The weekend...

 We had a really lovely weekend.  My dad's brother and his wife were visiting from Johannesburg and it gave us a good excuse to get together on Friday evening for dinner at my parents.  Knowing that I'm busy sorting out photos of everyone, especially the kids, it gave me a chance to get some updated photos.  One I really want of Connor is of him with all his "Thomas" trains.  He has a lot.  And he plays with them non-stop.

He's such a monkey, that boy...

 Bi often steals my shoes and toddles around the house in them, but not so often Corky...

 Heehee - needs his toes on the ground to help him balance...

 I did manage to get some serious pictures of him too.  I just need photoshop to lighten them up a little.  I love the lip...

 And it doesn't take long before he starts acting like a clown again...

 We had delicious home made pizzas for dinner - it was a long process, because there were so many of us, but it was well worth the wait.  And leftovers for breakfast the next moring were divine...

 Wally 1 and Wally 2... my dad (in black) and his brother cooking up a storm...

 The kids got to eat first, Jake had pineapple, bacon, chicken and cheese.  And garlic.  That boy LOVES garlic...

 Bi enjoyed her pizza too, especially the stringy mozzarella cheese...

 Hi Pretty Bi...

 Saturday was a very windy day.  Too windy.  My lips are chapped from standing in the sun and wind on Saturday to cheer Jake on as he took part in his 4th Junior Argus Cycle Tour.  What a boy!!  Looking at this photo, he's going to need a new bicycle soon too...

 We met up with some friends, one of who's involved with the Bumble Bee Fund.  Jake was supposed to register as one of their riders and get sponsors for his ride, but I was a bit disorganised this year.  He got a t-shirt to ride in anyway and I made a donation to their fund in lieu of his sponsor sheet...

 The Bumble Bee Fund raises money to help buy special chairs for kids with mobility problems.  It was so great to be a part of it and for next year's ride, we'll be collecting money from all of you!  It was great for our kids to see who they're helping and how.  It was also amazing for them to have the opportunity to meet the boys and girls and to be able to have a look, without being told to stop staring...

 The bumble bees...

 The guys from the Childhood Cancer fund were there too.  They were handing out balloons...

 But those udders, oh my... too funny...

 Finally, race time came.  Jake got into the line with the masses of other kids to wait for the starting gun, he was very excited...

 There were a lot of kids riding in Jake's race...

 The guys in front go all out.  They're the future pro-cyclists...

 Jake on the other hand is not.  He does the ride for the medal.  This was the first year that Jake rode on his own, he's always chosen to have a grown up doing it with him, but because he had so many friends riding as well, he wanted to do it alone.  My baby is growing up *sob*...

 After his first 2.5km lap, he was already looking tired...

 But still having fun!  It's so funny to see him get a surge of energy as he passed us cheering him on...

 By the time he'd finished his 2nd lap, he was starting to look a little hot and bothered...

The kids in their wheel chairs were also able to do the race - it was brilliant for our kids to see that they're not any different... 

 Waving to cheering fans...

 By the time Jake had finished his race, he was exhausted.  The wind was howling and the sun was hot and the ride was tough.  Even though it was only 7.5km this year...

 Hot and bothered, but so thrilled with that medal, certificate and goodie bag...

 Granny and Grandpa were there to support him, as always.  My folks had plans with my dad's brother, so couldn't make it this year.  And after having missed it last year for a wedding I really didn't want to go to, I was SO happy to have been there...

 We stopped by my parents for a braai on Saturday night, so just some updated pictures (not such good ones) of little Pip.  Next to Duracell, you can see how tiny he still is.  He's coming up for 7 weeks old already, so he is definitely going to be a teeny tiny dog when he's fully grown.  And he's going to be a total baby...

 Just more than a handful...

 Jake was thrilled to be braai'ing again...

 He will burn anything he can find...

 We had steak for supper and it was SO good...

 Sunday would've been my 12th wedding anniversary.  It's always a bit of a miserable day for me, but I was blessed to be surrounded by friends and family.  Jake and I rented a movie for the afternoon and we went to bed early.  Jake spent most of the morning after church trying to boil an egg over his little torch that he made at cubs.  He did pretty well and egg was fairly well cooked when we cracked it open...

Oh gosh, I love this kid SO much!!  And look how gorgeous our garden's looking (besides the lawn).  We love our garden, it's so pretty and it's all growing so well...

 So, too many photos, as always, but you'd be disappointed if I didn't share them, right?  I probably should've split them up over more than one post too, but if I don't do it now, you'll never see them!

Sending love,

Sue XXX