A Day of Relaxation....

Nana & Ma enjoyed a pedicure & a manicure while I was getting my eyebrows threaded. OUCH! This was the first time I had it done. I saw a friend of mine (Liz) have it done in Kingwood but at the time I wasn't brave enough. I guess it wasn't that bad. Afterwards, we had dinner at an Italian Restaurant (actually Cody's favorite "Cyprese"). I gave him the opportunity to pick the location and of course he had to pick his usual. Jeremy says that both Cody & I are so predictable and I agree. We are so loyal to the things we love. There is a nursey next door so Ma had a couple of questions for the gentlemen regarding a couple of plants/flowers she would love to bring home. Jeremy had to stay the night in Saudi and will be home tomorrow morning. Yeah!

Our Tour of the Grand Mosque

It took 4 years to build the Grand Mosque and it is a replica of a mosque in Eqgpt. The marble was shipped from Italy and the wood is from India. However, you will notice on the door the geometric designs they were carved here in Bahrain. The males worship downstairs and the females worship/pray in the balcony. They pray 5 times a day. The times vary depending on the position of the moon. Unlike the Forts here in Bahrain there is a tour guide for the Grand Mosque. At the end of the tour they offer booklets on: Understanding Islam, Why Pork is Prohibited in Islam?, Islam & Christianity as seen in the Bible, The Road to Happiness and This Matter of Faith...

Bahrain International Garden Show

For the last three years, Riffa Views has sponsored the International Garden Show. However, this year they've added Riffa Views Farmers Market. This gives the locals the opportunity to exhibit local produce. I purchased eight homegrown tomatoes for 500 fils ($1.50). What a deal! Now I know where to go and purchase my produce. Riffa Views International School (the school Cody attends) is implementing a new organic food programme. The food prepared in the cafeteria is from local farmers markets. They are also planting fruit trees within the school grounds. About a week ago they started the first recycling program in Bahrain.

Ma purchased palm syrup which is made from dates. I'm not sure if I'm going to like it but I'm curious to see what it taste like. One of the pictures above shows a local Bahraini making a flat bread called Khubz. It is a large, very thin flat bread that is baked in a special plate and is part of the locals diet especially during Ramadan.

We had a great time! Ma, Nana and Devin are all troopers. We got our walk in for the day and they allow me to take my pictures....

Bahrain Fort

Bahrain Fort - is very interesting and has beautiful views of the sea and skyscrapers of the Seef district. Unfortunately, there are no guides to show visitors around the fort. As you can see from the pictures it was quite dusty and not as clear as we would of like the day to be.

Cody's Soccer Star Camp

Cody finished up soccer camp today by the team doing a series of mini scrimmages prior to their certificate and award ceremony. The certified trainer graded the boys over the entire week and sent their scores to the "Football" club in England of which he is a trainer and then they sent them the signed certs. It was a very good camp. Cody played very well in scrimmages today. It was good Ma and Nanna could be here to watch him play during their visit.

Ma and Nanna Safely arrive

Devin is sporting a new ride for his 9 mth birthday!

Dinner at Casa Mexicana..yummy

Ma enjoying her seafood enchilladas

Ma & Devin Casa Mexicana

Best Bros

Water fountain with Grand Mosque in the back ground

Devin enjoying a lemon.....sour!

Ma and Nanna are here and we have hit the ground running. Their trip was good and the boys, Letti, and I were excited to see them. We hit our favorite Mexican restaurant last night. Have to keep the tradition going of folks from Texas eating mexican first time out in Bahrain! Devin turned 9 months old this week so he went to Toys R Us and got him a new ride! He is growing fast. Cody has a soccer scrimmage for the conclusion of his camp that he did over spring break so we are doing that today. More later.

Count down

Happy Easter!

Devin enjoying the ride as long as he is not in his car seat.

No this isn't Bahrain's Tree of Life but it was a good photo opportunity.

J doing what he does best grilling...a white fish (Hammond).

Does it get any better than this..

Here are a couple of pictures of Papaw & Grammie last couple of days here in Bahrain. We sure do miss them. We've been busy getting ready for Nana & Ma's arrival. The count down has begun. They will be arriving tomorrow evening at (9:05 Bahrain time). And of course, we have bets on how long it will take them to adjust to the time change. We can't wait and hope that the time does not fly while they are here.

Devin is such a busy little boy! We have tile floors in our villa with the exception of the bedrooms and it has made it difficult for me to put him down. I am so afraid that he is going to fall and besides it is hard on his knees. He can crawl very fast but is not walking. When he wakes up from his nap he will go to the end of the bed and start making noises. He is so funny because I will thank him for waiting on me. He just looks at me and laughs. He knows that he scares me every time.

Cody had spring break last week. The weather was nice but not hot enough to get in the pool. He had soccer camp for a couple of hours everyday. He enjoyed his time off from school but was ready to go back. He can't wait until Ma & Nana arrive.

Please keep Grandmother Banta in your prayers as she recovers from hip surgery. Also, please keep Tanah in your prayers as she recovers from leg surgery. Hope you both have a speedy recovery. We miss & love y'all!