Gavin's 40th birthday

Jo's 40th birthday

A fun evening out celebrating the 40th birthday of Jo, Yogi's daughter, at a Mexican restaurant. I had an inspiring conversation with Jeremy, an actuary, about our shared passion for creating "works of art" through our work and hobbies.

Liz's 40th birthday party

I went to this wonderful party on 21st June.  An amazing meal at a top restaurant (Postales) with delicious Tapas and Paella. Then to a nightclub where there were two hen parties trying to outdo each other with sexy moves on a stage (I was one of only 3 guys in the whole place!)  Then 4 of us smuggled ourselves into Liz's very upmarket hotel suite for a fun (but innocent) slumber party.  All in all, a great time.

No party is too posh for a leap!!

From my card to Liz

Dear Liz 

Happy Birthday!  Happy Everyday!! 

I wish you sunshine and happiness as you continue to paint a wonderful picture for your life.   May your world be full of colour and may your crayons never melt ...

As always, a couple of quotes! 

• Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art.  Don Miguel Ruiz 
• Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can. Danny Kaye 
• You have your colors, you have your brushes, paint paradise and walk right in. Nikos Kazantzakis 
• Life is about using the whole box of crayons.   Ru Paul

May you paint a beautiful life for yourself full of fun, laughter, adventure, wonder, inspiration, wisdom, friendship and love. 

Thank you so much for your friendship.  You have been a major contributor to many of my most treasured experiences and memories this year.

Big birthday hugs, 

Graeme 

Jo's 40th birthday

Thanks for the photos, Jo.

Letters and gifts on my 40th birthday

Gift from Jo

Jo's beautiful pillow case that she sent to me on my birthday.

Letter from Jo

Dear Graeme

I hope that you have a fantastic 40th birthday today. May this be the start of a new chapter in your life that is filled with love, wonder, excitement, passion, creativity and contentment. You deserve every good thing that comes into your life!

Thanks for being such a special brother. You were always the patient one, giving me gentle encouragement and support when I needed it. You are going to make / and already are a fantastic teacher. You had it in you from many years back.

We shared so much together growing up. Sunday morning escapades, lots of laughs, secrets and chocolates eaten on the sly. I remember drinking milk with you, then spinning round making ourselves so dizzy and laughing so much that it ended up coming out of my nose!!! Christmas with the Culley's, then the Rusconi's, camping trips that I was jealous not to be able to come on and spending hours playing lego, marbles and Marco Polo in the pool. I remember Sunday roasts"with" "Granny' Doris, "white"cheese sandwhiches eaten at Muizenberg with grandpa and waiting in Dad's car in the parking lot while he combed his hair after surfing - while 10 drivers waited for his spot!!

Dinners to Casanova with Granny and Grandpa Freeway and eating Italian kisses. The joy of cycling round to their Epworth Road house and sleeping over, Granny's crispy roast potatoes and lumpy custard. Mom, who was always there for us, making sure we had everything we needed. Friday nights at Youth and then all the lovely, hysterically funny letters you wrote to me while I was overseas I remember your face through the hospital glass when you saw Sam for the first time. I love the fact that you wear your heart on your sleeve and show emotion - both happy and sad.

My only wish is that lived closer together and got to see more of each other but thank goodness for skype, e-mail and of course picasa!!! Once again, we will be thinking of you all day and I will even drink a dinky champagne in your honour.

With all my love
Joey

Poem from Mum

Brendan's 40th birthday party

A good night with lovely people.

Ingrid's 40th birthday in the park

Ingrid celebrated her 40th birthday in the park outside our house. Her delicious black cherry and chocolate muffins were a highlight. As was Ally's strawberry and honeycomb icecream - made with the ice cream maker that Ingrid and Andreas gave us as a house warming gift. We look forward to sampling all kinds of ice creams with it - what a great gift to be sure.

Kittie and Sebastian - best of friends. They are so cute together...