Friday, December 30, 2016

So that was Christmas

Christmas this year was a sad time for our family as my mom passed away on 1 December; we also lit a candle for my older sister who passed away on 22 December 2012.  But being around 2 little people lifted our spirits and made us focus on lighter, fun things.

Elizabeth and Katy - beautiful in their Christmas dresses








Katy, Robbie, Tonia and Elizabeth 








it was a very sad and emotional day for my stepfather 



Wednesday, December 28, 2016

It's important to stick together

Before my dad passed away, he spoke about how we as family should stick together.  He lived in a small town and couldn't understand why we (brothers, sisters, cousins) who all live in Johannesburg saw each other so seldom.  I explained that we all have busy lives and even though we don't live far apart, it takes ages to get together because of the crazy-mad Joburg traffic. 
 
But about 2 years ago, I really started making an effort to connect with my family, to see my tribe more regularly.  It doesn't always work out and people do often cancel at the last minute, but it is so worth it.  Ok dad, I get it - it's important to stick together.
 
This was a family lunch in December at Buitengeluk restaurant in Fourways, Johannesburg...
 
My brother Shaun and sister Caron 

Shaun, my cousin Bev, my niece Jamie and Caron 


My youngest niece, Anna



Bev with her daughter Amy and husband Richard 

My cousin Owen and oldest niece Melissa 

My sister-in-law Leanne with Anna 

Sisters Jamie and Anna - these sweet girls are gorgeous and totally adorable; they love spending time together and they are so kind to each other


My brother Shaun, nephew Nicholas and cousin Owen - they whined and moaned about how "they don't do photos" - I ignored them

Anna and Jamie with their Santa sacks

Shaun with his family of gorgeous feisty girls
 

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Christmas prezzies

I always start Christmas shopping early just so that it's not such a rush and financial burden in November and December.  I really enjoy buying gifts for my little nieces.  As they grow up, they will probably roll their eyes and be disgusted at the gifts from their 'old Aunty', but for now, I'll enjoy spoiling them!
 
Ever heard of a 'flipazoo'?  No, me neither.  It's the cutest soft toy cum pillow...


It's one animal (in this case, a dragon for miss Katy), and if you 'flip it's bum over it's head', it becomes something else - a unicorn.  So cute!



Tadaaa!  It's now a unicorn




A dog flipazoo for miss Elizabeth


My nieces Jamie and Anna get t-shirts with fairy wings 



I had these cute santa sacks made for the girls


 

Monday, December 19, 2016

Scrapbook layouts

Here are some recent layouts which I've completed...

Page designed by Lara Hanna 


Page designed by Lara Hanna 

Page designed by Lara Hanna 

This is the page which I designed for our December kit 

Page designed by Lara Hanna