London with the Chapmans - 2

After a full day with 6 kids we were excited for a adult night out.  We ran home to drop the littles off with the ever-so-brave babysitter and freshen up a tiny bit before taking the train into the city.   It was seriously so fun to just follow the Chapman's lead and especially Chuck that evening.  He knew the trains and streets like the back of his hand.  That's the way to travel!  

We went to a delicious and totally chic Indian restaurant for dinner.

  After dinner we were off to the greatest show on earth...WICKED!

 

Before the show we tasted a treat from the Elixir Bar. 

The Chapmans have seen Wicked a few times before and now I completely understand why they were thrilled to see it again with us.  I have never in my life heard a voice as good as Elphaba, the green witch. The costumes were insane too.  Absolutely incredible show!!

 

Not sure if it was good or bad for Nathan to have Brooks and Barrett invade.  Obviously we didn't leave our rough-housing in Doha!

 We had another fun day.  Christine took me to the local British grocery store so I could stock up on snacks for the week. I was amazed to recognize so much.  The British influence in Doha is all over the place.  After packing up a picnic lunch we headed for the park on the Thames river (same river that run right through London).

 

Our picnic went from just chilly to a cold down pour!  Christine caught these hilarious pictures.  We made a mad dash for the cars. What a great memory!

Drowned rats!  Bless em. 

After drying off we enjoyed the afternoon together just playing and hanging out.  Just before leaving, the kids cracked the crackers.  Perfect time to celebrate! We love our British turned friends! Seriously, I heard Nathan call dessert "sweets"" and french fries "chips".

Check out the Chapmans Home away from Home!  I loved it and was a tiny big jealous.  So much character and wow just a tiny bit different than compound living in the desert.  Each have their benefits...it was just refreshing to walk on carpet and enjoy their backyard and garage. 

BIG thank you to our incredible hosts and treasured friends!  Our trip to London started with the best.  We wanted to take the Chapmans with us for the rest of the time.  We had so much fun and our kids loved every second.  We have kept in touch over the last 3 years and not a bit has changed since we've seen each other.  Our time together was refreshing and encouraging as we do this expat thing.  Can't wait for the next time!  Love you Chapmans!! 

 (Thankfully this wasn't the last time I got to see Christine, because she and Megan made a special trip into the city for one last visit)

Chapman Fun in London - 1

We left Doha on Friday morning early and headed half way home to land at Heathrow Airport in London.  Our dear college/expat friends the Chapmans live outside the city.  Close to Windsor in Egham (I think).  Still trying to figure out the organization of residential areas in England.  Lets just say, I was totally enticed and a little jealous.  The grass was really really green compared to Doha literally and figuratively.  I LOVED England but mostly I would just love to live this expat life along side Christine.  We share so many similar interests and have so much in common, not to mention she's so fun to hang out with and a great mom.  As she said "we were food for each others soul" last week.  Expat living brings people together in such a unique way.  The Chapmans have an really special place in our hearts and we had an absolute blast together at their home away from home.

Christine put together a welcome basket full of British stuff...so adorable. Such a great hostess! 

Chuck came home early from work and after catching up we headed to the cutest little pub for dinner! 

 

How can you turn down the standard fish and chips which were spectacular!!

 

The kids turned to cousins in about 1/2 a second.  They met as tiny babies and were fast friends this time.

 

Jet lag in full swing.  Brooks out cold before we finished dinner. 

 

The Junods so kindly brought with us the absolute worst Crayola product ever.  We instantly destroyed the Chapman's carpet and hands with a big marker mess.    

 

We were up at out the door early on Saturday morning.  It was so fun to see the sites by way of our tour guides and have such fun company for the kids.

1000 year old Windsor Castle, where the Queen spends her weekends

 

 

 

Christine and me

 

Pic in front of the famous red phone booth

 

Such a fun shopping area in Windsor

 

Complete with a very sophisticated English Salvation Army Band playing Christmas carols

 

After visiting the castle we were off to a beautiful enormous park complete with gorgeous gardens,  visitors center, gift shop and restaurant.

 

The Chapmans treated us to a horse drawn carriage ride. 

 

 

We learned all kinds of things about the property and the Queens influence of it.  We saw a spot where The Kings Speech was filmed and heard about the Qatari Emir's home who wasn't far from where we were.  Fascinating! 

These trees are from the 1700's

 

Lunch after our ride with the most delicious food! Seriously the "casual" dining experience in England puts the typical American cafe to shame!!

 

Proof of the deliciousness: homemade scones and homemade clotted cream and jam! UNBElIEVABLE! 

 

After lunch we headed back to the quaint area of downtown Windsor.  We were in a rush to find a place to park, (nervous we might get a ticket) and we pressed on through the crowd and found a perfect place to to watch the Reindeer parade.  We had planned on this little event for a long time.

 

 

 

We waited and we waited with great anticipation for the big parade to start...then they came...this cute little band that stopped right in front of us...

 

Don't blink you might miss the 2 (lab sized) reindeer and Santa Father Christmas.

 

After the parade we were all so incredibly shocked by the length of entertainment.  We laughed at our Texas sized expectations, especially when Brooks asked where all the floats were.  We're still raising that boy right even if he hasn't seen a Baylor Homecoming parade in 3 years. 

 

Thanksgiving!

We're in full holiday mode at our house and so ready to see our precious family and friends back in the USA.  I think Thanksgiving kick-started my drive and love for American traditions and spirit which makes me eager to be home at Christmas.  Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving with over 30 American families and 65 American military men and women (representing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines!).  It was a powerful and special afternoon.  I needed to be reminded what a gift and blessing it is to be born as an American and from the absolute best country in the world. 

Of course Thursday, Thanksgiving Day was a usual day here in the Middle East so the boys went to school and Nick went off to work.  It just so happened to be one of ASD's spirit days. The students were supposed to dress like teachers/adults and the teachers like kids.  So here are our little BIG people.  They were very disappointed we didn't have pants like daddy's.  Cargos, ties and boots just had to work for these TURKEYS!

 

After work and school it was time to get frying.  We had our Thanksgiving on Friday afternoon with lots to do Friday morning so we had to prep the night before. 

 

 We have some connections to the American military bases here and have personally been able to get know a few of the families that have moved to Doha to serve in the Army.  In Qatar the service men/women are here for a short time and only a few bring their families.  They also rarely come off the base.  They said wearing regular clothes with civilians and getting out was a treat for them.  As usual we planned this dinner for them and turns out we were ALL left with thanksgiving and the boost of American spirit and pride. Everyone was so gracious and so real.  There were many times I felt so humbled I couldn't speak.  They were so sweet to all of our kids and just kept saying how much they were reminded of their own kids.  There really is no other job more self sacrificing.

Before we ate all 200 of us gathered to have a really incredible prayer time.  Jerry prayed over all of our service men and women and then the Air Force chaplain blessed our food.   There was such a unique feeling in the room.  Everyone far away from home and their families yet tied together so strongly by our citizenship in the United States and under God.  Needless to say, it was a memorable Doha Day!

 

The Commander presented us with these plaques to the 5 host families.  Host families couldn't have done it without the 30 other families that helped us!  Nick definitely deserved an award for the turkeys he fried! 

  

 

Sherry and the 2 soldiers she claimed for the day.  The guy on the right was from Dallas so she was calling him "Texas".

 

Jacksons and Dede's mom

 

Tracy, Hannah, Krisine and Shana

 

If this was a scratch and snif sticker is would smell EXACTLY like Thanksgiving!

 

 Our family of 5 stayed together to eat but that wasn't long. The horrible picture is here to prove it. The boys played and played all afternoon!  Georgia went home to take a nap and I'm surprised my husband is still in the oil & gas business.  Thought he might have enlisted after a full day spent with soldiers. 

 

G, Linds, Emmy

Kent Family...love and respect this family so much.  I pray I can be half the Godly mother and woman Brenda is!

 Our fearless leader and party planner, Sherry with Georgia, "Texas" and some incredible military ladies. 

 

Nick and Neal (co-worker and friend) 

 Since the Thanksgiving Feast was at our compound it was so convenient to just hang out all afternoon until well after dark and dinner.  We had the best time and will always remember 2011 as a special Thanksgiving!