Grandkids and Making Bows the Stampin' Way

Now you know why Steve and I are always anxious to see these darling kids! Maddie is usually smiling so cute but I think was not in the mood. It is the boys we usually can never get.

My daughter in law Emily wanted to make some bows for her and Maddie. So of course I went to Stampin' Up! products. We used the Pretties kit and dyed the white flowers with a sponge and ink pad. We also used the Fleurettes, pearls and Rinestone brads. The crop-a-dile was used to punch a hole through the inverted clips. For alligator clips we put the brad through the opening and then a drop or two of crystal effects to secure. Aren't these these the cutest things!

Updates on what I am doing and where I am!

On April 8th I left Doha and flew to Houston and then onto Utah. On Saturday we celebrated our grandson Tyson's 1st birthday and then Sunday Easter dinner with my kids and grandkids, what a joy! Monday we had a Grandparents birthday party for all the grankids..Maddie, Max and Tyson. WE went to Kangeroo Zoo and then lunch. Grandpa Murray could not be there he is still in Doha but he paid for ALL the presents and lunch! Thanks Grandpa!
My Father has been in the hospital here for 5 1/2 weeks. I got good news yesterday that he can come home on Thursday April 16th. Hooray! I am so glad to be able to be here to help him settle in and make sure things are going well. Now the sad news...this morning at 7:00 am Ashley, Brian and Tyson all left for Chicago for summer employment opportunity. So now I am alone in the condo. I only got to spend 6 days with them but they were fabulous. Thanks goodness my son Michael and Emily and the other grandkids are still here. Pictures will follow shortly with these great events!

Stampin' Up! Card Class

These are my cards I made for our newest card exchange. This is designed to be a stamp camp class. These are 3 X 3 cards that are perfect for putting with gift bags or on top of packages!


Eight Great Greetings Stamp Set and new Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper

Doha Days and the speed trap!

Today my husband got a text message on his phone that the car I drive got a speeding ticket. I guess I did not see the speed trap. There are machines on the side of the road and take a picture of your car so you don't always know when you get one. Nothing is in my name in this country, therefore I don't exist without Steve. When I get a speeding ticket, go through passport control, pay the phone bills, use my CC etc...he gets a text message about it. I am just waiting for the day he gets a text message that I went to the tiolet! So when I got home tonight he handed me the paper he printed out from online that states I was speeding on the Corniche. Now...the joy of standing in line to go pay it!

Stampin' Fun!

I am in a card exchange with several ladies and it is so much fun to share our creative ideas with each other. We each exchange four different cards. Here are some examples of mine and the others cards. Enjoy!

This is one of my cards.

These are two of Tami's cards, she used the same paper combo.

This is one of Dena's cards.

This is one of Julie's cards.

This is one of Chari's cards.

This is one of Liz's cards.

Doha Days are here again!

This past weekend we had the privilege of having Jeffery R Holland and his wife visit us here in Qatar. An exciting part is that I got to pick them up from the airport, such an honor. He is here to appoint a new Stake President, after he visits the rest of our stake which is several other countries. Saturday was our offical Stake Conference Meeting then on Sunday a bunch of ladies from church took Sister Holland and Sister Causse shopping at the Souqs and to lunch!:) Now, where else in the world do you have your meetings any day of the week instead of on Sunday and then go shopping with an Apostle's wife on Sunday?! Only when Friday is Sunday and Sunday is Monday and that is here in the "Land of Sand"!

A Darling Stamp Idea

This is my darling daughter's creations. She did shower invitations for two of her friends. I think I have trained her well. Awesome job Ash!

So You Think You Can Dance Post!

Our family is/are huge fans of "So You Think You Can Dance". With Ashley, our dancer around she is our "in house" critic. Anyway, our daughter-in-law Emily took Maddie to a Princess Party at "The Pointe" dance studio. Guess who just happened to be in the lobby.....Matt, from So You Think You Can Dance! Photo opportunity..you bet!(By the way, Ashley loved Matt on the show and thinks he has awesome feet. You have to be a real dancer to get that one)



Here is Maddie in purple on the right, with her two darling friends for the princess party. Notice how they are all posing...and Maddie lifting her dress up so you can see her ballet shoes. Way too cute!


Maddie again.

Paris!

The first week of December Steve and I went to Paris. It was so beautiful and I loved the sidewalk cafes, flower shops, sites and the lights. It was decorated for Christmas. This was a great celebration for our 30th wedding anniversary and my 50th birthday.....until, my wallet was stolen! The hotel was great and helped me cancel the credit card and atm cards. After that we were a bit short on money but when you are vacationing with your "best friend" in Paris how can you go wrong. We loved it! We took many more pictures but here are some to enjoy.

Cathedral



Snowman decoration for Christmas



We took a river boat on the Siene this was one picture



Art is a large part of Paris. The ballet items are for our daughter Ashley.



Degas paintings and ballet statue





Orsay Musuem we liked this musuem a bit more it wasn't so large and had painters names we recognized.




Ferris Wheel and Champs de Elysees at night. Our hotel was on this street if we walked uphill 2 minutes we were at the Arc if we walked downhill for 4 minutes we were at the Ferris Wheel and could see the Eiffel Tower. Perfect location.





Arc de Triomphe




Eiffel Tower





Steve on the second level of the Eiffel Tower



Sunset at Concorde Plaza with Eiffel Tower in background.




Palace at Versailles





Gardens at Palace of Versailles. It was awesome what a party you could have. Just imagine in the spring and summer when the flowers were blooming and fountains going.




The Louvre Musuem This is so large you just can't see it all.

First day of Ballet Class!

This is Maddie ready for her first day of ballet! Ashley teaches ballet at several studios and so Maddie is going to take ballet at one of the studios she teaches at. Aunt Ashley is so excited for Maddie and so are the rest of the family!

Doha Days....Christmas Present Gone Bad!

Well....in my last post I told you about how I got a new satellite dish and subscription for Steve as his Christmas present so he could watch sports especially the Utah Bowl game. Guess what, they lost the contract for FOX Sports so as of today we have no FOX Sports. Steve does not get to watch the game at all! You know this is the time I get frustrated with this Land of Sand!

Doha Days Christmas Present!

I decided on December 22 to surprise Steve and get another, yes another, satellite dish and subscription so we could get "Firstnet" which provides ESPN, FOX and FOX SPORTS. This way he could finally see football, golf and Utah play in the bowl game. I told the man it was a present for "our Christmas" so he agreed to have the installation people come on the 23rd. They arrived on time, 4:30 PM which is amazing. He looked around at things and then asked for a ladder. He knew the satellite dish would go on the roof and they did not bring a ladder! Well, we live in a compound, in a furnished house with workers that do all the maintenance work. So we have no ladder...we don't even change the light bulbs! I called the office and asked for a ladder to get on the roof. She said, you can get one if you come down and get it. At this point, Steve had arrived home from work so I sent him off to get the ladder. A few minutes later Steve comes walking back with no ladder. I look a bit behind him and there is a worker on his bike carrying the extension ladder. He thought it was too heavy for Steve to carry so he put it on his shoulder ( a heavy metal ladder) and rode his bike. So we are ready for the Utah game! GO UTES!

Stamp Creations

These are my latest stamped creations for my card exchange. A little early for Valentines but we try to be a bit ahead of the holiday.

Grandkids Christmas Picture!

I had to share this darling picture of our Grandchildren! They are in their new Christmas outfits. Max, Maddie and Tyson

Update! Soldier Service Project Again!

I have several posts to make over the next few days. To update a bit...we had Thanksgiving dinner at the church with all of our members. Great food and good company. Then on Saturday and Sunday I started baking. I organized the "Solider Service Project" again in Qatar. Many women from church and work baked and baked. We could have had more this time. The timing was not great since it was just after Thanksgiving. But all in all, it was a success. As usual they were thankful beyond thankful! My contact Rick is being deployed home soon and I certainly wish him the best. He has a contact for me so this will go on!












Stay tuned and come back...I have more pictures of Oman trip and our Paris Adventures to come!