The Big 1!

The party was crazy, there are more pictures on facebook if we are friends, if not, sorry. You want to see Asher anyway :) We had a bring and braai(bring your own meat to cook on the grill). Lots of friends and family stopped by. Thankfully people were scattered inside and out so there was lots of room to play. What a day and what a party. Casey turned 14 yesterday and I sent her on her school's class trip(yes on her birthday) with two dozen birthday cupcakes to share with first lucky 24 girls she found. Asher actually turned 1 today. Happy birthday boy. Here he is in all his glory.

Charmer!

Stretch!

Uncle Badi cooking the meat

March Cousins:Kiara-1 on 26th, Casey-14 on 27th, Asher-1on 28th

Jeff & Asher post-party, finished.

Run Jozi

I think the last thing I posted was about this race. The race took place last Wednesday night, yes I said night, in down town Johannesburg. Nike organized this race and have been putting them on all around the world apparently.  When we heard about it Jeff and I were totally in. We loved the idea of being able to run in our city. Jeff even lived in one of the buildings we ran past when he was a baby and played rugby at Ellis Park Stadium we also passed,where the province team the Lions play. He's definitely not into long distance running, but will take up the occasional 10K with me when the mood strikes him.

The race was amazingly organized. The course was well lit and there were lots of police along the route so nothing dicey happened, I mean this is still Johannesburg so safety is an issue ALL THE TIME.  I loved so much about this race:

1. The awesome shirts and goodies Nike gave all the runners(see below), the free personalization they allowed when picking up your race pack(see below).
2. The 10,000 people running the race with you( I kid you not, 10,000 people running to take back the streets from crime, incredible).
3. The amazing vibe the entire way.
4. All the people who live in those areas were down on the streets cheering you on, hanging out of their windows in their flats in Hillbrow, blowing their vuvuzelas as you ran past their area. The little kids standing on the sides of the road holding out their hands to be high-fived as you ran past them.

Wow! What an amazing race and an amazing time. There is talk of having another one next year and Nike  would be fools not to do it with the huge turn out. I hope and pray things like this begin a turnaround in our great city.

p.s. Will tell you all about Asher's first birthday party that we had for him today later in the week.

Deloitte Pretoria Half-Marathon

So friends we finished the race and no one died. There were several steep inclines after the 6km uphill battle which Chandre and I thought could've finished us off. The hill leading up to Pretoria Boys High School was especially cruel. However we persevered and finished strong. Our time was my personal best of 2:11.15 and considering I wasn't a faithful trainer(not sure how to be a faithful trainer with a baby in tow) I am very impressed with our time.  Also the PowerBar gu was great. Green Apple tasted better to me than the vanilla I tried the week before, but it all tastes like concentrated syrup to me anyhow.

Here are the happy runners below, at breakfast of course. I had french toast :)

Major shout outs go to our friends Brandon, Stefan and Karabo who ran the full marathon. Brandon and Karabo are training for the Comrades(the most intense race I have ever heard of in my life), click if you dare.
 

Next race is the RunJozi Race in downtown Joburg. Details here. How awesome! We, as the people of Johannesburg, are taking back the streets and running where they say you can't(mainly because you could be mugged or killed, etc.)

We love Shutterfly!

We made this blanket for my parents for their anniversary this year. Will let you know how they like it once they receive it. Looks nice.Check it out on shutterfly.

 

 Woven Blanket

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