Hi everyone, I would like to give you a quick update on our time with Don and Kim, Aden's Nana and Papa. Don and Kim were fortunate enough to be here for our biggest rain of the year. Streets were flooded, our sliding door was leaking, and thunder rolled. It has been a good time for them to get to know Aden. Despite the rain, Don and I were able to get down to the fish market on Friday morning to pick up some fresh shrimp.
On Saturday things cleared up a little and when I (Jamie) finished work we went to downtown Jubail. Affectionately called "Man Town." Kim commented that she only saw one other woman while we were out. That is a very common experience for the expat women here. We went and grabbed some shawarma at our favorite Shawarma place, bought some copied dvd's, and Don picked up some fresh roasted peanuts on the street corner. It was a great time showing off our very dirty, stinky, Man Town.
On Sunday, Tara and her mom went to the humble malls in Jubail. They were stopped by numerous women who wanted to look at and take pictures of Aden. Funny, the women never ask to do that when I am around. That sort of makes me like their bodyguard, protecting my family from the paparazzi.
Monday we were invited to dinner by our Principal and his wife along with the other math/social studies teaching couple at our school. It was nice to be able to share some of our teaching community with family.
Tuesday afternoon everyone met me at school shortly before the end of the day. Don and Kim met our friends at school, met some students, and received the full tour so they can picture where we spend our time. Let me say, Aden is the most popular kid in the school when he comes to visit. Tuesday was also a fun evening with our good friends Brent and Laura. We went to a favorite restaurant of ours in downtown Jubail. This isn't really a normal downtown restaurant though. Cookxon is an Indian place with cloth napkins and everything. It was a good chance for Don and Kim to know our friends better and try our favorite Chicken Tikka Masala dish.
Wednesday was Tara's long awaited spa day. She went to the fancy salon at Murjan, the very nice and large compound our friends working for Chevron live on. Tara got a hair cut and eyebrow wax. We are casual friends with the stylist and she didn't allow Tara to pay one riyal. She said it was a new mommy gift to Tara. While the ladies were in the salon, Don had a good time lounging on the beach and enjoying the breeze.
Thursday was our busiest day yet with a trip to Khobar and then the desert. We went to our favorite stores, Don and Kim picked up some gifts to bring home, we visited our favorite Lebanese bakery, browsed the carpets, and toured our favorite grocery store. Afterwords we headed West into the desert. It took a while, but we finally hit the rolling sand dunes. Kim and I took a walk out in the dunes, decided it was pretty hard packed after the rain and then we did a little off-roading in our little SUV. Aden had just ate and turned into a milk shake over the bumps. It was a really good Arabian experience for everyone.
Today was rather relaxing, we socialized with some friends at Murjan, did a photo shoot on the beach, then Tara and I napped while Nana watched Aden. It is times like that which are very nice for having extra hands around that are eager to entertain a little boy.
Don and Kim are flying back out on Sunday evening. It will probably be a low key couple of days. It will be sad to see them off, but it has been a nice visit. The challenge will be to do this whole parenting thing alone again. We've had help with all the responsibilities lately like doing dishes, folding laundry, and having twice as many arms to hold Aden, but we are confident we can do it (says Tara).
Enjoy our pictures!
-Jamie-
On Saturday things cleared up a little and when I (Jamie) finished work we went to downtown Jubail. Affectionately called "Man Town." Kim commented that she only saw one other woman while we were out. That is a very common experience for the expat women here. We went and grabbed some shawarma at our favorite Shawarma place, bought some copied dvd's, and Don picked up some fresh roasted peanuts on the street corner. It was a great time showing off our very dirty, stinky, Man Town.
On Sunday, Tara and her mom went to the humble malls in Jubail. They were stopped by numerous women who wanted to look at and take pictures of Aden. Funny, the women never ask to do that when I am around. That sort of makes me like their bodyguard, protecting my family from the paparazzi.
Monday we were invited to dinner by our Principal and his wife along with the other math/social studies teaching couple at our school. It was nice to be able to share some of our teaching community with family.
Tuesday afternoon everyone met me at school shortly before the end of the day. Don and Kim met our friends at school, met some students, and received the full tour so they can picture where we spend our time. Let me say, Aden is the most popular kid in the school when he comes to visit. Tuesday was also a fun evening with our good friends Brent and Laura. We went to a favorite restaurant of ours in downtown Jubail. This isn't really a normal downtown restaurant though. Cookxon is an Indian place with cloth napkins and everything. It was a good chance for Don and Kim to know our friends better and try our favorite Chicken Tikka Masala dish.
Wednesday was Tara's long awaited spa day. She went to the fancy salon at Murjan, the very nice and large compound our friends working for Chevron live on. Tara got a hair cut and eyebrow wax. We are casual friends with the stylist and she didn't allow Tara to pay one riyal. She said it was a new mommy gift to Tara. While the ladies were in the salon, Don had a good time lounging on the beach and enjoying the breeze.
Thursday was our busiest day yet with a trip to Khobar and then the desert. We went to our favorite stores, Don and Kim picked up some gifts to bring home, we visited our favorite Lebanese bakery, browsed the carpets, and toured our favorite grocery store. Afterwords we headed West into the desert. It took a while, but we finally hit the rolling sand dunes. Kim and I took a walk out in the dunes, decided it was pretty hard packed after the rain and then we did a little off-roading in our little SUV. Aden had just ate and turned into a milk shake over the bumps. It was a really good Arabian experience for everyone.
Today was rather relaxing, we socialized with some friends at Murjan, did a photo shoot on the beach, then Tara and I napped while Nana watched Aden. It is times like that which are very nice for having extra hands around that are eager to entertain a little boy.
Don and Kim are flying back out on Sunday evening. It will probably be a low key couple of days. It will be sad to see them off, but it has been a nice visit. The challenge will be to do this whole parenting thing alone again. We've had help with all the responsibilities lately like doing dishes, folding laundry, and having twice as many arms to hold Aden, but we are confident we can do it (says Tara).
Enjoy our pictures!
-Jamie-
A monkey on a limb
Nap time!
Family photo on the beach
Sure beats the snow
Hang out time on the beach
Proud parents
Don and Kim enjoying their vacation
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