Our new friends/neighbors

We were very lucky to discover our new neighbors about three days ago! They are a very nice German family that just moved here as well. They are two doors down from us. Ralph and Anja...They have three kids...Greta 8, Merle 5 and Valentine 10 (see photos below). The girls do not speak any English but it has been amazing to see that friendship and play has no language restrictions. Ralph is a heart surgeon at the local hospital.
Greta was trying to tell me something yesterday evening, I could not for the life of me figure it out. I asked her to show me. The next thing I know she found an etch-a-sketch and brought it to me. I was so delighted as to how clever she was!! As you can tell from the photo, she wants Jake, Jett, Greta and Merle to go over to her house together to play.
These are the moments when I realize what a great experience this will be for the children! To experience friendships from across the globe.

I am so happy to have met a mom to talk to! Expats are just starting to come back to Abu Dhabi, so until school starts I have to rely on the neighborhood and the pool! It gives me great comfort to know I have a friend to count on!!!

First Photos

These did not go up in the order I wanted but I have not become the blog expert yet!!
This is the master bedroom, the sliding glass door in the background is an enclosed patio.
This is the pretty view out of the enclosed patio (the street in front of the house).
The kitchen (left side)

The office, where I do my blogging!!
Jett's room...
Jake's room, he has access to the enclosed patio as well.
Upstairs den/playroom for the boys...
Family/living room...notice the boys on scooters!

Living room from view of first landing of the stairs...
Looking at the stairs from the couches in living room...The front door/foyer is on the left side of the picture.
Dining area (left side of living room). The door in the back goes into the kitchen, there is a laundry room off the kitchen.
Right side of kitchen...

Front of house. Mike has had some work done on the yard, we are trying to grow grass, right now it is just dirt!

Jake watering our dirt...There are no sprinkler systems, so we have a man who comes and waters everyday by hand (Jake helps!)
View facing the street, looking toward the left...The far black gate is the house of our new friends, a very nice german family!
Our front door...
Foyer area, just inside front door.

We have really enjoyed the house. There is lots of room for the boys to play, which we need since it is so hot outside!!

More to come...

We are here!

So far..I feel like I am on vacation. Our house is great, our beach club is wonderful and my new housemaid starts tomorrow!!! The kids and I are really happy! The trip was pretty easy too!

I promise to take pictures and give more information soon!

Enjoying California

Over the last week we have been enjoying all the attractions Southern California has to offer. We spent a lot of time at my sister's house in Tustin Ranch (see below), she lives about 20 minutes inland from my parent's house.
The boys love to skate board down her driveway (it makes me crazy nervous) but I let them do it a few times..they love it so much, they are natural skaters!!


Above, the kids are taking a break from roller blading, doesn't Layney look thrilled!! Poor thing, she gets tired of being the only girl..she is so sweet!

Below, I took the kids to the Discovery Science Center.

The boys favorite..the beach!!

This weekend we went to the Balboa Pier Fun Zone. Jett the daredevil (like Mike) jumped on this bungee trampoline...Jake and I waited on the sidelines!!

He is directing the workers that he wants to go UP!

We did Disney's California Adventure on Sunday. Jett LOVED it and didn't want to leave. Jake was less impressed and thinks Alabama Adventure is better.

Overall, a great week. However the boys and I miss Mike tremendously. We are counting the days until he gets back (only 5 more). We also miss our home and friends in Alabama. It is hard to not live in a home of your own and to be a long-term visitor!

I especially miss my friend Rachel!!! It is hard to not talk to your best friend everyday (several times a day). Especially when you don't get to speak to your husband often. I miss dinners at her house, late night talks with wine on the porch and mostly just walking down the street to see her!!

An Ode to the Hines Family

Really..can you get a family much cuter and nicer..I don't think so...

After a long conversation with everybody's favorite person, Shah, I felt the need to publish my sentiment!
I'll never forget...

The girls..
Emma always with a smile
Lauren always eager to please
Jake with a crush on both (depending on the day of the week)
Grease
Golf cart rides
Hair braids and my girl time!

Shah..
Everybody wants to be friends with her, ha, ha
Don't get too attached to her, she moves around a lot
Resident photographer
Loves everybody, sincerely and last, but not least..
Enjoys everybody!!!

David..
Exotic food
Pilot (I love a man in uniform, especially when being dropped off at the airport)
Safety nut
Cooking nights with his wife...cheesy
Long lasting handshakes from strangers

Overall
What other family makes annual goals, and really does it????

THANK YOU FOR BEING GREAT FRIENDS!!

Does anyone else want to send me a family photo? I'm ready for my next family ode!!!

Enjoying Orange County

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Jett brought in the 4th of July with a bang of his own. He enjoyed playing his new clarinet up and down the streets of Balboa Island in Newport Beach. This area is a cute island/bay area about five minutes from my parents house. We enjoyed walking around and looking at all the cutely decorated shops, houses and boats!!

While we were walking along the sidewalk Jett noticed a family sitting on their porch. The man of the family had a certain haircut which reminded him of someone. Out of the blue he said "Mommy is that Alex and Baby's (short for Abby) Daddy?" Well, for those of you that know Lance, you know what kind of haircut he has..the no hair one!! Sorry Lance..you said you wanted mention so there you go!! ha, ha!! After I told Jett that Alex and Baby's Daddy was at home in Alabama with the girls and Miss Rachel, he sadly said, "I want to go back home to Alabama." I know..heartbreaking..my little homebody misses home!!! Although, with all the family activities we have had here he has not mentioned it as much as I thought he would!




Jake is with Mike's parents at their cabin by Mammoth, so it was fun to just have little Jetty to enjoy the holiday with!

The day before we went to Fashion Island..the mall very close to my parents house in Newport Center. It is a beautiful outdoor mall with lots of things for little kids to look at...

Visiting Friends

Yesterday I visited my best friend from college, Gina. She was the maid of honor at my wedding and we have stayed in touch off and on through the years. I had the great joy of meeting her 9-month old son, Dylan, what a cutie! I also met Gina's husband Anthony for the first time. While catching up and talking about old times Anthony and I realized that in one point of our lives we both lived in the same city. We then realized we went to the same school at the same time in the same grade!!!! The most amazing thing was that Anthony still had his yearbook and pulled it right out from the garage!! It was so much fun to look at the old photos. Anthony and I did not know each other but we knew some of the same people. I thought Birmingham was a small town but it is amazing that in a big area like Los Angeles you can still share a history with a complete stranger!

I'm not sure if you can see the photos that well (nor do I want you to), as this was probably the worst bad hair year of my life. If you can see the photo of me (right hand side, bottom row, striped shirt) you will finally understand why I now get my hair chemically straightened!! Anthony's photo is on the left side, top row, six photos over. Oh the joys of the early 90's and pre-puberty adolescents!!

Gina was as fun and sweet as she always has been and it was very clear that her little man Dylan had the same wonderful personality! It was great to catch up with Gina, her mom and Anthony, I love seeing old friends and seeing where they are in life. It is great to see such a happy, nice and lovely family!