Merry Christmas 2008

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

This time last year, Christmas 2007, Araminta was 11 weeks old.

A lot has changed since then....

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

Araminta is now walking (running too!); talking (dad, cat, zebra – but not mummy to Ruth's annoyance!); eating solids (feeding herself with her hands); and learning all about the world.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

In April, Araminta went on her first camping trip – to the Karoo National Park.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

In December we travelled to Ceres for a break – and to pick some Cherries.

We discovered that Araminta LOVES cherries!

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

Of course, 2008 saw the celebration of Araminta's first birthday.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

October saw Ruth fly to San Francisco on a business trip with her new job with Synthasite.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

A few weeks later Jeff flew to Chicago to attend meetings of the American Academy of Religion and then to Oshawa in Canada to present a paper at a symposium on conscientious objection. He saw a few birds & got to drive on the wrong side of the road!

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

In October Jeff managed to go on his first pelagic trip. It was amazing!

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

Ruth managed to write off another car after an altercation with a dump truck! We are grateful that no-one was injured.

We now drive a VW Jetta. (Fingers crossed....)

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

We have managed to find a little time to escape work & visit some scenic spots.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

Some of the local flora.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

and fauna:

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

Jeff managed to see 33 new birds this year, including Ground Woodpecker, Protea Seedeater, Yellow-bellied Eromela, Layard's Tit-babbler, Grey-winged Francolin, Wandering Albatross, Black-bellied Storm Petrel, and Yellow Wagtail.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

Ruth managed to find a little time to pursue her creative muse—having most recently taken up spinning.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

Jeff, Ruth, & Araminta – South Africa 2008.

MerryChristmas2008