JANUARY ‘08 ARCHIVE

POSTED: January 21, 2008

Wow, what a whirlwind these past few weeks have been. We had a GREAT trip to the States & really enjoyed getting to visit with all of our family. We left Jan. 10^th to head back to Africa. We had a short layover in JFK & then a 10 hour layover in Cairo. We were able to go into Cairo & eat at the Pizza Hut that overlooks the Pyramids. It was a fun little outing. We made it back home safe & sound and it took Abby almost a week to get back on a regular sleeping schedule. We hit the ground running trying to get our house in working order. We still have a lot to do to get it “really comfortable,” but it is very “livable” right now. I think we’re really going to enjoy our new home.

Just before we left the States, we made one last trip to Ft. Worth to visit the Ft. Worth Stockyards. Riscky’s BBQ in the Stockyards is Andy’s favorite place to eat ! We left the restaurant with all kinds of Riscky’s stuff . . . hats, t-shirts, cups, etc. It was a lot of fun !

Abby kind of liked playing on the little quarter rides they had at the Stockyards, although they did scare her a little bit. She didn’t mind so much as long as Mommy & Daddy were standing right beside her.

We vacationed in Egypt last year with Andy’s parents, so it was fun to take advantage of our 10 hour layover in Cairo & just see some of the sites again real quickly. It was fun to go into Cairo and eat at the Pizza Hut that overlooks the Pyramids. Here’s the view from our table.

One of our friends said that we should take a picture of our pizza with the Pyramids. We forgot about it until we’d already taken a bite, but we thought it was a fun picture none the less.

Abby loving the view from the roof of Pizza Hut

Abby “taking a nap” during her jet lag days. I walked in and found her pulling toys out of her toy box. She was being really quiet & having a great time.

Abby relaxing in the chair “Uncle Luke Gave You” – as Abby fondly calls it

Abby playing with more of her Christmas presents. She sure has enjoyed all her new toys.

Our little cutie pie

We started really craving American Fast Food again at the end of last week. There is no such thing as fast food in our tiny town & we don’t really eat out at many of the restaurants in our new town for fear of getting sick. So, we had a “Sonic Night” on Saturday night. All was going well until the gas for my oven ran out. Andy went to the Capital on Sat., so I was planning on having our “Sonic Meal” all ready when he arrived home. Well, our gas ran out just as I was starting our first batch of homemade tater tots. So, I asked our guard to help me switch out the gas cylinder. Well, the gas cylinder was in the unfinished guest bathroom & a piece of wood had fallen against the door & jammed the door shut. So, I had no way to cook. Andy got home & started helping the guard try to get the door open. Just then, I realized that I had an electric hot plate that I could plug in. So, I plugged it in & started cooking again. Well, it overloaded the surge protector & started a small fireworks show in the kitchen. The guys still couldn’t get the door open, so Andy ended up having to break the window in order to pull the piece of wood up. In the mean time, it was now past Abby’s bedtime, so I fed her some leftovers & put her to bed. Andy finally was able to get the gas cylinder out of the bathroom & change the gas out for my oven. So, we were able to have a very late, but still fun “Sonic Night.”

POSTED: January 3, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

From,

Andy, Koleta, Abby & our newest little one who will join us in August

POSTED: January 3, 2008

We left January 19^th & headed to Dallas to spend the Holiday’s with our families. Abby was all geared up to go in our airport ready to make the long flight to the States.

We had a quick layover in Cairo, but we were able to enjoy a delicious McDonald’s cheeseburger while we were there.

Abby’s first night in the United States. We spent the night in New York before heading to Dallas.

Abby enjoyed hanging out with her Granddaddy (Koleta’s Dad) at the Dallas Airport

Abby dancing around in the Holiday Dress her Hatfield Grandparents gave her

Abby met her Uncle Luke (Koleta’s Brother) for the first time. They hit it off from the start.

Abby also loved meeting her Great Grandma Gallion. She loves to give her kisses.

Abby also likes Grandmamma and Granddaddy’s dog. I’m not sure Mister likes her as much as she likes him, but he puts up with her.

Great Grandpa helping Abby ride on Mister like a horse

Abby wasn’t sure what to think about all the decorations on the tree. Granddaddy said she was thinking, “These are the biggest Avocado’s I’ve ever seen!”