Our Night at the Burj al Arab

Once a year Brad has a conference in Dubai at one of the nicest hotels in that city. In my opinion, it is nicer than the Burj. It is in the Jumeirah Beach area and lies in the shadow of the Burj.
We enjoyed the afternoon in our room then were treated to dinner at the Burj with Sargon and Virgil. The restaurant is considered the most expensive restaurant in the world. We had drinks first at the top of the Burj that overlooks the Persian Gulf. Of course, luck would have it, my camera ran out of batteries just as we entered the hotel. (Which requires your name to be on a list to even gain access to the lobby.) We bought a disposable camera and the following are the photos of the evening.
Thanks a million to Sargon and Virgil for the fabulous night!




I had to take a photo of the bathroom. The picture doesn't really do it justice but it was a very nice restroom..

A Beginning of School Celebration

Since Cairo and Sam started school a few days before Jack and Charlie did I decided to take the two of them out for a little treat after dropping off the older two.

Jack opted for an ice cream cone, while Charlie wanted a donut.

Back to School 2008-2009

Look at these great kids. Excited and happy to begin a new school year at ACS. They are growing up sooo fast..Somebody press the pause button FAST!

Charlie, prepared for his first full day of school, KG2 with Mrs. Self. For the first couple of times, he called her "Mrs. You".

Here are the two boys together...It feels like yesterday, they were snuggled together in the same crib.

I requested the boys have the same teacher. So, Jack is ready to go into his first day too. Wearing his Emirate hat to shield him from the sun.

Liam is really the twin's best friend. He lives here in the compound and is considered part of the family. He attends the British School which began 2 weeks after ACS did. Therefore, he wasn't here when we returned from our summer break and Jack and Charlie really missed him and looked for his family to be home daily.
On the day he finally returned, we were driving into the carport after school when the doors of Big Red flew open and the boys were out and running toward Liam who had been watching for them to return from their day at school. It was so cute to see these 3 boys reunited after the summer break. They were hugging and swinging each other around in circles. I was fortunate enough to capture the reunion on film.

I love, love, love these clay pots from Hatta. It seems to be the only place around to get pots like these. I have had a few in the house but recently Shari made a trip to Hatta with Sam for a meeting and picked up a load of pots. These are a few of my new ones...Aren't they great. I especially love them at night when I have a candle burning inside them. Now I just need to figure out how to get them home to the US when we move back...

...REALLY???
This is a plant found on our compound.. Every time I see it I think.."OK, along with flies, mosquitoes, and roaches, this is one living thing that I am uncertain as to the purpose of...Why would the owner of this plant find it meaningful enough to keep around? It's a waste of soil..in my opinion.