Summer 2011

Summer 2011 ~ Coming home after almost a year in Dubai, there were so many places to be!!!

First stop was of course Bellingham. After graduation she and I spent a lovely time just 'being' together. A highlight? Riding bikes out to Larabee State Park ~ gorgeous day on the bay






Of course, no trip home is complete without a relaxing stay at the Gasthof Oma & Opa!!!

Opa has perfected his barbequed nachos ~ and of course being tipsy here is the status quo!




My Bathing Beauty ~



Summer is of course wedding time!!! And I was lucky enough to make it to the nuptials for Rachel & Sam ~ And I was not alone! What fun to see Sarah and Chris there!!!


Mr. & Mrs. Glickman:







My home base was of course at the home of my Jennifer and Matt ~ gracious hosts!!!!

And because of Jen, I have developed a LOVE for Zumba!!!!!


And a love for cats (at least two ...)






My Christina ~ all ready to go to Kosrae...

Happy Early Birthday to Christina!

Christina's Graduation!!!

How do we mark our lives? By the events that are important to us, by the major milestones in our lives and in those we love. Well, here goes another one.... My darling Christina graduated from Western Washington University and is now about to start a new chapter in her life ~







The two brightest lights in my life:






And it begins!









She has done it!


Congratulations!!!!!


A proud family ~








And the Pink House Ladies!!!



Looking to the future!





Too many photos???? :)




Good-bye to the Pink House ~


Another milestone passed. Life is good ~

Dhow Trip

It is so much fun living here on the Arabian Gulf, and we have made sure to take advantage!!! And what better way to do that than to take a trip on a dhow!



Tres amigas!


I can not get over what a gorgeous blue the water is here!!!!


A view to the shore ~

Sri Lanka ~ Take 2

I had such a great time in Sri Lanka with my friends, Kelly and Christina, that when my dear friends April and Wanda invited me to go back with them, I said: Yes!

This trip was different from my first in that this time we took our time and visited only a few places. It was a relaxing and beautiful vacation....



On a trek to see an old temple in the hills, we walked through a little village, ogled by the sweet children living there ~










Here with our dear guide, making our way up hill (naturally!)


Some critters!!




And finally the doorway to the ancient temple ~



Beyond the temple we had the chance to see the backside of water!!


What a refreshing feeling!!!


Scary bridge!!!!


The fruits of the jungle:




After our physical first half of the vacation, we headed to a delightful little hotel for the relaxing second half of our vacation. What a find! This sweet little hotel (only about 5 rooms) was run by a darling man who took care to feed us well! I also enjoyed some local coconut spirits with our guide, who I think took great pleasure in seeing my face squinsh up as I tasted it!

The hotel was right on a little river which meant that we could fall asleep to the sound of rushing water ~ delightful!

Here is the view from our room:



Here I am sitting at our lunch table, before going back down to sit in the sun by the pool ~


It rained while we were there, but because we were so relaxed we didn't even mind! Here you can see our 'infinity' pool and just how close we are to the river. In fact, it ran under the porch on which the dining tables were ~ glorious!



Besides, the river rose and kept us gasping!!!