The Boys and Santa's Lap

Its nice to have the boy cousins be "best buds"!

Hugging


Hanging out.

Lets get down to business now, jumping!

Max in the box.

Max is trying to wake up Madi boys will be boys.

Tyson in the box...what is this with boys and boxes.

Ty in the bag...grandma's bag from one of her favorite clothing stores.

Tyson and Brian decorating a Gingerbread House, fun moment.

Max warn out from all that play.

Madi happy to be on Santa's lap.

Tyson get me off Santa's lap!

How Can This Possibly Be!

Most of you know that dancing is a big deal to me and has been since a teenager so when I had a daughter who loves dance too and is very good at it it was a dream come true. But now I have a grandaughter who loves to dance and I must say I am going to just come right out and BRAG. Why do I need to brag...well look at these pictures. Madi is only 3 1/2 years old and look at what she can do. I don't know many other children that before they are 4 years can really point their toes, do actual correct positions like this and frankly pay attention and have the interest do it. So here goes please let me brag and look at the pictures!

This position is a retire or a passe and trust me kids usually do this with their legs in front not to the side and they certainly can't point their toes like this.

This is a tendue and again is holding arms correctly and fairly good pointed toe.

This one shows her determination and watching and listening to the teacher.

I love this bar work...I am so amazed at her.

Now this is Max her brother watching her at ballet class. Now don't we Murray's know how to teach our boys to respect a good ballet dancer! LOL

Madi with her dance teacher.

So Why Is It Again?

You ask me why I love being a grandma well just take a look and you will see for yourself why!

Max in his cowboy hat

Tyson and messy face

Madi and Max watching Mommy cook

Madi loves the Christmas Tree

The New Villa!

Our new villa or the rectanglar cement house! This is larger than our other villa. It is 4 bedrooms, one study/computer room, 4 1/2 baths, larger kitchen, laundry room, living room and dining room with a backyard. The small backyard is a big deal here not many have much more than a brick porch. We have grass and it goes all the way around the house to the other sliding glass door by the dining room.

The front door, I miss my porch and glass door from Riviera Gardens but I especially miss my Kingwood house with the beautiful front door, porch with two white columns but this what we all have and I am no exception so it will have to do.

The driveway and my Pajero. I do love the pink flowers.

The backyard view looking out the living room sliding glass door. We will now have a play area for our grandchildren to visit us! Hooray!

The backyard view from side gate by front door. Now you have seen it come on ya'll and visit us!

Doha Days and Trying to Get New Appliances!

Most of you know that we moved into another compound called Al Jazi and a new villa. Well, three of the appliances are really old and needed to be replaced. I received authorization to go pick them out but needed to contact a gentlemen to make sure the brand was what the compound will accept and can maintain. Now, trying to find out where the showroom is located was like an act of congress. Next, I could never get a hold of this man on the phone so I decided to just go there. Over here just going there usually is the best thing anyway. I arrive, no parking of course. Finally park on the street ready to be hit from oncoming cars at any moment. I go into the showroom ask for this man. He is in meetings, Madam. Can we help you? I tell them..no they can't help me they have no clue. He cannot speak with you until tomorrow evening, the clerk says. I decide to look at the appliances just to get a feel for what I can get when I have to go back again. First of all, stoves....they had ONE electric stove. Only one brand and style , and I have to get it approved. There is no other option to get! Next, the washer and dryer...two brands two styles. All pretty much cost the same. So I am wondering what there is to approve here. I leave. Upon arrival home I have a message on my phone that this man is calling me back! Apparently he was calling me back the same time I am in the store when they said he can't talk to me! Now, I have an appointment. Further updates will be available when the actual event is done. In the meantime, pray that I can wash a few more loads of clothes before I have nothing!

My Little Trick or Treaters!

Max the Dragon

Minnie Madi

Madi showing off being Minnie

Going together....love this!

Tyson the doggie

Tyson's door approach

The little trio too busy looking at each others costumes to pose for a picture

The Kids Family Photos!

Two posts in one day amazing!
These two photos are the kids family photos...just love them!

Michael, Emily, Madilyn and Max

Ashley, Brian and Tyson

The "in-laws" visit to Doha

Steve's parents Kent and Sharon finally came to visit us in Qatar. We had some wonderful times and these are the pictures from our Adventure in the Sand Dunes. We hired a driver and went duning. Great fun! One of the few "Fun" things to do here.
Kent and Sharon at the Arabian Sea , Saudi Arabia in the background
Relaxing for a bit after half the dunes trip
Steve, Sharon and Kent(very windy day as you can see)
Getting ready to take the dunes trip
Sharon and Steve. I love this picture. Something about a mom and her son.

Doha Days Car Registration Again!

Yes, it has been a one year and here we go again...car registration on the Jeep. Of course, it did not pass..its a 2001 how could it, honestly! Who was I kidding? The back tail light cover was cracked, not broken, busted or not working just cracked...next, they claim we needed new brakes..they were replaced three months ago so what is up with that...next the license plate numbers were faded to a light black not a black, black. So here we go..the guy I hired, Surish had to take the car to get a new light cover, take black paint and paint over the black numbers on the license plate, polish the front bumper which by the way had to be painted last year for a scratch on it. Then he had to take the car to this company who took off the wheels, blew off some dust and put the wheels back on to say the brakes were great...yes they were great! Cost 300 QR for absolutely no reason at all. All in all, I had to pay 1,250 QR to deal with this annoying issue. Highway robbery is what it is but not a darn thing can be done about it. After all we are in the "Land of Sand"!

Do They Get Any Cuter Than This!

Proud Grandma says...think not!

More of the grandkids!

This was the first day of our vacation in Utah when Steve saw two of the grandkids. It had been one year and they were so excited and so was he! They ran up to him.

The grandparents and grandkids!

I am way behind on the blog and will be updating alot of events in the next month but for now here is Steve and I with our darling and fun grandkids. This picture is typical...Tyson smiling, Max serious (he is always serious especially for pictures), Maddie smiling and Steve and I of course are happy when we are with the kids. Enjoy!

Look what Grandma is Missing!

The Pool Scene and the Beach.....



Pool "Fun" Day and First Day of Swimming Lessons!

Doha Days and the Drainage System!

Okay I come home from grocery shopping, (an all day event in this country) and go inside the bathroom to wash my hands everything is so dusty and dirty. The drain on the floor begins to flood and water/sewage is coming up out on the floor. I call the office for a plumber, yes Madam(this is my proper name here)I will call him right now. Twenty minutes later no plumber but the water has gone down. I go into the kitchen to get disinfectant spray and the floor in the kitchen is flooding with soapy water from the washing machine. I get that turned off and then I see the dishwasher is on so I have to turn that off. Still no plumber. I go into the other bathroom to get a couple of spare towels and two cockroach's are happily dancing around that floor drain. Enough is enough. I call back the office,my voice escalating, where is the plumber. He then finally comes. In the meantime, I am holding two towels over my arm, sweat pouring down my face, disinfectant spray in one hand and RAID spray in the other. I have no mercy for those pesty roaches. I spray them, close the door and then when Steve gets home he cleans them up. So happy here in the Land of Sand!

Father's Day Tribute!

Happy Father's Day Dad, Kent and Steve! What an honor to know and love each of you great Fathers. First of all, my Father, what an awesome man he is. It just doesn't get any better than him! It is nice to have a Father that everyone likes! Growing up he was my Bishop at church and the Career Councilor at my high school, so he was everywhere pretty much I was. He never embarrassed me at school and always made me very proud to say, he is my Dad. He is kind, generous and a great example of faith. I love to hear his war stories, growing up years and his life experiences. He has alot of strength and love and most of all, I love him! My father-in-law Kent, is a wonderful man as well. He is well respected in his circle of friends and community. He taught Steve many valuable principles of hard work, organization and the importance of family. I appreciate so much his loving acceptance of me to the family! Love ya Kent! Steve, what a wonderful father to our children! I think the kids would agree. He was the kind of Dad that was always there for them and their activities no matter what they were or where we had to drive to. He would schedule his free time around them. Thanks honey! Happy Father's Day to our son Michael and son-in-law Brian, keep up the great work you are doing as Fathers to our precious Grandchildren.

Doha Day today!

Today we were driving to the "City Center Mall" to go to a movie around 5:00 pm. There was a man who parked his car on the side of the road and was exercising on the medium between the two roads. He was flexing his muscles and holding his chest while pulling his shoulders back. He also waved his hands around doing who knows what exercise. It was ridiculous! Steve said he sees him alot on his way home from work and he is doing jumping jacks and even running backwards looking at you to make sure you see him. We just laughed and thought he must be crazy or really need attention to exercise on concrete in 109 degrees!

Mother's Day Tribute!

I am very grateful to still have my Mother and Mother-in-law living. They have both been very supportive and loving to me. I would like to pay tribute to them. I remember when I was in junior high and I tried out for cheerleader and of course did not make it. It was done by voting of the students and I was not the popular one, EVER. I usually took the bus home from school but this day I walked home crying all the way. When I arrived home there was a cake and a card on the kitchen table from my Mother saying you are "our winner". What love and support I felt at the time when I felt all had been lost. This is just one of many times. Next, when I was pregnant with Ashley and living in California I had to go on bedrest. Michael was two and very active so without hesitation my Mother-in-law had us move in with them and she took care of me, Michael and Steve until the baby was born. What a relief and pleasure to be pampered and know that Michael was taken care of. Many other times she has supported us. Thanks Mom's....I love you!
Last, I need to say how thankful I am to be the Mother of two fabulous children. What a great honor and privilege the Lord has given me. I treasure every day to be a Mother!

Surprise for my Brother

Today is my brother, Ron's birthday. So this is my surprise for him. I made him a quilt. I am not sure the picture does it justice I think it looks way better in person. He has had health issues for so many years and this is the only thing I can think of to help him, something to watch TV and wrap up in when the pain is tough to bear. I enjoyed making it and thinking of him and his wife the entire time. I hope they enjoy and love it too!