Happy Holidays to All!

Happy Holidays to all of our friends and family!
We miss you tons and wish that we could be with you this cheery time of year but, we are not big fans of the cold and it's a whole bunch of that where most of you are!
Lots of love...
K & E

Bab Al Shams

Welcome to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort

We headed out into the desert for an evening of dining and entertainment.
This is Dawn, my friend from the UK that had come to stay with us for the week relaxing at our very plush table.

Kenny and I taking our self portrait

The sheesha pipes on display

Yummy freshly baked arabic bread

Just part of the HUGE buffet that is offered up to the hungry diners. The entire evening is all outdoors. Right out in the middle of the desert. No street lights or city lights so the stars are gorgeous.

The sheesha man. He comes to your table when you order your sheesha pipe and sets it all up for you. At least they smell like fruit rather than cigarettes or cigars.

Kenny making friends with one of the chefs.

Me making friends with the executive and head chefs! Nice hats gents!

Kenny having a close look at the desserts. Check out the palm tree... love the pineapple trunk.

This picture doesn't do these treats justice. They were so tasty tasty that we went back a couple times.

Spice displays line the entry way to the restaurant.

Kenny trying to smell out his favorite spices.

This is the entry way into the restaurant. No roof, just rugs on the desert floor, the open air and stars with giant walls to keep the sand at bay.

Dawn was more than a wee bit nervous around the camel. They offered rides on them as well as the beautiful arabian horses. You could get a henna tattoo as you watched the riders on the dunes above display the arabian horses and camels. They were standing on their backs running up and down the dunes... at least it wouldn't hurt as much if you fell off compared to say a hard dirt track!

Kenny and I got the chance to hold a falcon. Love the hat on this guy too!

Amazing bird with big ol' claws or rather talons. He was very docile and seemed to love the attention. The owner says that he takes the bird everywhere he goes.

Non stop entertainment all night as well. Singers, sittar players, bands, traditional arabic music, belly dancers and some guy with bells on his fingers and a crazy skirt that came off so that he could spin it over his head like pizza dough. I have video of all of this and need to put that on here so that you get the idea. Very fun!

Kenny's favorite part of the night... ice cream!

Just one more sample on the way out. One for the ditch! Or rather the dunes here.

Fruits by the fruits

No you can't take the spices home with you Accalia! Put them back in the barrel before the man with the big sword comes to chop off your hands for stealing.

The Arabian horseman of death it looks like with the red eye in this picture... sorry. These were the horses and riders that provided us with the amazing displays all night.

The gang. Full, happy and ready for the long trek back to the city.

Thanks ladies... we'll be back. SOON!

Windsor, Ontario a wonderful vacation spot!

The next stop on the trip was to stay at Mom and Johns and visit with the Windsor Peeps

Brooke and Parker came over to have a Halloween Preview Fashion Show/ Thanksgiving dinner/ Dip in the pool.
The power went out shortly before they showed up so we were glad the turkey was cooked earlier in the day, and we could harness the power of a gas powered stove top and BBQ.

Not sure if witches are supposed to be this cute! Love the shoes Brookie Cookie!
She walks better in the heals than I do!

Papa and the wee witch on the tractor having a spin around the yard. Shoes in hand of course!

Parker always finds treasures in the garage at Papa's house. Today was no exception. With all the flashlights hidden (they are his favorites) in very secret spots (so secret that you can never find one when you actually need them) he came across this jewel. A walkman that hasn't worked since 1989 I think. He's never even seen a cassette I bet! How old do I feel?

Brookie Cookie, Captain of the LawnMower!

Parker and his dad Brad. Couple of handsome dudes!

After a fantastic turkey dinner for Thanksgiving the kids and Papa went for a swim.

Parker so impressed me with his swimming that I nearly checked him for gils.
What a great Thanksgiving!

The Beachesses back together again!
Dana, Nikki and I

Nik and I out for a bite to eat and a catch up chat.

Off to the O'Neil house for a visit.
Miss Abbey doesn't fit so well on this toy but, was having a good time anyway. Even when she got knocked off repeatedly by Owen and Avery.

Willy Jo Double O surprising Grandma and Grandpa

I could have sworn that I hear Dana say "No painting please". It was evident that they heard something different when they came up from the basement covered in paint from head to toe. Owen had a wonderful description of the brown color that Avery was wearing too but, you could be eating while you read this so, well you know...

Time for BBQ pizza party at Jo and Brads!
Parker showed us the truck that he made at Home Depot.
He can do it, and they did help!

Our hosts for the evening... Brad and Jo

Trying to take advantage of any extra time outdoors in Canada we ventured outside to cook up our pita pizzas. Brookie was loving life without her shoes and coat on... not loving it was Brad!


Yummy! Pita Pizzas on the grill! Great Idea Jody "Stewart"!


Parker and I having a kodak moment. Well Canon. I don't have a kodak.


Parker's rendition of your favorite rock songs will be in another blog post as soon as I finish the video. Good times!


This is as good as the shot gets I guess. It only took 6 or so of these to get her to stand still. Clothes are over rated as far as she's concerned. Except for shoes... Big fan of the shoes!


My last night in town I got to see some more friends. Brandi, Nik and I having a drink and a laugh. Miss the chicks!

Another Thanksgiving meal awaited me on my visit to see my Dad, Sandy, Sheila and my "Little Brothers" Josh and Adam. Again, great company and way too much food.

It was a great week. Not long enough for me but, these trips never are!
Hugs to everyone at home.
Miss you guys already!

A Quick Trip to T.O.

The first official stop in my race around North America this past month was to Toronto, Ontario.
I went to visit my baby sister Katie and her family.
Cool Auntie E getting to hang out with the Beej if only for a day...



I had to get in all the cuddles that I could cram into a few hours.


"Auntie E you're almost as bad as my mom with that flashy thing... would you mind if I played without you in my face calling my name and singing if you're happy and you know it? Raffi's version is soooo much better than yours!"




"Auntie E! I've got my luggage tag and I can almost walk on my own now... all I need is the suitcase that it goes on and my mom to pack some of my things and I can come with!"




My 1 year old nephew is better at taking medicine that me! I would have gagged before that even got close to me. Such a good boy.




"Grandma, this is what I'm thinking. Auntie E & Uncle Kenny should just come home like Papa John says" (every time he talks to them).



"I know that you missed me but, you're squeezing just a bit hard!




"What on God's Green Earth are those crazy looking things? Mom don't you think it's cold in here? Maybe you should put on some socks." Careful Beej.. they pinch!



Dressed to impress the wee peeps at the library play date.



Lunch with the girls at Mr. Green Jeans in The Eaton's Centre. Reality pool meeting over a Canadian beer is more like it!