Eek Eek

Before we could take off from New York to Jeddah we had to wait for an hour on the run way due to "overcrowding."  Three previous flights to Jeddah had been cancelled due to rain there.  This flight was actually making two SA stops.  Luckily Jeddah was the first stop.  Our plane was supposed to leave at 8:00 pm NY time and the kids were all exhausted from travelling since 7:30 in the morning.  All but Marcella crashed before take off as we see below.  Marcella fell asleep soon after take off and actually did wear the eye covers for quite awhile.  You can also see Eleanor in her airplane bassinet.  I could not believe she slept in it again, but she did.  Theresa is so cute on the plane because she sleeps in this little ball.  The man next to her was a huge help.  He kept covering her up and let her put her head on his arm rest. 

The rains did not damage our house and all the plumbing was working fine but we did have a little visitor.  The first time I saw it was during the night and I thought it was an abnormally large roach.  The next morning Casey and Marcella stated that they had seen a very large ghecko and we should just leave it to eat bugs.  Then that afternoon there was no mistaking what it was, a mouse.  It was actually the cutest little thing, darting everywhere but we can't have this in the house so the pest people set their traps and later that night the little guy was caught.  He was so cute and tiny I really had to fight the urge to "put it in a cardboard box" as a pet.  The men came and took it away for "release" I was told and I will not pursue the matter.  The traps were left out for a few more days but that one little guy is the only one we had.  This picture does not do justice to his cuteness.  He was really a cute one.

Christmas 2010

We are back and in the groove again after a restful break in Texas.  Casey and I continually comment on how much we enjoyed being back with loved ones and how happy and peaceful our time was.  The kids seemed to suffer from no jet lag whatsoever other than going to bed early the first few nights.  They all did wonderful on the flights too.  Well, Eben had two little fits, one from New York to Austin and the other in the taxi from Jeddah to KAUST, but we won't dwell on that.  This trip was the twin's last trip as "lap sitters."  They'll be two in February so for all other flights they will get their own seats, Yippee!!!  We are assuming this will make a huge difference.  Eben's biggest scream fest was due to his not being able to sit by the window.  Our total luggage poundage for the return trip was 400 pounds plus carry ons.  Casey did a great job at insuring all suitcases were at their limit so we did not get charged any extra and everything arrived in one piece.

Below you see a picture of the kids and me in the Saudi Airlines Lounge.  These lounges are great.  Due to all of Casey's travelling he gets us in free and it is the best thing.  Free food, good TV, great bathrooms, room to run.  I am holding a little Saudi coffee cup filled with their traditional white coffee.  Alone it is not very tasty but with dates, the way we were told to drink it, it is quite good.  We used the Korean Air Lounge in New York for the return trip and it was just as nice.  The second plane picture is of the kids sharing seats and snacking.  We got all the kids up at 11:30pm for the trip to Texas and pretty much spent the entire trip snacking and sleeping alternatively.  For the trip back to SA we seem to sleep for a much longer period.

These next couple of pictures are our family on Christmas Eve and of the girls with their new Hello Kitty scooters.  It was so fun to dress in coats and mittens.  Marcella especially enjoyed this and was often seen with her scarf.