Muscat, Oman Trip. We had some free points for hotel stays and we used them for a little holiday break. We have been on break for two weeks and have one more week. We thought it would be fun for the kids. It was super fun and beautiful for us all. Muscat, Oman was such a nice change from Al Ain....its green, clean and so pretty. It was strange how the woman were not covered as in the UAE and they looked like they had to work to make money, not just sit at a job to just be there to get paid. Oman was much cleaner, they clean after themselves and they didnt have people to clean up after them. It was much more "normal" persay than the UAE. It was nice to see. The traffic was more like the USA, they had roads like the USA and they drove with caution, not like the UAE. We were in Oman for 3 days and not one time did we feel like we were going to be in an accident....we arrived back in the UAE and within 20 mins crossing our town, we were almost hit three times. It is very strange how things can be so different, just "over" the fence. We also noticed the police actually patrol the roads in Oman, here they do not, only by speed cameras which most of the time you can clearly see,so you slow down for them and then speed up again after you pass them. Oman has a clear understanding on speed and driving and they have it under control, where the UAE DOES NOT. The only fear I have ever had here is being in an accident, nothing else, ever. The driving scares the crap out of me! I am so glad we moved were we did this year, I have less traffic for work and the kids have less to go to school. IT was a good move for us! Well, i better get going. Andy and I are going to head out for a coffee and some bread.....what a life! We go to a store called Spinneys for our bread, its the only GOOD bread in town and we are stopping for coffee on the way home....just to have a little peace and quiet. The boys are so wound up today! Until next time......

♥Abby


Sohar, Oman...one hour from our house. Open water in the middle of nowhere. it was cool.

I saw on the GPS there was water about 5 mins from the highway, so we took off on a small adventure. It was cool...untouched beach.

drying fish on the ground, it was gross. not sure what it is for

Rylan got an IPOD from Santa...Rydge is trying it out!

Sohar..Oman

In Muscat at the Crown Plaza Hotel...Andy and rydge ventured off to the public beach. at lo tide you can walk over there....they had to swim back as the tide was quickly coming in.

mr crab.

Muscat

boys playing chess.

Muscat at the MArina

a fish

sea urchin

pretty overpass arches.

oman money

Rylan taking in the view!

tons of shells

Case IH......in Muscat Oman

All my boys! In Muscat, Oman Crowne Plaza

so green

Papa Mac and Big Grandma's presents. WE tried to SKYPE again and it was not working. Its touch and go with SKYPE these days. Its been 4 months without wii fi and we are missing it! This temporary fix is not working for us anymore! :( ANyway, we are doing our best to video on camera so you can see what the kids got from you! Thanks for sending money for all of us! We are heading to Muscat, Oman and we will use our money for maybe a dolphin tour or something the whole family can do for fun on the trip. We will be gone 2 nights, 3 days.

♥Rylan and Rydge♥
Andy and Abby

Skype was NOT working tonight, boo hoo! Here are gifts from papa Randy and g-ma Laura. Rydge has been begging for this for a month and g-ma made it happen. Its a DELUXE farm set and believe me....you cant find them here. It cost g-ma her left arm to send it...lol! Rylan got a new remote control monster truck and some cash! Thank you g-ma and papa! We love you! Miss you too! Merry Christmas!!! Have a good Christmas!

♥Rylan & Rydge♥

This is for Aunt Ali and Uncle James....they sent money and i bought presents! They both picked them out a few weeks back......and were pretty excited to get them! :) We did a few days early as if we wait until Christmas....way too many gifts from grandparents, aunts and uncles. They will appreciate more a little at a time. We hope to get away for a few days, we have some free hotel stays still coming to us from the LONG stay we had when we first arrived. We think we are going to go to Muscat, Oman. It super pretty and green there and on the ocean. It will be fun to get away and with the hotel paid for.....pretty inexpensive! I like that!

Our Christmas tree is starting to look like we have some spoiled kids! Normally, we dont have all the grandparents presents under the tree....so it looks like they are spoiled! We have wrapped presents from ALL the grandparents(thanks for the money so we can buy them or thanks for sending them to us!) The kids are SOOOOOOOOo excited. I think we will choose a day for each grandparent and open them special on SKYPE. Also, presents from the Aunts as well! Thank you all!

Rylan will one day hate me for this.....but I can't help it. I remember back in the day, when I would walk into my grandpa McGinnis' house and this is typically what he would look like, hand on face, takin a nap! Rylan takes after the McGinnis side for sure. I am pretty sure papa Randy sleeps like this for naps as well. So Cute! Just a little memory today of my grandpa and dad!

Rylan and I took a drive today, such beautiful weather. Its about 80 degrees with a little chill to the breeze. We wanted to stop by this area of our town where they created this masterpiece expecially for National Day, which was on December 2, similar to our 4th of July. Its a HUGE deal here. The UAE is now FORTY years old! Ry and i then went and had ice cream together at McDonalds. You can get a cone here for 1 dirham, which is 27 cents in america, quite a deal! We visit there often for a cheap treat! All is well. We picked up the paperwork for our nanny today and hope to meet with a man later today who will get it to her in Ethiopia. She may be back by the end of the week......Until next time.....have a great day!

♥Abby

Cookie Exchange, 2011. It was fun to get together, have brunch, talk and exchange our wonderful cookies. I had four ladies come and one could not make it, but we had 8 different kinds of cookies, it was a treat! All good cooks! Fun morning! Merry Christmas!!

Today my henna is a beautiful brown color. When its first applied, its orange. I love it. ITs something I will continue to do, now that I have tried it! It was a fun girl day!

Gingerbread House making 2011.....

Thanksgiving 2011

Great friends, great food and thankful people. We have so much to be thankful for...our health, jobs, good friends, each other as husband and wife, our children who keep us on our toes, and peace in our lives. We had turkey, ham, mashed taters, gravy, stuffing, roasted pumpkin, green bean cass, homemade noodles(with my grandmas noodle maker!), mushroom cass, yams, three bean salad, carrots, watermelon, rolls, pumpkin pie, apple pie, pumpkin pie cupcakes, cookies, chocolates and cheesecakes! Good cooks!! :)

My stove.....the food was fantastic!

Our desserts.

Clockwise:Andy, Jeff G, Jeff H, Laura, Christina, Michelle, Jon. Two families are from AZ and the other from NHampshire. Great families and our kids mesh well. Good times last night! I didnt want it to end!

Tired cook!

Sweet children....they were awesome last night.