Winter Bonfire...

Lovely to have a bonfire on a chilly evening, with patches of ice and snow around.

Celebrating Ten Years of Life...

The 15th of December marked ten years since Candace's life was saved after a postpartum haemorrhage. We celebrated Candace with coffee and doughnuts and little acts of kindness to show her how thankful we are for her. 

The emergency occurred in the middle of a cold December night, just eight days after Riaan was born. On that day, even after they had stopped the bleeding, they seriously considered performing a hysterectomy, but ultimately decided that she was still young and healthy. If they had taken out her uterus, our two beautiful girls Eliza and Anya would not be here today. They're our little miracle children. 

You can read Candace's story in her own words here and here.

Happy Christmas 2025...

It's been a few busy days, and so this message is rather late. After having our traditional Christmas eve dinner and opening presents, we celebrated with Candace's family down in Indiana over the weekend.

Anyway, I do hope that wherever you are you had an amazing Christmas and that your New Year of 2026 is filled with joy and peace.

Candace's Birthday...

Swiftly following Riaan's birthday was Candace's special day on Tuesday, 9th December. We celebrated her with cake (made by yours truly and the girls), coffee, presents, a night-time hike, and delicious Indian food. We are so thankful for this wife and mother who brings so much to our little family. :)

Baking her cake for the special day.

Cards and presents in the morning...

Including a gag gift from me. :)

Looking at the cool card from her South African in-laws.

Building Lego together.

A night-time hike...

It was really bright with snow and low cloud reflecting the city lights.

Winter Sun Dog...

We saw a beautiful sun dog on a frosty afternoon earlier this month.

Riaan's Tenth Birthday...

Our firstborn entered double digits on Sunday, 7th December. We started the day with a delicious Hobbit's Breakfast before he opened his presents. We headed to church later in the morning, and he enjoyed seeing some of his friends there. In the afternoon he had more friends around to celebrate his special day, and we all loved his coffee birthday cake. :)

The next morning, I took him out for a birthday hot chocolate at a nearby cafe. It's been amazing being his parents and seeing the changes, as he becomes less a boy and more a young man. As always, here's last year's birthday post. 

Riaan and Candace the night before his birthday.

Birthday breakfast early on the Sunday.

Traditional birthday biscuits from Grandma.

Reading a card from his Granny and Grandad in Cape Town.

Opening his presents!

His delicious coffee cake, with Lego minifigure candles made by Candace. :)

Sledding Fun...

While winter in Michigan is bitterly cold, there is also ample opportunity for fun outdoor activities - like sledding! We spent an hour or so sledding with friends in Dearborn. I joined the children in going down the slope several times. It was so good to make some fun winter memories together. :)

The girls had so much fun! :)