On January 23rd, 2012, my parents were able to come for their first visit overseas. This was the first time we have seen them since April 7th of 2010! This was also the first time for them to meet, hold, and love on their first grandbaby!
What a special day it was! We arrived at the airport early and waited in the international arrivals waiting area. Grace was tired, as it was 10 pm and we had been out of the house all day. Time after time, a group of travelers would come through the long hallway and we would scan through them, impatiently, looking for my Mom and Dad. Finally, we spotted them and I thought I would not be able to stay on my side of the gate much longer! We passed Grace to my mom as soon as possible and it was a really sweet moment.
We spent the first seven days of their visit at our house and around our small village like town. Mom and Dad got to enjoy the simple moments of every day life: diaper changes, nap times, bottles, bathtimes, walks to the grocery store, preparing foods overseas, and games and movies.
We installed Grace's Christmas present, a swing, in a door frame inside, and enjoyed her laughing and being content in it.
We also took a trip to a local camel farm...
And fort!
We saw an oasis in the middle of the desert and marveled at the centuries old "Thelij" system used to divert the scarce water to the land hat was being used to grow food.
We also visited a local park where a small cave is. The boys go o go "go-karting," which ended up being slow 4 wheelers!
The last three days of their visit, we went to the town where Grace was born to show them the hospital and a fort there,
before traveling to Abu Dhabi to see the Grand Mosque (and yes, it looks a little bit like Aggraba from Aladdin!) The women are asked to wear the Abaya (black covering dress,) and Shayla (hair covering,) while on the premises. It was hot and my mom and I were glad to be done wearing our get up!
Finally, on our last two days together, we took them to Dubai to see the many sights there! We took them to the Dubai Mall, the world's largest mall, and to At The Top, an elevator ride to (nearly) the top of the Burj Al Khalifa, the tallest building in the world! (Seen in the new Mission Impossible.)
We also took them to see Ski Dubai (the indoor ski park in a mall, to our favorite mall to do some shopping, and to a cultural fair! We drove around and showed them the Atlantis hotel, the Palm Frond Islands, and other notable sights in Dubai.
Mom and Dad, we loved having you visit us! We can't wait until the next time you visit and we are living in a nice, big city!
3 comments:
I can only imagine the joy y'all felt to be reunited after so long! I loved reading about their visit. It sounds like you did a lot of the same things we did when my parents were here! :)
Looks like it was a great visit! And I love the 1st birthday party pics too! SO cute!!!
Such a sweet recap! And it is AMAZING to hear that you were able to see family! I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed every minute with you all.
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