Thursday, December 10, 2009

Getting ready for Christmas






I must say that it really is hard to get into the Christmas spirit here. It's hot, sunny, tropical...beautiful, but not Christmas. Even thought the shopping areas here have put up Santa Clauses that play music (last year it was The Yellow Rose of Texas) and there are lights and trees everywhere...it somehow makes it a little silly. We did get our tree up and have wrapped a few gifts to put under it. We're listening to Christmas music and trying to watch lots of movies, too. It's fun. We're really looking forward to our trip to Egypt to see family and to be in "cold" weather.









Thanksgiving in Watamu

Jess and I trying to stay afloat and not EAT our too-big life vests!!!


Exploring for hermit crabs and sea slugs at low tide.


Daniel and Jamie took the girls out to what we called Crab Rock at low tide. Although slightly freaked out, the girls were in awe.


Enjoying some pool time together!

We had a GREAT time on our trip to Watamu, Kenya...the coast! We went with Pam and Gary and Jamie and Jessica Dunning. I have to admit, there was some apprehension about "the ocean" on the girls' part. Abby was nervous about a HUGE body of water you couldn't see the end of. Kaylee was actually pretty excited, but did continuously ask about "swimming with fish". I was a little nervous myself taking this trip with the 3 girls and other adults. All that worry was for naught! Abby LOVED the ocean (after a true screaming and hysterics fit walking through the 3 feet of seaweed to get to the clear water) and had a great time making a sand castle. Kaylee enjoyed the ocean, the fish, and the sand but, in the end, decided she liked the pool better because "it is cleaner". Sydney is a true water baby! Unfortunately, she is fearless in the water so we had to have someone keeping a constant hand or eye on her. She loves the ocean (drank half of it) and had a blast walking off the ledge of the pool into the deeper water. Daniel and I enjoyed the snorkeling (after an hour and a half on VERY rough water looking for dolphins we never did find) and the girls even got in to "snorkel" too. I was so proud of them for getting in and trying! Syd slept on the snorkel boat, so that was also wonderful. We got tons of lounging time on the beach, which was also by the pool! Jamie and Jessica, Pam and Gary all helped us out entertaining the kids and keeping an eye on them, so Daniel and I got to kayak together and enjoy our own lounging and down time. It was wonderful...we WILL go back!
The girls and I getting a glimpse of the Masai warrior show while Daniel went to get our afternoon ice cream and crepe snack!
Sand 'n Sun....what the beach is all about!

Kaylee having fun getting wet sand from the surf.

Daniel enjoyed showing the girls how to make amazing sand towers. And Pam'ma brought flags for the turrets!!!
On the snorkel boat...No, I did not mess up with the picture...the water was SO rough it was hard to keep the camera steady!

Pam'ma and Grandpa taking care of Syd. What can we say? She LOVES her grandparents!