Sophie's birthday, Noah's party & a temple trip- playing catch up:)

Phoebe & Aunty Claude posing outside an awesome decor shop we found

On the way to Jhb - Build a bunny came along

@ The Jhb Temple - Brod and kiddies went hunting for letters they'd written & buried a year ago

Sophie Soph's 8th Birthday - the 1st photo taken of her all that day! And it was 8pm at night. She's just arrived home from her baptism

All these pics are out of focus - wrong setting on the camera - but so what

Noah's 6th party - hectic with all the family & friends there - look at that cute Noah tongue:)

Add caption

Calden Scott - my sweet nephew

My brother Hiram and I, jamming in the kitchen

Father's Day 2011

What a day:) 

We woke up late, Brod's eye's were still glued shut when he tried to open his present and then we were late for church.

  He's really had to work today  - 2 teachers were off sick in Primary and since he's the Counselor in charge, and I'm on the Primary Presidency he very sweetly taught those 2 lessons(I batted my eyelids & puckered my lips all rosey like)...and still had to do his Bishopric things.  

And the kids have been yelling at him all day...joys - but through it all - he's still happy and great to be around.

In fact as I write, 3 of them are singing and playing around him while he strums on his guitar and figures out his new awesome copper strings:)  Yes, a very selfish gift from me this year - I've been missing his crazy songs and awesome ballads that he has not played for months since his old strings snapped.  

Music is a gift, that keeps on giving.

And we are so grateful to have him around and close all the time - what a blessing. 

Happy Father's Day Brod.

And Happy Fathers Day to my Dad, Robin Hugh Austin.  Who gave a lovely talk in our ward this morning and mentioned lots of stories about my grandfather that I did not even know!  Yowzers - time to document before the stories are all forgotten.  I am very grateful to have him close too - and to see him so often and always get my hug and kiss:)  He's a great man. Any man can be a father, but not every man can be a dad.

Finding your Bliss

I think on this alot.

What is my bliss?

I've found it.

It's all around me.

My favourite man.

My beautifully imperfect family.

My home.

My neighbourhood.

The colour of the trees along the road.

My friends.

The sunset.

My letters.

My Smosh art.

I've found my bliss.

It's all around me.

And so I'm happy.

And very grateful.

Phoebe's Pre-Birthday Celebration

Phoebe on her Birthday Eve Family date @ The Ocean Basket

Sweet sisters

Jo listening to his dad discussing the menu and what exactly would be on the  platter we had ordered.  Noah was holding his tongue.

Jo looking VERY worried.  He ate the chips & salad.

It was all fun and games, until the lights went out in the restaurant. They did not have a generator OR candles for the tables, so I ate all the calamari & line fish by the light of my cell phone. Brod gave up on the prawns after getting a mouthful of shells and the kids were rather disturbed by it all - so we left.

Other than that - it was a lovely evening:)

Phoebe's birthday was on the 4 June - she is now 10.  Crazy crazy.  We (Sophie, Phoebe and I) went to the I Heart Market in Durban with Carmen, a good friend, and Phoebe's Language therapist.  Phoebe took lots of photo's with her Birthday present and was very contented.  

Lovely weather in Durban - felt like Summer down there - then I drove home & slowly froze back to my original state.

Off to the movies now with the kids - awesome Saturday afternoon fun.

Cheerio

Missy Phoebe

As one of Phoebe's lessons on marketing, and using the internet - she's decided to start a blog Missy Phoebe.  She's JUST started it - and is learning all the ins and outs, and what is appropriate to blog about etc etc. She's been on at me for weeks now to help her get it going, and one of her birthday gifts this past week was a camera - so she's very busy shooting like mad for her next blog post.  Whenever that will be-who knows.  

Welcome to the world of blogging Missy Phoebe - world - please be nice:) 

Today is my old man's 64th Birthday - yowzers - where has time gone? He'll always be in his 40's to me - parents stay the same age they were when you first get an idea about how old they are, as a youngster.  My girls made him lunch (leftovers from the night before:/), Sophie made the salad - and we've baked him a triple layer chocolate cake. Yum yum yum.  Just got to get the gift!  I do quite adore my dad - and appreciate having him so close by and so much a part of my life still.  Dad's are just grand - I'm so happy to still have mine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

On another note - this Friday, 10th June - I am hosting an Etsy Craft Party and am so excited:) I have 3 friends attending so far, and have space for 3 more - so if you're local and keen to craft give me a call! 

I will be sanding and painting and sealing, but you can go anything you want!  And even bring your own craft supplies - it's that fun.

There is Rooibos Tea on tap and there should be snacks if I get that far in preparation.

We are all well, thanks.  Kiddies are happy, we are busy and still laughing alot - which is a good sign of mutual happiness in a couple I reckon.  

Love to all! Come craft with me:) <3