Wandering with the Wilsons

Santa Bread

2011-12-24T05:50:00.001+03:00

I will always equate this sight to Christmas Eve. What is it you ask? Santa Bread, of course. We would put it up in the ceiling of the kitchen, where the warm lights are, to rise.

And this is what you get to enjoy Christmas morning.

Thank you, Mom, for such a memorable and tasty tradition. Merry Christmas!

Sweet!

2011-12-19T22:38:00.003+03:00

Do you recognize this ad? Maybe not the same models, but the logo and product?

Krispy Kreme is no respector of persons.

Qatar National Day

2011-12-18T20:44:00.003+03:00

Happy National Day!

Big Girl Underwear

2011-12-09T23:33:00.001+03:00

We are easing back into toilet training (after Leoni lost total interest). We have talked about getting some "big girl underwear" for her. While we were visiting the GAP the other day (ours has a GAPBody section), she brought these over to me and asked if she could get these "big girl underwear." I thought maybe this meant the interest in using the toilet was increasing again. no such luck, but she has reminded me about going back to get these several times.

Accessories

2011-11-26T16:10:00.004+03:00

Such a little lady

If you look closely, you'll see she is even wearing "gloves." They are actually Burke's socks.

Jon's house

2011-11-26T10:45:00.004+03:00

Until I have better after pictures, this one will do. This is the house known as "Jon's house."

Before

After

Lizard

2011-11-26T06:08:00.004+03:00

We miss our lizard friend. He reminded me of my lizard catching days before Sam's Club & Wal-mart took over. He used to visit us in our kitchen, bathroom, but we haven't seen him for some time. Hope you are well, wherever you are little lizard.

Girls' Night Out

2011-11-21T23:06:00.006+03:00

I got out of the house, alone, for the first time since Burke was born, to enjoy a few hours of yummy food and good conversation. We ate at a new Syrian restaurant in Souq Waqif. I loved the pomegranate used in several dishes and quenched my thirst with my favorite lemon/mint drink. A little something to look forward to each month.

We are still here

2011-11-13T11:03:00.003+03:00

Blogs are great. I have been able to keep up with so many friends and what is happening in their families. I love seeing your families expanding and growing up. I find it amusing when you apologize for not writing "recently" which usually means within the past two weeks. Hopefully, I will have a little more posted soon to read for those who haven't totally given up on me. We have just been a little busy with life the past several months, and while I do still read your blogs from time to time, I haven't really kept ours up to date. Instead of writing a novel in the month of November, I am shooting for a few posts.

Wilson family at the Las Vegas Temple August 2011

Muslim Friendly

2011-11-08T08:47:00.003+03:00

According to Wikipedia, "The Malaysian constitution guarantees freedom of religion while making Islam the state religion. Approximately 61.3% of the population are practicing Islam." This makes Malaysia a favorite vacation destination for Gulf Arabs. The resort we stayed at was no different. Not only very Muslim friendly, but many Gulf Arabs were also there for the Eid vacation. A few unique things you would see at the resort that you might not see in the Florida Keys are:

A prayer house

A Kiblat on the ceiling pointing the direction toward Mecca

Modest swimwear

A Langkawi Lunch

2011-11-08T06:28:00.003+03:00

After a wonderful but all too short visit to KL, we headed to Langkawi, an island off the west coast in the Andaman Sea. We slept in late, and then we headed out to explore and have lunch at the resort. We chose to eat at the Beach Restaurant, which lives up to its name.

Here is the view we had in the open air restaurant

Enjoying an exotic drink

Travis wanted to be in the picture, too

Eating the butter

Burke had fun with the swizzle stick

My delicious meal
You have to get seafood when you are on the water. It had a tasty creamy coconut sauce.

Travis' meal that also had some seafood with potatoes in a stew

Of course, Baby Bear enjoyed lunch with us, too

KL Bird Park

2011-11-07T05:44:00.001+03:00

We visited the KL Bird Park, which is the world's largest walk-in aviary.

We fed the fish

Spied on colorful birds in the bushes

And above us

Saw a display of pride

Had a chat

Tried on stylish glasses

Had deep thoughts

Were spied on by birds

Felt a fluffy duckling

Ate ice cream

Every last drop

Fed birds
Lizy did this for us since Leoni is terrified of being touched by animals but likes to look at them

Saw a hornbill up close

Checked out our dream cars

Had a great day

This is just a picture of Malaysian taxis

Kuala Lumpur

2011-11-05T09:57:00.004+03:00

Our dear friends, the Priedemans, moved to Malaysia at the beginning of 2011. We were so sad to see them go, but knew that we would keep in touch with them, whether they liked it or not. With Burke arriving in the spring, we figured the soonest we could visit was in the fall, so we started to plan a trip to Kuala Lumpur (KL) for Eid al Adha.

Well, it actually happened, and we were able to visit. We spent three days in KL with them and then spent a few more days on an island, Langkawi. They were the most gracious hosts, and they went above and beyond in making sure we were comfortable and cared for. Leoni had a hard time with the time change, having hallucinations several times about needing to comb her hair the first night, but we were so blessed to deal with that in the comfort and company of friends. The best part was just being able to visit with them and their children. Leoni loved having the attention of "older girls." and Burke liked anyone and everyone's attention. We can't thank them enough for their generosity. My only regret was, why didn't I take more pictures?

Dinner out on our first night

The Petronas Towers
right after they lit up for the night

Our family in front of the Towers

Walking the short walk back to the Priedemans'

National Mosque

Off to Malaysia

2011-11-04T09:52:00.003+03:00

After a harrowing day, we made it on the plane for our Eid trip to Malaysia.

Stand By Me

2011-11-03T07:44:00.003+03:00

Standing & cruising

Laughter

2011-11-03T07:39:00.003+03:00

A day without laughter is a day wasted.
-Charlie Chaplin

We don't waste our days.

Halloween

2011-10-31T07:36:00.002+03:00

Our compound doesn't have trick or treating since most people are not American, so Halloween was pretty low key this year. We did have matching Halloween pajamas, but, alas, not photographic proof. Just this cute picture with Burke's Halloween attire.

Downward Dog

2011-10-29T16:05:00.002+03:00

Burke must like to stay limber because this has been going on for over a month. He is just hard to photograph like this.

Because this usually happens before I get a picture.

Six months

2011-10-26T15:59:00.003+03:00

Still doing the Arab man lounge on one side rather than sitting up

Eye for an eye

2011-10-23T07:33:00.002+03:00

I keep telling her that he'll fight back.

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

2011-10-22T07:24:00.003+03:00

When Travis' softball games are early enough, we like to go to watch. Leoni mostly likes to eat snacks. She was cracking me up while mimicking the players from another team eating snacks on the grass.

Claustrophobic?

2011-10-12T15:56:00.002+03:00

Not this girl. She always manages to fit into small places.

Shout Hooray!

2011-10-10T15:54:00.003+03:00

Travis turned 34!
It was a very low-key day, but we managed to at least decorate and have cake.

Halloween Carnival

2011-10-08T15:25:00.007+03:00

To get in the Halloween spirit, we attended a Halloween carnival put on by the Doha Mums organization I belong to. There were bouncy houses, face painting, crafts, games, etc.

It is hard to get a picture with 4 people all looking good at the same time

Especially when two are kids

The carnival was at a new conference space in Katara. The black & silver chairs in the lobby were perfect for Halloween, though they are the norm here.

Leoni & her friend Sebastian

This is where Leoni spent the majority of her time.

Burke did a little bouncing of his own

Happy girl

Tired Boy

Big Legs

2011-10-07T07:20:00.003+03:00

Good morning

2011-10-06T07:10:00.003+03:00

Burke helps me wake up Leoni in the morning. She is always glad to see him.

She likes to give him hugs.

And more hugs, even when he isn't very keen on it.

He retaliates with hair pulling.

In the end, they are both happy.

Pleased

2011-10-04T07:07:00.002+03:00

Burke pleased that he knocked over the playmat.

Caught

2011-10-02T07:05:00.003+03:00

Lately, Leoni has not wanted me to take her picture. I have to try to sneak in a snapshot here and there. Well, here I wasn't sneaky enough.

Dishwasher

2011-10-01T07:03:00.003+03:00

Leoni loves helping with the dishes. Hopefully, this will still be true in 10 years.

A little more Burke

2011-09-30T06:47:00.003+03:00

My Rooster

2011-09-29T06:45:00.002+03:00

This is who I wake up to in the morning.

The Army Crawl

2011-09-27T16:27:00.004+03:00

This is Burke at 5 months.

Working to perfect the army crawl

We All Fall Down

2011-09-20T15:21:00.002+03:00

Only, I wasn't singing a song. I wasn't praying either (for those that know that story). After a rough week dealing with an infant and the jetlag that accompanies a 10 hour time change, I fell down when I missed a step at the bottom of the stairs. At least, I think that is what happened. It was about 2am.

The next day, we headed to the hospital for x-rays to rule out broken bones. Both feet hurt so much that Travis had to carry me to and from the car. The result was finding out that I had two sprained feet.

My feet were wrapped and I was sent on my way to care for a 2 year-old & 5 month-old & the only medicine was a gel for the pain since I am nursing. Frankly, it did nothing helpful. Luckily, I have kind people who found out and brought us dinner and an amazing visiting teacher/friend who came to my rescue by doing my dishes & floors, not once, but twice & provided delicious dinner. I am so grateful for all of them.

This picture is courtesy of Leoni's budding photography interest.

The Return Flight

2011-09-10T10:48:00.001+03:00

Sadly, we couldn't stay in the US forever, and we needed to return home to Qatar.
Overall, the travel was uneventful, and both kids were quite good again, especially considering the number of travel hours.

The first flight (LAS to ORD) was an all female flight crew. They let Leoni sit in the cockpit. I only let her stay for a minute because much longer and she would have been all over the controls and buttons.

The blessed Trunki that made switching flights much easier with a toddler in tow. She rode most of the time.

Leoni's favorite sunglasses, which also open to clear glasses, each lens independently. Unfortunately, she lost them, probably in the very crowded tram we took from one terminal to another. We didn't have time to go back and look for them once we realized they were gone.

The Girls

2011-09-08T07:47:00.002+03:00

Two in the nursery...fast asleep

2011-09-08T07:44:00.001+03:00

Grandpa Nor

2011-09-06T07:33:00.003+03:00

He sings cowboy songs.

Labor Day Picnic

2011-09-05T07:02:00.007+03:00

On the actual observed day of Labor Day, we decided to go to the park for a picnic. The day got away from us, and it was getting late, so we decided to pick up food rather than make it ourselves. I had really been wanting Port of Subs, so we looked up online where the closest one was located since the one I grew up with had moved. Travis saw you could place your order online and then pick it up, so we chose sandwiches and ordered.

My parents went to pick up sandwiches and we headed for the park. En route, we received a call that the Port of Subs we thought our order was at was closed. My parents quickly headed for another location. In the mean time, we arrived at the park only to find construction & a closed down playground. My parents called us again to say the second location was closed and they were going to go to a nearby Subway instead, however, they needed new orders. I figured out and communicated orders while Travis drove through the new section of the park. We saw there was a playground there, so we decided to check it out.

In the end, the park was geared to a little older age group, but it was fine, and we did have food to eat. It was late & quite dark, but we made the most of our time and the flash.

Lindsay & Burke

Leoni & Nor

Leoni in the spinning thing that uses gravity,
which is a little difficult when you are under 30 lbs.

Grandpa Nor showing how it's done

Burke didn't make it turn at all but had fun sitting in it.

Forcing Nona to ride & take a picture

Walking through the snake tunnel

Another gravity fueled activity

Swinging

Sitting

This is the best we could get with all of us.
Leoni just wanted to lie down.

Sunrise, Sunset

2011-09-05T07:00:00.002+03:00

Just a Las Vegas sunset from my parents' front yard.

Cheese

2011-09-04T01:16:00.003+03:00

Sometimes, I even manage to get a photo with my kid.

Visiting Greats

2011-09-04T01:09:00.003+03:00

Both of my paternal grandparents are still alive, and we had a chance to spend some time with them so they could meet Burke and visit with Leoni.

Great Grandpa & Burke

Great Grandma & Leoni

Leoni & her great grandparents

All of us

Labor Day Barbeque

2011-09-03T23:44:00.004+03:00

On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, we got together with friends for a barbeque. Mostly, we just wanted an excuse to get together and chat. After the fact, I realized I didn't take very many pictures, so this is what I have.

The men by the grill

Hyte friends

Larsens

Heidi hanging out with the kids

First time meetings

I just love her face in this. It's too bad it is blurry.

Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder

2011-09-03T01:03:00.004+03:00

I get to look at this cute little girl all day

Unfortunately, she also has to look at me

You Can Teach A Child To...

2011-09-03T00:45:00.003+03:00

So, we were innocently doing this

While she was doing this

Seems innocent until you realize that this was also happening

And the discovery of what that meant

It is cute...until the instigator decides to encourage squirting other parties who happen to be holding expensive cameras. Luckily, no long term damage was done.

Burke--4 1/2 months

2011-09-02T00:43:00.002+03:00

Some Days You're Up, Some Days You're Down

2011-08-30T08:42:00.004+03:00

Something seems a little fishy

2011-08-27T10:14:00.006+03:00

Visiting the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef

Touching the sting rays

Father/Daughter portrait

You can never jump quite enough

The gift shop was as fun as the actual exhibit

Grandpa Nor

Leoni

Octopus Attack

Maybe he'll learn to always sleep with one eye open

Ukelele Lady

2011-08-25T10:06:00.002+03:00

Last summer, Leoni loved the "little guitar." Now she knows it is really called a ukelele. Whatever it is called, she knows it is just her size.

I love when she sings along.

Happy Birthday, Jasper

2011-08-24T00:06:00.002+03:00

Happy Birthday, Jasper!

Our friend Jasper celebrated his 4th birthday while we were in town, so we were able to go to his dinosaur party. His mom planned a very fun party for little ones, complete with decorating their own treat container, a hunt for dinosaur eggs & baby dinosaurs, games, painting t-shirts, pictures with a big dinosaur, and yummy treats. She is so creative. I hope that when I have parties for my kids, they will turn out even half as fun as what she plans.

Leoni helping her baby dinosaurs "hatch"

Jasper showing Leoni his cars

On the Road Again

2011-08-23T18:00:00.002+03:00

We headed back to Las Vegas. Since Burke REALLY hates the carseat (read-screams the whole time, and no, doesn't fall asleep) we made several stops along the way. Even though I have driven between Las Vegas & UT countless times during my time away at school, I never actually stopped at Cove Fort. It is the historical location of a fort founded in 1867 as a way station between Fillmore, UT & Beaver, UT. The weather was perfect, and we were able to take a tour through the buildings with the missionaries there. The couple that took us happen to be from my parents' stake in Las Vegas.

Leoni trying out a covered wagon

Burke briefly sitting with Leoni

We also needed some sustenance, so we stopped at Smashburger. Leoni loved the fry sauce (no, I don't mean ketchup) so much, she even dipped her mustard/ketchup covered burger bun in it.

Ruby Slippers

2011-08-22T17:56:00.003+03:00

After a long day, there is no place like home.

Old Friends

2011-08-21T16:13:00.002+03:00

Can you imagine us years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange to be seventy...
-Simon & Garfunkel

Swimming, swimming in my swimming hole

2011-08-21T00:03:00.002+03:00

Cousins

2011-08-19T17:43:00.002+03:00

Leoni and Burke got to spend time in UT with cousins.

Off to see the...relatives

2011-08-18T08:47:00.004+03:00

On the way to UT, we had to make a few stops for Burke to eat (and have a break from crying). He doesn't really like the carseat--AT ALL. One of our stops, that is becoming a tradition, is at Rowley's Red Barn in Santaquin, UT. They have delicious shakes as well as fresh fruit for sale. It was very windy, but we were able to stretch our legs and enjoy some tasty treats.

Jumping

2011-08-17T09:00:00.004+03:00

Leoni loves to jump, so she had a great time at Skyzone.
Now we just need to find someone in Qatar to open a franchise here.

Shop 'Til You Drop

2011-08-15T08:41:00.002+03:00

Tracy came to town, so we decided to go see the new City Center in Las Vegas. Besides having several new hotels, there is also an upscale mall.

Leoni exhausted after all the luxury shopping

Not too tired for gelato
The guy working there was sure that she needed a more "kid friendly" flavor than chocolate. He kept saying, "It is really rich." I assured him it was fine, but he gave her several tastes of other flavors, but she insisted she just wanted chocolate. When she was nearly finished, she "accidentally" knocked her bowl on the floor. They gave her a full new bowl. Sneaky girl. Of course, Mom took that opportunity to sample some of it.

In Las Vegas, it is fine to come to the mall in just your bikini & a cover-up.

Ballet outfit

2011-08-15T08:40:00.003+03:00

The ballet outfit has quickly become a favorite.
I especially like the 1920's-esque wearing of the matching headband.

Nothing like ice cream to bring a smile to your face...

2011-08-13T08:34:00.003+03:00

...and Grandpa Nor who allows you to eat it anytime of day.

Brought to you by Anderson Dairy

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2011-08-10T08:00:00.003+03:00

After many warm weeks, we headed to the USA for the last four weeks of the summer.

Notice the lovely waiting area behind the glass. This is in Abu Dhabi, and we were not allowed to enter this area until the last 45 minutes of our 4.5 hour layover. We were all perched on the metal bars near the ground lining the hallway to the gate.

Just waiting

After the long travel (and Burke's first trip)

Riding with Dad on the moving walkway

Finally in the US where there was help waiting to carry little ones

Faces

2011-08-09T06:54:00.002+03:00

Leoni was the queen of interesting faces. While Burke doesn't have quite as many funny looks, he still gives us some good ones to chuckle at.

Feeding Bear (part II)

2011-08-06T06:48:00.003+03:00

Remember how helpful Leoni was in making sure Baby Bear was fed here?

She is still making sure he is fed, but he is not doing solids anymore.

This is the only photo I have managed to get because she is a little camera shy.

All Smiles

2011-08-02T06:51:00.001+03:00

He's isn't exactly ALL smiles, but he sure likes to smile a lot.

Fashionista?

2011-07-31T06:11:00.001+03:00

Leoni has been dressing herself for quite a long time, but some of her choices recently are much to strange, but maybe they are just "fashion forward."

Trying on a gift for Burke

Too small? No. Just a mini with a plunging back.

Not exactly sure what to make of this one
(it is an eyemask)

Sweet Dreams

2011-07-29T10:46:00.002+03:00

I love when babies smile in their sleep.

More Faces

2011-07-28T08:36:00.003+03:00

Am I my brother's keeper?

2011-07-28T06:35:00.002+03:00

Leoni and Burke seem to be getting along quite well so far. He likes anyone who pays attention to him and her maternal nature has shone through at times.

But she is definitely, still a kid.

Weird

2011-07-28T06:27:00.002+03:00

I love this kid...even though she appears to be emerging from a casket.

Sleeping Baby

2011-07-27T08:34:00.001+03:00

Is there much cuter than a sleeping baby?

We're not in Kansas anyone more

2011-07-26T06:21:00.002+03:00

On the way to the fabric souqs today, I saw this outside the Amiri Diwan (essentially the main government building where the Emir's office is located).

Luckily, I had to stop at a light and had time to bust out my camera and take a shot through the window of my car.

My Heart Wants To Sing Every Song It Hears

2011-07-24T08:32:00.003+03:00

She does sing every song

Hoodie

2011-07-24T08:23:00.006+03:00

Hoodies can make you look like a thug

Or like the Biebs

Also like the Unibomber, but my kid doesn't like sunglasses

Bears, Blankets, and Bedtime

2011-07-24T06:32:00.001+03:00

Beating the Heat

2011-07-11T08:16:00.003+03:00

It is quite hot and humid here. To "beat the heat"
we drink lots of smoothies

Read lots of books

And smile (I'm sure it has a cooling effect)

Strong Man

2011-07-10T08:13:00.002+03:00

Already flexing for us

Just a bunch of monkeys

2011-07-09T08:10:00.002+03:00

Playing Dress Up

2011-07-03T08:06:00.003+03:00

We have to make sure everyone is dressed properly. Notice Baby Bear dressed in the backgroud and Leoni is working on Burke's bear.

Blessing

2011-07-02T23:23:00.005+03:00

Burke Douglas Wilson was blessed
July 11th 2011 by his father G. Travis Wilson

Happy Birthday, George!

2011-07-02T07:54:00.004+03:00

Leoni's friend, George, turned 3. He had a party at their clubhouse, which included balloon animals and a bounce house. Guess where Leoni spent most of her time?

The Rug Man

2011-05-16T05:55:00.003+03:00

Living in the Middle East, you are suddenly exposed to the world of carpets much more than I ever had been. I have been asked by a number of people about "Persian rugs" and if I will buy one when I am here. Well, carpets were on our mind quickly after moving here because most homes, including ours, have tile or marble floors. This is great for helping the house maintain the cool from the A/C during the hot months, but it is killer on your crawling/learning to walk kids. It also makes things feel a little "cold" and during the cooler months (notice I didn't say cold) your feet are downright cold as well.

A few months after arriving, we did purchase a large rug for our main room to help soften landings of a toddler and to be a good play area. We knew nothing about rugs and mostly wanted one with good cushion. Since then, we have noticed rugs at friends' homes and asked about them.

We finally made it to visit "The Rug Man," who had come highly recommended by several people. We had no idea what a wonderful and interesting time we would have. We went with my mom, and we were educated about Tribal rugs. (for more info, visit here). Below are a couple of pictures from our first visit. We hope to return and maybe even make a purchase some day.

Burke-3 1/2 weeks

2011-05-16T00:29:00.002+03:00

easter dress

2011-04-29T13:50:00.003+03:00

An unexpected early arrival postponed the wearing of the Easter dress. Leoni wore it a week late, but then she wanted nothing to do with pictures. This is the best of the bunch.

Removing hair clip

Holding a bunny--upside down

Refusing to look at the camera

This sums it up

Hippity hop

2011-04-15T15:00:00.003+03:00

In Doha, sometimes bunny rabbits wear little dresses.

And sometimes, they are rabbits of a different color.

Shameless Family Promotion

2011-04-14T22:18:00.007+03:00

My not so little, little brother has a company, iLLMaTiC Productions. It is a Las Vegas based production company, specializing in high quality cinematography and video production. His most recent project is trying to secure funding for a documentary, Lucky Enough, on Seamus O'Conner, a young snowboarder breaking into the professional circuit (more details and updates here).
If you haven't heard of kickstarter.com , it is a new way to fund creative projects. You can find out more about the website itself here. I mention this because it is the forum my brother is using to secure the funding, but he only has about 10 days left. Kickstarter stands on all or nothing, so if he doesn't get all the funding, none of the current pledges will go through. Here is their explanation.

All-or-nothing funding?

Every Kickstarter project must be fully funded before its time expires or no money changes hands.

Why?

1. It's less risk for everyone. If you need $5,000, it's tough having $2,000 and a bunch of people expecting you to complete a $5,000 project.

2. It allows people to test concepts (or conditionally sell stuff) without risk. If you don't receive the support you want, you're not compelled to follow through. This is huge!

3. It motivates. If people want to see a project come to life, they're going to spread the word.

I believe in this project, not just because it is my brother, but because it is a fascinating subject. My brother isn't just a kid with a camera fooling around. This is his work and what he does (see his website here for examples of his work). Seamus is also the real deal, not just a kid who likes to snowboard. He already has big sponsors (Nike & Oakley to name a few) and is working on additional deals. At the age of 14, he is already making a name for himself in the world of snowboarding, and don't be surprised when you see him at the 2014 Olympics representing Ireland.

As #3 states, Kickstarter motivates people to see a project come to life and spread the word. So, I am spreading the word. Take a moment and check it out here on Kickstarter. If you are able to donate (even as little as $5), great. If you can't donate but believe in the project, help spread the word. If the funding goal isn't reached by 10:00am EST on Monday, April 25th, he will receive none of the currently pledged money and the project will be at a stand still.

OK, off my soapbox. Thanks for reading if you made it to the end.

Sorry that the font color changed mid-post. I am not the tech-saavy one in the family, nor do I have time to figure that out.

Another visitor

2011-04-14T16:21:00.004+03:00

Travis' friend and former roommate, David Chipman, has been working in Saudi Arabia. He decided to come visit us in Qatar for the weekend. Unfortunately, he bought his tickets with Gulf Air, which has been known in these parts to be completely unreliable. the was supposedly a legitimate sand storm, but after a layover in Bahrain easing toward a full day, he made it for a shorted trip than planned. We took him to eat at Souq Waqif, but we ended up taking pictures of Leoni rather than all of us.

Camel saddle

Agal maker

Playing on the lounging pillows

Riding on David's shoulders

See, he was here.

Spring picture attempt

2011-04-14T07:50:00.003+03:00

I was going to send out Happy Spring cards to family,
but the windy weather wasn't cooperating.

So here are the best from the bunch

Easter Party

2011-04-09T16:21:00.007+03:00

We started off April with an Easter party. The timing was great for us since we don't know when to expect our addition. The party was put on by Doha Mums (an organization of expat mothers I belong to). It was held at Sealine Beach Resort, which is south of Doha on the water. Not only is there beachfront, but there are also several pools to swim in, though they were a little chilly.

Meeting the Easter Bunny

The bounce houses were a hit

Enjoying some sustenance

Walking on the beach

Easter wouldn't be complete without a ride on a camel.
This is Leoni's first camel ride.

The egg hunt wasn't terribly well organized because the little kid and big kids were at the same time. By the time we walked to it (Leoni had been in the middle of eating a chocolaty dessert), all the eggs had already been discovered. Luckily, she still got a piece of Lindt chocolate. Mostly, she just liked carrying the basket, and she took it with her back to the bounce house.

Swimming with Dad

Singing while standing on the stools at the swim up bar

Laughing

A few raisins to refuel

These last few are just from the "holiday themed photo ops"

Chicky

Bunny

Easter Pirate?

Going to the Zoo

2011-04-06T16:20:00.005+03:00

We finally made it to visit Doha Zoo. We went as an early birthday celebration for Leoni, since I was 37 weeks pregnant. The day was warm, but luckily windy. I was still hot, sweaty and exhausted by the time we were finished walking all around.

Leoni making friends with an emu

Travis preferred the ostrich

Being spring, there were tons of ducklings, goslings, and other babies

The elephant

Giraffes

Monkeys

First time she allowed ponytails to be put in her hair
(notice they never made it to the monkeys)

The next day, Leoni decided to eat her Cheerios a new way

Open Sesame

2011-04-06T04:40:00.003+03:00

And if that doesn't work, just get a stool

And hope mom doesn't catch you

Social Butterfly

2011-04-04T06:35:00.001+03:00

Al Bidda Park

2011-04-03T16:19:00.003+03:00

Al Bidda Park
on the Corniche (the Bay)

Cage chair-doubles as a trampoline

Making an important phone call

Round and round

And round

Doha in the background

Cinderella

2011-04-02T15:51:00.003+03:00

Leoni likes to be Cinderella, not the princess version.

Playgroup

2011-04-01T15:45:00.002+03:00

We go to playgroup almost weekly. These two are often the only ones there.
I am glad they play well together.

Definitely not M&Ms

2011-03-26T15:38:00.004+03:00

So, this is what you turn around to see when you give your child a small piece of chocolate. I now see why the slogan "melts in your mouth, not in your hand" was so appealing to parents. It is also why you never try to sneakily eat chocolate in the same vehicle as your child. They always know and request some. Blast!

If a Tree Falls in Your Yard, Does It Make a Sound?

2011-03-25T00:33:00.003+03:00

One of the very first plants I remember in our yard growing up was this pine tree. For many years, it was the only greenery in our yard of desert sand. I remember carrying pitchers or dragging the hose out to water it. We eventually landscaped everything, and the installation of a sprinkler system helped it flourish. Well, flourish it did, but last year, a portion died.

We were afraid it was diseased, but upon inspection found that some of the roots strangled others, causing it to die. Rather than remove the dead portion, it was recommended to remove the entire tree because of its proximity to the house. Removing a portion might throw off the balance, and in a wind storm, the remaining portion could topple onto the house, causing major damage. Unfortunately, this meant that the large shady area it provided would disappear along with it. Now my parents need to find a new tree.

Beginning removal

Crane lifting out portions of the tree

The last section of the trunk

Before

After

TESOL Arabia 2011

2011-03-13T15:35:00.002+03:00

Travis attended TESOL Arabia again this year. It is held in Dubai, so he also visits IKEA. This year, one of his professors from BYU, Dr. Anderson, was one of the speakers. They were able to meet up for lunch along with Heidi and another friend, Jonathan.

Ponies

2011-03-12T15:31:00.003+03:00

The first time successfully convincing Leoni to wear her hair in ponytails. It only lasted about 15 minutes while she was drawing, but it was darling.

Birthday Beach Celebration

2011-03-05T23:50:00.004+03:00

After dropping Heidi off at the airport, we headed out to Al Wakra for a birthday beach celebration. A friend was celebrating a big birthday, so we joined in the festivities. Before the sunset, everyone enjoyed the weather and water.

Walking back to shore with the McCollums as the tide started coming in

A wet Leoni visiting her friend Xavier, who opted to relax back on the beach

I didn't get many more photos because night fell. We had fun visiting and wishing well for the coming year.

Bonus Day With Heidi

2011-03-05T22:44:00.013+03:00

Due to the political unrest in Oman, that portion of Heidi's trip was cancelled, so she was able to stay an extra day in Doha. We loved that because we had a chance to spend a little more time. We went back to Souq Waqif during the day, which is full of very different sights than night. Here are some of the things we saw.

Chasing pigeons

Souq animals

Including suicidal turtles

And technicolor chicks

Man with Wheelbarrow

A view of a corridor

Al Qudsi--Sweets Shop

Fresh Arab Sweets

Various Spices

Woman shopping

More spices

Spices, dry ingredients

Dry ingredients (rose hips, dried lemons, chickpeas, etc.)

Textiles (some from camel hair)

Man in thobe on cell phone

Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin Robbin

Two men greeting each other

Outside the Mosque

Arab Instruments

Heidi bought a tambourine from the instrument shop

Local men in an outdoor cafe

The cobbler corridor

Wheelbarrows

Traffic police

Heidi checking out saffron in a shop

Prayer beads

Posing

Waiting outside a rug store

Headed home

We were so glad Heidi came to visit us

Yemeni baskets

2011-03-05T22:42:00.000+03:00

Yemeni honey is regarded as some of the finest honey in the world. It is heralded for its medicinal qualities, and it doesn't come cheap. There are actually a few varieties. Since I will probably not visit there any time soon (not the safest for US citizens), I enjoy the honey from Yemen here in this little shop (you get a taste of it when you visit) as well as Mr. Askar's sense of humor. He is a crack up.

At Souq Waqif, there is a shop called the Yemeni Honey Center. The family that runs it has a fancier shop in the well trafficked area, but the father (Haytham Hussein Askar) has a smaller shop with more stock on the other side of the souqs. I was introduced to his shop by our friend Kerri-Ann, and we enjoy taking our visitors there as well as occasional visits ourselves. We took Heidi and had the most entertaining time to date. My face hurt from all the laughing.

A view of the shop
(notice the shelves shaped to look like honeycomb)

Heidi checking out some of the Yemeni baskets

Haytham showing us how wonderful the honeycomb smells

Leoni asking about the benefits of honey
(notice the bee pollen in the lower left)

Not as thrilled about posing for a picture

Putting a basket on Leoni's head like a hat

He wanted me to be in a picture too

Posing with Heidi
He asked where her husband was, and when she said she was single, he took off his glasses and stood up a little straighter. Hysterical.