We have been enjoying one of the two best months to live in Qatar, and it is quickly coming to an end with rising temperatures already. We have been busy with Girl Scouts, Abbey's biathlon, dune bashing out by the inland sea, new church responsibilities, saying farewell to friends leaving for Moscow, and keeping our tempers in check when we drive. :)
Here are a few photos of our January adventures:
Early in the month, all the third grade P.E. classes did a biathlon during school. Abbey was nervous but practiced hard. She ran around the high school track twice and swam the length of the pool twice. She had a pretty good time when all was said and done. Way to go Abbey!
Just last Saturday we went to the sand dunes out by Sealine (my first time, Brett and Abbey's second time) with some friends. We have had our Xtera for over a year and a half and not really broken in our 4-wheel drive, so Saturday was the day. We were informed by our knowlegeable teacher (Ephraim) that our Xtera is actually better than his Hummer on the dunes because it is lighter and has better weight to horsepower ratio. And he was right, as we soon found out. Sarah the Xtera was born to dune bash!
After arriving at the dunes close to Sealine, the first step was to take some air pressure out of the tires. I guess this helps the vehicle hug the sand better. That sounded good to me. We didn't want any stiff tires.
Our Australian mate Wayne (on the left) persuaded us to try this new adventure. Thanks, Wayne!
Before anyone could go out in their own vehicle, Ephraim took everyone for a demonstration in his Hummer. Brett came back a little pale and shaky but smiling nonetheless.
This was our first time dune bashing (as our New Zealand and Australian friends call it), so we played follow the leader most of the time. Our fearless leader Ephraim used the walkie talkies to tell us when to shift up or down and when to rev the engines full blast. He had to tame down his style quite a bit for us, so we appreciate his sacrifice. We kept wondering how our friend Frankie would behave on the sand. ( Those of you who know him can guess.) Brett was hooked by the time we left, so my guess is that he will be back on the sand pretty soon.
Our friends Vicky and Steve tried their hands at fishing, but didn't have any luck.
A day at the inland sea wouldn't be complete without a good slide down a sand dune or a close look at a dead squid. Notice the guy under the umbrella up top.
We said good bye to some good friends. The Fryers moved to Moscow, at the coldest time of the year no less. They invited us to visit, but we might wait until a more ideal weather time.
Abbey and some of her Brownie friends got to perform the flag ceremony at the U.S. Ambassador's residence at an Americana for Children activity. They took their responsibilities seriously, but they were all smiles at the end when they got to pose with the ambassador's wife Mrs. LeBaron.
Abbey and some of her Girl Scout friends received some badges for their hard work. 
6 comments:
Oh Mom! Great to read about your adventures! AND I just realized that I left you hanging on your blog layout. OOPS! I'm so sorry. I still want to design it for you. Later. :)
What a great month! Looks like you're having a ball and I'm glad. :)
Dune bashing is so exhilarating! If you live in the desert, you have to do it. BUT you don't have to do it twice. I don't know if my heart can handle it.
Fun times, Brett you sand dune animal.
Okay I am having trouble with the new computer. For some reason blogger has labeled me fichardsonfive @ blogger .com It is driving me crazy trying to change it...any hints from you experts. Jan a.k.a phoney Richardson
Dianne, I'm definetly not one that can spell well nor do I have a great vocabulary but I knew loyd ericson. That is the person that you commented on their blog where he was bad mouthing Elder Holland. Loyd is most definetly not a faithfull member of the church. I really don't know how he thinks so. He is more of a communist hate monger that commits filthy lucre by trashing the gospel of Jesus Christ and our saviors leaders here on the church. I don't know how he is still in the church I guess it just an example of the patience of church leaders. Or maybe they don't know. I think by his self Loyd is a nothing and a nobody but if he can be the Jew saying arguing how he loves hitler he has a nitch. Without his saying how he thinks the BoM is wonderful but trashing the gospel he is just another anti Mormon. Google his his name Loyd Ericson and there is something called the Mormon stories # 71 where he is interviewed. He calls the Prophet a racist and says the church needs to apologize give women the priesthood and other garbage. The funny thing is these so called church members erase your comments if you call Loyd a liar which he is but if you call the prophet a racist and anything else negative the keep it posted for hisorical reasons. The sad thing is these are he people that schools choose to support as teachers. He preaches his false gospel in he name of Christ from is forum that has mayhem as is title. He is an evil person that is most definetly not a faithful latterday saint. He is some kind of wolf in lds you get the picture. He is a fake, phony, liar and someone that needs to be exposed for how he is perverting truth. Look further into his website on what he calls the great and terrible gospel principles Manuel. He 100% argues against the church but is still a member because he is hiding who he is and what he does from those that would take out he trash. Filthy lucre is what his work is if you read up anymore and reach any conclussions on what he is doing please email me. Inevermeanttohurtyou@gmail.com. Besides that thanks for being intelligent and standing up to this fruad.
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