Happy New Year and a Long Overdue Update

OK, you can say I've been lame about updating this blog. And I unintentionally bucked tradition (sending out 100+ Christmas cards) this year by failing to send out any Christmas greetings. I am truly sorry about that. I have been REALLY busy with taking care of kids and life here in Cairo. So, I haven't REALLY been lame or lazy, and I certainly have not forgotten any of my wonderful friends and family back in the States and other parts of the world.

Merry (belated) Christmas to you and may this 2008 be a year filled with love, laughter, and fun for you all!

I have so much to tell you about our last four months, but that would take some time. So, in a nutshell, I will just say that it's been four great months of immersing ourselves into a settled life in Cairo. We have made good friends, people we can hang out and connect with. More importantly, friends who we can call at the spur of the moment and say "hey, let's go for a felucca (sailboat) ride this afternoon!" Life is good.

Here are pictures from the last few months (pictures are worth a thousand words so these should make up for the missing entries somewhat?):

December 2007
A month of getting ready for Christmas, including the annual children's Christmas party held by the embassy which was particularly special for Hannah and Megan with the arrival of Santa on a camel! On Christmas night, we hosted dinner at our home with the help of our friends Dan and Kathy for four other families and filled our dining table to its capacity of twelve plus a kids' table of four.

Here are a few pictures from December:
Jim and I got a babysitter (a BIG deal for us) and visited the Khan al-Khalili (which dates back to 1382, a must-see in Cairo!) with fellow embassy workers


Posing in front of the camel who carried Santa into the American club


Hannah surprised us by sitting on Santa's lap AND telling him what she wants (a big incentive, no doubt!) for Christmas


Hannah at her school's Christmas party with her girl friends


We headed to Ras Sudr on the Red Sea with our friends Dan and Kathy and their three girls.
Hannah showing off her sand treasures


Hannah with her buddy, Jo


Hannah anxiously waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve


Megan checking out her presents


November 2007
A month of birthday parties, playdates, swimming lessons for the girls, the Marine Ball, and Thanksgiving with our friends.

Jim with the girls


Hannah showing off her blossoming artistic mind


October 2007
I started Arabic lessons and Jim got to camp out in the desert at Fayoum with his coworkers. We also attended birthday parties, ventured into the unknown world of having a babysitter for our kids for the first time, and visited Alexandria for a brief weekend stay. But the highlight of every October is Halloween, of course.

A view of the Mediterranean Sea from our hotel room in Alexandria


The desert at Fayoum


Birthday parties at the American club


Hannah dressed up as Cleopatra (her idea!) for Halloween


September 2007
Random pictures