Life in Technicolor.

Caleb and I love some good music and some good video...and here is some good music video...so creative and wonderful. Give it a minute to download. But it so worth it! 

We present Life in Technicolor. 

Resolved.

"They" say (whoever they are) that once you say it out loud, you are more likely to do...so I am writing these for whoever stops by to see that these are my goals for the year.

1. Get back on my Dave Ramsey budget...love the principles of his ministry, but have a hard time following through...I am going to ramped and ready to go and count everything I spend, truly. This is an area of my life that can get out of control quickly. Cash envelopes, here I come (back).

2. Read the Bible in a year...never done it always wanted to and the time is now. There is a great site to help keep me on track. (Thanks for the link Lauren).

3. Writing a children's book. This is a lofty goal...so my hope is too at least get the basis for my stories and notes. I have so many ideas floating around in my head and they need to make it onto paper. I have wanted to do this for the past 10 years and there is no time like the present and I am feeling very inspired.

4. Cooking more. Oh m gosh...I've got to get on the ball. Now, I am great at baking, breakfast foods and soups...but the dinner thing is a challenge (pot roast, casseroles). The problem is I hate handling meat but need to overcome. Does anyone have any good recipes or is anyone willing to walk me through this one? I think if I try to make at least one new dish a month, I would feel great.

So there, I said it, typed it. Help keep me on track people. Happy New Years Resolutions! This is Aina by the way, not to be confused with Caleb (who I am not sure believes in New Years resolutions- you'll have to ask him). But I know he believes in free giveaways and if you post your new resolutions you can enter a giveaway (burbmom.net).

Happy Birthday Caleb.

This picture is so Caleb...glasses, hoodie, beanie, holding Charlotte, half smile, ordering something familiar. Happy Birthday Caleb. The big 32. Thanks for being so much fun...whether it be traveling the world or hanging at the house...you are the best.

Thought you may be interested to see some of the thoughtful gifts Caleb received from some good friends: Chuck Norris: The Secret Power Within-Zen Solutions to Real Problems, Chick-Fil-A cow, $0.57 gift card to Starbucks, a Massage box, a flying monkey that screams, a bongo drum that says "Ernst & Young" on top, a balloon butterfly and sword, firewood (not pictured) and a Guitar Hero miniature guitar and amp.

Day 13 & 14

Charlotte & Beckett in their Christmas PJ's. What is it about Christmas PJ's that I love?

Beckett teaches Charlotte how to clap.

He corrects her form. Also, Charlotte taught Beckett how to kiss (we think). Kissin cousins. 

We are all wearing traditional Moroccan dresses. Najet brought them over for us to try on...looks better on her I think.

We have no pictures for what happened next. I can try to describe it, but will not do it justice. We stopped by Cannel, the best little French bakery on our way to the airport. Scott, Diana, & the kids walked us into the airport. We said our goodbyes because Scott had to get back to the dentist (we told you not to eat that happy meal Scott). We then waited in line to check our luggage in. Easy Jet was the airline...however, nothing is easy about Easy Jet. They said that we could only bring 40 kilos of luggage even though on the way here we had ate least 80 kilos and no one said anything. She told us to try and get rid of it or put it in a carry on. Now,, when you have a baby, you are already carrying on a bunch of crap and it's hard to add to that. How do you displace 40 kilos of luggage you may ask. I will get to that. Let me say that Caleb was livid and he rarely gets like this...rarely...he was not having any of it and after talking to several managers. In fact, he told the people waiting in line, "Hey here's an idea, stop looking at me." They wanted to charge us 140 Durhem per extra kilo x 40 extra kilos = 5600 d = $658.  That wasn't going to happen and we could get several sets of luggage for that price. We made the executive decision to ditch our suitcases (we've had for 6 years- they were bad) and stuff our stuff into the large duffel and some plastic bags that we checked and one that we carried on. Nightmare. But seriously, how much complaining can you do when you are fortunate enough to travel the world? But we made it to Madrid (without having to pay easy jet a dime extra) at which point we shrink wrapped our plastic bags to officially check them onto London/DFW. In case you were wondering "Who shrink wraps their luggage?" It was us. And yes, I am embarrassed to say I have judged people who have shrink wrapped their luggage. At that point we were free of our stuff until we collected it in Dallas. It is so nice to have no stuff on our hands, but that is another post. Our flight was delayed to 2 hours and then we were onto London...I should also mention that Charlotte was a perfect angel the whole time. Truly. The rest can be told in pictures.

Finally in London. Room service, showers, attempts to sleep...but no problem.

Since there was no sleep to be had...we did what we had to do before our flight left...to go to Central London. Caleb had never been there and it one of my most favorite places so we ventured into the cold early morning to see the sights.

Charlotte was there (but not present) for most of these pics.

Big Ben.

Caleb sees the clock for the first time.

Couples pic.

The London Eye.

Because their telephone booths are just so cool.

Buckingham palace.

Buckingham palace together.

Wesminster Abbey.

Good bye Big Ben.

Good bye London.

10 hour flight home. Passports, customs, Uncle Gus picked us up, home. Home sweet home. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.  Grandmas here helping us with Charlotte and regrouping. Definitely an amazing trip. It wasn't vacation as much as it was an adventure...we loved every minute save our experience at the Casa airport. Diana, Scott, Ella, & Beckett...thanks for the great company and hospitality. We love your home and hope to return soon if we can. Ella, you were a trooper and the babies were angels. But now the real question is...who got the carrot award?

Day 12- Amendment

Diana and I went to Najet's shop to get Henna tattoos before I left.

It was so much fun!

What they don't tell you...it burns like, well you know...

Day 12

Special cousin time.

Ella is a helper.

The damages.

Ella in front of her school (Ecole Scolare L'Ocean).

At O'Palm.

Crepes & cafe lattes.

Muddy feet.

How is it that kids know exactly where to find the mud?

Me, Charlotte, Diana, Beckett, Linda, & Elliana.

The packed van- do not attempt this in the states.

Najet made the perfect dinner- Stuffed peppers, potatoes, zuchinni with ground turkey and Moroccan spices with rice...delicious. Oh, and she made us mint tea too!

The last supper.

Day 11

We began the rainy morning by going shopping in Hay Assani. Here we buy teapots and glasses with Najet's keen negotiating skills. She is the best.

Moroccan shoes. Don't worry, I didn't get you any.

Gelabas. Moroccan word for the burka. They come in many colors and patterns.

Come Mr. Tally Man, tally me bananas.

And my oranges too.

Raw meat carcass...no thank you. Nothing like walking past a rotting meat carcass in the damp rain.

Fresh mint for Moroccan Mint tea.

Fruit stands.

Eggs. Yes, you will find feathers and poop on them from their mommys'. Rinse carefully before adding them to your waffles.

Najet suggested that I wrap my scarf around my head because it was raining and cold, the perfect weather for a day of outdoor stand shopping.

At last, something to warm us up! Moroccan mint tea.

Charlotte & Najet.

Najet shows Charlotte how to wrap her head.

Almost done.

Finished.

Beautiful.

Some nights shots that Caleb took from the roof of the apartment during one of he and Scott's special "man" meetings.

Cool night pic.

One more.