Brad and his Dad

This photo and an article were in a UVSC publication recently.  I sent the email around to family but a friend just asked why it hadn't been on the blog.  Great idea!  Thanks Karen.  (These guys really do smile a lot of the time..Don't know why they look so glum in this photo.)

The article talked about the history of UV and it attaining university status and the thoughts these two former employees had on the issue.  The car in the photo is one that Gil restored as part of his hobby.

Cairo Meets the Princess of Sweden

A real-life princess.  Cairo was so lucky today to be able to meet a real princess.  Princess Victoria will become Queen of Sweden.  The first female monarch of Sweden in over 200 years.  Princess Victoria visited Brad's campus today and Brad made arrangements to have Cairo there to meet her in person.  

Cairo waiting patiently in Brad's office.

A gift from the Princess.

Cairo was thrilled to receive a special gift from Princess Victoria. It is a charm for a mobile phone.  It has beautiful crystals on it and came in a box labeled, "The Royal Palace Stockholm."

You will notice a book behind Cairo on the chair.  It is a book she has called Princess Treasury.  Princess Victoria is pictured in it with a paragraph about her life.  Cairo took the book to show the Princess that Cairo already felt like she knew her.  The Princess was amazed that she was in the book and especially that Cairo had the book there to show her.  Cairo asked her to sign the page in the book but she said she wasn't able to sign things...She gave her this special gift and treated her so sweetly.  Cairo said it wasn't just a great day "It was FANTASTIC!"

Swimming Lessons

Every Wednesday for the past couple of weeks we have had swim lessons with Shari at our pool after the kids finish school at 12:15.  Pictured below are the boys friends who take lessons.. Louis...(he'll be remembered for yelling "muy bien, Jack!" After Jack demonstrated a stroke for the rest of them.)  Nico, Molly's youngest.  Below are Shari and Mark.  Mark broke his leg on the playground yesterday so I guess this is his last swim lesson for a while...Get well soon MarkyMark!

Brothers

Look how these two have grown.  Everyday they become better friends and have more fun together than the day before.  I feel so blessed to have twin boys.  I took this picture on Thursday after they had spent the morning at ACS being assessed for KG2.  I cannot believe they are almost 5 and ready to go to kindergarden.  Where does the time go?

As I blog this darling picture of them there is water rushing in under the front door because they are outside hosing each other down on the front porch.  They are laughing so hard...I don't know if I should stop it or just shove some towels up against the door...

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today, March 26th is my Dad's birthday..This is my Dad:

When I was a kid Dad used to spend his free time building radio control airplanes in a spare room downstairs.  We called it "Dad's Airplane Room".  I'm sure he was the first civilian to use SuperGlue.  We called "hotglue" at the time.  Whenever something broke it could be mended in Dad's Airplane room using his hotglue.   Trend-setter that he is...Now the entire world is using Super Glue.  One day the need arose to change Dad's airplane room into a bedroom for my brother Dave.  Mom had the plans drawn up and construction began.  I'm not sure if it was this remodel that sparked the desire for bigger planes or if it was the excuse.  But now Dad has a hanger at an airport and builds big, real- life planes that he pilots and flies around in!  He makes an annual flight to OshKosh Wis. to camp out with other flying aces under the wings of his plane.  He has a friend, Phil, who also builds planes and is partially responsible for the step beyond R/C.  When he isn't flying or building planes he can be found at the Logan Golf and Country Club walking the course with his buddies.  He has inspired me to find hobbies that are fulfilling and rewarding.  He loves to cook and tell a good joke.  He and Mom go hiking and take trips with Dave and Marilyn and Tim and Carroll.  He does the crossword puzzle from the newspaper everyday.  He loves to sail his boat on Bear Lake with Dave in sailing races on summer Saturdays.  He is always listening to a book on tape and hard-cover books can always be found on the night stand by his bed. . When I was in my first year at Utah State I decided to dye part of my hair bright pink.  Most parents would have freaked out.  I remember Dad telling me he liked it and showing it to his friends. Oh, and he is a real estate broker. He does have a day job. (I think).  Love you Dad!  Happy Birthday from T, B and the Abu Dhabi Grandkids!  We will celebrate next week in Egypt!

Peaceful Easter Sunday

To the unknowing eye, the compound appears normal. It's Easter Sunday, no school for the kids but Brad has to work. However, we were warned a few days before that there would be no electricity from 8am to 4pm. So, this is what the Fortress looks like with no power:

No computer, no TV....Kids had to read and play and swim and ride bikes...Wow.

Our last day at the camel races, we were invited into a VIP tent to have some snacks and wait for the races to start. It was us and 4 other families that followed us out there for the event. Shari and I are so glad we went the first day of racing because by the end of the races so many camels had been eliminted it wasn't nearly as exciting.

Me and Charlie in the VIP tent at the track.
During our Easter Egg hunt we locked ourselves out of the house! Mohammad, our security guard, saved us. He climbed the wall and let us into our house with a big smile.

We're Back in the Pool!

With the long weekend and, of course, SUN, SUN, SUN, we had a great time at the pool. Charlie suffered his first and, I'm sure, his last sunburn because he kept refusing sunscreen. I decided after a few suggestions to come and get sprayed, one burn is the best way to teach about sun-safety so he made the decision. I'm now hoping one burn doesn't melanoma make. He's learned his lesson.

Jack, Charlie and Liam..The 3 Amigos!

Charlie and Jack with Webkinz that the kids got for Easter.

Sam and Cairo got digital cameras for Easter. This a picture Sam took of Jack, Brad and me.

Everyone knows I cannot resist a beautiful camel blanket.  When we went to the racetrack the other day there were some new ones I hadn't seen before.  I had to get them.  Aren't they great Easter colors.  They are even prettier in real life.

Jack and Liam having a great time coloring eggs Friday night.

A few ground rules before we started the eggy/treat hunt on the compound.

Trust Jack, the clown, to find another use for the camel muzzles..These things are versatile!

Improv is what we do here. Most of the time it turns out to be more fun and interesting than it would be at home.  This year we used camel muzzles as our Easter Baskets.

Cairo loves a party!  When she saw the invitation to the compound Easter Party, she was over the moon.  As always, she loved every moment of decorating cookies, dying eggs and hunting for treats around the compound.

Sam on the Easter Hunt.

OK, it looks like the Easter Bunny cake dressed up for Halloween..It's the best I could do.  It tasted great tough!  I remembered my Mom making this cake for Jenn's birthday every year since her birthday falls on April 3.  Thanks for the memories, Mom!

Charlie on the hunt.

A Day at the Races

The kids got out early today so we headed out to the camel track with a few other families.  I think I enjoyed it more than all the kids put together.  Camels are as common for them as cows were for me when I was their age..Not that unusual.

Fun with Camel Photos