The USA

We are back in the USA and it feels amazing! As much as we are enjoying our time in Saudi. There is nothing like being on American soil! 

This temperature change is what we were looking forward to, among other things! Yes...it is that hot in KSA.

The girls did amazing on the plane. We were flying coach which I was very apprehensive about, but all in all, they were good. The coach seats were terrible. We flew Qatar airlines this time. The stewardess were very nice to the kids, but there was zero leg room. We brought Claire's car seat on board because we had bought her a ticket, even though she would have been free. That was money well worth spent!

This was my trick this last time on the plane. 

M and m's were mainly for Elise...but don't think Claire didn't partake in some...or me!

This stuff is simply amazing! You might be thinking...I can't believe she drugs her children on the plane?! If you are saying that...then you've never been on a plane with a 3 year old and a 1 year old for 16 hours. Drugging is the only solution, if you want to keep all of your hair. 

We sat next to two men who were so kind and even helped us a little! 

We had a layover in the Doha airport and it was super nice! They had tons of stuff for kids.

The girls stayed in the pajamas until we got to Houston. We leave the compound at midnight. 

We have our global entry, so that made us getting through customs so quick! I'm so glad we had done that. 

Granny and pawpaw picked us up at the airport and have been spoiling us since we landed! 

Aaahh...first time in target since February!

So happy to have our sonic drinks.

We finally got to meet Sweet, Hannah Elizabeth.

We got our fill of orange leaf yogurt!

We caught up with one of Josh's good friend and his wife. They have a 6 month old little boy, Jackson. 

Granny treated us to manicures and pedicures.

Bahrain and new friends

It is so scary moving, yet alone to a whole new country! I had no idea what great friends I would make along the way here. It's been great for me and for the girls to have young families here for play dates and dinners! 

A new family moved in just a few doors down and Elise loves going over there because the mom fixes her hair so pretty! She has a daughter the same age as Elise!  

I had to go to ikea...again!! Stephanie came along with me! We went to a good sushi place in the mall. 

This is the coach store in the mall.

You can see they blurred the women's faces.

Josh's good friend Alex was celebrating his birthday this weekend, so we went to bahrain to help him celebrate! It is a little more difficult to do everything with the kids, but we got a babysitter so we could go to a brunch. It was a blast! 

I'm not really sure what is going on in some of these pictures, but fun was had by all!

Claire took her first steps this week! I'm going to try to get a better video of it this week! She is taking a couple of steps at a time! 

Here is Elise in her new signature pose.

I was so sad to miss Marissa on the swim team and her dance recital! Isn't she precious? 

You need to ask for help

Started out this week with an ikea trip to get some organizational things for the house. I've never been a big ikea fan, but when you don't want to spend a lot of money on stuff, it's the only solution around here.

I went by myself because I just wanted to get in and out quick. Because ikea is an hour and half drive, and school is over at 12, you have to plan it just right. I literally have 30 minutes to get in and out of ikea. If you've ever been to an ikea, this is nearly impossible. 

The doors opened and I had my game face on, I hadn't had anything to drink so I wouldn't even have to use the restroom. Feeling very successful I make it to the inventory room with ten minutes to spare. I come up to the section of what I need and it of course isn't there. No problem, I see a man, ask for some help, show him my paper...he politely tells me I need to ask for help. So, I assume he speaks no English...move on to the next man...same story...long story, short I walk out of ikea with nothing because apparantly I don't know the correct way to ask for help. 

Needless to say, we spent our weekend at ikea with Josh, getting what we needed 

Claire refuses to take a nap at school, so this has been happening on a daily basis. She just can't make it through lunch. 

She is getting so close to walking! She is just scared to take those first steps! 

Elise didn't walk until she was 15 months! I am in no rush for this because I just know it means more work for me! 

Our good friends, left for the summer, so we had a small get together at Josie's house for them. 

Elise's new pose involves her hand being on her hip at all time. It's lovely. 

We have been keeping Papa very busy while BeBe is gone! He had us over for dinner and even got out the linen napkins! 

I'm so excited about Claire's pottery barn chair! We had them do her name in arabic too and I think it looks very cool!