Tim's birthday weekend, Granny and Grampa's visit, school holiday at Nyanza, Louie's birthday and hobby horse making! Aug-Oct 2025

It has been lots of fun exploring Eswatini and discovering all the little gems. Its a very small country so whichever way you drive, you see signs for border posts! We love going to Milwane National Park because it is so close to us and a great way to get the kids out and burn some energy.

Playing dress up haha!

For Tim's birthday we went to stay at a place called Mabuda guest farm, they make their own coffee and have a lovely little coffee shop. It's run by missionaries who have an eye hospital out there. We enjoyed getting away.

Making birthday cards...

On our way home we went past Hlane for lunch. It never gets boring to see the rhino's there.

The kids have all settled in to life here so easily. I am so proud of them!

Making their own pizza's at the club.

Fishing with friends at the dam on the road we live on.

Granny and Grampa drove all the way from Cape Town to visit us for 4 days. It was lovely to spend time with them and the kids loved hanging out with them and chatting about life. Granny even let Lily do her hair and make up!

Someone did a little make up of his own!

Granny taught Lily to eat bovril on weetbix...needless to say its a very messy affair! I guess grandparents get a free pass to spoil and teach them special little things they will always remember.

We visited Ngwenya glass factory, Swazi candles, Milwane, and of course...our favourite place- Malkerns Country Club. We had a lovely breakfast at Malandela's before they headed on for the rest of their road trip.

Our biggest boy turned 10!

Lou, we are so proud of the young man you are becoming. We know its not always easy being a kid with the strong personality you have...but God made you the way you are for a purpose and we can already see how He is using you. Your fierce love, your friendly nature, your kind heart, your strength and determination, your desire to understand The Bible and your incredible memory, your childlike faith and how you make sense of truths I am only grasping as an adult...when you channel that strength you are such a force. We love you more and more every day.

First hospital trip in Swaziland! The shower door fell onto Lou and a piece of glass got lodged into his knee. It took some local anaesthetic and a bit of digging to get it out, and a stitch or 2 to close the hole up. Lou was very brave!

6 months of Oliver (Golly/Oviler as Joel calls him). He is a happy little fatty who does not have the same desire as his siblings to get going. He is quite happy to just sit and watch all the action. He is such a cuddly little happy sweet heart.