The Hains Clan

Hello everyone!

I have finally figured out, since moving to aperture on the Mac, how to get my photos onto our website again.  So here they are!  My 30th, photos from July and August.

My birthday, as apprehensive I was about it, ended up being just wonderful!  I still missed all the special people in SA and NI but Matthew did all he could to make it a special occassion, and all the special people here in England made such  an effort!  On my birthday we went into Windsor to go on the wheel and go see the Windsor Castle.  It was a beautiful day!  The sun shone all day and the children enjoyed themselves as much as we did!  The castle was impressive – especially the doll’s house!  Then, on the Friday, Matthew arranged for us to go, with friends and family, to a restuarant in Cookham.  It was great!  Although I think the waiter might have been a bit annoyed by the South African chat that started… apoogies all round, we just reminiscing!  The food was exquisite, I was thoroughly spoilt and just enjoyed being with everyone.  Here are some photos:

July saw the arrival of Elowyn’s bed (at last!) and we were able to surprise her with a newly done-up room – in butterflies, just as she wanted!  She stood at the door to her room when she first saw it and didn’t say anything to start with. Then she looked down at Matt and said, “Is this my room? Butterflies, all butterflies!”  It was very precious.  Ethan got Elowyn’s old bed and both went to bed that night with grins that went from ear to ear!  So cute!

August has started with Matt and I sorting out our space.  Matt and I had bought a bed (the first bed we’ve bought ourselves!) last year in Belfast.  We decided to get a king size bed.  It set us back a bit and we waited on getting the duvet to go with it…. so now we have a duvet that actually fits our bed and a room that almost resembles what we like! It’s a busy month this month:
- Matt travels to Romania at the weekend for a week fo drumming (sounds like a holiday to me!)
- I’m taking photos at a friend’s sisters wedding on Saturday
- We’re going camping for 4 days in Wales mid-August
- I start my 12 hour post as a neuro out patient physio at St Mark’s hospital, here in Maidenhead at the end of the month.

So with all this going on, we’re trying to enjoy the summer weather and the time Matt has had off since the schools closed in July.  I will try and keep the website going a bit more regularly.  So keep an eye out for more photos and another update soon.

Thanks for reading!

x Anita

Hi!

Well, we sampled the taste of Africa on Sunday with good friends coming over to visit. We had a potjie (our first in our potjie that my mom brought all the way from SA – in her hand luggage!) and delicious mielie bread that Odette made – have to get that recipe! And of course, sun, it visited us the whole day and what a lovely treat! Very rare that we’ve planned something like this without the rain interfering, it was lovely to sit out in the sun and spend time with friends.

The children have really enjoyed the good weather and being outdoors, but are sometimes at a loss and still want to watch iPlayer on the computer – but I tend to “kick them out” and get them playing in the garden!

I have uploaded a few photos from the weekend, I hope you enjoy them. I will keep you up to date with more news soon, but for now, not much to tell – except that we’re eagerly anticipating summer!!

Thanks for reading,
x Anita

Hi everyone,

I know it’s been a while since the website has been updated. We’re changing things a little (with the addition of the latest iLife) and are moving back to website done on the Mac (we think) so watch this space. We will still have all the photos on Picasa if you’d like to look back at our photos.

Talking about photos, I have updated our online album. It’s just a few random photos from the last two months – a visit with the Kents in London, Elowyn’s new kitchen (thanks to Dougie’s woodwork and my painting…), on the Royal Mile in Windsor and a few shots from home. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for checking in.
Anita