South Africa!

Our first week in SA was spent at Umhlanga - a beach town where my family spent our holidays growing up and where Chris and I went on Honeymoon. For winter, the weather was gorgoues! We spent our days going for runs, swimming in the sea, playing with all the nieces and nephews, eating lots of good food and resting! We re-visted some of our favourite places from our honeymoon like the Oyster Box for drinks and the most amazing aftternoon tea and Little Havanna for incredible steak.

Our second week was in JHB and it was so wonderful to have so much time with family - we loved being together. On the Sunday night, my mom, sisters and sisters-in-law organised a surprise early 30th birthday party for me which was amazing. We went to a Spanish restaurant and some of my closest friends were there - such a great surprise. Later in the week Chris and I went away for a night to a boutique hotel as an early 1 year anniversary celebration - we loved our time together and enjoyed all the hotel comforts - our jacuzzi, drinks in the lounge by the fire, room service for dinner, a great sleep and delicious breakfast. My mom had saved us some wedding cake in the freezer, so we enjoyed that during the week too.

We had also planned a early surprise 70th birthday celebration for my Dad, but I didn't know that the family were planning this as another surprise for me! It was a fantastic night - great company, delicious food, the family poem and fun on the dance floor - especially with all the little ones!

On the Saturday before leaving we cooked a Venezuelan lunch for everyone and enjoyed our last meal together. The goodbyes never get any easier, but we are so grateful for the time we can have together as a family.