Egyptian Shoes

Meredith has now crossed over to become a true Egyptian lady. Egyptian women are all about shoes! We live on top of about 10 shoe stores! Meredith needed some dressier shoes so she picked these cute wedge heels! It took her a few hours of walking to get used to them but now she loves them! (She's growing up way to fast!)

Easter fun!

We had a great time coloring Easter eggs. We also attempted to make resurrection cookies but they didn't turn out! The Easter Bunny could not find regular Easter Baskets so he had to "make do" with what he found in the Middle East. The baskets are not shown but just trust us that they were not like any basket that you had this Easter!

"I am a HAM!!"

One of our friends here took this picture while we were on vacation. I just had to add it to the blog! He is such a cutie!

Vacation-Part 3-Stranded in the Desert

After a wonderful 3 days of vacation it was time to head back to the city. Our precious taxi driver, Mr. Sayed came to pick us up and take us home. He arrived early and decided to enjoy our final day of vacation with us. In the afternoon, we left for the 1 1/2 hour drive home and then.....
THE TAXI STOPPED!!!!! Well, this is somewhat of a problem when you are in the middle of the desert. After seeing that the taxi could not be fixed on the side of the road, Mr. Sayed called his brother to come and get us. While we waited the children roamed in the desert sand and found rocks. They had such a great time! After about 45 minutes a police car pulled up with a big truck. They insisted that the truck tow us back into the city because "Americans can't be seen on the side of the road-It is not honorable!" SOOOOO... they hooked up the taxi to the back of the big truck with a chain that looked to be at least 50 years old and a rope at least that old and told all 6 of us to get back in the taxi! We then were pulled about 30 miles down the desert highway. DON'T WORRY-THE ROPE AND CHAIN ONLY BROKE TWICE DURING THAT 30 MILE STRETCH!!!

We weren't really sad-just thought this would make a great story for the blog!



Mr. Sayed and the truck driver doubling up the 50 year old rope to make it stronger!



Matt and Mr. Sayed talking while the truck pulls us down the highway.

Vacation-Part 2

When we arrived we were ready to jump into the beautiful pool. We soon learned that not everyone wears what we wear to the pool. The wind and water were pretty cold but our kids didn't care. They were ready to swim! I think we may have been warmer if we had bought these swimsuits:



Matthew Ray and his bathing beauty friend!



Meredith hanging out in the room and listening to her MP3 player.



Matt and Stacey having a great time away from the difficult language lessons!



"Look, Mom and Dad! I can swim!" (even though I am shivering all over!)



Each day after swimming Madison and Matthew Ray would fall asleep while playing. Sometimes a vacation can just wear a person out!



This was not the end of all of the fun!
Stay tuned for Part 3-Stranded in the Sahara Desert!!!!

First Vacation- Part 1

It is the beginning of Spring so we decided to take a fews days of vacation, get out of the city and enjoy the weather. We went about 1 1/2 hours (in a normal car that runs well) out of the city and stayed at a beautiful hotel.
Below was our means of transportation and one shot of our final destination.
Stay tuned to the events that unfolded during this vacation!