Butlers are in town

Our good friends the Bulters were in town from Atlanta. So glad they could stop by West Hartford for a day to visit. The Connals hosted a party for them. It's amazing how you can bring people together and it's as if they never left.


Anabel, Julia and Dani... crazy girls back together again.




Renee, Amy, Robin, Melissa and Karen.

Hartford Museums

We spent a day at the new Science Center and the Wadsworth Art Museum. Tracy and Julia joined us at the art museum. It was a good day, but long. It was nice to see so many people in downtown Hartford.

Day at the beach

We spent a day at the CT shore at the Feigenbaum's beach house with them, the Kumpas and Gibsons. CT has had SOOOO much rain, but we did get one nice day at the beach. The girls played in the water and sand as well as went crabbing. Afterwards we had pizza by the pool at the Gibson's. What a great day....

Happy 10th Birthday Elle

Elle turned double digits today! I can't believe that she is 10... my baby is growing up. We had her party last Sunday. She invited a few friends to go to Lake Compounce which happens to be America's oldest amusement park (we didn't know that until we read a plaque in the park). It's part water park and part regular amusement park rides. The girls had a ton of fun. We rode rides first, played a few games, and then played in the water park. It was a great day!




Meg, Marissa, Jessica, Elle, Lexi and Lauren - good times!








Dani with Julia G and Julia A. She brought a couple of friends too.

Copperhead in our yard

On one of our first days back we found a copperhead in our yard... ugh. Not a very good picture of it.

Summer in the states

Boy it's nice to be home!! When we were landing at JFK, Elle could not get that grin off her face. We were all so happy to be back. After unpacking our things our first stop was to see our dogs. They were so excited to see us. Then each kid got to choose one friend that we dropped by to see. It was an exhausting day after such a long flight (14 hours) but we loved every minute of it!

Our 2nd day was spent at the Bowin's (on Father's day). They had a welcome home party for us. It was great to be able to see so many people. We have such wonderful friends... we really miss this place.

Our first week was spent with doctors, dentists, shopping and running errands during the day. Then spending the evenings with friends. My bunko group had a great girls night out and invited a bunch of other gals as well. Thanks Julie! The Gibson's hosted us several times... hanging out by the pool, eating, drinking.... good times. Tracy had a girls night out as well. Dinners with the Kumpas and Bowins. The Regan's had an awesome 4th of July party. Didn't take pictures at any of these things... grrr.

We have been so busy since being home that we haven't posted at all... shame on us. We leave around 9 and get home around 10 or 11. Tiring, but such fun.

Dani and Elle have been taking swim lessons from Carly, our old neighbor, boy we miss living next door to them. Wish that we would have actually gotten a picture of them with Carly. The Connal's live on a lake

Shwarma

One of the things that we have learned to love in Dubai are chicken shwarma sandwiches. We have a local cafeteria within walking distance from our villa. The shwarmas are only 3Dhs... less than a $1. The same guy is always there making the shwarmas. The day before we left for summer vacation we took a picture with our shwarma dude.