Any excuse for a beach party!!

While Mom and Dad were here they had to experience one of the legendary Ras Tanura beach parties. So on a Friday night we rallied the troops for what turned out to be your typical RT beach bash. Needless to say Mom and Dad had a great time. Here are some pics...

Dad, Keith & I:


The fun begins...

Mom & Dad get in the act:

The Happy Cath meets the Persian Gulf:

I think it's time to take Mom home...

Mom and Dad Go Sand Sledding

Dad sand sledding!

Whether you work for Aramco or just come to visit, sand sledding is a Saudi right of passage. So we loaded up the truck on a weekend afternoon and along with three other families headed south out of Ras Tanura into the desert. This was going to be Mom and Dad's first real jaunt out into the hard core Saudi landscape. It turned out to be quite a trip.

The first time we went sand sledding down near Abqaiq we went in the morning and returned home mid afternoon. This time we decided to go midafternoon and stay in the desert until after dark. Some of the Aramcons who have been here awhile said that we had best be careful being in the desert after dark. I shrugged it off (but didn't say anything to Mom and Dad) and we moved off into the desert at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Dad had been hoping to get a camel shot and in the KSA you don't have to go very far away from the gulf into the desert before they start popping up. Here is his shot:

Once we reached the spot in the desert with the 100 foot dunes it was time to get down to business. I would drive the sledders to the top of the dune and they would sled down. The best of both worlds. They have their fun and I could have mine. I love to put the truck in 4 wheel and tear off into the desert.
Mom in the desert.

As the sun began to set we all settled in for some dinner and good conversation. As the sun went down we drove back to the top of the dune for some sunset pictures.

The below picture is my favorite from that day. It is of Mom and Sarah at the top of the dune looking down on the camp site below. Gives you a sense of how big the dune is.


After dark we built a fire and watched the embers jump into the night as a full moon came up to light up our camp site. The perfect end to a great desert adventure. But wait that's not all!


Falcontry is a big deal here in Saudi. That is where you use a trained falcon to hunt. Dad's friend asked him to try and get a picture of a falcon if he could while he was here. We did one better. Just up the road from where we come out of the desert is a "falcon farm" where they train hunting falcons. So we took Dad up and got him his falcon shot. A very cool ending to a very cool day.

Days 6-12

So we've made it to day 11 and we're all still talking to eachother - always a good sign:) The first week was the honeymoon period. We were so happy to see eachother and couldn't wait to show Mom & Dad everything. This second week, it seems as if we're all settling in and now and Mom & Dad feel comfortable going to the beach, golfing or even bowling in the afternoons by themselves while Anna takes her nap. They now know some people in camp and recognize the kid's friends. To recap, this is what we've been up to:

Day 6:

Took Mom & Dad into Khobar, showed them some souks, had dinner at the Thai House (of course!) and then took them to Desert Design. This store is awesome. This store is filled with Arab trinkets and furniture. Mom & Dad loved it. I would say it's the most popular store with Expats here. They say you aren't an Aramcon unless you have something from Desert Design in your house. As you can imagine, my mom bought so much stuff from there that when they built their new location/show room, my sister joked with the owner that my mom probably paid for one wall - sadly, the owner agreed! :)

This is us at the Thai House in Khobar:

Day 7:

I had chartered a bus for my Mom & Tots group to go into Khobar to the Rashid Mall. It's a huge mall (comparable to KOP, except it has 3 stories!) that has an amusement section for children to go on rides. So, Mom & Dad accompanied Anna & I along w/ some other Moms and little ones to the mall in the morning. It was nice to get out and neat for Mom & Dad to see the big mall - not what you expect in the middle of the desert. This Wednesday night, the teacher's had their monthly potluck dinner at Jack's teacher's house, so it was nice for us grown ups to get out for a little bit sans children and mingle with Steve's co-workers. By the end of the night, Steve was strumming a guitar singing Jimmy Buffett - thank goodness they didn't have a microphone - he'd still be there!

This pix is of Mom & Dad in front of the Persian Grill spot that we ate lunch at in the Rashid Mall - it was delish!

This is Mom & I before the shindig in our chariot waiting to leave:
Here is Steve Buffett himself:

Day 8:

This was one of those days that's so familiar to families with multiple children in multiple activities - Jack had his last soccer game of the season with a bbq and Sarah had her first swim meet of the season. So, we split up. Dad came with Sarah & I on the bus to Dhahran for the swim meet and Mom stayed back with Steve, Jack & Anna. After Jack's game, they all came down to Dhahran. We met for lunch at the golf shack in Dhahran. Dad enjoyed seeing the "new" grass course. Cheri then toured them around Dhahran for a little while, Dad got a massage and then we went to the Tandoori House for dinner before heading back home. It was a long day, but a good day. I know the kids really enjoy having their grandparents here!

Sarah & Dad at her meet:
Jack w/ his medal & soccer ball:

Day 9:

This was a relaxing day - we went to the dining hall for breakfast, Dad & Steve went golfing and then we were all invited to the principal's house for dinner. They made bbq chicken, scalloped potatoes, baked beans and I brought a salad - I think Jack had 3 helpings! The principal joked that Jack was going to turn into a chicken:) It was very brave of them to invite us as both of their girls are in their 20's, so it's been a while since they've had a 2 yr. old loose in their house. But I must say, they were so laid back and accomodating - the perfect hosts!

Steve teeing off:

Day 10:

Mom & Dad took a walk to the Carlton Lounge for coffee in the morning (nothing new here:) and then went to the beach for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I made chicken enchiladas for dinner then took off for yoga class. Once again when I returned, everything was ready to go and dinner was on the table - yes!

Day 11:

Mom & Dad took Anna to the playground while I went to a meeting for Moms & Tots in the morning. At night, it was "Boys Night Out". The guys went to Khobar for the night for dinner and some shopping (shoes, sunglasses, etc.) So I did what I always do when Steve isn't home for dinner - cook shrimp! :) I made this yummy shrimp spaghetti recipe that I found in the Paula Deen magazine Mom brought over. It was yummylicious! Afterward dinner, us girls went to the Carlton Lounge for dessert.

This pix is of the "boys" during dinner on their night out:

Day 12:

Mom, Dad, Anna & I went to the Golf Shack for breakfast and then swung by the duck pond on the way home. Mom & Dad bowled in the afternoon while Anna refused to take her nap - rats! She finally went to sleep an 2 1/2 hours after she was supposed to! Steve took Mom & Dad to Rahima for some shopping before dinner and then took Sarah & I in after dinner to get my curtains made.

Mom & her fabulous bowling form:

Food Fun Fact: Saffron

So, I had no idea what saffron was! I mean, I knew it was expensive and I knew it made the dish you're cooking turn a yellowish color and I even knew that whatever it was, it was handpicked and that was why it was so expensive.

In honor of springtime, I thought I would share this little fun fact: did you know saffron is the stigma on a crocus? Amazing, huh? There are only 3 stigmas on a crocus, so you can imagine how many flowers it takes to cultivate an ounce and now understand why it's so pricey!

So, the next time your friend makes a dish for you with saffron in it - appreciate all the hard work (& cost) it took to get the saffron in your meal!

Days 3-6

Let's see, this is what we've done so far this week:

Sat - Mom & I went to the commisary to get some groceries, and then we joined a couple of other moms in my weekly "Moms & Tots Stroller Walk". It's not a long walk, just about a mile and a half, but we walk pretty fast and it feels good to do it. We walk along the beach path, so it's a pretty reminder of where we live and the kids enjoy the scenery on the walk as well. Dad played 9 holes in the afternoon and then they picked Sarah up from swim practice and treated her to an ice cream before coming home. I got dinner set up and then went to yoga which I'm really enjoying. I came home a little after 6pm and dinner was on the table - excellent! :)

This is a pix Dad took while he was golfing of our cart and the "greens" (or in our case, the "blacks" :)

Sun - Mom, Dad & I walked along the beach path to our coffee shop on the beach: The Carlton Lounge. The coffee is good and the view is beautiful! And this time of year it's so nice to sit outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather! When we came home, the fish monger came around and I bought 6 kilos of shrimp. Because it took him so long to clean, Mom, Dad & Anna went to lunch with Steve, Sarah & Jack at the Hobby Farm w/out me and brought lunch back. It turns out I should have kept Anna with me - she was apparently a real handful at lunch and her grandparents now know what we mean when we say she's a peice of work! - she gets this from the Rebl side of the family:) Mom & Dad picked Sarah up from swim practice again - which I know Sarah loves. We grilled some chicken and had some friends over for dinner, so it was a nice relaxing night in the backyard.

Take a look at the gorgeous shrimp!

This is the Carlton Lounge patio:

Mon - Mom & Dad went to the school in the morning for a tour from Steve. Anna & I went to our Moms & Tots playroom for a little bit in the morning & Mom & Dad went back to the Carlton Lounge. Dad has been so kind as to take on a project I've been meaning to get to for literally years now. I kept a leaded glass door from our first house and have been meaning to finish it and hang it in the house, but never got around to it. Yesterday afternoon, Dad starting stripping the paint off. I'm sure it will keep him busy for a couple of days - but I sure appreciate him getting this started! Last night we had dinner at home and then went into Rahima - our little town and showed them around a little bit. Our last stop in town was ice cream and chocolate - yum!

A pix of Steve & Mom in his room:

Tues - This morning Anna & I went to our Fun Play with our Mom & Tots group while Mom & Dad walked to and had coffee at the Carlton Lounge (hmmm, do we see a pattern here? Hey - why not? The coffee is good, the walk is healthy and the view is fabulous! :) We all met up at lunchtime here at home and then once the kids & Steve went back to school and Anna went for her nap, Mom & Dad went to the beach. Tonight we have plans to go into Khobar and of course eat dinner at the Thai House:)

This is the view you get walking on the beach path going to the Carlton Lounge from our house:

I'll continue to give updates - keep checking!

They're here!

Steve, Sarah, Jack & I went to pick Mom & Dad up in Bahrain Wednesday night. Anna stayed with Aunt Ceci as we knew it would be a late night. I thought poor Sarah was going to burst - she actually screamed in the parking lot with excitement as we parked to go in the airport. Unfortunately, their flight was delayed two hours...when they finally walked out, we were all so excited to see each other! We went back into Saudi Arabia with no traffic & were in bed by 1:30 a.m.

We have a tradition here to put up a welcome sign for all family (mostly for returning students, but for extended family, too) - it's neat to see them on everyone's garage door so you know if their kids are home from boarding school and/or college. Usually it's a hand made sign that says, "Welcome home so and so". Keeping tradition, I asked Cheri if she could help me with a banner for Mom & Dad Rebl and this is what my creative & talented sister came up with:

Gotta love the perks of having a Graphic Designing sister! Thanks, Cheri!

The next day, there was a bus trip to Hofuf. Because the bus trips are far & few between and because I thought it would show them some interesting things about Saudi, we asked Mom & Dad if they would be up for a tour the first day we were here. They decided to go for it. So, we all woke up at 6:00am (after only 4 1/2 hours of sleep!) to board a bus at 6:30am and off we went. Once again my gracious sister offered to watch Anna for the day (Aunt Ceci rocks!!!) After 2.5 hours of driving, we get to a hotel for a bathroom break and juice/coffee. We then leave to see a museum, an old fort and do some antique shopping. We returned to the hotel for a delicious buffet lunch and then head out to a pottery center:

After this we went to explore caves, see ruins of a 1200 year old mosque and stopped by some hot springs. We all really loved the caves - especially the kids:

It was a very long day - Mom, Dad & the kids did great. By being out touring all day, I think they avoided getting jet lag! We finally pulled into RT at 8:30pm. Cheri kept Anna up so Mom & Dad could finally see her! It took less than an hour for her to warm up to her Pop Pop and by the next morning she was hugging Grandmom and making sure they got to sit next to eachother in the golfcart:)

This morning (Day #2) we all woke up from a good night's sleep and happy that we didn't have to do anything with such a busy day yesterday. We had breakfast at the golf shack and then while Steve & Dad went to the Dammam airport to pick up 2 pieces of luggage that were delayed, Mom & I did some touring around town. When Steve & Dad returned, they went to play a couple of holes and then we had shwarma on our back patio for dinner- yum! Mom & Dad seemed to enjoy them - so they've been officially initiated and we'll let them stay:)

I'll try to update our blog more often so you can follow and see how their trip is going. I have to say - it's so weird to see them here! Everything seems normal when we're hanging out, and then when I see this Saudi backdrop behind them, I have to do a double take! Tune in for more as we go along!