Istanbul Paradise

We had such a great time in Istanbul. I wonder if the Europeans are as amazed by what we saw as we were. Being from the states, we don't see archeturture that old. Everywhere we went, we saw amazing things. We saw houses built up against walls that are thousands of years old. I feel like we barely scratched the surface of that city. I don't think you could visit a month and still see everything. I need to go back. There was so much we didn't get to. We took over 500 pictures. No I'm not going to bore you with all of them. Here are a few choice pics. I know you only want to see the kids anyway!

Istanbul 2008

I am In Love!!!!

With my husband? ALWAYS! With my kids, most of the time. But today I'm in love with Istanbul. The city is beautiful, the Blue Mosque is breathtaking! We forgot the cord to upload pictures so I'll do that when we get home. The Turkish men are adorable and all love my girls. They obviously have exceptional taste in women. Everyone we meet has a carpet store and a brother in Utah or Boston. We are not in an expensive handmade silk carpet place in our lives. Maybe if I had an off limits room. But alas, everything in my life is open to kids. Loved our first day in Istanbul, we are now getting ready for our second day. Today we will see Hagia Sofia, walk the beautiful streets and possibly see the aquaducts. For once in my life I'm ready to get out of bed and start the day! Will post tons of pics upon our return. The only bummer.... It is Eid (Muslim holiday breaking the fast of Ramadan) and the Grand Bazaar is closed until tomorrow. My need to shop is killing me.....

Qatar Doctor Experience

And and experience it was. We had to take a taxi because my car is being serviced. That was an adventure in its self. Gemma wanted to crawl all over the backseat and didn't like the fact that I didn't let her. We had to wait for over an hour for the doctor (you can't make appointments). At one point Gemma collapsed on the floor having a fit. I got out an antibiotic wipe and cleaned her hands, it was BLACK. Needless to say we will NOT be going back there. Well we all have infections. We had a serious language barrier and I'm assuming that means strep. The girls have 4 medicines they have to take and I have 3. We then waited for over 40 minutes for the taxi to take us back home. Did I mention it is 104 degrees? I'm hot, tired and sick. And just look at all the meds.......

Oba's Girls

I know my girls are realated to their Oba. They love anything that has pasta in it. That is the one thing I know they will always eat. No matter what their mood. We had Spagetti last night and Gemma particularly enjoyed it.



Yes that is parmesan cheese on her eye.

Do you remember this?

My Sweet Husband

I know I haven't been a very good blogger lately. I have no excuse. I even take pictures with ideas of posting them on our blog and never do it. Maya has been quite sick for the last 4 days. Her fever has been as high as 104. What a mess, so that is my excuse for the last few days at least.

The other day Brian had the girls out for some "Daddy-time" and gave me some "Mommy-time" anyway I was home cleaning house and had a chocolate craving. So I called Brian and asked him to bring home a little something. This is what he brought home.



Well, let me give you a little perspective on the size....



Yes those are my hands holding the candy bar. Brian thought he was pretty clever bringing that home. I know what you are thinking...Did she eat the whole thing? No it took the 4 of us many days to consume it. It was really good chocolate. Too good in fact. Mommy will never buy another one or I may eat the whole thing in one setting.

Back On-Line

We are back on-line. It took forever but Q-Tel came out and we are up and running again.

We (OK lets tell the truth, I) have all of the boxes unpacked and we are living like normal people again. Maya seems much more at ease with her things around the house and seems more settled. Of course the moment I typed that she started screaming at me. But anyway.....

We've meet a friend. Her husband works with Brian and they have a son that is almost 3. Maya and Louis get along quite well and we are so happy to have found some friends.

Brian is working LONG days and I'm sure it is hard on him. I think Maya misses him the most. She sure loves her Daddy and needs to spend time with him. Last weekend she took Gemma on a outing with Daddy to teach Gemma how to "do Daddy-Time". She is so cute.

We've planned two trips one in October to Istanbul and one in December to Cairo. It looks like both of our big girls will be coming for Christmas and I can't wait for that. Maya told me the other day that she is trying really hard not to miss Saundra because she knows she will be coming back soon.

Gemma is growing and learning new things everyday. She has one moler in and is getting another one. I always wanted a baby like Tyson and I think I got one. When she is tired, she picks up her Cuddle Bear and goes to the stair gate and shakes it. I ask her, "do you want to go kiki?" She says, Yeah and I take her to bed. She is growing some hair and it looks like it will be curly like Maya's. She still has a problem with falling on her head. Last weekend Maya accidentally pulled over the shopping cart with Gem in it. Gemma went over on the tile floor face first. That was finally healing and she fell at Dairy Queen yesterday and re-bruised it. Poor baby.

Ramadan started yesterday and we will have to see how we survive.