Thanksgiving, Christmas and "odds n ends"

 "Our Thanksgiving Feast with all the trimmings and even a turkey cheese ball with crackers".

 "We had Thanksgiving at President Chadambukas house"

 "The Halls"

 "The Wrightson's"

 "How cute are these?  Elder and Sister Hall made one for each of us".

 "Elder Hawkins and Kamogelo just before she is baptized."

 "William, Kamogelo's Father and Itu her sister, and Selina her Mom".

 "This is in Polokwane with Elder and Sister Ellis of the Area Presidency, President and Sister Chadambuka and ourselves.  We had a good visit for Mission Tour".

 "This picture is for the Wilson's - look at the moss growing under the thatched roof in our complex looking out our patio.  Remember how dry it was last year, we have had at least 2/3's of the month of Demember with large amounts of rain.  Close up above, and a look from our patio beneath."

 "Christmas Day and this is Kamogelo jumping with her cousin.  I wish my grandkids could appreciate what they have.  Maabane's had a small Christmas Tree, a little bigger than the one Steve and Amber used, but NO presents under the tree.  They celebrate Christmas, but not with presents, and they are still happy."

"Itu and Selina in the kitchen getting ready for Christmas Dinner."

" As you can see from the plates already dished up for the kids, they eat a lot of rice".

 "This last picture is one we took in Phalaborwa - it is a picture of Sammy's house (our game driver), just a little box shaped home.  They keep the weeds out of their yards, and this is a typical fence in the villages."

Sunday in Phalaborwa

 "It is spring and the Jacaranda Trees are in full bloom.  These trees line road ways and are absolutely beautiful"

" Before church started the children wanted to see themselves on the camera, they came running from everywhere to be in the picture.  They have a wheelbarrow with a container to haul water."

 "This is part of the church we were invited to by Sammy our Game Driver through Kruger National Park we attended in Lulekani (outside of Phalaborwa), the tarp extension, held up by poles".

" Only two cars found at the church ours, and our game driver Sammy, who picks up a group to come to church"

 "Music started before we got there at 10:00, by 11:00 it was standing room only."

 "You can see the whole inside of the church in this picture (three cement walls with a tin roof), keep in mind it is over 100 degrees"

"While we were traveling to the church came upon this "tuck shop" I had to stop on my way back and take a picture."

Life in Africa 2

" Here is proof Natalie and Spencer made it"

 "How do you like my crock picture?"

 "Never seen a cheetah, finally found one by the fence, we drove pretty close to it."

"This was Natalie's to do on her check list - pet the baby lions - 2 1/2 months old".

Life in Africa

 "On the way back to our flat from Kruger National Park we went on the scenic route and stopped at a place called Bourke Potluck Holes, it was magnificent."

 "When we entered Botswana we stayed the second night at a place called Senyati, right outside our lodge was a watering hole where the animals came into drink, it was fun to sit on the porch and just watch as they would come and go."

" We went on a jetty boat ride in the Chobe National Park and our driver took us up and very close to all the animals, this was one of the many crocodiles, I have another that didn't upload so I will try again, and do a second half."

 "On that boat ride we were there on the river as the sunset, as you can see the elephants in the foreground.  It was probably one of the best activities we did."

 "This is a pride of lions that Natalie backed up in the safari truck as we got close.  She thought it was a little tooooo close and personal.  This was the next morning after the boat ride again in Chobe National Park, just on land instead of water."

 "This picture is a little out of order we went to the Rhino-Lion Reserve on Saturday after returning from Botswana.  Finally we were able to see a lot of Rhino.  It was surprising to me to see how long those horns were.  This was Spencers item to check off his list."

 "Back to Chobe we saw a leopard that had his kill waiting under the tree, this was the first leopard we have seen, and our driver says they only see them about once a month, so we lucked out.  They are a beautiful animal."

 "Natalie liked this picture of the giraffe in Chobe."

" Finally saw a lion with a full mane, it is so fun to see these animals so close, what an experience."

 "After we went to the Rhino-Lion reserve, we went to the Wonder Caves found on the same property, similar to the Stalagtites and the Stalagmites found at Timpanogos.  Now on to the second half, sorry I have to do this in two parts."

More pictures of the hotel in Tzaneen I missed

"Here are the rest of the pictures at the Hotel - may have duplicates"

Dinner in Namibia and Tzaneen Night over

 "Wanted to show you a couple of meals Dad (alone mind you) ordered; top one is in Namibia a skewer full of meat and the one below is here near the office a lamb shank."

" If you can read this sign, we are on our way to Tzaneen and we laugh every time we see this sign coming into town "TOTAL NOBODY"

Next two are pictures of the hotel we stayed at in Tzaneen it looks like I missed putting some in."

" Below are the three couples we have here in the Botswana/Namibia Mission, left are the Halls, middle are the Wrightson's from Idaho Falls; just arrived, then of course us".