Western Cape Vacation {part 1}

The first week of October my cousin, Carmen and I flew to Cape Town to join her mum and dad at their lovely beach house in Hermanus. Best vacations in the world is in the Western Cape, it’s extremely beautiful and there’s tons to see and do around every corner. Luckily when my cousin and I arrived in Hermanus it was the Whale fest which happens each year the first weekend of October and boy, we did see a whole lot of whales during our vacation.

The view from our all time favourite restaurant in Hermanus, Just Pure. Such a beautiful little shop too. They sell face-wash, creams, ect, and the best of all everything is hand-made and organic. The restaurant’s food is amazing like you can only guess…

This is the beach in Hermanus, not really sand at all, but mostly rocks, but still as beautiful.My cousin chasing birds..

This is the beach little town side of Hermanus.

My cousin and my aunt, it was freezing cold in the Western Cape at the time we were visiting, unfortunately. But we still had an amazing time.

My cousin and I

This was a harbour in Hermanus, but it’s no longer in use, there now a few restaurants and shops.
My cousin and I in one of Hermanus’ many cute shops

My aunts puppy, Isabella

The view from the beach house balcony.

My cousin’s puppy, Joey.

One of the many wonderful cups of coffee my aunt made during our vacation.

The 2 puppies in the backyard of the Hermanus house.

A few Instagram photo’s from our first day in Hermanus:

Our first cappuccino at Just Pure in Hermanus.

Just Pure inside (the restaurant part)

My cousin and I in Just Pure

Uncle George and Aunt Daleen in Just Pure

The view from the Hermanus house.

I have to admit, I  developed a special bond with Hermanus, and I wouldn’t mind living in that gorgeous little town.

New Aunt to a beautiful boy

On Friday night I became aunt for the second time, and I can’t be any more proud than I already am. My sister Stephanie form Him & Her and her husband Wayne had the most gorgeous new addition to their family. Riley Wayne Swan (3.46kg & 55cm tall) is the most gorgeous little boy in the whole world! Congratulations to my wonderful sister and brother in-law, may he bring you all the joy in the world that you both deserve! I love you both… well now, it’s all three of you! :)

I already know how proud both Wayne and Stephanie are of their little boy! But who wouldn’t be, he’s just so beautiful! I can’t wait to hold him!

Katinka’s birthday

Sunday was Katinka’s actual birthday, I still can’t believe she turned 3 this year! Time truly flies… A few family members joined us at my parent’s home to celebrate her birthday as well as eat soup and sherry…


My Dad, Uncle George, Aunt Daleen and Andre my brother-in-law.  (above)

Stephanie & Wayne’s visit

The first week in March my lovely sister, Stephanie and her husband, Wayne came to visit us, I got leave from work to spend the week with them in Groblersdal with my parents. The first weekend was quite a busy one, on Saturday we organised a surprise baby shower for Stephanie. Ducky is due 27 June, and we are so very excited for a new family member, a little boy this time, the first one!

Stephanie on the left and on the right Heleen and Katinka.The whole baby shower was blue and yellow and ducky themed.Heleen and her boyfriend Mario was in Canada a while back and they bought Ducky that adorable vest (at the top right) with the maple leaves on.

Stephanie didn’t suspect anything, we bought her a pedicure at the spa where they we held the baby shower, when her pedicure was finished we told her we all wanted to have cake and tea, and that’s when we walked into the room filled with family and friends.

That Sunday was my dad’s 60th birthday, we held it at Safari Lodge, it’s a buffet restaurant and bar, and the whole family joined for the wonderful day.

My Mom and DadAt the top is my dad and the other men at his birthday all sitting outside with a magnificent viewWayne, me, Stephanie and Katinka at the tablesMy beautiful sister, Stephanie and I at the poolStephanie and Katinka, it became a habit over the week for Katinka to fall asleep in Stephanie’s arms, and the other photos is Stephanie and Katinka at the pool.My beautiful sisters and I.

Over the week we went to various places around and in Groblersdal, we went to visit my uncle and aunt on the farm and also went for a ride on my uncles farm watching his wild animals, we saw buffalos, impalas and a few other things. We also went to Mbidi Lodge a few kilometres out of Groblersdal where we saw a snake show and White Lions.

Animals on my uncle’s farmThe last was taken at Mbidi Lodge

The visit was over way to soon, and I really wished Stephanie and Wayne could’ve stayed a while longer… But it really was a wonderful week, I had tons of fun!

Way back when… it was Christmas

Since I have so much catching up to do, I thought I’d start out with Christmas, since I didn’t post about it and since that was the last time I actually done anything on my blog. So here goes, on Christmas eve we as a family came together at my cousin’s home on the farm in Groblersdal, we ate a lovely dinner and opened up some presents, we amused the kids with Mario as Santa Clause.

Katinka and I still at my parents house, on our way to the farm.My dad and Heleen at my Cousin, Dawie’s house on the farm, sitting outside.Mario and Katinka, playing “I got your nose”Katinka and Jan-Hendrik sang a Christmas song to the family. (Katinka thought the light was a microphone like Jan-Hendrik’s.Mario played along as Santa Clause and I was Santa’s helper, unfortunately Mario is new to the family so I helped him along with everyone’s names.

The next day on Christmas day, we went to my Cousin, Melanie’s home, also on a farm, we had a wonderful Christmas lunch and spent time with the family, some of those who couldn’t make it to the Christmas Eve dinner. Yeah, Christmas with our family is mostly about food, loads and loads of food :)

My sister Heleen and her boyfriend MarioMe, My cousin Elana and my other cousin LenetteMy Cousin Dawie and his little girl, she is too beautiful for words!
Katinka and Jan-Hendrik playing outside with the sprinklersMy sister Karlien and our Cousin FranklinMy two beautiful sisters, Karlien and Heleen, just wishing that our Sister Stephanie was there with us. Karlien’s daughter KatinkaMy Cousin Carmen and her husband Emile

I Know this is a little too far back, but this was such a wonderful time and amazing to be able to spend it with my wonderful family.