Our first WA Christmas Tree!

So, time has flown by, and as per tradition our Christmas tree went up today. For the first time since we left South Africa (9 years) we also had Karin's mum with us, making it extra special. I tethered the Canon to the laptop, set it to 30 second interval shooting, and hey presto, here is the sequence we got (70 photo's; not all shown). Click on any photo for a 900-wide version.

Family pics, the zoo and the train trip to Perth

My sister and her kids with us just before we left for the airport last night.

Just the kids...

After returning from our train excursion (see below) I put a roast in the Weber and everyone just chilled-out.

All the kids on their bikes/scooters.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR A LARGER VIEW!

PERTH ZOO IMAGES

At this stage everyone was pretty tired. We had been at the zoo for 4 hours and had another hour to go!

My sister and her kids seeing a real Kangaroo for the first time.

Toeks and a "big Red".

...and Elaine.

 THE TRAIN TRIP TO PERTH CITY

(snapped with Elaine's camera)

Ben, Eugene and I heading into the city.

At Gloria Jean's enjoying some coffee and muffins.

...just before Elaine bought the iPad...

Waiting for bus #99 at the Stirling station for the short drive down to Ikea.

Proof she was there (and very tired; it's a rather big store).

Cheap breakfast anyone?

Cottesloe Beach & Coffee with the family from RSA

Everyone at the car as we are about to head to a coffee shop after 2 hours on the beach.

Having a quick snack between swimming and playing.

Aunt Elaine playing "Superman" with Eugene.

My mother-in-law lapping up the sunshine.

A sequence of shots showing Karla jumping into the sand with Ben looking on.

Elaine also had a go at jumping off the ledge, but with less abandon than Karla.

Elaine wanted this photo posted for the perfect landing she "stuck" following her jump.

Phew! A break and some coffee at the little coffee shop on Marmion Rd.

A picture for Andre back "home" in Port Elizabeth.

Ingrid and her hot chocolate.

Young Benjamin Button...

...Karla Poepelala

Toeksseloeks

...Elaine &

Eugene & Ben, with evidence of the hot chocolate they just finished.

Cicerello's with the family from RSA

My sister, her kids and my mother-in-law at Cicerello's last night.

Just look what hunger does to those facial expressions! We were all impatiently waiting for the buzzer to go!

Ingrid with some ring-lighting. She is just like a fragile porcelain doll. Too cute.

Karin's mum all dressed up for the night out.

The view from our table. Nice, hey?

Eugene, Ben, Karla and Ingrid playing in the lounge before we went to Kings Park.

We were lucky enought to be in Fremantle at the official launch of the  ISAF World Sailing Championships to be held in Perth next year.

...and there were some fireworks as part of the ISAF launch. This was totally unexpected and thus doubly cool.