Billows of Smoke

A photograph we took from Valencia of the smoke caused by the fire near Castaic. Apparently 2,500 acres of brush was burned. I don't think I have ever seen a fire this big.

Busy May Days

The crazy Biedebachs and Mahoneys

Yummy lunch with our Duncan friends.

 Allison and Owen- he is the cutest boy! 

Sommer lekker om saam met 'n paar Suid-Afrikaners te kuier! Found out that one of the SA couples actually knows my cousin! Small world.

 The parks in the US are something we'll miss when we return to Lilongwe.

Steph and Jini came for dinner and we were thrilled to meet Lido! Bradley was in love. We are seriously considering getting a dog when we return to Malawi.

 Other kids' toys are always more interesting than your own.  Allison was in wonderland.

Delicious Mexican food with our dear friends, the Michaelsons and the Ugaldes.

Swim Team

The kids have stopped swimming at the YMCA and have now joined a local park's swim team for free!  Ami and Bradley swam in their first swim gala/swim meet today and enjoyed it very much. Bradley came second in his freestyle race. Ami came third in her freestyle race.

Final Awana

The kids loved attending Awana. They joined in January and tonight was their final awards' night.  Even though, Ami joined late she worked hard to complete her book and receive her award. It is such a fantastic program. I know they'll miss it when we go back to Malawi.

Happy Planting

Brian is away in Virginia, preaching, visiting churches and mission committees to share about Malawi. He left last week and will be away until Wednesday.  While he is away, we decided to plant some flowers in the garden.

Some were very happy while planting.

Some were very sad while planting.

Friends from all over

 Our very dear friends from New Zealand came over for dinner.

What? Mr. Reuben who the kids love is actually sporting a Springbok cap? He is a born and bred KIWI.

 Aunt Liz gave us this air hockey table via her friend and we had a  great competition. Dr. Martin faring pretty well even with Kate on his thigh.

 Craig, a high school friend who I haven't seen in about 15 years was in LA and we connected through his sister. He came over and in this picture he is taking on Ami in a game of air hockey.

Kiwi, South African, Canadian and American! LOVE them!

Netball in Sunny CA?

 Yes, with a bunch of expats and one or two girls from the USA

I was the only South African playing, the rest were either Aussies, Kiwis or British ladies.

Just love the clear blue skies! I am all in black, yellow bib and cap on :)

Benjamin is 6!

Celebrating in the early morning with candles, singing and gifts.

 Celebrating at Six Flags- Magic Mountain

 The park was so empty we went on the bumper cars several times in a row.

9th May 2007

2008- 1 year old sitting on the famous Biedebach 1st birthday table

 2009- 2nd birthday at Opa and Nanny. We were in Johannesburg because of my pregnancy with Allison.

 3rd birthday

 3rd birthday

 4th birthday

5th birthday

We cannot believe how quickly the time has gone.  Benjamin, we love you so much big 6 year old boy.