Grandma and Grandpa Seamons!

Visitors! We can hardly believe they are here! Shh...it's a secret.

On that Sunday night Quin tells our children he has a "business meeting" up in Dubai. I quickly get the kids bathed, teeth brushed, read and up into bed. Amazingly each of the kids fall asleep before Quin gets home with his "smuggled goods - Grandma and Grandpa Seamons!" We have waited a long time - exactly 8 months, for some family to visit us here. The flight for Janet and Larry was about 24 hours- starting in Salt Lake City, Utah, connecting in Atlanta then direct to Dubai. Considering the time change and the late arrival of Grandma and Grandpa we decided to send Audrey and Grace to school the next morning unaware that their Grandparents were sleeping in the spare room. We lazed around that morning in the backyard and pool until Sully and Hazel stirred from their beds. Quin hushed Janet and Larry and sat them out of view in the backyard. One of Sullivan's jobs is to take drinks out to the workers while they are standing in the hot sun cleaning the pool. I asked Sully to walk around the house to the backyard to take a drink to the workers. Quin and Grandma and Grandpa are hiding out, Quin ready with the video camera.

Sully comes around the corner and stops dead in his tracks! He stares and then wipes his eyes - all the while straight-faced holding two bottles of water. Then he takes another double take and runs up to hug Grandpa and Grandma Seamons! He holds on for a while then says to Grandpa "sometimes my eyes water when I get too close to the pool." whatever! He is so excited he drops down on the grass and lies there considering the reality of what is happening. He couldn't be happier!

We spend the afternoon swimming, eating good food and just enjoying being together again. Quin picks up Audrey after school and brings her back here for the same scenario. She comes inside drops her backpack, Quin sets up camera and grandparents and then I tell Audrey to take some drinks out to the pool guys. Audrey turns the corner in the backyard and just stares in disbelief! She stands stunned and then runs over to hug and kiss them both! She was never expecting this! I am so glad we kept it as a surprise! Grace had after school reading club so we get to replay this once again. It was pretty cool this way as each kid had their own moment to see Grandma and Grandpa. Same thing - the workers in the backyard story. Grace goes around the corner and stops dead in her tracks...stares...stares...stares even harder...then breaks out in a huge smile and runs over to hug and kiss her Grandparents! So worth the wait! We are so happy they could be here!

Good times at the beach!

We had a great time showing then around our city. We visited the Grand Mosque, Heritage Village - where Janet enjoyed her first camel ride. We explored the city, ate a lot of Indian food and even better Lebanese food, cooked and ate more...spent a day at the beach where both Janet and Larry tried out the stand up paddle board. After the beach we visited the Fish Market near Mina Port and picked out a fresh Hammour, a local favorite. We took it home and baked some amazing fillets. We did a few days in Dubai while they were here, with VIP guests in town we had finally had a good excuse to Ski Dubai! What a treat for us to actually feel the cold on the slopes, and with Grandma Seamons! That was the first time I have ever skiied with all our kids, excluding Hazel. A big thank you to Grandpa Seamons who spoiled Hazel with ice cream and love, I was able to enjoy the slopes with our kids, Quin and Janet too. The snow was not the type we've come to love back home but the kids remembered how and I was pretty impressed at their turns. It is definitely not a beginner bunny hill. We visited the aquarium in Dubai Mall and shot to the top of the Burj Khalifa - world's tallest structure. The kids loved the bike rides and school visits from their Grandparents and just singing and playing the piano with them. It was extra special for Grace who had her Grandparents here to participate in her baptism. I know she will never forget it, nor will we.

I will never forget the kindness and generosity and love felt from Janet and Larry being in our home. I honestly could not ask for better in-laws. I love them so much - and it is so evident my children think the same. It was perfect timing for them to visit. We have been having some rough times - really missing family and friends. It has been quiet here for a bit- no holidays, Quinton working long hours, kids sick, hearing about all the family stuff from home. My sister Rosie moving and us not being able to help her, or say a formal goodbye, my parents visiting Utah and us not being there... just stuff. Anyhow, we had a great fun filled dose of family, recharged our love for Abu Dhabi, a short break from school and work, and of course any kind of beach day rejuvenates me. So now we are set to go until we're back home for a few months in June. It was a great ten days! So grateful things worked out and Larry and Janet were able to visit! So... who's next? :)

Janet and Larry at Heritage Village, great skyline in the background.

Our amazing concoction of hot chocolate and goodies at Ski Dubai.

Janet amazed at the chocolate isle in Carrefour. I have lived here 8 months and still have the same reaction each time I see this much chocolate. And it is good chocolate!