Happy New Year!

We spent Christmas in Belgium. No snow, boo. But every day that we were there, the temperature became colder and colder, until we left at a bone-chilling 7 degrees below zero. (celcius) But it was great... I think I ate my weight in Belgian bread, so yummy. And Santa was very very generous, turning a blind eye to the naughty list and giving way to lots of fantastic presents. Thanks Santa! Great to see and hang out with the family. Kids absolutely loved it and Gabriella is already planning her Summer holiday. I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2009!

Gabi explains it all

 

Gabriella explained the plot of High School Musical (is there one?) to Desiree, while he attempted to...uh, play with the Barbie.;-)

Christmas bliss!!!!

 

Uncle Jan Comes To Town

 

"Uncle Jan, what do lions eat?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

 

Lucas had his birthday in December. We asked the kids what kind of cake they wanted and they asked for brownies with ice-cream. Comin'right up!

Ice skating with Ahmed

We enjoyed an evening at another one of the new and enormous, overcrowded malls in Dubai. (economic crisis, heh?) Out of that very big crowd, a very nice Syrian boy must have noticed that it was Lucas and Gabriella's first time iceskating and came over to us and tried at first to befriend Lucas. But in no time, Gabi and "Ahmed" skated off alone, into the music and crowd.

Tante Elke and Lucas

 

Marc's sister Elke is here visiting from Belgium. The kids absolutely love her and having her around. And she loves just spending her days here hanging out at the pool or just playing on the floor with them. She always brings good books to read and Belgian balogney. (Belgian balogney is super yummy!)

September- October, a few words, a lot of pictures...

What a busy September and busy October so far! September we had the first days of school with Ramadan beginning and the kids having to come home early and then Eid Holidays. It was also exciting days to meet up with last year's school buddies and friends we had not seen since June. Lucas didn't settle into his new class for a few weeks. And still today when I picked him up from class, he said, "Mama you found me!", with a big teary smile. We have swim lessons and music lessons. And then there were birthday parties, a first trip to Ski Dubai, and the new dolphinarium. We went to a wedding in Cairo. Cairo was exciting, scary at times (the driving is nuts there!) and the wedding was beautiful. The kids couldn't see what all the fuss was about tombs and pyramids. We told them in our own getting "old" voices, "when you're older, you'll understand." And now we're getting ready for the Laternen Fest, Halloween, and Thanksgiving....

End of Topic celebration-Gabi's class

 

At Sammy's birthday party at Ski Dubai, Gabi's first time in there.

In Cairo for a wedding and sightseeing!

 

At the hotel in Cairo, taking a break from all the sight-seeing.

 

Marc climbing down into the oldest pyramid in the world, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Pyramid trying hard not to think about the 20+ million tons of rocks above his head.

 

Not another pyramid!!

 

Dancing at the reception.

 

Traditional Candelabra dancers. Brave ladies!

 

Gabriella was asked to accompany her closest school friend(niece of the groom) as a flower girl in the wedding. This was very exciting as the wedding didn't begin until 10:30pm, and dinner wasn't served until close to midnight. This all proved to be a bit too overstimulating as in the end Lucas pooped out before dinner and Gabi broke down in tears from exhaustion!

 

Father and bride being received by traditional Egyptian musicians.

 

We're at the wedding of the brother of my good friend Ruby(pictured), in Cairo.

 

 

 

The Sphinx and a pyramid in Giza.

 

Gabi didn't find the pile of rocks behind her exciting, at all!

 

Riding over a bridge over the Nile River

 

A taxi ride in Cairo

 

Ramadan lunch outside of the Ski Dubai (Lucas is still too young to go in) so, we always sit outside looking in, like at a candy shop.

 

Birthday Parties

 

Gabi and Marc, hamming it up under the water trampoline.

 

Lucas finally gains confidence to swim with his wings, he kept saying, "Mama, I a big boy."