We will surely miss Layla!!

Layla has been a constant friend and companion for Cairo since we moved into the Fortress. They have had the same teachers both years and with Layla just across the compound we have shared many fond memories. Layla's parents have taken Cairo as an adoptive daughter and shown her so many fun activities and served too many meals to count. Now they are off to India for their next assignment. Abu Dhabi memories will always have Layla as part of them. We love you!

Thanks to a group of great teachers!

Mr. F (Fernandez). He really didn't look this tired at all. I just caught him in the middle of a sentence. He is just recovering from a blood clot so we are happy he was here to share the last day of school with us.

Ms. SanMartin. Sam has loved his time in her class. This is her last year at ACS because she and her family are moving back to their native Canada. Their entire family will be missed but we are so grateful we had a year with Sam in her classroom.

Ms. Nigar and Ms. Aneela. We will surely miss the Stepping Stones drop off and pick up with two beautiful women greeting us and sending us off with hugs everyday. Jack and Charlie have a great foundation to start their education at ACS next year. GO VIPERS! (And, I'm now free from 8-3 daily)

Hug-O-Rama

Farewells to friends at Stepping Stones. The boys are moving on to ACS next year. I was the first parent to pick up today so there were a lot of kids there to hug goodbye and it was contagious. Hugs, hugs and more hugs


Jack and Aly's sweet farewell to each other.

Art Imitates Life

Charlie brought this artwork home from school today. I thought it was so cute and, he doesn't even have to become a whale to get to America..We'll be there as humans next week! (BTW: Jenn and Drew might recognize the t-shirt. It was left here after their trip and it's the only shirt Charlie wants to wear. Thanks!)

Our Brown Eyed Girl

Grandma and Grandpa were here for the end of the year open house at ACS. It was so much fun for the kids to be able to show them around the school and all the projects they have completed this year.

Sam's music class performed their favorite song Rockin' Robin and then danced and performed the rap songs they had composed in small groups.

Grandpa and Cairo got some good one-on-one time doing homework after school.

Sam talked Grandpa out of a movie and into the 108 degree heat to throw the football. What a good sport with the kid's fun placed first in his mind.

Prior to going into the pool we enjoyed singing Cairo's favorite Primary songs, listening to talks from Grandma and Grandpa Cook and the Primary President, Sister Magelby.

Charlie and Jack wanted to be on the front row watching Cairo get baptized. They along with Bishop Stone and Grandpa Cook made certain that no part of her popped up out of the water until she'd been fully emerged.
We are so fortunate to have many friends and family that live close enough to have been here today to help make the day even more special for Cairo. Sargon, Virgil and Victoria came from Dubai and Grandma and Grandpa Cook flew in from Amman, Jordan. It can be hard being away from home on such special occasions but having these people here really made the day complete.
After the baptism we came back to our house for a breakfast, including Shari and Sam Stone's famous sourdough waffles. We now have them as our neighbors here in the Fortress and to have them join us for this event among all the other daily activities we enjoy together.

Cairo as the duck in Peter and the Wolf

This Was Such a Great Concert!

Honestly, what is it about Rock Stars! These guys are in their late 40's and they are still cool. It gives us old folks some hope!
Brad and I took Sargon and got out in the hot Abu Dhabi air under a full moon on the beach behind Emirates Palace and enjoyed some good american Rock'nRoll. It was a great time.