Father Christmas...

Santa Claus visited me in my upstairs office. I love the beard! :)

Candace's Birthday...

Candace's birthday is just two days after Riaan's birthday, and so this year we combined a small party for the two of them on Saturday, December 9th. A number of new friends came around for tea and cake, which was absolutely lovely. I am so thankful for all that Candace does for our family!

Birthday breakfast. 

Candace's new pin that Riaan gave her. :)

Reading cards from around the world.

Friends join us for an informal time of tea and cake.

ESL Craft Night...

A few weeks before Christmas, Candace shared her crafting skills with the ESL students. She taught our friends how to make Christmas ornaments (stars) out of strips of fabric. It went really well, and I was so proud of my little family!

Making stars out of fabric strips.

Riaan's Eighth Birthday...

Riaan marked another year older on Thursday, 7th December. Hard to believe that in just a couple of years he'll be into double digits. He is such a sweet, caring soul who loves to read, read, and read some more! We celebrated his day with presents, a coffee/hot chocolate date with me, and a little tea party with the neighbours in the afternoon. We enjoyed his favourite (and somewhat traditional) Hobbit's Breakfast for supper. 

As always, here is last year's birthday post!

He received some new pyjamas...

Along with Enid Blyton's The Famous Five book series.

He also opened several birthday cards from South Africa, Scotland, and Indiana!

Coffee date with me.

He had a strawberry shortcake for his cake this year!

Tea and cake with the neighbours.

Birthday dinner - a Hobbit's Breakfast!

Happy Christmas 2023...

After spending many of our Christmas days down in Indiana, we are celebrating in a new state this year. It is almost Christmas in Detroit, Michigan, and from our family to yours, we wish you a blessed Christmas and a very happy New Year of 2024! May you know the love and hope that Jesus brings to all.

Thanks for reading along as I share snippets of our life journey.

Silly family photo. I forgot to be silly. :)

Christmas Decorating 2023...

We decided to put up our Christmas tree and decorations early this year, with most of the decorations going up on Sunday, 3rd of December. The children did a fantastic job, as usual, with most of the decorations. And this year, we even put up lights on the outside of our house - and they look so beautiful!

Putting up the Nativity stickers on our living room window.

Riaan and Eliza did a wonderful job decorating the tree.

A few of our small Christmas decorations from around the world.

A South African mini wire Christmas tree...

And a German Nativity scene.

Ornaments on our tree are from around the world, too.

Paintings by Riaan and Eliza.

Our Christmas lights at night.

Detroit Lutheran Singers...

To celebrate Candace's birthday, the children and I took her to see the Detroit Lutheran Singers perform their Christmas concert series, Gloria, at a beautiful church in nearby Livonia. It was wonderful to sit and listen to this feast of international Christmas music.

It was the perfect opportunity to bless and honour Candace, while also introducing our children to the musical arts, such as orchestras and choirs. They were the youngest people in the audience - and they received many compliments for their excellent behaviour!

There was a fantastic old church organ, too.

Eliza's Beautiful Artwork...

Eliza drew this amazing picture of a roller-skating ballerina earlier this month. I'm so proud of our talented children!

Anya's Third Birthday...

Our sweet Anya Joy celebrated her third birthday on Monday, 27th November. She enjoyed presents first-thing, followed by a little party with cupcakes at church - where Candace helps with ESL childcare. I was off for the day and was able to celebrate our youngest daughter. 

Anya chose to go to the local library for their storytime in the afternoon, and that was lots of fun. I also enjoyed making a new friend in Bumblebee, a dog visiting from a local animal shelter. Anya continues to be a joy and you can see how much she has grown since last year's birthday post. :)

Birthday presents waiting to be opened. The package of flour is a Lego set in disguise!

The joy in her face is clearly evident.

All three children love to be involved when it comes to presents.

Opening cards from South Africa, Scotland, and Indiana. :)

Playing in the nursery at church.

A little party with friends.

Happy birthday, sweet girl!

Maybury State Park...

We visited our first Michigan State Park on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Maybury State Park is just half an hour from our home, on the western outskirts of the Greater Metro Detroit area. It was chilly, but the children loved the playground - and we all enjoyed a lovely refreshing hike around the partially frozen lake. :) It's great to discover untamed areas not far from home!

Anya bundled up enjoyed the playground...

As did Eliza...

While Riaan loved the zipline!

Looking out over the lake on our hike.

Riaan and Eliza take refuge in a basic shelter.

The lake has a wooded island in the centre.

Riaan and Eliza test the ice at the water's edge.

Fishing dock.

Candace and Anya had returned to the car by this point, so it was just the three of us.

Stunning skies!