Thank you!!!

So I guess this post is about me today... Today I turned the big 4-0! I always remember thinking how old that was, and now it still seems old! :) I have had the most amazing 40 years... some good and some bad, but I wouldn't be who I am or where I am without them both.

I think one of the biggest things you learn as you get older, is how important your family is. How much you need them and their support. Especially for us on this adventure that is even more clear. My parents are my heros! They have done so much for me and still do and I know I wasn't always the best child. Mom and Dad you are wonderful parents and grandparents! I only hope I am half the parent to my boys. Thank you for all your support and love!

I have also learned the importance of friends!!! I think I always valued my friends and family, but I do even more now. Luckily I have the most amazing friends here in South Africa that have truly become our family over the years. I have spent lots of holidays, birthdays, celebrations and defeats with them and wouldn't have it any other way. This experience and these friends have made me who I am today on my 40th! So I want to thank all of you for being there for me.

The biggest thank you goes to my wonderful husband Scott. I know you truly love me for who I am! Also my two sweet boys, Aiden and Evan (ok they aren't always sweet but have their moments :)) Somehow you always can make me smile on the worst of day. I am ready for another 40 years with them! And can only imagine what wonderful adventures we have left.

So, I will raise a glass and drink to you all today and know how truly blessed I am to have you all in my life!! Happy Birthday to me!!

Aiden is 7!!!

They are growing up right before my eyes...first he is in "big" school and now he is 7! We had a great day... we started with pancakes with a candle and singing at 6 am. (way too early) Then we went out to dinner, opened gifts and had cake. That weekend we had a small braai with friends. I know what you are all thinking.. where is the big party with the amazing cake??? Well since we were only into our first full week at school, we decided that in a couple of weeks we would have a pool party and invite the boys from school once he had made some friends. So it is still to come just delayed a bit! But he did take in star wars cookies for his class that were really cool. Wow another year gone by...

Back to School Excitement!

The boys started school on January 19th. We switched to St. Georges Preparatory School. www.stgeorgesprep.co.za (in case you want to check it out) It is an exciting year because Aiden is in Grade 1 which means uniforms. He loves it! And Evan is in Grade R (our kindergarten). They are both doing really well and have made lots of new friends.

Aiden is involved in lots of sports..tennis, cricket, swimming, golf and judo. Evan is taking judo, cricket and golf. Aiden has also started reading!!! What fun to watch him...it is so funny to see the excited look on his face as he reads something. So proud of himself! And he was very excited to get homework..I am sure that will wear off eventually.

So here they are....

Aiden's classroom


Evan's Classroom

Kromme

We were lucky enough to be invited to our friends holiday house on the Kromme river the last weekend before school started. It was a large group of the most wonderful friends! We are soooo lucky!! It was a fabulous relaxing weekend of sun, sand and boats! What more could you ask for.. oh don't worry there was plenty of wine as well :).

December

Well I am sure you have been wondering where we have been...we went home to the good old USA for the Christmas holiday. It was great to see our friends and family!! We spent a month traveling around visiting and doing some really fun things.

We started the trip in Baltimore (after 31 hours of travel). It was great fun hanging out with Scott's sister Denise & Joe, Grandmom & Grandad and the girls... Devin, Quinn and Campbell. We got to watch Devin and Campbell play basketball - way to go girls! The kids made a gingerbread house... very fun and sweet. Scott & I got to go to the Ravens game!! And we took the boys to the Aquarium which is always so much fun.

In front of tree... chaos!


The first time in years I have gotten the boys to sit on Santa's lap (ok - maybe I bribed them but it worked!!)


The next leg of the trip was a week at Disney World in Florida!! It was great.. the boys have never been there so it was a great trip. They were sooo excited. Luckily we were joined by family!! We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge which was gorgeous with its gigantic tree. It was very festive...We got to explore all the Disney parks and had a ball. Only wish it was a bit warmer.

Main Street, Magic Kingdom


The boys with MICKEY!! I know they don't look that thrilled....

The Duncan clan all at Disney... even the little Kierlin! Sooo cute!

The Bell family....

Cinderella Castle..what a wonderful site.. where dreams come true :).


So after the fairy tale.. we were off to visit friends in Atlanta and then to Nashville to hang out with the Duncan's for Christmas. We crammed alot into our days in the Music capital of the world. We went to a Titans football game, Predators Hockey game, visited with family, had a snow ball fight, went to see the amazing Ice show, toured downtown nashville, and were visited by Santa! Whew....

Go Titans!!!



Right on the Ice of the Predators game! A very nice surprise from Grammy & Poppy! The players were right next to us... so cool.



The annual show "ICE" and this year they added "SNOW"... The entire building is filled with the story carved out of ice... amazing. Then the boys had fun in the snow throwing snow balls at targets (and Poppy & Daddy)



The boys with Santa at Grammy's annual christmas party at work.


Christmas has come.... Boys made cookies for Santa

We had a white Christmas (ok not covered but a dusting counts!) SO the boys had to go out and throw snow balls at daddy...

We went out and looked at lights.. wow!

And the football game in the backyard ... a great american christmas tradition!!



Well after all the fun in Nashville, we headed back east to Fenwick Island Delaware for another christmas celebration with the Bell family and to celebrate New Years. We played putt-putt, built snowmen, and played with our cousins! Then Scott & I got together with some great friends for New Years! Awesome way to end our trip.

There was quite a bit more snow in Delaware.. so the boys were able to make some snow men...first attempt a small version.

Next.. the bigger version...


Then the snowball fight begins!


New Years.. after a great adult dinner with friends we came back to the Bell residence for the after party and to ring in the new year.. Great fun!



So that was our big December adventure..now onto 2011!!!

Who wants cake???

Well I have stared a new hobby - not like I needed one. I started doing cakes with the fondant icing.. I first did one for Evan's 5th birthday which turned out cute. So then I did one for my friend Megan's little girl Claire. And now I have done two more for friends..

Wizard of Oz theme...


My Dear Friend Hilary's cake... just girly


Mia's Farm Cake


The things I get myself into!!!

Aiden in Uniform

Watch out girls... if you like a guy in uniform,check this one out :). Aiden got his new school uniform and looks quite handsome in it. All the schools have a uniform, and they look quite nice all dressed up.

His Formal uniform...


His Sports uniform