South Africa

On the day before Thanksgiving we drove from Utah to Cassopolis, Michigan where Rob's grandfather and wife live. We arrived about 20 hours later, exhausted. Rob did all the driving and I looked after the kids. When we got to the house we just relaxed and then hit the sack pretty early. Then early on the Saturday morning we left and drove to Baltimore and arrived at Greg and Kristin's house after about 12 hours. It was so good to see them again. By the time we arrived though Thomas has croup. I was really worried about him, but luckily with Greg being a doctor we had a professional keeping an eye on him. Over the next few days we visited with them as well as Rob's family. Sometime while we were in Baltimore, Thomas developed conjunctivitis. Then Luke got sick with a cold and conjunctivitis and Rob and I got the adult version on croup. Anyway, we flew to South Africa and the boys cried for about 13 of the 16 hours. Fortunately we had one extra seat beside us and so either Luke or Thomas would lie down for part of the way while the other cried. I think that they were tired and struggled to sleep while not lying down and their sicknesses probably made them feel worse. So after that hellish flight we eventually landed in Johannesburg.

The next day was Sunday and because we were all sick we just went to Sacrament Meeting. It was so strange being back but cool to see people I hadn't seen in a long time. Over the next few days we mostly just relaxed by the pool and took care of some errands, such as closing my bank account, and so on. It was really nice and relaxing. I loved seeing my mom and grandparents again. I loved the heat! Sometime while we were there I got conjunctivitis too and I had developed a bad chest infection, so I went to the doctor and got onto a couple antibiotics. Rob, Gramps, and I did go to the Rhino and Lion park and that was fun too.

Springboks

About to be bitten by the little critter!

Some friendly Zebras

I love the African grasslands

On the Thursday we headed down to Cape Town and Andrew and my dad picked us up from the airport. Some of the things we did: went to Llandudno beach a few times, went to Camps Bay beach, sat on Hout Bay beach eating Thai food, went to Moyo and ate in a tree house, saw a few friends (sadly not all of them due to lack of time), swam in my dad's pool, spent a few days in the Cederberg, Rob hiked up Table mountain, walked around Groot Constantia, ate at the Waterfront, and went to Chris' graduation. There are tons of other things I wish we could have done/seen, but it is hard travelling with 7 month old babies who don't sleep just anywhere and get so grumpy without their naps.

Luke at Llandudno Beach

Thomas as Llandudno Beach

Thomas and Luke

At the Waterfront with Table Mountain in the background

Thomas copying my father

What to do when you don't have your stroller at the grocery store

At Groot Constantia

Chris and Luke

Andrew

After two weeks we headed back to Johannesburg and spent Christmas there. Christmas eve we had a wonderful dinner at Martin and Cicely's place and then on Christmas mom made a delicious Christmas lunch. In the afternoon we headed back home. I hate saying goodbye! The plane ride home was awesome though because it was almost empty and we had 4 seats each - so we slept most of the way home.

We then had a big Christmas meal at Rob's mom's place and all of his family came round. That was nice. After spending the next day with Greg and Kristin and the day after that with some of Rob's family, we headed home. Rob again drove all the way. We were so grateful to be home. Travelling is fun, but it is also nice to be in your own home again afterwards.

Fall is here

The leaves around here are changing color and it is simply beautiful. Looking up at the mountain behind my apartment makes me happy because it is so pretty! The other day Rob and I went out to photograph some of the beauty we're seeing and that was fun. Earlier today my friend Sam and I went for a walk up Rock Canyon because it was such a beautiful day. We still have pretty high temperatures during the day which I'm enjoying.

The boys are 5 months today. They're so much fun, although they haven't been sleeping through as consistently as I would like. Thomas is managing to move his whole body - not rolling, but he moves like a worm. Really, it is actually pretty hard to describe what he does. But, I really have to watch him. Today he nearly fell out of the car seat (from the top) because he was wriggling so much. Luckily Rob managed to catch him in time. The car seat was on the floor so he wouldn't have fallen too far. They're also finally big enough to wear the jersey/sweater that Gran knitted for them. For church yesterday they wore their sweaters and the pants Gran and Gramps sent. Rob took a picture just before church. However, they had just been woken up so neither was particularly happy at the time.

Thomas and Luke wearing the sweaters Gran knitted for them 

Our biggest news is that we are going to South Africa for three weeks in December. Yes, we're arriving December 4th and leaving December 25th. We found a great deal and so we just bought our tickets. So, we'll spend some time in Johannesburg and then head to Cape Town. Then spend a final day or two in Johannesburg before we fly out again.

Thomas loves to stand

Luke was loving the leaves

Luke and me

Luke was fascinated with the pink leaves

Thomas and me

Thomas and his very mobile eyebrows!

My birthday

So, my birthday has been fabulous!

Firstly, Rob has been spoiling me so much. A week ago I received gift #1: a haircut. So, he came along because he wanted to make sure that the hairdresser didn't give me a Utah haircut. It was funny because at one point she did style it a bit like that. Anyway, then on Saturday Rob gave me gift #2: a bicycle. I was over the moon about it. I have been wanting a bike for a while because (1) I really would like to get in shape; and (2) Rob has a bike and I think it would be so much fun going cycling together. So, we went for a short ride up City Creek Canyon. It was really nice, although my butt hurt quite a bit the next day!!! :) But, the more I ride, the more I'll get used to it. Today Rob came over and gave me gift #3: there is a picture of Jesus Christ called the Gentle Healer, painted by Greg Olsen, which I have always loved...so Rob got me that picture, which we will have framed and in our first home. I was so amazed how thoughtful Rob is and that he is able to pick out the most perfect gifts for me. I received a text yesterday saying gift #4 is on its way: a new cellphone and 2-year contract. I really do feel spoilt by my man! :)

Last night I went out for dinner with some friends: Candice, Rachel, Suzanne, Tasha, Lauren, and Rob came too. We went to a restaurant in Orem called Thai Chili Gardens. It was lots of fun and the food was good. Thai food is probably my most favourite food in the world...especially what I had: Phad Thai. When we came home Candice baked a yummy chocolate cake which we ate and then we played Five Crowns - a game I quite enjoy, although I lost last night.

This morning I met up with Jacqueline du Plessis and Jana (a friend in my program) and they gave me a card and had made yummy chocolate chip cookies. So we had cookies and milk - YUM. Then, I went to class and that was fine.

At 1pm I went to lunch with the South African Ambassador to the USA, Welile Nhlapo. He was making a visit to Utah and gave a talk to BYU students and then a few people were invited to have lunch with him. I had RSVPed a while back but had actually forgotten until I was emailed yesterday. I was placed at his table and so we talked a fair amount. As the other people at the table were asking him about South Africa, such as what do South Africans think of Winnie Mandela? and has South Africa managed to completely eradicate Apartheid? and what are your thoughts on Zuma?, he would often ask me to express my thoughts on these matters as well. That was fun! It is funny because politically, I'm completely apolitical. I'm just not interested and here I was explaining about the political situation and history in South Africa. To be honest, I was actually very impressed with his answers because he didn't portray a "black" or "white" view but rather he was neutral in terms of race. I did think his views on Zuma were pretty amusing...and true.

Then, Rob came over and we watched a movie and then went out to dinner at the Brick Oven. They have the best pizza I have tasted in the US. I guess it remnds me a lot of the pizza at home. The servers then came and sang to me and I received a free chocolate mousse, which was MASSIVE!!

So, all in all, it was a really great birthday!!! :)

FW de Klerk at BYU

So today I went to a forum where FW de Klerk (former president of South Africa) gave a talk, entitled, "Bridging the Gap: Globalization Without Isolation." He spoke about America's role as a global political leader in establishing peace throughout the world. He echoed a lot of the thoughts I have had recently.

Anyway, it was kind of weird to hear such a strong Afrikaans accent after being here for nearly 2 months. :)