Abia’s Consecration

A few weeks ago, Jopie and Nelia’s 2nd daughter, Abia, was consecrated.  Abia is Urielle’s sister.  Jopie is my sister Lalie’s son and they are very close and dear to us.   Unfortunately the H’s couldn’t be there for the occasion, but we and the L’s were there in full force.  I was so busy chatting to everyone that I did not take many photos, but here are a few snaps of the big day:

Janita in her party dress.

Franco, sporting a hat on this glorious Spring day.

Guess from whom Franco got his blue eyes…

And guess from whom Janita got her brown eyes!

One of these days Janita will no longer fit on Franco’s lap – we took similar photos a few weeks later, and could hardly see Franco behind Janita!  

And Ouma can’t get enough of Franco’s blue eyes.

Urielle, Abia’s sister, sharing a moment with Franco.  She was nearly two when this pic was taken. Urielle and Abia differ 13 months and the two sisters are great friends.

Urielle with her dad.

The party girl finally woke up!  She wore a beautiful long dress in church, but did not like it and Nelia changed her just after the ceremony.  At 11 months, she enjoyed the chips and other lovely eats at the party.

   

 

 

Baie, baie geluk Abia!  Ons bid jou ‘n baie geseënde lewe as ‘n prinses in God’s koninkryk toe!

Urielle's first birthday

It was niece Urielle's first birthday the other day- and great fun to see the three "cousins" together again. They had great time - and so had we.

Ouma Lalie made sure there were enough push toys for everyone. Franco particularly liked this pram.

Urielle wasn't quite walking yet, but she easily pushed around this wagon.

Urielle enjoying her cow birthday cake.

Our two one year old guests watching the candle blowing intently.

Martelize couldn't wait to also tuck into the birthday cake.

Franco wasn't so much interested in the cake, but the BALLOON! He quickly ripped off the balloon from his chair and was far more interested in the balloon than the yummy goodies on the table.

Urielle opening her presents. Her baby sister is due in a month's time.

At first Martelize wanted to help to open the presents, but then she decided climbing into this crate of toys was more interesting.

Franco's only interest in the toy opening was when his uncle put in the screws of a new toy for Urielle. Screwdrivers are very interesting! However, he soon went off exploring the big garden and climbed on everything in sight.

Thelwyn had to go to another function and left Martelize in Dorette's and my care. Martelize, uncharacteristically took a fancy in a teenage guest and wanted to be on her lap for ... well for a long time. However, when I later walked past them, she held out her arms for her Ouma. (Sy het ons darem nog nie afgeskryf nie!)

Gelukkige verjaarsdag Urielle! Mag God jou seen!

Martelize's first Birthday

Martelize turned 1 on 30 July. We had two parties - the actual birthday pics will come later - but here are her Sunday birthday party pics in the meantime. First guests to arrive were Jopie and Nelia with Urielle, 10 months.

As Urielle has a stay-at-home mom, she is not used to having other babies around, but she seemed quite content to be with her nephew and niece. She happily crawled everywhere and reached out to them.

Urielle looks a lot like her dad Jopie and her Aunt Ethie.

Franco was the oldest of the little guests!

Martelize grabbed Urielle's tea, but Urielle did mind in the least - just curiously contemplated her niece!

"Kom na Ouma toe." My sister Lalie dying to hold her granddaughter.

" Kos is op die tafel." The family gathering around to sing to Martelize. Ethie in the foreground and Marius and Lisa with baby Roi next to photographer Dad Frans.

Ouma Jo and Oom Deon H, also pitched for the occassion. Martelize is privileged to have such a large family!

The teatime table with Thelwyn's famous Pavlova. We had soup and bread beforehand and this we served sommer in the kitchen. We had boontjiesop, (beansoup doesn't sound right), butternut soup and mushroom soup and a variety of breads and rolls.

The flower cake for a pretty one year old.

Mmmm lekker! Martelize did not grab the cake, but daintily poked it with her finger.

She was very intrigued with the candle.

Wat's die gedoente met blaas. Ek wil net nog versiersuiker he!

Here are the three babies again - their previous pic together was taken on New Year's Eve.

Dorette and Franco, Nelia with ? and Urielle, Thelwyn and Martelize and Liza with daughter Roi at the right. (Liza is a very good friend of Thelwyn. Her husband Marius taught Thelwyn to ride, many years ago - he was about 19 then and Thelwyn about 10)

After lunch it was time to open presents! Mamma still had to help a bit.

Wat's dit?

Martelize soon caught on and started to open the packages herself. She loves ripping paper and she loves unpacking bags. (All handbags in viscinity must be zippered!)

The best was opened last: a bus! Lucky Martelize has one for the farm and one at home! Have wheels will ride!

Happy birthday Martelize - it was great to have your party here!

The Old Year and the New Year

Martelize (5 months and 1 day!) woke up in good spirits on the last day of the year. We put a bow in her hair clip to make sure she can't swallow the tiny clip - it doesn't stay in her silky hair for a long time! (Dorette suggested that she should get used to clips before she starts pulling them out the moment you put them in!)
Dorette and family are back in Pretoria, but they have been too busy to come out to the farm, so we only got to see Franco on Wednesday evening this week. To make matters worse - we have no telephone...again!

On Old Year's Eve all the F's and the B's got together to celebrate the Old Year (see previous post). The three cousins were together for the 2nd time. (See here for the first time). Imagine what next Christmas will be like!
Gert (it was his birthday as well) with Franco, Thelwyn with Martelize and Nelia with Urielle (Urielle means Fire of God)

Franco and Martelize were intrigued by their 3 1/2 month old niece. Here Franco (8 months 1 week) grabs her foot.

If you look really carefully you'll see the Franco is sporting a one day old tooth! He finally "cut" his first tooth, but the next one is close. He sits sturdily enough that he does not need a supporting hand, but I wasn't taking any chances with wriggly him on that tile floor!

How's that for a New Year resolution! Jan started the new year by jogging a kilometre on the treadmill. His aim is 1000 km this year. (He ran the 90 + km Comrades marathon is his youth, but struggles to do physical exercise now, due to anaemia. Pray that he will overcome this soon!)

We spent the rest of the day on Goodland with the local community for "lekker boersport" (fun and games.) The young ones starting one of many races while...

Most of the post 40's sat in the shade and visited.