20 August 2009

The last bit of summer


Jeff and Lyndsie's wedding.


Holiday World.


Anastasia and her twin cousin Reed.


Posted by Picasa In Scotland on the way home.
BACK IN ABU DHABI. Some interesting events...Upon our return, we made a few startling discoveries. First, our car was missing. Three days later, we still can't find it. The police appear to have towed it, but they've lost it and have no record of ever towing it. A neighbor says he saw a yellow piece of official-looking paper (in Arabic) on the car this summer, and the next day the car was gone. He had assumed that we had moved it. Thus, it would seem that the car was towed, not stolen; the police have just misplaced the car. We're opening a case, meaning in a few days or weeks, the car might show up. Or not.
The second discovery occurred when we walked into our living room. The school had, without our knowledge, replaced our curtains, our sofa, and our chairs. The sofa and chairs are now a chocolate brown (clashing terribly with our dark red carpet), and the curtains are a yellowish beige, like butter. It's just not a good look. We're thankful for the new stuff, of course. It's just not something expected.
Happily, the house was neat and clean, thanks to Misrak, who was very happy to see her baby after two long months. They have been playing well together.
School starts soon for us: Teachers return this Sunday, and students return the following Sunday. We'll be on a shortened schedule for Ramadan, though, so it's a slow start. We'll be eased into teaching. Then we'll have a week off for Eid in mid-September (we're planning on going to Jordan to see Petra and the Dead Sea).

24 July 2009

USA lately

SC: Randy giving the alligator a bite


Anastasia wrote her name on the beach


Squinting into a lowcountry sunset


IN: adding a bit of flair


Numerous face smashes (recent updates not available!)


She got under the stool and then started pushing it around. We're considering this method to prevent any more injuries :)


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13 July 2009

ONE already...

Click on the picture below to connect to an album of adorable photos taken on Anastasia's birthday. Since we were in Beaufort for the occasion, we took her to Old Sheldon Church, where we were married, for some commemorating photos.
One Year Photos at Old Sheldon Church


Some other activities from the day:

A new favorite: brushing her teeth


Mowing grandpa's driveway


Eating her third first birthday cake


Enhaling boiled peanuts to the great pleasure of her southern daddy


Playing in the sprinkler


(PS: Month 11 collage has been added. Click on the Month by Month collage area to the right.)

06 July 2009

Summer tour 09: FL and 1/2 SC completed

Just a quick photo update:
Anastasia loves pets! She has been chasing cats and loving on dogs ever since we arrived. Luckily, Fluffy is very tolerant. They even kiss, which is gross but it gives her so much joy I can't make her stop.

At Pinckney Island, just outside of Hilton Head Island, SC.
She's been eating really well and has grown a lot already. You can probably guess who gave her the mohawk.
The new backpack used for the first time at Bok Tower, FL. Each time she has been in it so far, she falls asleep. Hopefully, that means it's comfortable.
Anastasia with her Grandma French at a second first birthday party (and still before the actual date: July 11).

14 June 2009

Anastasia's early Abu Dhabi birthday celebration

Cute, delicious cupcakes made by Taylor
Gareth, our school's director, was an immediate draw
Opening a hippie mobile- dog, dude and lady included
Misrak gave her an Ethiopian traditional dress and a push toy
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Misrak with a tired, hot (pre) birthday girl
The traditional cake grab: she was very lady-like about it (surprisingly :)
Grabbing at the chocolate cake exactly as she does the soil in Abu Dhabi's flower beds
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