Lake Arrowhead

Today we went cycling at Lake Gregory en route to Lake Arrowhead where we had Belgian waffles and walked around the "waterfront". It was a lovely day spent together and we ended it all by enjoying some Teriyaki tofu with Carlindo and Jeni-Joy in Redlands.

Posing with our bikes:)

At Lake Arrowhead - lovely day up there.

Sabbath lunch with the Kritzingers

We had a lovely lunch with Devo, Leilani and the girls. We haven't seen each other for ages so it was great to see them and meet little Amelie:)

Sara with Amelie - what a lovely smile and big blue eyes!

This is probably what our little family will look like one day:) Lia is at such a precious, talkative age - we really enjoyed her this afternoon and we often say she reminds us of Sara when she was little.

Clark feeling a bit broody:) Trying to get Amelie to smile:) Doesn't he look good with a baby???

Carly and Jesse are engaged!

Carly and Jesse got engaged recently (actually round about the first week that Sara was away) so we only got to see them last weekend. Here they are posing with some of their first house-warming presents....we're so excited to see the wedding!

Back in Loma Linda

Sara arrived home safe and sound and happy! on Tuesday afternoon. We headed straight home where she took a shower and then were out again to see Ken and Crystal (who were only here for 2 days) and then off to Ray and Di Cloete for dinner.

The Bothas and Piersons...thanks for the surprise gift on our doorstep guys! We really appreciate it - wish we could have seen more of you:)

We ate a lovely dinner with the Cloetes. Di's parents were here from South Africa and wanted to see Clark since Clark worked with them on health presentations at Fishhoek church during his time there.

Back in the Fairest Cape

The last few days of Sara's vacation were spent back in Cape Town where they didn't get to do much sight-seeing thanks to a week of cold fronts which brought torrents of rain and freezing cold weather!

Uncle Mark was in Cape Town on business checking out the emergency services available in different cities in SA in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. It was great to be able to see him again.

Did we mention it was freezing cold! Here's Sara snuggling up with a hood over her head hoping that it will improve matters:)

Sara with her good friend, Bianca. They had a great time together watching DVDs, going for massages at the spa and out for coffee. Wish I could have seen more of you Bi but we're looking forward to you guys coming over to visit next year!

Sara took her mom, gran, Ruben and Audri (Clark's aunt and uncle) out for a fancy Indian meal at a restaurant in Stellenbosch. We really enjoyed the yummy curries and mango ice-cream. It was an enjoyable evening.

Sara with Rubs and Auds - we love you guys! Thanks for spoiling us so much!

Durbs

After visiting PE Sara headed for Durban to visit her sister and grandmother and other family there.

Mom, Sonia and Sara at Valley of a Thousand Hills - one of Sara's favourite places in Durban.

Sonia and Bruce while we were having lunch in the hills. Sara and Sonia - doesn't the restaurant just look African??? and Sara's drinking red Grapetiser - mmmm!

Sonny and Bruce on top of the hill where they live - great views of Durban:)

Sara with little Jenna - look at those beautiful eyes!

Ben is growing up fast!

Vicki and Jenna opening presents from Disneyland:)

Sara and Sonia at Umhlanga - the boardwalk has been completely destroyed in places from the storm they had some months ago.

Mom wading in the waves...it was winter so we didn't swim!

Sara also visited her friend Kirsten who is now working as a speech therapist in private practice in Umhlanga.

Spending time with the Bothas

Sara spent about 5 days with the Bothas in Uitenhage. Ma thoroughly spoiled Sara and there was no shortage of food or conversation!

Flowers, Ferro Roche chocolates and an African themed bedroom were only the start of all the surprises! Ma really went out of her way and made Sara's stay very comfortable and enjoyable...breakfast in bed every day - what more can we say?!

The Botha brothers - minus Clark:( It was sad to see them all together and know that Clark was sitting in Loma Linda by himself:( Sidney was visiting from Taiwan.

Kelvin and Tracy took Sabbath school and involved all the family - Clive played piano and gave the mission's talk and Sidney and Sara were each asked to say a few words about their church experiences abroad.

Waiting for our dinner at Admirals - a lovely buffet-style restaurant in Port Elizabeth.

Ma and Pa proudly showing off the gifts that we bought them.

Lots of silliness went on...above are Clive and Sidney fooling around with their presents from Clark and my brother-in-laws have INSISTED that I put in this hideous photo of me (below) over-doing my smile as Ma and I were showing off our hard work - melkterts!

Looking at all the baby presies with Tracy - we are so excited that we are going to be an aunty and uncle in January:)

Our third set of parents (Clark's god-parents) - Oom Vivian and Tannie Gertjie.

Saying goodbyes...Clive, Kelvin and Tracy and Sidney (at the back). Thanks for a wonderful time ma, pa, broers en susie! xxx

Sara is back!

After almost 7 weeks in South Africa, Sara is finally home and the best thing of all - she's happy to be here! Since Sara was so homesick last year, we were a bit nervous about how she would feel once she'd gone back to SA but life for her is here now and she doesn't want to be anywhere else but at hubby's side! It's good to be home:)