Ingrid's 40th birthday in the park

Ingrid celebrated her 40th birthday in the park outside our house. Her delicious black cherry and chocolate muffins were a highlight. As was Ally's strawberry and honeycomb icecream - made with the ice cream maker that Ingrid and Andreas gave us as a house warming gift. We look forward to sampling all kinds of ice creams with it - what a great gift to be sure.

Kittie and Sebastian - best of friends. They are so cute together...

Gratitude (2008)

King Street

• Got gazumped on Neutral Bay, so got King Street
• Buying our house when we did (before prices started to rise fast beyond our budget)
• Mum's generosity

Home life

• Getting Mack
• Andreas and Ingrid in our lives

Travel

• Uluru
• New Zealand
• Tasmania

Jo's photo collage

Jo has made a great collage of her trip to Australia. Very nice...
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Dinner party at Brendan and Eva

Shaving has its benefits

Jo's stay with us in Sydney

Well, after a wonderful 10 days, Jo has returned to South Africa. Having her to stay has been a real tonic for me and I know Ally has loved it too. She has been a bright beam of sunshine in our lives.

Highlights of her stay

• The way in which Jo navigated her own way to Manly by foot and ferry like a true Sydney pro
• A great weekend away, shopping and picnicking at Berry and munching hot doughnuts - and lazing on the white sands of Jervis Bay. Not to mention a game of Articulate where Jo amazed us with her brilliant skills in describing obscure words like "catalyst". Kerri and I were severely trounced.
• Our joint efforts in re-writing the legal affidavits for Jo's visa (a real joint effort) and the great way in which it paid off when Jo was granted her visa (in Parramatta of all places)
• Running up the stairs to catch the trains with Ally
• Shoe shopping in Parramatta
• Exploring the coves around Waverton with Ally
• A brisk and refreshing walk at Bondi beach, followed by lots of shopping and perusing at Bondi Junction
• A special day at Watson's Bay exloring the cliffs and houses, lazing on the beach (Camp Cove), walking to the lighhouse and enjoying fish and chips
• Catching our first McMahons Point bus almost to our door
• Enjoying my birthday dinner of lamb, salad and scrumptious roast potatos
• Picnicing in our park with Andreas, Ingrid and Sebastian. Poor Jo was attacked by mozzies after dark - a bit of a lowlight
• Lots of lovely cups of tea - never knew Jo loved her tea so much
• Lots of Muscato wine - delicious sweet wine that tastes like grape juice
• Walking further than I've walked before along the Manly Scenic Walk (on a swelteringly hot day), including a swim in the rock pools and lazing in the shadows of a lovely cove
• A day of house viewing in St Ives where we saw 2 nice places
• Getting to know the Sydney suburbs
• A dinner party with lots of great laughs at Eva and Brendan's.
• My mankini (can't believe Jo saw me in it!)
• Our house warming party where Jo got to meet all our friends. Her carrot cake and chocolate cake were definite winners
• Her lovely card and nougat and Xmas Koala that she left for us in her room when she left

All in all, its been a great time and we'll sorely miss Jo. We wish her a safe trip home and a happy reunion with her family.

Jo has such leaping style, you'd almost think she was a Myburgh !

Housewarming party

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Ally getting broody


Lucas loved exploring the steps
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Sebastian loves Skype
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Manly Scenic Walk

Manly Beach itself was packed
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Day out at Watson's Bay

A lovely 38th Birthday poem from the Vanderbecks

Now Graeme’s another year older
But we’re stuck over here where it’s colder
As we’re so far away
Just a poem must say
What we’d much rather have been there and told ya.

As cousin and nephew you’re close in our hearts
So as this next year of yours starts
Know the Sorrell genes are strong
In your soul there’s our song
Our family can never be far apart.

In us all Grandpa’s spirit rides strong
And Granny’s love and kindness live long
They’ve helped shape and guide us
Are always beside us
To help with whatever comes along.

Now you and Ally have got a new home
It looks great from the photos you’ve shown
And I’m happy to see
There’s a spare bed for me
That Vanderbecks travel a lot is well known.

Now I’ve reached my own 60th year
At 38 you’ve got nothing to fear
I hope this year brings
The very best of things
And your life is both sunny and clear.

Jo reunited with her good friend, Eva

So much to catch up on!

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Walk at Bondi Beach

This birthday card had me in hysterics...

Thanks Carleen!