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.