The Great Pumpkin Hunt

We are so thankful to be enjoying cooler weather and the wonderful breeze from the sea. We haven’t had this cool of weather in the middle of fall (mid-70’s) in about 2 years! We are loving it and soaking in every second. Because it is this time of year… we decided to join in with the traditions of home and look for the perfect pumpkin and carve it. We did this last year with Sadie Mac, and if you will remember we did the best we could with a watermelon! So, we were thrilled to see a few pumpkins here and there, so we decided to hunt for one.
I will be honest here, I am a realist in most cases living overseas. I wasn’t expecting to meet an actual pumpkin farmer like there are in the States. I wasn’t expecting a tractor ride or anything out to a pumpkin patch where we can walk through isles of them and pick your very own PERFECT PUMPKIN! I DO love living overseas and am content to know that there will be only a small batch to choose from, but I was eager to find that small batch!!!
We set out one afternoon and knew of a “vegetable guy” about 2 blocks from our house and we started there. He had a small rack of average sized pumpkins, but we knew there had to be more! We walked up and down that street as we had heard there were several “vegetable guys” around there and were sad to see that there weren’t more. So, we asked a few of the people on the street where a vegetable market was in hopes of a greater selection. Two ladies told us where a vegetable sooq (big market) was and so we set off. The taxi driver concurred that there was in fact a vegetable market where we were headed. On the way, we went we landed in some late afternoon traffic which deterred our adventure, but finally we did arrive! As we walked down the street where this large market was suppose to be, we were saddened to find that it was a smaller vegetable selection than the original one we found near our house. So… the hunt continued. We asked some other people and they sent us to another location and after being yet again disappointed and having a squirmy one-year-old we had a decision to make. Shall the hunt continue as dinner time approaches or be content in finding an average pumpkin? Well, neither seemed to suit us so we decided to go back to the first guy near our house. As we once again looked through the options, we picked a pumpkin that would be average to some upon first glances, but was truly a diamond in the rough! We were happy to find the PERFECT PUMPKIN!!

Sadie Mac and Daddy disagreeing as to where the eye of the pumpkin should go

Hmmm... this feels strange!

This is the Pumpkin Guy (or veggie guy) and his selection in the background

A True Tar Heel!

When we are living in the sandbox, our feet are brown from the dirt and dust that settle there. Here, it's strange as there is a black soot of some sort that resides with us and especially on our balcony. Sadie Mac was running around yesterday and this is how we found here. We know she is destined for UNC one day! :-)

Family Finale!

The last day my mom and sister were here with us, we headed down to see The Egyptian Pyramids in Cairo. If you are in Egypt... you have to see them! We had a blast the entire day, but were for sure exhausted at the end of it! When arrived and walked around the first large pyramid. Taking lots of pictures with all the other tourist and climbing on the ancient site. We decided to take a camel/horse ride to the next pyramid so mom can say she has ridden a camel. And... that she did... she rode a camel! I have proof!! And.... well, I will leave that part of the story at that!!... (mom, you are welcome!)


After we had our short ride on the camel, mom, Sadie and I decided to ride in a buggy. Avee wanted to ride a horse, so that is what her and Stephen did. She did a great job and at one point her horse guide started riding on our buggy so he didn't have to walk... and she did it all by herself and did a great job! We took pictures and had a great time on the rocky ride... but it was a memory we won't ever forget.
That evening we went to the "Khan", which is the big market here and mom got her souvenirs and goodies to take back to family there. We were very sad to see them go but are so thankful for the sweet time we had together.
Before they came we had been practicing saying "NanNan" and "Avee". By the end of their visit, she knew exactly who NanNan was and it was so precious to see her calling out to my mom. They left Saturday morning and I went with them to the airport while Sadie Mac was still sleeping. That morning after I got back to the room and we were heading to breakfast, Sadie walked down to Avee and NanNan's room and was calling for her. It was so sweet.

Avee and Stephen on their horses.

Avee kissing the Sphinx!!! (OOoooOoo!!!)

Hello from the Mediterranean Sea!!

One evening while my mom and sister were here, we took an evening stroll down to the water so they could see the sea! We dipped our toes in and had a fun evening watching the sun sink down into the water. We were so thankful for the beauty of the sea and time with family... and the gift of being able to enjoy them together!!

YAY... my NanNan is here!!!

Hand-in-hand... 3 generations

Avee "fell" into the water... We're not sure if it was the sea's fault or her's! :-)

FAMILY is HERE!!

We are so thankful that Amanda's family has come to visit for a week and we are soaking in every second! After our last meeting in Dubai where Sadie Mac gave Auntie Avee the chicken pox, we didn't know if they'd want to come for another visit!! But, thankfully they did and they are enjoying the culture and sites of the sea! Sadie Mac is now 14 months and doing much more than she was when they saw her at 6 months... walking, talking, into and climbing onto everything! We are also thankful for all the goodies from home from family and friends there!! Thanks for all the treats!!! Love and miss you all! Anyone else want to come for a visit?!?

Here is Avee being the sweet Auntie that she is!!! (No longer fearful of the chicken pox!)

Trip to Jordan

Shortly after we arrived in our new home country, we left and spent a week in Jordan visiting with some friends and doing some training that will help us in our work in the sandbox. We had a great time with friends and were so thankful for those who came to help watch the kiddos while we were working and planning.
We were thankful to get some site seeing in that included a castle as well as being able to see ancient Roman roads and some of the ruins around them. It was such a great experience to see all the history that is found there. Hope you enjoy some of the shots!

Little Missy walking down a Roman Road!

Ruins from the Romans

Here are our new found friends from GA... thanks girls! It was a blast!

One afternoon we went up to the Ajloun Castle... a fortress that was built for Saladin in AD 1184-1185. It was amazing and from the top we could see the Jordan River and over into Israel. It was beautiful.

Another family Photo Opp...