Remembering HIM

Christmas has come and gone... amid three days of power cuts, thunder storms, and much rain. The veldt looks like a picture, and it is such a privilege to be in this quiet paradise, enjoying the farm, the birds, the new births, the butterflies, the quiet, and the joy of relationship with our Father.

Christmas morning, Ken spotted a new born buffalo calf! We have yet to photograph him/her, and hope to see the herd again soon!

We are so blessed in so many different ways. We are grateful for our family and friends - all over the world, and we pray that your time of reflection - enbracing the new and perfect year ahead, will be blessed with His Presence.

All our love and fond regards,
Ken, Jo, Micaela and JohnD xxx

Blue Jeans and Cruising Pleasure

We were absolutely BLESSED by the Sparrow Family - two yearling quarter horses. The gentle temperment of both of them is lovely, and we are enjoying the dynamics they have added to our three. Young Sir Prize is especially fond of "Cruiser", who is pictured here with Micaela.

"Blue Jeans" also enjoyed a cuddle, and she is particularly fond of being rubbed down. You can touch her anywhere!

Australia! 3 weeks & so many memories!

Pete - What wonderful memories - thanks so much!!!

Claire, Mom and I.

Zara with one of the chickens! Claire has 3 layers who kept up an amazing supply of fresh eggs!

Us with Ken's cousin Tracy, and her two boys Declan and Connor. It was such a special time of catching up.

Us with the Greig family, at Sea World in Brisbane. What a special day!!! Gary, Elizabeth, Daniel and Jonathan (our Godson).

Both JohnD and Micaela had a surfing lesson, joining up with Ben and John at their class. Just a quick lesson on the beach, and both of them were standing on their boards, within an hour!!!

We took to the beach at every opportunity we got. Sydney is surrounded by the most unbelievable beauty. Thanks so much Pete & Claire, for trecking all 12 of us all around!!! ;)

Elizabeth (Womble!!!) and I on Kings beach in Brisbane. 20 years of wonderful friendship and so many miles between us - really doesn't change a thing!

Beautiful sunny Sunday, the 12 of us took to the trains, buses & ferries, painting the town red. So many beautiful sights, sounds and places! Experiences and memories to treasure forever!

The three boys just burned it up, every waking moment! Dunno who got the most worn out of the three of them! ;)

Yet another amazing beach - with too much fun to be had...

Annabel & Zara on my lap, getting their nails painted.

All six kids together, this is what it's all about!

Claire and I got the giggles!

Daddy and I at the airport.

Out on the farm an hour from Sydney. At the back - Pete, Claire & Ken

Middle - Micaela, Dad, Mom & me. Front - Ben, Annabel, JohnD & John

Catchup... ? ! :)

We had a lovely day with Mom, on her 70th birthday - celebrating with family and friends. We had a light lunch at the lodge, and despite the short notice, we had a wonderful turnout. Mum has not had her hip replacement op yet, as it had to be postponed. Hopefully they will re-schedule it for early in the new year. This picture below has (from left to right) Jo, Chantal (back), Rachel, Mom, Ken, Micaela, JohnD, Richard, Dad & Angela.Mum's circle of friends.
JohnD's surgery went well. His thick head of hair is quite something! ;) He is 100%. Thank you LORD!

The long awaited arrival of "Sir Prize" was an extremely special evening! 10pm, all of us were out in the back paddock, under the most amazing stary sky... and Jasmine allowed us to stroke, talk to, kiss, and handle her beautiful little wet colt. She is a wonderful mommy!

Micaela thinks he is the most PERFECT horse in the world. She lifts his feet, has a little rope halter on him, grooms him, handles him, hoses him down, takes him with on rides, and kisses him lots!

We had fun in Kariba with family at the end of August. My parents visited from Australia, and we spent a few days fishing. JohnD and my father were the only ones to catch a tiger!

Here is a picture of Jenny, Derek, Michael, Myself, Kyra, Micaela, Ken & JohnD.
After a month and a half of internet problems, and being BLOCKED at the server... my difficulties have hopefully been sorted. Sorry for the long silence. I somehow got a terrible virus that just knocked me off the system for ages.

Rejoice with us!

Rejoice with us - JohnD's x-rays taken yesterday are all clear, and there is no sign of any further growth. His Oncologist is happy to remove the port, so they have scheduled his surgery for Monday afternoon. God is good!

Rachel's 13th!

Oh what fun... a birthday party, with a "Medieval" dress up theme. JohnD used his duiker skin from the duiker he shot - and made a quiver for his bow & arrow. Carol was AMAZING with making his "Little John" outfit. ;) Micaela went as the "milk maid" - and she won the prize! The anticipation of the party went on for weeks, so by the time Saturday moring rolled in - they were just fit to be tied!I also was very amused to see the dressing up of our little Maddie! Who says that only cats and dogs can be dressed up as princesses? You can't see it here, but Mommy is firmly tied up for all of this. After my incident with her, the kids have a healthy respect for that Mommy!

Weekend hunters...

Ivan came to visit over the weekend, and for the first time ever, the two boys went off hunting on their own! They got a few guineafowl, and a duiker!!! It took them most of the morning to skin the duiker out, and clean it all up! Needless to say, Ivan's family had guinea for dinner Sunday night!
The kids also figured out that the horses are way more cooperative in the cart than the donkeys!!! Talk about a mean speed... Somehow I think the donkey's cart days are now over.