Holiday Wrap Up

As we settle back into the normal pace of things, I look back over the holiday season with great joy in my heart. God has blessed with much more than we could ever ask for. Our first Christmas as a family was so wonderful, even if little Miss Ava didn't like Santa Claus, it was still a wonderful time spent with family and friends. Loads of good food and even more laughs.

The Advent calendar was a nice addition to our Christmas decorations and we are really looking forward to using it again next year. Johan and I will then have memories of this year and the bible verses we read. Best of all, Ava will be able to enjoy the treats and activities along with us. Even though we plan on spending December in America, I plan on taking the calendar with us, minus the red board, of course. 

Christmas was spent in the Free States with Johan's family. I really love going there and have spoken about it many times on the blog. Here, here and here. 

There were about 47 of us, aunts, uncles, oumas, oupas and cousins, lots and lots of cousins. We made the trip down with Johan's brother Hennie and his family. 4 hours, 4 adults and 4 children under the age of 4. That was quite an adventure to say the least. 

I am very proud to announce that my Afrikaans has come along way and I can now actually enjoy and contribute to the conversations around me. Still only responding in English, but understanding much more. Singing Silent Night and the other carols in Afrikaans was a wonderful experience for me. Finally, I am starting to feel less as an outsider and more apart of the family. It's a bit uncomfortable when everyone is relaxed, and then you see that they have to switch to another language just for you. 

These photos are from Christmas Eve at Johan's cousin, Charl's house. Not too many pictures of the food, as Johan and I were too busy stuffing our faces. The starter was mussels in a white wine and garlic butter sauce with fresh brown bread. I ate so many, Johan's aunt came up to me and told me I needed to save room for the main course! Red faced, I had to admit I thought those were the main course. They were so good, I could have eaten the entire pot, and almost did! For the main course, we had beef and chicken shawarmas, in the States we would call them gyros. Yum. 

singing Christmas carols

part of the clan

I love this little person!

Me, Ava and Juan searching for Father Christmas (Santa)

Keira shouting for Father Christmas

Ava, not so happy with Father Christmas 

Santa gave Ava her first tea pot for Christmas!

Christmas Day was spent at Tannie Igna and Oom Hennie gorgeous farm house. There was so much food, I wouldn't even know where to begin with what we ate. From beef fillet to chicken breast, a smoked tuna starter of some sort and so many salads and side dishes. Beautiful desserts brought by my mother in law. All of it was so delicious. 

love the ornaments in the weeping willow

all dressed in red. 

Ava with her Oupa, my father in law

Toasting those who had passed or were far away.
ps: That's you, Charl and Lee

just chatting about our future... 

We spent New Year's at Zebula, a game lodge / golf estate with three other couples. Again, way too much good food was consumed. A bit more alcohol and loads of laughter. Zebula was our first family trip away with our friends and their families. It made us feel like real grown-ups. With 8 adults and 6 children, we all got along surprisingly well. The house was perfect, the food was perfect and the company couldn't have been better. Looking forward to our next holiday with these folks.

Can we get in the pool now, Mom?

The Girls!

loving my chalk board bunting!

Happy New Year every body!

Blair

Back to Reality

Yesterday was back to reality and back to my first day at work in the new year. Traffic was a breeze as most of the country is still on holiday until next week. The office was even more quieter, as I think all of our minds were still in holiday mode.

I am really looking forward to 2012 and the exciting times it will bring for our family. We have quite a few big events already planned.

Any day now, our newest nephew will make his grand entrance into the world. It's a shame he is in New Zealand, but thanks to Skype we will get to see and talk to him often. Hopefully we will get to meet him sooner than later. This little guy is already loved by so many people all around the world, all who can't wait for him to arrive!

stole the pic from Facebook. Isn't my sister in law gorgeous?!?!

Ava turns one in a few weeks and I am still busy putting together her party. You'd think I would be finished, since I started planning in October. Yet, there is still lots and lots to be done. I still need to pay the deposit on the cake, which I am a bit nervous about as it's not like the baker has made before the cake I have requested. But, I've seen her previous work and think she can pull it off. Fingers crossed as we wait and see.

As we get older and our friends begin families of their own, it means lots of more birthday parties to attend. Not sure what's better? The first birthday party or the subsequent birthdays where they actually enjoy their friends and the excitement of the day. Ava's first might be a little OTT (shh! don't tell her dad), but hopefully our friends will brush it off as her mom just being a crazy American... Thank you over the top kid's parties tv shows!

a little message in a bottle

In March, Johan will travel to China for ten days with work. I am so excited (and jealous) for him to see this part of the world. China isn't one of my top places to visit, but nonetheless, I would jump at the opportunity to go. Not really sure how I will cope without him for ten days, but at least I have Ava and my iPad to keep me company.

We also have a friend who is planning on coming to visit in March from the States. Super exciting. I love getting people's reaction of South Africa and where we live. It's my norm now and I love hearing an outsider's opinion and their questions. Watching them try new food and then coming to the realization that it actually isn't so much different from home then they had imagined. Well, except for the Zebras they will see on the side of the road. Oh, let's not forget all the goodies we get shipped to them to bring over for us. Going to start my Baby Gap wish list now!

I want this...

and this...

and she most definitely needs a pair of these!

The seventh of August marks my thirtieth birthday. SCARY! Hoping sparkles are still in style then, as I would like to wear something really sparkly on my thirtieth. Break out of my fashion shell a bit.

 like these pants, out to lunch with the girls

this shirt, on a surprise trip to Cape Town

or this dress, just dancing around the house*

All year we will be trying to save as much money as possible. So if you have any good tips on saving, PLEASE, please pass them along. I, for one, have never been a person who is good at saving. What are we saving for you ask? Our trip HOME to America in December! Oh I cannot wait to introduce Miss Ava to our family and friends!! By then she will be a proper little girl, full of life and personality.

Our plan is to stop in New York City to see my old friend Sherrill, travel down to Washington, DC and meet my brother to do some sight seeing. Then head to North Carolina for about three weeks of fun with family and friends. Really looking forward to Christmas with my brother and sister and their families. And hopefully a grandma or two, my aunts and uncles, and cousins too!

I am in talks with the BFF to organize a massive play date in December, at one of my favorite hangouts and her business, Kate's skating rink. Will keep you posted on the details and let me know if you want to help out!

Well, those are the things we are BIG things to look forward to this year. What do you have planned?

Happy New Year!

Blair

PS: Will post pictures of our holiday soon!

*I found all these pics on Pinterest

Thanksgiving

After 4 years of living in South Africa, you'd think I would have acclimated to the weather by now; what each season brings and when they change. Yet, my body and soul still sing to the tune of the Carolinas' glorious seasons.

When September rolls around, I anticipate a chill in the air, not a heat wave. In October, my body craves concession stand nachos and to watch a good old American football game. By the time November arrives, I am ready for cable knit sweaters, not bathing suits.

It's hard to get into the holiday spirit when it's 80 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside and a majority of your memories are leaves changing color and falling from branches. Of football games and sled rides, not laying by the pool catching tans.

This year, that all must change. My attitude toward a warm South African Christmas must change. Even though Ava is too small to remember, I will always remember her first holiday season and I hope to set a precedence for the year's to come.

To kick off the holiday season, I decided to introduce Thanksgiving to my in laws, a group of people of whom I am of the utmost grateful for. We have all now decided that the Scheepers' Thanksgiving will take place on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, every year going forth. We've started a new tradition. YAY!

My mother in law had friends visiting from Cape Town this weekend, so they joined in the festivities. As all Southern's know, the more the merrier. They made us eight adults and four kids. Upon arrival the guests received homemade lemonade in glass jars and were prompted to the crafts table to make their own Indian head dresses.

Johan successfully grilled (yes, grilled) his first turkey and it was delicious. Thanks to my obsession with Pinterest and Google, I was able to create a beautiful table, super cute welcome drinks, five dishes, and Pecan Bars - that are making my mouth water just thinking about them. Thanks to the help of my mother in law for making my favorite spinach and bacon salad and my sister in law for pitching in and making a yummy gravy. How all the dishes were finished in time and ended up on the table still warm, could only have been by the grace of God.

At dinner I explained the origin of Thanksgiving and we all went around the table and said what we were thankful for. Of course, Tria and I were crying.

Johan and I have so much to be thankful for this year.  Our health and our healthy little baby. She has brought so much joy into our life. We are thankful that God had provided us a home where we can invite our family and friends over and we have the ability to provide a meal for them.

I am thankful for my family in North Carolina and the many wonderful Thanksgivings we have shared together. For the Scheepers' and our new tradition. For all of our friends, we are thankful for you, as they say you can't pick your family, but you can pick your friends. I am glad we've picked each other.

Next up on the holiday calendar is the start of our Advent Calendar, which I mentioned here. So far I have only attached the ribbon, tomorrow (finger's crossed) Johan will complete the board with the hooks to hang it from.

So far so good!

I am over the fact that Ava won't have a real first Christmas tree, she'll still have a tree. Plus next year, she'll have an American Christmas, with a real American Christmas tree.

Here are a few photos from the weekend. Johan and I were both busy cooking and didn't get many photos. Will have to get some from Tria.

Charl and Lee - We hope our new Thanksgiving tradition makes you so jealous you want to move home. Little Joshua would LOVE Thanksgiving with his cousins.

Shh! I am watching the birds...

Thank you Pinterest for the leaf idea, and the glass jars as vases and the Pick N' Pay for the only sunflower I could find in Pretoria.

Gobble, gobble.

Thankful for the two of them!

Don't you love all of our head dresses? Thanks Charl and Lee, took the Peacock feathers at your wedding last year. 

The only post worthy photo from the pool. Hectically, awesome! Surprised the pool survived.

Ava turned 10 months yesterday! She is so big, tears...

My favorite.

She just can't sit still.

This weekend my mom returns from two months in the States and we have a family photo shoot at Irene Farm (weather permitting). Super excited. Week please hurry up.

Thanks,
Blair

Monday Blues

I woke up today with the Monday blues. Johan is out of town today, so this morning it was just me and Ava. Me, trying everything to get her to lay still so I can put on her clothes and then rushing about to get out of the house on time. I hate rushing about, as it never fails, I always forget something. This morning was a first, I managed not to forget a thing. But, I am down. What I would have given to spend the day with her?! It was a wonderful weekend, but it flew by so fast  and we were so busy, I feel like I didn't get much time with Johan or Ava. One more day with them would have helped me avoid this funk.

And then, my grandma sends me an email about taking time to enjoy life and not working so much. Is it a sign from God? Should I quit work and stay home? Am I selfish to want adult interaction, to further my career and have more money rather then spend my days with my child? Why do I feel so guilty for working, when my mom did it and I am okay? Do dads also feel guilty for working? And why must I work? Why couldn't I have been born rich like P. Hilton and just go galavanting around the globe with the hubs and baby?

On a serious note, I am starting to freak out as Ava is growing up so fast. I don't want to miss out on anything and with a 40 hour work week, plus 10 hours of traffic I would much rather have that time with her. Ugh. The grass is always greener...

On a lighter note, our weekend was so, so very wonderful. It was filled with laughter, friends and most importantly, family. This past month, I've been working with my sister in law, Tria to plan a surprise party for our mother in law. Take note, OUR mother in law, as she is married to Johan's oldest brother.

I am sure I have written about my in laws on here before, but honestly, I couldn't have married into a more wonderful, loving and caring family than the Scheepers. All of them are so great, I thank God every day for them. If it wasn't for these people, I don't know how long I would have lasted in South Africa. From the moment I met them, they welcomed me into their family with open arms. I was treated like a daughter and a sister, not just some girl. They called and checked in on me. Invited me to dinner and really took an interest into who I was as a person.

The surprise party we planned for my MIL, is only a tiny token of appreciation for what she does for us, and our families. There were 40 people in attendance, from far and wide to celebrate my MIL's upcoming 60th birthday. The women donned hats and the men suspenders. Everyone came dress up beautifully. A few of our cousins and friends helped us decorate and serve the food. 13 courses were served throughout the night and the wine flowed. It was a magical summer evening. And the best part, Ma was completely surprised!!

Working with Tria over this past month has been great. I know her well and we are quite close, but working together to pull this party off for Ma was so much fun. I have realized that we are more a like than I ever knew. I am so lucky to have her as a sister. She's already been commissioned to work on the menu for Ava's 1st birthday, just as long as she stays in the budget this time...

A few party pics:

My SIL and our gorgeous girls

love the whole family matching!! 

Big Surprise!

Stunning!

How gorgeous is my cousin and her baby?! 

My FIL and MIL can dance ya'll!

We are family! - Sings cheesy song in her head... 

Love this one!

Where's Charl?

Relaxing after a long day

~insert smiley face~

Love this little girl!

~Blair