Go USA!

Go USA!

Here's our little cheerleader getting ready for the big game tomorrow night! Do you have your vuvuzela and flag ready? GO USA!

uShaka Marine World

Soccer Family pic

Ushaka Marine World

When you click on the picture of Alexis and the sharks, you will see photos from another part of our vacation to Durban. We were able to visit uShaka Marine World. We saw a seal show and a dolphin show but spent most of our time there walking through an amazing maze of aquariums. There were so many sharks and other ocean animals. Starfish of all colors, an octopus that plays with baby toys, purple jellyfish (Alexis' favorite), Japanese spider crab (Dan's favorite because it was huge and grossed me out!) and garden eels. Who's ever heard of garden eels? I couldn't take a picture of them but they were the coolest. I really thought they forgot to put a "fish" in that aquarium until I realized that what I thought were plants were really the eels. What an awesome glimpse into God's underwater creation! Our visit to uShaka Marine World was actually a great introduction for homeschooling because Lucas has a bunch of ocean experiments that we'll be doing for his science class. Anyway, hope you enjoy your tour through our underwater adventure!

Vuvuzelas

Vuvuzelas

Well, the World Cup 2010 has finally begun. We thought it only fitting to buy Lucas and Alexis their own vuvuzela to celebrate. I took of video of them playing their vuvuzelas but it just doesn't do justice to the quite annoying sound they make. Then add the 94,000 people that were at today's first game and you have enough to give you a BIG headache! But almost everyone has one and they play them ALL the time!! Kids march around our neighborhood blowing their vuvuzelas, people blow them out the windows of their cars or even while they're driving. Johannesburg was literally buzzing with excitement today. I've never seen or heard anything like it! P.S. Inside the cone of the vuvuzela there is this warning...Prolonged use of vuvuzela can cause ear damage. Blow at your own risk. Gotta love it!

Joshua plays peek-a-boo

Lucas' trampoline tricks

Alexis' trampoline tricks

Swimming in the pool

Our Durban Vacation

Durban Vacation

We had a wonderful vacation enjoying the ocean in Durban, South Africa. We love taking vacations ("going on holiday" as they say here) during the off seasons. It's much quieter and less crowded. Durban is about a 6 hour drive which took us 7.5 hours but our kids did just great in the car. There was so much to see! The first 2-3 hours actually reminded us of a drive through Nebraska in late fall. Flat, brown, lots of cows and corn ready for harvest.

We spent most of our time at Natalia Resort. The kids swam, played putt-putt, jumped on the trampolines and enjoyed the arcade. Dan and I enjoyed playing ping pong. It was a short walk to the ocean and we went 1-2 times each day. The ocean was beautiful and Lucas especially loved running in and out of the waves. Alexis enjoyed playing in the sand. Joshua enjoyed the sand too - aaagh! I tried to keep him on the beach towels but that was one battle I lost every time. Oh well, at least he knows now that he doesn't like the taste of sand! We certainly enjoyed the warmer weather!

Joshua's Baby Dedication

Joshua's Baby Dedication

Joshua's Baby Dedication took place during our IMB prayer retreat at the end of April.