Sunday, December 28, 2008

Egypt

Well here's some pics from our trip to Egypt. It wasn't very Christmassy and we really missed everyone, but we had fun anyway. We just moved to a different hotel for the last 2 nights in Cairo and we're right next to a huge new mall, so I sent Carrie on her way with my credit cards and now have some time to myself to post some pics.



Having dinner in Luxor the first night.
Checking out the sound & light show at the Temple of Karnak.

Riding the horsey was by far Nicholas' favorite activity. He got to drive the horse himself and received the nickname 'Ali Baba' from our driver Ahmet.

We all got outfitted with some traditional Egyptian wear - we didn't tell them it was for a future Halloween. Peppy had a blast running around the store with his hat on.

Family pic at the Temple of Hapshetsut.

Riding the horse again - we used the horse-drawn carriages to get around town instead of using the annoying taxis. Nicholas has his camel backpack he picked out that played Arab music. Our horse carriage riding wasn't without a little drama. One time we were passing by a bus and another car coming from the other direction decided to try and squeeze through, not leaving enough room for the carriage. The carriage driver halted the horse as quickly as possible and we ran into the bus and the horse fell down. Poor thing was so startled, she didn't want to get up. We just sat there wide-eyed in the carriage wondering what exactly happened!

Nicholas went off to take a little break by himself while visiting the Temple of Karnak


Horse and camel ride out to see the pyramids. Nicholas fussed at first, but a cookie helped him forget where he was. He liked it after that. Carrie's thighs didn't fare so well. She laughed really hard when we switched mounts for the ride back. Spreading your legs wide enough to fit on the camel and having to use them to hold on, while every step jarrs you to death, makes for quite an unpleasant ride. I walked funny for a while afterwards - they call that walking like an Egyptian!
These pyramids aren't so big! And what is all this sand?

Nicholas thought he could climb the pyramid.

Taking a Felucca sail boat on the Nile to Banana Island.

The banana fields - we ate a bunch of yummy bananas here. Carrie wouldn't let me post the pic that made it look like she ate them all!!

We had dinner on the boat on the way back. This was our Christmas Eve dinner.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

It's the End of the World As We Know It

 Technically Cape Agulhas is the southernest point, but we enjoyed the beautiful drive to Cape Point this week.
 Hmmm, we really are far from anywhere.
 One of Mike's coworkers and his wife visiting from Nigeria. They gave us the low down on life there. Pretty interesting!
 A word to the wise...don't get out of your car to take pictures of the baboons. We didn't, but one lady did and the baboons jumped in her car to knab her candy : )
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Christmas 2008

 Yep, we celebrated early.
 Nicholas was able to tear into his own presents this year.
 Our future musician...he loves Christmas!
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The Family That Works Together...

 As you can see, we're starting early teaching Nicholas the value of hard work : )
 For FHE one night, our lesson was on work so we cleaned out the freezer together.
 Nicholas had a blast. Too bad cleaning the freezer won't always be this much fun...or will it?
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Sunday, December 7, 2008

Misc Pics

Peppy styling in his sunglasses!

Carrie celebrates the big 31 in a way that's fine with her...with 4 different desserts!


Enjoying running around Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. This was just after chasing some baby ducks and having the momma duck get a bit testy - Peppy didn't flinch.




Pizza at Kirstenbosch - no need to say more!



A new swimsuit the nanny picked out for him!

Monday, December 1, 2008

On Top of the World

 We rode the cable car up Table Mountain last weekend and got a great view of the city. Now, can my sunglasses get any bigger? : )
 Grammie and Nicholas enjoying the heights. Nicholas must be part goat (along with part monkey, fish, etc) as he wants to climb on everything now.
 This is a great view of Lion's Head and Rump. We drive by it every day on the way from Cape Town to Camps Bay, where we live.
 Father and son bonding time over a Grapetiser, Mike's favorite new drink. And Nicholas' too!
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Christmas is coming!

 End of term party at Nicholas' discovery school. He was a little wary of shaking Santa's hand but just wait until Santa hands out his present!
 Santa must be hot in that suit...it was 85 degrees outside and no a/c inside.
 Thanks Santa!! I had more fun tearing off the wrapping paper than anything.
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Monday, November 17, 2008

Favorite Foods

Our nanny sometimes makes for us a tasty casserole made with potatoes, cheese, and eggplant. (Moussaka - sp?). It's quickly becoming one of my favorite dishes. Here are some of my other favorite foods:
- peanut butter!
- ice cream
- fresh fish
- warm crusty bread with real butter
- beans (black, pinto)
- tomato soup with grilled cheese
- hamburger & a peppermint milkshake
- mashed potatoes (don't forget the gravy)
- cherry jam
- rhubarb pie
- pancakes with maple syrup
- cold glass of milk and a snickerdoodle
- tender chicken or pork in curry sauce
- soft serve with hot fudge
- general tso's chicken
- cherry tomatoes with blue cheese dressing
- homemade biscuits or Red Lobster's cheese biscuits
- sticky white rice

Okay I can't do this anymore - I'm driving myself nuts thinking about all this stuff!

P.S. how could I forget the Frosted Mini Wheats?!?

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Rallying Around the President Elect

Today was a historic moment for Americans. Record numbers cast their votes and people around the world were watching with eager anticipation. It was fascinating to overhear people around the office here in South Africa asking themselves how it could be possible that America was on the verge of electing its first black president. Perhaps this will provide us the much needed image make-over that will earn us more friends around the world. While I was skeptical about Obama's inexperience, I think his message of hope may be just what America needs. With two wars, an ailing economy and record deficits, the challenge he inherits is tremendous, so I believe it's now time to cast party politics aside and rally around our new president elect. He needs our support and prayers.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

We spent as much of our free time this week-end outside enjoying the beautiful weather. It's mostly for self-preservation since Nicholas turns into a nut after being cooped up too long.

Where there's water, there's Nicholas! He made friends with the neighbor boy and they spent half a hour rearranging the rocks in the stream, trying to divert its course.
La Penseuse! Actually Carrie couldn't resist taking in some rays while keeping an eye on Nicholas. Or was she really thinking about finishing her book, Pillars of the Earth!

Me in my dork hat - hahaha!!! At least Nicholas thinks it's cool.

Nicholas got a kick out of wearing his hat. Whatever dadda does, Pickle does. You should have seen him at church putting on his sunglasses and laughing really loud! P.S. in case you're wondering dadda doesn't do that in church.

Carrie striking a pose for the camera - she knows she's hot! In the background, a view of part of the Atlantic seaboard. We were part way up Lion's Head. Nicholas rides up in dadda's new backpack and then gets to play around for a while.

Look a da! (Nicholas' version of dog). He loves every dog and they love him too.

Nicholas always tries to find a little place to sit. This was a perfect spot along the path to sit and pick around in the plants.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Penguin Time

 We drove to Simonstown on Saturday to check out the penguin colony there. Nicholas loved them!
 They were everywhere!
 Next stop after the penguins was Boulders Beach, a nice cove where Nicholas ran around half naked : )
 We've got a climber on our hands so, of course, Nicholas had to climb all the rocks on the beach.
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