January

I got a call one night from one of my close friends here, Christa.  She said she was about to drop a bomb on me and she did.  She was moving to Dallas in like three weeks.  Gut wrenching. Ugh.  So bummed.  One of the joys of expat life is that your friends become your family and Christa was that for me.  This makes the goodbyes that much harder. So, we had a little goodbye with all of my sand sisters.  Bummer.

The annual Abu Dhabi Golf Tournament!  The girls love it!

Eliza's bottom half of her dress was green, so she has a missing body in the green screen photo!

Rory McIlroy

Jordan Speith 

Amna and Olivia Minivipers soccer!

My cutie in front of her "Hats for Sale" guy.

Girls Scouts Camp Out!!!!

Swaps

O and Francesca

This was our first year to actually "camp out".  We set up tents on the field at school!

Daddy took Eliza on a date to Chamas, her request, and she fell asleep!!

 Playing Washers!

 Thank goodness for Alnoud's driver who brought the mommies Starbucks!

The mommies made S'mores before all the girls came over!

 S'mores!

All the girls and my friend Raya slept in one tent

 Raya, Aman, Ayesha, and SSR

I seriously almost had a panic attack just after this was taken, right before climbing into my tent with Ayesha!

 WE SURVIVED!!!  Raya had her maid bring us warm breakfast and coffee the next morning!

 Breakfast!

 Gym girls with the tractor tires that we often flip

 I always bring in a treat for Olivia's half birthday so she gets to have a celebration at school!

I readbbed Eliza early so she could come and enjoy a donut, Olivia's request this year.

 A writing celebration at school.  Olivia is wearing her cute Brownie uniform

Persuasive writing, why you should read Rainbow Fairy books

 Persuasive writing

 A PowerPoint on her interview with Papa

 Brownie Bake Sale!

 Olivia, Amna, Tala, and Naia all cutting into the profits!

 My babies at brunch at the Ritz with Ducky (!!) who came to see us

Olivia photography :-)

Chris and Lauren!

We were thrilled to have our first friend visitors to Abu Dhabi, Chris and Lauren!  It is a long journey and we are so glad they came!  We truly had so much fun with them here!

Saadiyat Beach Club.  This was our first time and it exceeded expectations.  It was just beautiful.  It is such a nice beach club.

Walking to the beach

 Me and my Big

 Beautiful water and beach

My people

Chris and Lauren!!

Chris and Lauren went out to Qasr al Sarab, an unbelievable hotel in the middle of the desert, for a couple nights and just loved it. Love this photo of them.

 Chris, Lauren and I visited the Falcon Hospital while the girls were at school.  It proved to be more interesting that I had even hoped for. It was so cool!

 A falcon was put under anesthesia to have its claws trimmed

 Camels in the desert!

Chris has so many photos of me texting

 SSR and Lauren

 The succulents out in the desert were so interesting

I love being in the desert

 Henna with sweet Lauren!

 Falcons

 That black spec is Olivia!

Eliza hiking up the dunes

 We were at a different camp this time, but we had the same belly dancer

Back to dancing!

We headed to Dubai to do some sight seeing.  We got a babysitter at the hotel and went to our favorite spot in Dubai, Pier 7. Great night with great friends!

Dubai Marina at night

 We left Chris and Lauren at the mall in Dubai, right before they headed to the top of Burj Khalifa where they got this priceless photo taken ;-)  It was sad to say goodbye.  We had such a great time with them and look forward to them hopefully returning!!