Our First Cycle

Today we decided to go for our first cycle together! Sara hasn't been on a bike in years! So Clark fixed up his old bike that he brought from SA (which he hadn't cycled for almost 2 years), and adjusted the saddle to fit Sara's height. We cycled around in Loma Linda and enjoyed doing a bit of sightseeing in a different fashion than our usual walk or drive.

At the front door of our apartment, Sara is decked out in her "new" cycling gear - Clark's hand-me-downs included a helmet, gloves, X-loop sports sunglasses and of course the bike! Sara looks pretty nifty for a first-timer!

Here on our way, Clark snapped this one as we are leaving for our ride. It was a LOT of fun! Planning to cycle the Santa Monica/Venice Beach promenade one of these days!

Heritage Singers at Azure Hills

Sara was very happy today that Heritage Singers were doing a concert at Azure Hills Church (which is the church where we want to settle down) so, of course, we had to go and see them!

This is a picture of Azure Hills Church - not the best pic but the only one that we have!

Been here for a year!

The 13th of January is kind of an important day for us because it's one year ago exactly that we arrived in the USA after Clark came home to SA to get married. This picture was taken a year ago when the Lansdowns threw us a "welcome to the USA" party:) Can't believe that it's been a whole year already!

Happy Birthday Carly and Jesse!

Yesterday (the 13th of Jan) was a special day because it was Carly's birthday and the anniversary of Sara arriving in the States (yep - been here for one year now!). Jesse's birthday is on the 14th so we visited the Lansdowns for a birthday lunch and Carly and Jesse got dressed up last night to go out to a symphony orchestra.

Snow in Loma Linda!

Yesterday morning we woke up to a strange but delightful surprise! It was snowing! We watched the snow fall for about an hour or so and then by 11am the sun had come out and the snow that had fallen melted away:( But it was really beautiful and exciting for us to see snow falling in our back-yard! Apparently it hasn't snowed in Loma Linda for years!

The view from our balcony...beautiful!

The Corolla was even covered with a layer of snow!

Goodbye Mom

Mom has gone:( We dropped her off at the airport last night and there were many many many tears! Sara bawled all the way home and even more when we got out the car at home and walked into a quiet house:( We really enjoyed having mom here...loved spoiling her and treating her to a special holiday that she really deserves:) and we are definitely feeling her absence today...the house is empty!

First of mom's goodbyes:(

The Lansdowns came over today and had lunch with us. It is the last time they will see mom before she leaves on Wednesday:(

Carly with her auntie Sharon.

The girls saying goodbye.

Sara and Mom are off again!

Sara took mom to Universal Studios on Wednesday. We had a great time and mom really enjoyed all the sights and sounds...she especially loved the Shrek 3D experience:) Now she has a better idea of how movies are made.

After Universal, we headed to Camarillo to spend the night with aunty Viv and family. Clint is leaving on the 5th for Dubai so we all went out for a Chinese dinner to say good-bye to him:(

So sad to see Clint go - it's been really great having you around Clint!

Today we went driving the Pacific Coast Highway and stopped in Malibu at Paradise Cove and had a bite to eat. The weather turned rainy and chilly so we didn't get to walk on the beach and see some of the other sights but it was fun anyway!

Just had to put this photo in cause Sara looks really funny:)! We decided to "pose" and Sara is trying to imitate the pose that Carly told her to do...wasn't meant to look that awkward but we all had a good laugh!

The girls together again.

This is Carly and her boyfriend, Jesse - he is a great guy and they are a really cute couple:)

Mom with her cousin for the last time at aunty Viv's place.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day we spent in La Quinta with Jacques and Natasa. They treated us to a real SA braai! :)

Proudly South African! We are wearing our SA rugby shirts that Sonia and Bruce sent to us:)