African Safari

Doug and I took advantage of my mom being in town and decided to go to South Africa for a week. We shared a home with out great friends Steve and Sarah, at a resort located close to the Krueger National Park. It was a cute thatched roof, three bedroom home next to the Sabie river. Here we are outside the home. Thanks to the great AFV deal.



The first night we were there we ate at the Carnivore restaurant. It is like a Brazilian BBQ, except you are served all the African meats like crocodile, ostrich and Kudu. Our favorites hands down were the giraffe and zebra. How sad is that? They are so beautiful and tasty.








As we drove to the resort we passed many huge "shanty" towns. It is very sad to she how they live, with chickens and kids running around bare footed in the cold. Many of the neighborhoods of shantys were right next to nice big homes.





We spent two days in Krueger park. We were able to see everything we had hoped for: a family of lions, a leopard sleeping in a tree, with his dead deer in the branch next to him, giraffes, water buffalo, hippos, rhinos, warthogs ect.. My favorite was we had a couple herds of elephants cross in front of us while we were looking at other animals. It was so great , all of the sudden the trees would start shaking and the elephants would come out of nowhere. They would just keep coming and coming. The babies were so dang cute.


















We had a chance to visit a tribal village. We meet the chief, and medicine man, participated in dancing and had dinner in a mud hut. It was an interesting look in to tribal life.











As we were heading out to see the local waterfalls and lookout points, we can across an unexpected turn out that quickly became our favorite activity of the trip. We bungee/swung down a 170 meter cliff. Doug and I did it together. I am not sure I could have done it with out him boing tied to me. It was the strangest feeling I have ever had, falling backwards the 170 meters before the bungee caught us. WOW!!!






We are the tiny dot down there.


This is the bottom of the cliff we jumped off. It was beautiful.

We next visited the Blyde river canyon, Bourke's luck potholes, Lisbon and Berlin waterfalls " God's window" where on a clear day you can see all the way to the Mozambique coast. We were not there on that day. We also hiked through an area of rainforest.


















On the way home we stopped at a gold mining town, with the old charm still there.







One afternoon we crossed the Mozambique boarder. With the help of a couple locals, we waited in long lines on both sides of the boarder, but as the paper work and money just kept building up, we turned around before it got any worse. It was a very interesting experience.







The last day we were there we had a chance to go on a Microlight plane ride. It flew us over the local area and over our resort. It was beautiful. I am afraid it just fueled Doug's desire to own a plane some day.







This is our home we stayed on next to the river.



What a fun opportunity this was. One I will never forget!! I hope it will not be the last time.

Funny kids

Here are a few pictures from this summer that make me laugh and remind me why I am a mom.

Here is a sign Wesley made before going to bed. I love the mean face at the top.



We had an ant problem in the kitchen. My mom taped up the hole they were coming out of until the exterminator comes. Some ants were sneaking out. Mckinzie came to tell me about this problem and how she took care of it, "The ants were sneaking out, but I put spikies to poke them so they can't come out." As you can see she shoved spagetti noddles under the tape.



Mckinzie and Mandy are princesses. The bandage on her forehead is because she got stiches when she slipped in the shower playing with Brianna.


My mom took this picture of my niece Avery and nephew Evan. I just love it.



Do husbands count as kids. If not this picture reminds me why I chose him to be my kids father. He is cruisin' by in his bumped car with Jack.



Wes giving Ash a ride.



This is Liam favorite way to get water.

Keeping it real

I was tagged by my oldest best friend Teri (not old as in age, I'm actually older than her). This well be interesting. Here is a glimpes into my messy life.

This tag is all about keepin' it real! The rules are to take pictures of the things listed below, but no straightening, primping or prepping. Leave everything just as they look and take the picture! Then tag five people.

First is my awful fridge. It is a loner while we are here, and I hate it. It is very hard to organize!!



Next is the closet. Yes Doug and I share that closet and we can NOT open it fully because the bed is in it's way. Very Nice eh?



Next is the sink in all it's glory. This is the job I hate the most in my house, so of course there are dishes in it.



Laundry- another "hot spot" in this house. There is not a great place for hampers, so the laundry gets shoved in the bottom of the hall closet. I feel lucky to have a hall closet to put it in.



Next is the toilet. For all you living in new clean homes with toilets that flush properly, be grateful!!



My favorite room the living room. It's were I hangout when I am not in the kitchen.



My favorite shoes. I LOVE these ballet flats. I got them with Pasty and Marquessa at the Nordstrom rack this spring. I wasn't sure if I should buy them at the time and now I wish I had bought the green pair as well.



What the kids are doing right now.
Mckinzie is at Brianna Wilkins. She escapes there whenever I am not looking.



Wesley is at Nick Novacks playing video games. Love the hair do!!



Jaxon is playing tennis with Talmage. Can you see the ball coming?



Ashton, my nephew who is here for the summer, is playing the computer. Don't worry Chrissy he's not losing any of his gaming skills:) Dosen't he look comfortable. Notice the extra chairs where his followers usually sit to watch.



Liam just woke up from his nap while I have been working on this. I have no idea what is up with the shirt. Crazy kid.



Here I am in all my no makeup glory. I should have remembered I needed a picture of me for this and put my makeup on first, but I have not left the neighborhood, so why would I have put it on otherwise. It seems to be the last thing do before leaving.



Now this may make the idea of living in England not very pleasant. It is definatly the down side of living here. I feel blessed to having a house as great as this. It could be sooo much worse.

I tag: Amy, Chrissy, Patsy, Cassie and Windy. Have fun:)