Did I even take pictures this Christmas?

Honestly, I can't remember. Somewhere, in 9 suitcases and 5 carry-on bags there is a camera. I'll have to find it and post what measly pictures there are.

We are "home." I'm struggling with this as I feel like we were "home" for Christmas. But now we are truly at home, sleeping in our own beds. We arrived last night, at midnight no less, exhausted from our 24 hour trip. It will be fun seeing how long it takes all 5 of us to get back on Doha time. Hopefully it will happen by Sunday, when the kids start back to school.

We absolutely had the best time in Spring, Mississippi and Dallas. And man, did time fly by. But 3 weeks out of a suitcase can be hard, so it was finally time to get back to normal life.

So here we are. A grocery store trip today is a must. Healthy eating is on the list of New Year's Resolutions. I'll let you know how that goes.

So, no new music right now. I have too much on my mind. But to all of you back in the states, we absolutely loved seeing you after four months away. Thank you for putting up with us.

10 days already????

Can it really be that we've been in Houston for 10 days? And leave today for Mississippi? It has flown by. Does time move this fast when we are in Doha? I don't think so.

What a visit it has been. IT SNOWED!!! Look at my friend Kim's blog to see pictures. We weren't over the jet lag enough to manage any pictures. But it really came down. What a treat for the kids.

The kids got to see their old school and neighborhood friends. I got to go to my book club's Christmas dinner. I got to play some tennis. I got to see season 5 of ENTOURAGE! In a word, it has been FABULOUS.

We leave for Mississippi today, then to Dallas on Monday where we will spend Christmas. Maybe, just maybe, I'll manage to pull my camera out and snap some pictures.

I've got to go help pack up the family! Our best to all.

Can It Be?

Well, the time is here. You see that countdown? Only one more day until we land, but we takeoff tonight. It's just about a 24 hour trip. We are very far away.

To all our new friends in Doha, we can't wait to see you in the new year. You have made this move all the better by knowing you.

To all our old friends and family in Texas and Mississippi, we cannot wait to see you again. The anticipation of coming home has sustained us through these last few weeks. We will see you VERY, VERY SOON!

Our love to all!

Could this be Meyer Park?

Let's see, beautiful, sunny day. 5th grade girls playing soccer......

The uniforms are red.....

Kathryn's number is......wait! Her number is 4, not 22! Something's not quite right. And that's Ashlyn next to her on the same team. Ashlyn always played on an opposing team.

Something else isn't right. Head coverings on the soccer fields?


Parents watching in traditional Arab dress?


"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

Dune Bashing!

Saturday was dune bashing day, an excellent way to pass the time. We met our tour guides here in Doha and then they drove us (we went with another family) out south. Our tour guides were local Qataris and they were driving, yes, you guessed it, Toyota Land Cruisers.

Our first stop was the camel rides. These are big animals.


While we were riding camels (all of us except Scott, but we won't talk about that), our guide Ali, let air out of the tires so we would not get stuck in all that sand. Doesn't he look friendly?

Then, over and around the dunes we rode. These dunes are BIG dunes. 100 foot high, maybe? Faster and faster we went. I took video, but none of it came out right, so you'll have to use your imagination.

Our first stop was at the top of a dune where we got out and the kids immediately ran down the dune.

I'm not sure they realized that if you run down the dune, you have to get back UP the dune. Let's just say they found this out the hard way.





Another short drive to the first beach, and then it was tea time. Seriously. Our guides pulled out carafes of hot tea, Arabian coffee (yummy, by the way) and candied dates. It was a nice pick-me-up.

See that far off ridge in the background? That's Saudi Arabia.


We couldn't swim at the first beach, something about the Emir's camp being right there, so we headed off quickly to the second beach. This is where we would spend the rest of the afternoon.


While the kids played in the rough surf, lunch was being cooked over an open fire at the camp. Chicken and beef kebabs, hot dogs, hummus, rice. And a nice large tent for us to use. A great place to get out of the sun and relax. This tent had a carpeted floor and pillows and cushions in the back to sit on.

Ahh - brotherly love.

We all had so much fun. A big Thank You to the Harris family for inviting us Griswolds along. We are looking forward to our next Arabian adventure!

NEWS FLASH!

It's raining in Doha. 120 days we've been here and not a drop of rain. Until today.

It's not a heavy rain. And I actually think it may have already stopped. But there were drops. It may technically have been a sprinkle. But we will take what we can get. I'd take a picture if I could find my camera.

Now, if it will just stay dry for our dune bashing trip tomorrow! (Will definitely need camera for that. Let's hope it shows up.)

Thanksgiving Day

Ummm.....kids at school. My husband at work. Tennis this morning. SOUNDS like a typical Thanksgiving, doesn't it?

In case you are worried, my wonderful neighbor Jacqui is cooking a turkey and all the requisite trimmings. I'm making the mashed potatoes, which is about all I know how to do. We will eat tonight and share this day with our new friends. Wow, what a difference a year makes.

Here's a happy, happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Christmas in Doha

Okay, I realize it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But school lets out on December 4th, so if there was a Christmas party to be had, it had to be now. Otherwise, all those expats here in Doha would be long gone.

It was a big, company-sponsored (ooh- not allowed to name big, giant oil company), family Christmas Party. Santa was there, jumpy things, cute handprint ornaments to make (which Mommy left without), face painting. You name it, they had it.

The kids, of course, had a ball and we had to drag them away. Too much fun for Mommy and Daddy. It was time to go.

Decorating Christmas Cookies, which were promptly eaten:





Face Painting - NOTHING says Christmas like a black dragon:





And Santa. What Christmas party is complete without Santa? Kathryn, at 10, feels she's too old to sit on Santa's lap. But not too old to ask for a laptop.


Scott asked for a PlayStation 3:

John gets points for honesty. When asked if he had been good this year, he replied "not really." He wants an ice cream maker for his room.


Wishing you all the happiest of Thanksgivings this week. Look - only 15 days until we come home! Love to all.

School Days, School Days - Awwww....Aren't They Cute?

Here are my children's annual school pictures. Notice the difference between pictures taken in the Middle East and pictures taken in Spring, Texas. Oh- you don't see it? Neither do I. All school pictures are the same, apparently, regardless of where you live! It IS an American school, after all.


Yes, I'm aware that Scott has a bad haircut. But look - no front teeth!


Yes, I'm aware that Kathryn needs her haircut as well. Waiting for Houston to do that. But she can smile, can't she? She loves school. Teacher pleaser.


Yes, I'm aware that John's shirt is dirty and that neither he, nor Scott, wore a collared shirt.

Now, aren't all of you are impressed with my parenting skills? Failing to take school pictures seriously - what kind of mother does that? My friend Caroline would be appalled.



Speaking of being the same, I attendend a PTA meeting at the school. These, too, are the same, regardless of location. Different faces, but the same topics, the same personalities, the same dynamics, the same fundraising issues. I felt very at home. I'm not sure what the difference is between a Parent/Teacher Association (ASD) and a Parent/Teacher Organization (Haude Elementary), but I do plan on a bit more involvement in this next year. But only if I can have the right job.

Doha Dirt

Sand. Dust. You cannot imagine the piles and piles of excavated dirt. You can find green grass along some roads, but not many. And the building going on. Cranes all over downtown. Two huge new projects, The Pearl and Lusail City being built very, very close to where we live. Trucks all over the roads. All these pictures were taken out and about town one day. You don't have to search for sights like these.





But then I get to come home to green grass, trees, and a beautiful lagoon:





This is our backyard:


Just a small glimpse into our new world.

Oh, Jeni.........How Could I Ever Forget?

It was you, wasn't it? Spurred me on, made me get those chairs redone. Haul them to the refinisher. On top of that, organized my house and cried with me as I packed my memories up in that small secret room of mine. My messy room. You've not been forgotten.

I expect you in Doha soon.

I Want Candy!

Halloween.........such a fun time for parents!

First Halloween parties and a parade at school. That's Scott in the middle.



Look at John's scary costume!



Here's a video from the parade and John proudly wearing his costume:


Then the carnival, on a gorgeous Doha night (rumor has it that it even sprinkled in some parts of town.) The kids in FULL costume, After the carnival, we went trick-or-treating at our friends' compound across the street. It was a wonderful night.




And to those of you in Spring, guess who this is!


We missed you Cypressdale Court!