Another year has gone by... Part 2

My real birthday was spent with my cousins "Die ander de Vosse". They were (are) 9 children and get together at least once a year. This year their family reunion was at Cape Vidal - a BEAUTIFUL beach in a game park! My sister Anne and I were fortunate enough to be part of this reunion, together with another cousin and my aunt Babs - the only one left of my father's siblings.

Jan gave me a lovely crystal pendant for my birthday and then we went game viewing with my sister Anne and her children, William and Marianne.

Our first sight: A herd of African buffalo.

This one was kind enough to pose for me.

We got out of the cars for coffee and rusks at a large pan. Wally pointing out the crocodiles to Jan and Marianne fiddling with her fancy camera.

That waterbuck knew that he was being watched and he stood there like a statue for a loooong time.

The early morning reflection on the water was just as beautiful as the animals.

This darling hippo also came out for a pose...

After lunch, Jan and I headed for the beach.

A windblown birthday girl... with Thelwyn's Grade 7 Voortrekker camp shorts - my only short shorts. (Must get myself some more "short" shorts for the sea... Capri pants just don't work when strolling on the beach.)

Steyn and Dirk. Steyn and family live in Malmesbury, but he now works in Johannesburg and has to fly up to Johannesburg every week. (Second youngest Tinus lives in Cape Town, but also flies up to Johannesburg every week.) Dirk (on the right) came all the way from Salt Lake City.

At 18:00 the whole family gathered for a church service (led by Jan) and supper (provided by Anne, Anna and myself). We were 42 that first evening! What a birthday party! And its not even the big 6 yet!

Hennie and Rina. Rina was my big buddy when we were little. We and "die ander de Vosse" got together every Sunday afternoon for tea.

Wally, Marianne and Anne.

Every family gets a turn to provide supper for the clan. The first night Anne, Anna and myself provided the meal. Here Sunette, Bertus's wife, is dishing up some of our chicken and pasta dish and Anna is getting some sweet potato. Sunette is a teacher and Anna works in the school library of Gauteng.

Rina and Marianne. Rina is studying French with Thelwyn's mother in law. Small world!

Tannie Babs, Pienkie (Ione) and Anne. Pienkie was Anne's buddy. She is now married to Johan L, an attorney. She was named after her mother, Ione, who died last year. Several of the offspring are called after their grandparents, so there are several Ione's and Jacques.

Cousin Jacques's wife Olivia talking to Bertus's son, Jacques. His sister Ione got married on Friday.... for obvious reasons they gave this year's reunion a skip!

A bunch of cousins sitting on the steps of a chalet. (Sadly, I am not quite sure of their names or who belongs to which parent. Disappointed in myself!) The youngest of the new generation is Ben's daughter, Sofia. She is 3 years old - not on this photo. She is named after the first woman to become a de Vos wife in South Africa. (Thanks to my mother for all her genealogy research!) Ben and Jacques now both live and work in Belgium and the family reunions are important to them and they want their children to know their S.A. roots.)
All 6 brothers are engineers and many of their children are too. So far only Steyn and Corrie are grandparents: their son Jacques and wife Tia has a son of 7 months.

A cherry on the top, after the wonderful celebration we had with the family was the full moon on the sea.

Thank you God for family! And thank you Bertus for inviting us and for organising everything. It was GREAT! And a big thank you to all my other family and friends who phoned me or sent SMS's. You made my day very special. I cherish you all very much!