Happy Birthday, Grandma D!!

Happy, happy birthday,

Grandma Dear,

Happy days will come to you all year!

If we had one wish,

then it would be...

a happy, happy birthday to you from me!! (us!)

We love you SO much!!!

Just how I feel, too...

I don't know if it's craziness or just that I am SO ready for winter to be gone... but this is exactly what I wish I could do!!

(Maybe somewhere softer with a little leg room, though....)

Yup, I rode a camel.

Well, thanks to the fact that my sister, Shirlee, lives life on the edge... I get to visit cool places. On Friday, January 22nd we loaded up 3 year old Maya and 10 month old Ethen into the back row of a 767 and headed to Paris (a LONG trip) and then onto Cairo (not as LONG, but almost). We were SO HAPPY to see Shir's hubby, Dave, waiting for us outside the airport. Not to mention Ibrahim, their driver - who saved us from the luggage guy wanting more than the $4 we gave him for loading our NINE bags (along with some other poor guys bag). Whew.

After a day of some serious unpacking I was unlucky enough to experience the "Pharoah's Revenge" - let's just say if you don't know what it is... you really don't want to. ick. So, one day of unpacking lost. But, we got Shir mostly moved in so that we could do a little roaming around before I headed back the following Saturday.

You can see more of the unpacking chaos here...

On Thursday we met up with a lady from the Cairo branch and headed down to the Nile River. It was a nice walk - until the "Pharoah" got his shot at Shir. Needless to say we headed on home.

It's a darn good thing I didn't strong-arm Shir into one of these faluka's on the Nile. She just had to see the sailboats and she was done.

On to our biggest Egyptian Adventure... We got to head into Giza and experience the pyramids via camel. We went with ladies from Shir's branch. Great fun!! Shirlee's version here. Oh, and thanks, Shir, for pointing out that the camel looks like he is in some serious pain ~ while I am getting on so gracefully.

Here is my advice to you... if you ever find yourself in this situation. When the guy on the ground says "lean back!" Just do it. Much easier to stay on your camel if you are leaning back. Way back.

Success!

By the way, camels are really tall.

It was a pretty windy day ~ so there was more than a little sand and smog in the air. The pyramids in Giza are surrounded by a tall wall/fence on all sides. We didn't actually go in, but instead rode along the side. But, even from outside the compound the pyramids are still very majestic. Pretty amazing.

The obligatory "hee, hee, I am touching the pyramid" photo.

Trying to smile while our teeth are getting coated with the blowing sand!
On the way down from the top of the hill- Shir braved the camel and I rode the horse. Not the most comfortable thing to do before a 25 hour trip home. Just sayin'...
Our reward at the end. Yummy barrel-baked sweet potatoes. Seriously good.
We did some shopping on Road Nine in Maadi - I really should have taken a pic of the little shop-owner there. He was super nice and really likes you, shir.. go back and take a picture for me, okay?!?

It was definitely an adventure and if the plane trip/jet lag wasn't so darn grueling I would head back next week. But, I guess I will have to wait a few months or so. But, I would love to get back to see the things I missed. (That is, as long as you can only get Pharoah's Revenge once per lifetime!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BIG KAHUNA!!

Hard to believe we went from there to here - seems like only yesterday!

Thanks for taking us on the birthday tube-n-train. Good times!!

Love you tons.

Party on!

Makenna's birthday just happened to be on an early-out day from school so...

we decided to party all day!

Started with donuts at school..

(I am sure all the other mom's were thrilled.)

The off to the Gateway for some shopping with best friends...

(brrr..)

11-year old shopping, that is...

(LOTS of giggling.)

We took in Alvin and the Chipmunks!

(LOTS more giggling.)

Dinner and then home for ice cream cake!!

(delicious.)

Happy Birthday, Ken!!

Thanks for such a great time! :)

We all adore you and hope you have a fabulous time being 11!

The Big 11!

Happy Birthday, Makenna!

Not so long ago you were my sweet little thumbsucker...

You are still our dress-up queen...

... and our stand-up comic!

The time has flown by...

and I love looking back at how you've grown.

Hope your special day is as FABULOUS as you, Ken!!!

Love you Sweets!!

A few Christmas snapshots...

Kimbel & Kenna were stars in their Copper Canyon Christmas Choir Performance!

I was the star of Braden's kindergarten party..

(only because I brought the cookies and the frosting!)

Ethen was a very cooperative baby Jesus in our annual Nativity extravaganza..

(joined here by Joseph and Mary)

Christmas Eve jammies!!

We had even more "night before" excitement with Shir, Dave, Maya and Ethen!

THE Barbie Bus!!

(Don't worry Mom, I got the stickers on straight!)

It was a DSi kind of Christmas for Kenna and Braden!

...doesn't get better than this!!

Work the Christmas morning fun, girl!!

We had a great Christmas season. Lots of concerts, parties, friends and family.. Just the way we like it! :) We also got to celebrate Mom's Happy Birthday on Christmas Day!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Here's to 2010. Bring it!