Saturday, November 10, 2012

Dead Sea Day 2

There are just so many fun memories and pictures. Apparently I have to make a lot of posts out of just a few days!  We are still so thankful and laughing about how easy our trip was with each other.  No challenging people or difficult kids which is shocking.  We helped each other a lot and had so much fun because...we're all the more the merrier type! We also all parent our kids the same, which we know makes all the difference.
Off to breakfast and more fun at the pool.  The hotel had the most beautiful architecture and setting.  It looked like a little Arabic village.  
Best buddies Cres and Bear
 So orderly...not usually but what an awesome little team! Walking to breakfast.  After our stay was all said it done, we would recommend it although we had a lot of little bumps, probably due to our larger group and 7 kids!
  
After breakfast our little people begged to go to the kids club so we made a plan to drop them off and then head back to the Dead Sea, adults only.  We were excited to mud-up and knew our kids would absolutely refuse.
The beautiful salty lake!
I'm sorry we don't have pictures of us putting the mud on! It was pretty hilarious.  We all had to help each other...sounds funny but EVERYONE does it.  Its a must!  The Dead Sea mud, minerals and salt are known and sold all over the world for skin care.  We noticed right away that the mud was a little tingly.
 We were surprised the water and mud didn't smell.  If we were slapping mud on our bods out of a good ol' Texas lake, it would be skanky!!  Not this...it was special!
 The water was gorgeous and clear.  Little posed cheesy pic of floating and enjoying the mud mask. Super Men and Super Women!  
 Then after that mud treatment, we girls took off for another adventure at the spa.  Hopeful this time we could go to our appointments.  And we did!  FOR FREE! They actually comped our treatments because of the bad service we had experienced for the previous few days. 
Happy Mamas! And Rockin' dads for taking care of the kids and putting them down for naps while we indulged.  Seriously, Happy Birthday Day #2.
 Then for one more dip and hang out at the pool!
I really want to betroth these two right now but  I'll wait to see what God has in store.  Emery has to be the sweetest little girl I know.  I want my sons to marry a sweet spirited heart like her's for their sake and mine too!  love you little em!
Punkin' Crews
 Gabi always sweet and sharing with Georgia
 I loved this sweet picture of Em and Gabi just as the sun went down.  Precious girls! 
 One last Dead Sea sun set
 Then it was off to feed the kiddos and clean up.  They truly loved the kids club so we didn't didn't argue and dropped them off to enjoy a quiet dinner by ourselves.  
Georgia and Cres at the kids club having fun.
 Bring on the delicious dinner! Not a good picture but love the people in it and we had such a fun night together.
Holy Land Wine
Double Apple Hubbly Bubbly 
  
Delicious and very fancy coffee!
After dinner we grabbed our kids from the club so we could all hang out and enjoy the live music.  Amanda brought these trick or treat bags and fun activities since we were missing Halloween.
Our sweet little art babies, loving it. 
All of us danced with of our kiddos to the best live music.  We had so much fun and enjoyed the moment.  Unlike any other.  The little boys (and big boys) enjoyed the dancer. 
Love me some Amanda!
Out with a bang!  Incredibly night!

The Dead Sea

And for the next few days we just relaxed and enjoyed some time in the sun.  Well, mostly we relaxed...Nick, Ed and Brad spent a lot of their time sorting out issues with our hotel management because they didn't quite have the rooms we reserved.  Plus there were some other difficulties but it sure didn't ruin our time together and fascination with the Dead Sea.

Up in the morning on my birthDAY with lots of homemade cards and sweet love from everyone.  Plus a big bag of Reese PB cups.  My friend Lindsay Harris knows me well.  Then on to an awesome breakfast complete with the best mini falafels that I soon won't forget and then some time at the infinity pool...Dead Sea and Israel in the distance

 The boys
Someone squeezed in a little work out. 
 Headed to actually get in the Dead Sea!
For those (including myself) who have always heard about the Dead Sea but actually never asked about the name...its called the Dead Sea because its so salty nothing can live.  Its 9x saltier than the ocean and there's no doubt about that.  The Dead Sea is the lowest elevation point on the earth.  The water was just perfect! 
Almost immediately we were crazy floating because of the saltiness.
The Bees
  
Daddy
  Brad and Cres
mamas and daddies! the floating was so awkward and intense at times which explains our closeness in this pic! sure glad we like each other!
 It wasn't long before the little people were ALL crying.  We were only advised to let the kids stay in for just about 10 minutes.  Adults for 20.  The Dead Sea is obviously no place for cuts, creases, dry skin or any tender area, especially the eyes and mouth! 
Back to the pool.
My Brooks!
Since it was the birthday, we made a few spa treatments to celebrate.  Turned out to be one of many hotel busts...they deleted our booking so we didn't get the treatment but they let us enjoy the facility which was AMAZING.
Little birthday mojito before some alone child-free mama time!
  View from the spa infinity pool.
Enjoying a little Arabic Tea before we left!  We were so excited to come back the next day for our real appointments!
 We headed back to our rooms to check on the awesome daddies!  We also gathered up all of our stuff and moved to the other side of the resort because they finally figured out our room situation. 
Then off to a little birthday dinner with the crew!  View from our rooms at sunset.
Linds, Amanda and me...2 really special girls who bless me beyond belief in the sand box we call Doha. 
One end of our table
  My man and me
No special reason for this picture...they do have an incredible marriage and kindness in their marriage that's impossible to miss. Cute little moment they shared.
 The enormous birthday cake the restaurant gave me.   If it only tasted as pretty as it looked...that's how we roll over here.
And to finish the night my crazy husband grabbed me for a birthday dance (and song) in front of...eeh about 50 tables of people eating dinner dinner watching live music.  Front and center, just like HE likes it!  Opposites attract and I'm so thankful he's mine. I do love him and thank him for an amazing night out and vacation with some favorite  people.  Irreplaceable memories! 
Night Night from the babies!