee. We are nearly finished with the kitchen so we started packing a few things in the cupboard so long!

Watch this space.....

TaDaaaaaaa!!!!!

2010-03-01T19:14:00.000+02:00

YIPPEE!! Ambers bathroom is finally finished (well almost)
We still have to fit the blinds but we want to do that when the whole house is done!
Doesnt it look stunning. She loves her new bath as it has a little seat for her. She also loves showering so we are glad we decided to add a shower to her bathroom! Hee Hee, toilet is also new!

Watch this space for photo's of my almost completed kitchen!!

Ambers First Athletics Day

2010-02-27T17:42:00.000+02:00

Amber had her first ever 'athletics' day today! What a funny experiance. The children were so overwhelmed! Towards the end they all started participating and my little Pixie was running so well. They had little egg and spoon races and all the fun stuff!
Amber was in the red team!!
So, lets hope this was the first of many!!!

Fun on the scooter!!

2010-02-21T18:02:00.000+02:00

Amber and I were riding on her scooter the other day. I soon realized that it was defnitely not designed for two... The back (thats were I sat) flipped back and we both landed on the floor.
Luckily daddy had his camera handy and managed to capture the craziness!!!

She was enjoying it so much!!

These are the things memories are made of!!!

AAGGGGHHHH!!!!

2010-02-18T19:11:00.000+02:00

Amber enjoying some cereal in our new makeshift kitchen!

I thought I would share my current home situation with all of you! Dit maak my mal.

This is a picture of my current kitchen. Isnt it beautiful - hee hee!

They put a new bath in for Amber today so watch this space....

My stunning Poekie Boo

2010-02-14T19:53:00.000+02:00

My beautiful little sister had her first high school dine for valentines day! She looked stunning and I cant believe how big she is already! My Poekie Boo! The prettiest little sister ever!

Amber the budding artist!!

2010-02-10T17:26:00.000+02:00

Amber and I had such fun painting on Wednesday! What started out as hand prints for her ouma's ended up body painting..hee hee.

Isnt she just the cutest little thing?

Artist in the making. She did these all on her own.

Washing up afterwards.

Pixie Face- mommy loves you PLENTY!!!!!

Bathroom 1

2010-02-07T18:39:00.000+02:00

So we have decided to redo all three our bathrooms and our kitchen...crazy I know. Who would have thought that this small guest toilet could create so much dust. Well, judging by the before and after pictures it has definitely been worth the four days of dust. This is the end product and I think it looks stunning

Watch this space for further renovations to the Basson house! They will start on the kitchen and Ambers bathroom next Monday! Heres hoping everyone invites us over for supper while I am stuck without a kitchen..hee hee

Joburg Zoo

2010-01-31T17:45:00.000+02:00

We went to the Zoo with our good friends Shawn and Nadine. Amber couldnt wait to see Xanthis again! They were holding hands the whole time- too cute! They look like brother and sister as their features are very similiar!

Amber and her Daddy on the jungle gym!

We rented these cars after a while as short little legs quickly tire! Amber wanted so badly for Xanthis to ride with her but he was very content in his blue little car and refused to budge!!

Big tears towards the end of the day! They saw so many animals and had so much fun they were completely exhausted by two!

We ended the day with some fun rides

More Honeymoon photo's

2010-01-24T07:46:00.000+02:00

Amber and her Moon Sand

2010-01-17T14:48:00.000+02:00

Amber recieved the Moon Sand as a christmas gift from her Aunty Sune and on Saturday we thought we'd try it out.
It's like clay/sand and moulds amazingly.

Don't forget the clean up afterwards. The sand gets in everywhere...

Isnt she too cute sweeping with her little broom

Amber turns two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-12T21:49:00.000+02:00

On the Sunday before Ambers birthday we had a birthday party at home for Amber. There were seven little friends for Amber and they played the whole afternoon. We had a jumping castle for the kids and they also swam in the splash pool, played in the sandpit and on the jungle gym. Luckily the rain stayed away so everyone had a great time. I just love planning her parties.

With her finding Nemo birthday ice cream cake on Sunday during her birthday party!!. Amber loves finding Nemo, she watches it all the time. Some mornings the first thing she asks me is 'Amber want to watch Nemo, please Mommy....' My Mom and Dad got her the Nemo cake and she managed to blow out both andles on her own. She is already telling everyone she is 2!!! My very first bike. We gave this to Amber Tuesday morning. She couldnt wait to get on. Might be a while before she can ride by herself though....

On our way to Spur on the 12th! On Tuesday we went to Spur for Ambers actual birthday day! What started out as dinner for the three of us turned into dinner with the family. My mom, Jess, Candice, Sune, ma en pa, Nanna and us. So lucky to have the family close by. Just missed Dad and Dirk who are both in Ellisras during the week. Nanna and Candice also enjoying the evening with us! Aunty Sharon asked me how Nanna is doing and I must say she hasnt changed since last year when she came to visit!

Amber is still not completely used to the idea of Nanna staying here, but is starting to warm up to her!

Amber had a chicco the clown ice cream with a sparkle and they even came to sing happy birthday to her. She was so cute clapping hands while they were singing!

How could the birthday girls evening be complete without a few rides in the games arcade.... Happy birthday my Pixie Face. Words cannot describe how much I love you!

These two years have been the best two of my life:-)

Amber's first day at Nursery School

2010-01-09T16:57:00.000+02:00

My Pixie started Nursery School on Wednesday for the first time.
I rather think it is much more traumatic for the mother than for the child.
After the first day they were already telling me how clever Amber is, she can already identify the alphabet and count to 15 and she isnt even two yet!!!

I must admit, feels like she is growing up WAY to quickly......
Mommy loves you my big girl.

Christmas Time

2010-01-06T08:26:00.000+02:00

I was lucky enough to have my family at our home this Christmas Eve. My father and mother in law, sister in law, two sisters and Dirk who is Candice's boyfriend.
We had such a lovely time. This is my favourite day of the year, full of family and love.
I love the fact that two different families can come together and celebrate the birth of Jesus together!
Here is a pic of my new mom and Dad

Sias and I.

Xanthis came to visit on the 26th. He is 11 months older than Amber and they just love playing together!

Candice and I. We always have a dance to 'all I want for Christmas' sung by Mariah Carey

Father Christmas was Sias. Amber had such a fright when she saw Father Christmas until Sias removed the beard so she could see it was him....

Sune and I playing around the tree!!

Guess who got a hug from Father Christmas....

My little Pixie angel

Getting ready to give oupie a kiss

Mom, Amber and Einstein having some fun on the grass...

Sleepy Time

2009-12-24T14:40:00.000+02:00

Look who decided to go for a nap in her doggie 'Einsteins' bed......

Sodwana Holiday

2009-12-21T20:03:00.000+02:00

We had a lovely six days at Sodwana Bay Lodge in Natal. Its on the Mozambique Border so the reef there is one of the best in the world to dive at! We even got my Dad and Mom to try the course and congrats to my Dad for getting his open water certification! Was so nice to be able to dive with him. We have underwater photo's and will post as soon as I recieve them. Amber and Jessie!!

Don't ask..... Oupie and Amber...
For some or other reason my Dad can just Not pull a face for a photo!

Tired after a long day of fun in the sun

Here we are having our briefing before we launch the boat!! Mr and Mrs...

Off to sea we go. Such an amazing experiance, wish I had started sooner!! Suddenly going down 20meters seems like nothing. I saw turtles eating off the reef, little 'nemo's' in their reefs, parrot fish, sharks, moray eels, blue spotted rays, pipe fish,paperfish, sole etc..I love it!!

Mommy's Pixie was on the beach with oumie and oupie

Jess and Sias in the pool with my water baby

Sun City Nedbank Golf Weekend

2009-12-07T19:38:00.000+02:00

WE were lucky enough to be invited to spend the weekend at sun city during the Nedbank million dollar golf challenge!

What a stunning weekend we had, with our every need taken care of.
Amber and Jess in the back seat on the way to Sun City
Having a nap on the way...

Yeah, finally arrived!!

Watching golf!!

On the bus from the hotel to the valley of wavesJessica and Amber in the bus! Amber just loved being on the bus..
My Pixie

The beautiful Valley of Waves at Sun City

Sias and Amber going down the slide. She is such a great swimmer but was very unsure in the shallow pools....

Sias having a go at trying to run inside the balls...
Thank-you Vodacom Business and Broadlink fo a absolutely stunning time!!!

Mommy's little big girl....

2009-12-03T20:51:00.000+02:00

Guess who helped mommy put up the Christmas tree this year??

All the big silver balls were hanging on the same spot at the bottom of the tree but Amber was so cute doing it. She was a real pro....

Last year she was only 11 months old with Christmas so this year she is going to have such a blast!!! Still the only grandchild for both sides of the family so she gets to have all the undivided attention!!!!!

My Qualifying Dive

2009-11-29T16:56:00.000+02:00

Hello guys, this is how you look twenty meters under water....What a brilliant experiance. I came face to face with sharks twice where if I stuck out my hand I could have touched them. I have added a photo of the reggie sharks we saw. We dove 30meters to see a shipwrech-WOW!!

This all in Umkomaas, about 60km from Durban. I am officially an open water diver and I cannot wait to go diving again in two weeks time, this time in Sodwana.

I
Sias and myself
Totally beautiful...
Sias and Ruan having a drink on the beach after a day of diving. We had a braai on the beach!!

My Pixie is growing up...

2009-11-29T16:41:00.000+02:00

Just some random family pics..

Amber just loves her handbag and high heel shoes...Sitting with daddy on her jungle gym at home...
Hee Hee, daddy also has to slide down. What a sight to see someone weighing 100KG + sliding down a kiddies slide
Oumie and Jess
Amber and her favourite aunt, they adore each other!

My Open Water Dive

2009-11-22T16:05:00.000+02:00

So, after a month of lectures and two pool sessions I finally did my first two open water dives at Bass Lake this weekend. Sias has been diving for years and I finally agreed to go down with him.

Thailand snorkeling practically convinced me that I have to give it a go!!

The dives didnt go too bad as we still had plenty of skills to do down at the bottom such as taking your mask off under water and putting it back on, removing regulater, clearing mask etc. This all to qualify as a open water diver so I can dive to a depth of 18m...

We went down to 10 meters today .Next week we are going to Umkomaas to Aliwal Shaol for the see dives. Apparantly one of the top ten dive sites in the world and almost guarenteed to see Rekkies (sharks) and plenty recked ships.

Watch this space for beter pics and updates.

Some Honeymoon Pics

2009-11-20T09:26:00.000+02:00

This was our first night at the Amari Coral Beach Resort in Phuket!
We started our honeymoon in Singapore and were there for 2 and a half days before flying on to Phuket in Thailand.
My photo's are very 'deurmekaar' but I thought I would post them anyway!
I am just waiting for Sias to downlaod pics from his camera with all the island photo's from the psi psi island and we also went to the island from the movie the beach!
I had an amazing time. My inlaws are going there in December and I hope they enjoy it just as much as Sias and I did.

The bars in Phuket actually have the South African Supersport channels.....

Having my first Mai Tai in Thailand/Phuket the day we arrived

They have these warning signs up everywhere

Anell, I posted these especially for you!

Proof that we did wear the tops you bought us!!!

Picture of the resort we stayed at. Amari Coral Beach Resortin Phuket Thailand!

Sias ordered this strange meal when we were still in Singapore. It even had fish scales on it. From the look on his face you can see what he thought of it!!

Sias buying my Dad a lense for his camera in China Town

This was taken at the Singapore zoo.

We had to take the rapid underground train and a bus to get there!

Their elephant show was amazing even though you cannot compare the beautiful african elephant to the asian elephant!

Sias on the underground train. I must admit I have never walked so much in my life. I came back from honeymoon 4 kg lighter!

Infront of the mall in Phuket on our last day in Thailand

I even met Elvis in the Magaretha club!! The music was so good there we visited it about three times. This place is in Bangla road in Phuket. At night they close the whole road and it is just a party street!

This is where you find the ping pong shows and the lady boys...,.

I did more video taking on our holiday and Sias had the camera so I will defnitely be putting up some more photo's.

I have to show you the scooter/tuk tuk and beautiful islands!

The Reception

2009-11-01T22:23:00.000+02:00

Walking towards the reception area after all the formal photo's
Entering the reception with the black eyed peas 'tonights gonna be a good night' playing

My Dad getting ready for his speech

Cheers

My maid of honour 'Anell' doing a toast

Candice and DirkJessie and Bonita
Andy and Chantal
Shawn, Nadine, Xanthis and Tannie Martie
Uncle Andrew and Aunty Valmai

Nanna and Ouma Bokkie ( Sias's ouma)

Uncle Mike & Rina
My Mom, Amanda and us!!
Sias and I going onto the dance floor for the opening dance. We chose to do the cha cha to the song Time of my Life from the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack!

Opening the dance floorHalf way through the song the DJ switched over to Christina Aguileras 'Candy Man' and the girls did a fun dance for the guys! Even Amber was dancing along!!
The guys and their shades checking us out...

Dad and I dancing to I loved her first from the Father of the Bride movie

Amber in the swing of things
My three very sexy bridesmaids
Nadine caught the flowers
Sias removing my garter

All in all the best night ever. One I will cherish for years to come!!

More Photo's

2009-10-25T17:56:00.000+02:00

So here they finally are.

Sorry I posted so many, even though this isnt even half of what was taken on the day!

Enjoy

I love this photo

Some fun

Amber and Xanthis
Mom and Dad

My stunning and wonderfully gorgeous family

My new Mom and Dad
And this is all of us. Family and everyone else that played a crucial part to making our day a huge celebration.
Tender moment during the reception

My stunning sister

The Ceremony

2009-10-24T18:33:00.000+02:00

The Wedding Party

2009-10-22T07:51:00.000+02:00

Some fun pictures we had done before the reception.
The photo's are all low resolution until I have them finalized and printed. We had such fun having these done, everyone really went all out to make the day extra special.
To follow will be the photo's from the service as well as our couple photo's....
Enjoy

My Bridesmaids

2009-10-21T15:32:00.000+02:00

My girls...

Arent they just lovely

Doing the can-can, which wasnt the easiest thing to do in a wedding dress...

On our way to the chapel

Just before entering the chapel

A sneak Peak at my wedding photo's

2009-10-20T15:06:00.000+02:00

So I finally have some time to post some photo's. I'll be doing a batch every day this week so watch this space....

My wedding day was better than I ever imagined it to be. I loved every moment and when I see these photo's I wish I could relive it again

Here Candice is helping me with my shoes while Sune watches

My shoes

My Pixie who stole the show at my wedding

Isnt this just the cutest picture??

Side of my dress

My mom and sister in law... Sune helping Amber with her hair

Mommy and Pixie

My name cards

Overlays on the table

Some table pics

Sias with Shawn (best man) and Louis (MC)

My handsome husband

My Dad and I on my big day!

2009-10-15T14:28:00.000+02:00

I just had to put this photo on my blog. I am meeting with my photographer tonight so hopefully I can get everyone up to date on my stunning day soon.

Love this photo that my friend Vanessa took of my handsome Dad and I as we entered the chapel!

I get goosebumps everytime I think of that perfect day!

Our Trip to the Spa

2009-09-21T21:47:00.000+02:00

I am lucky enough to have a 'sister in law' that just tops any other. On Sunday she took me along with my mom and Sias's mom to a whole day of massages and relaxation.

It was such a great day. We arrived and had breakfast then we went for a body scrub. After that they give you something to drink and then we went for a jacuzzi session. The other treatments we had: head and neck massage, foot massage, hand massage, full body massage and a facial.

Day of bliss, just what the Dr ordered for any bride to be.

This pic of Amber I just had to add. This was taken at the end of term at ClamberClub a week or so ago. Too cute
Hopefully the next pictures I'll be posting will be of the wedding and honeymoon.... So watch this space

The two loves of my life

2009-09-16T08:30:00.000+02:00

I don't have words to explain how much I love these two stunning people.

My Bachelorettes Party

2009-09-07T15:50:00.000+02:00

I just realized this weekend how lucky I am to have so many people around me who really really care for me. My bridesmaids- with the help of my mom and mom to be arranged the most stunning party ever. From the little cards where each guest could write me a message, to the thank-you cards, everything was planned down to the smallest detail. Sune (my almost sister) planned all the party games and did we have fun. From passing the cucumber to doing silly things every single person had a great time.

My outfits were also interesting. From the very 'sexy' hawain outfit to my tutu outfit for a night on the town. We even had our very own limo which took us to Teazehers.... Then to a club called Manhattens.

From the bottom of my heart- thank you to everyone who helped and who was there. I will never ever forget this night.

My Mom had to drink a shot without using her hands

I recieved atleast 15 sets of sexy underwear. Now I really cant wait for my honeymoon...

My new sister...Sune
My Bridesmaids Anell, Candice and Sune

Rina- Uncle Michaels fianceeI was blindfolded and had to put lipstick on the person to my right which just happened to be Jessica...
My mom and Amanda passing the cucumber
Candice playing the air gitar

Us girls infront of the limo- ready for a night on the townNadia, Berneace and I in the back seat
My bridesmaids and me infront of the limo
My tutu outfit........

'Pushing' the limo

Sjoe, what an experiance....Sorry girls- no photo's..

Zebula Game Reserve

2009-08-16T16:43:00.000+02:00

We were so luck to have Vodacom take us to a five star game lodge this weekend. We had the best time from the fantastic food to the great service and I even had a hour stress relief massage which was to die for!!

You can see Amber looking at the snakes, meerkat and birds. She really enjoyed all the animals and even touched the huge snake!!! She is much braver than her mommy....

Here you can see Sias holding the lion cub. You should see how they stalk Amber because she is smaller than them. So I didnt have her hold them but she did get a chance to rub his back and his face. She loves lions and always ROARS when she sees them.

Here are some random snaps of Amber playing with Mignon, who is three months younger than her. Amber is already 19 months old, and she counts all the way from one to ten on her own. She communicates so well now and I understand her most the time. Her vocabulary is so big already I am amazed at all the things she can say! Sure makes life easier if she can tell me things!

We had such a lovely weekend and it sucks to have to go back to reality tomorrow....