Christmas 2012

Twas the night before Christmas and.....

The baking was done

Our littlest baker

Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas Morning

...table was set

Christmas Eve dinner

Much food was devoured and games were played with special friends and Auntie Em.

We ended our eve with Jamie Oliver's, Christmas Bomb (thanks Tonya) and cheers for the one we celebrate....

For tomorrow would bring many new surprises and fun....

So grateful for family and friends to celebrate this special time of year.  The presents are great the food oh so grand but Jesus it is you we adore!!  

Merry Christmas!!!

A Birthday Month for a Special little Girl!

For only turning eight my girl blew out a lot of candles this year.....

Franzenfam birthday tradition....breakfast of choice, waffles with strawberries & whip cream, served in bed

"Birthday Cake" of choice..homemade apple pie by Auntie Em

Party "cake" of choice...fancy store bought cupcakes (mama's delight)

Tori's actual birthday is on Dec 17 however with it being summer break here in South Africa we started celebrating in November.  A birthday month.....the advantages of having a summer birthday in South Africa...and thus all the wet-hair, swimming pics!

Celebrations (in November) started with a trip to the aqua dome with a few special friends; where they bowled and swam the day away....

The All Star Bowlers

The Party-ers

The Aqua Crew

The Balance Queen

Sky with "cousin" Kamu

It was a Splashin' Good Time!!!

Dec 17, 2012, Tori woke to breakfast in bed, followed by a family swim (no picture as the photographer was in the pool) and then this princess was off for her first ever manicure....

Sportin' the freshly painted nails with big sis

Mama loves this kinda b-day party!

Pretty painted hands and feet...Auntie Em joined in the fun thus the 4th appendage 

After our spa date we flaunted our pretty nails with a fork and chocolate cake!!
 

What is a b-day without cake?  Double Chocolate cake to boot!

After a yummy dinner and more swimming this spectacular, summer day celebrating a super, special girl ended as only one should..with homemade apple pie!!!

Victoria Amira we had an absolute blast celebrating you today and everyday!  You are a beautiful little girl inside and out!  We love you dearly! 

Year End Fun!

The Franzenfam and IA team headed to the Bush for our year-end debriefing time together! Lots of African fun was had...safaris, wildlife sightings, loads of laughter, walks in the bush, lazy swims, encounters with elephants while on horseback, breakfast with monkeys, etc!
See what we saw....

Breakfast with the monkeys

Endless African Bush

Safari on horseback

 One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life....we sighted an elephant while on horseback as I attempted to take its picture it turned and got in charge position flapping its ears & stamping its foot! I may have gotten a bit flustered only begin able to take the picture after it turned and walked away!

2 of my cuties

Blake holding a millipede...love Sky's face

My precious girl!

We had such a good time....I love that my kids are growing up with an appreciation for "the bush"!

Feeling Full

Hard to believe it is November and the year is quickly drawing to a close! Blog posts have been quiet so what has the Franzenfam been up to??

We used to call our winter months- your summer, "Team Season" but now teams carry on throughout the year...which we love. So we've been "up to teams" and seeing great fruit in the communities as a result.

We've had a couple birthdays as well. Recently, Michelle was afforded a first ever "Birthday Week" filled with 7 days of fun surprises, special times with dear friends and lots of sweet treats.

And with the end of the school year in sight each of the kids have had honoring evenings celebrating their accomplishments. Have a look....

Team heading out for ministry

Tori joining in on children's ministry

A surprise dinner with the Franzenfam and IA Staff

"Birthday Week" brought to you by Agent Bluebird (aka Emma) and Agent Black Widow (aka Skyler)

Blake's Soccer Awards Day

Skyler's awards evening rendering high honors in all subject and a gold academic badge

Blake being honored for 'Faith and Joy'...also received good academic accolades

Tori being honored for 'Love and Goodness' as well as high achievement in all areas of learning

In addition to daily time spent at our Impact Kids schools and helping to pioneer new ministry initiatives my days have been quite full.

Even as I sit writing this post admittedly I feel a bit physically worn out from a busy year however I am filled with gratitude of the amazing work and people that fill my days! Feeling very full...and not just from birthday cake! :)

The Ice Skating & Breaking Scoop

What started out as a fun adventure, some for the first time, turned into a not so fun adventure for one!

Skyler, Tori and their cousin Kirsten helped take some of our teacher's kids ice skating during the school break....

Kirsten, Tori & Kimberly

Skyler & Precious

Sandwiched between 2 cousins

The Whole Crew

Tori & Precious

The girl's had such fun!! Unfortunately, when getting off the ice Skyler fell and twisted her knee.

A trip to the ER, X-Rays, then Surgeon and MRI revealed a chipped knee bone warranting an Operation.

Fortunately the chip was on the side of the knee opposed to the weight bearing portion rendering a positive prognosis for a full recovery. 

Sky My with Crutches, Brace and Creative Wheel Chair :)

2 weeks after the Op the Doc felt Sky was/is making a remarkable recovery.  We were able to cancel all physical therapy appointments.  Thank you Lord!!  Mom is now the trainer as the bike is the best method helping her knee to regain full range of motion.  Off to the gym we go!

Doesn't she look pleased that I brought a camera to the gym? lol!

Welcome to the Teen Years

June 23, 2012 Skyler Grace Franzen became a teenager. 

A date I once feared; a journey now celebrated... Her special day started in a special way. We joined the international teams here and our local church in a blanket give away to those in Kya Sands informal settlement...

After our morning in the rain the diversion began.
Lunch with mom and a manicure..

...meanwhile our very talented and gracious interns (Sarah and Cori) were at the house painting a scripture on Sky's bedroom wall (a long time wish of Sky's)...

Later Rich and I took Sky for a special dinner...

Where she received a very, very, VERY special gift.... encouraging words from family, friends and those Sky dearly admires "cheering her on" in her pursuit of purity.....

Such a beautiful gift...one that moved her (and her mother) to tears.....

Finally the moment she was waiting for....Rich presented her with her purity ring.....

A beautiful expression of a commitment made by a beautiful (inside and out) young woman!

Sky My, we are so proud of the amazing young woman you are!!