More Bouncy Toys

Ari has discovered a new found love. Mommy had to work the Black History Family Day Event and she decided Daddy and Ari needed to tag along. Ari was in heaven when she arrived and saw that they had inflatables.

This time Ari needed no help. She went through the long house all by herself and one of the kids always helped push it open at the end for her. Amazing that she is so much like her father. FEARLESS!

From bouncy slide

The next inflatable that she conquered was the big inflatable slide. At first she would just climb the stairs and hang out at the top. Once her friend Remy arrived she couldn't be out done. She climbed the stairs and went down again and again. She spend four hours playing on the slide.

From bouncy slide

From bouncy slide

From bouncy slide

Daddy and Mommy had to play some too. After much coaxing mommy gave in and went into the hamster ball. To my surprise it actually was fun and I could breath. Ari didn't even mind until daddy tried to run mommy over and knocked Ari over.

From Hamster Balls

From Hamster Balls

From Hamster Balls

From Hamster Balls

From Hamster Balls

Papa's Gift

I almost forgot the most exciting thing Ari received in the month of February was her very own trampoline from Papa Smith. Papa shipped her a trampoline so she can jump like the monkeys and not bonk her head. She does everything on trampoline. She bounces and then she has to read her books, play with her babies, and of course talk to her family members on skype while bouncing. I will post a video once I figure it out.

From Papa's Gift

From Papa's Gift

From Papa's Gift

Ari couldn't even wait for daddy to finish putting it together before she had to try it out. BTW I think this will be the only room she will ever have that can fit the trampoline in it along with the other furniture. Thank you Papa for an amazing gift.

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

The base celebrated Dr. Suess' Birthday with lots of fun activities. Ari's school brought the kids over for an hour and they had lots of fun. Most of the activities were for kids a little bit older, but it helps when your Mom works for MWR and can get you on the rides by yourself.

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

Ari wasn't afraid to go in this long enclosed bouncy toy

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

Good thing mom is small and they let her go in the inflatable

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

It was really hard to push through the opening

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

Next ride was the big slide

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

Mom can't look

From Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration

Valentines Day 2011

From Valentines 2011

From Valentines 2011

From Valentines 2011

Bryan spoiled both me and Ari. We decided to let Ari open some of her gifts a day early since Bryan would be at work when she woke up. Ari received a valentines shirt and hair ribbons along with a goody box from Auntie Janet. In the goody box was an Elmo book and lots of yummy treats. Thank you Auntie Janet.

On Valentines Day both Mommy and Ari received beautiful flower arrangements. All three of us were able to have a Valentines treat at Ari's school. Ari made us a card and yummy treats. Mommy failed to remember the camera.

After school and work we were able to open a box from Nana and Papa with lots of goodies. We took the treats with us to watch Daddy and Chuck play in the Kings Sand Volleyball Tournament.

From Kings volleyball tournament

Free Photography Session...

An amazing volleyball player turned photographer is giving a free photography session away in Utah March 5th-12th.

--this giveaway is good for ANY type of session, your choice-----maternity, newborn, children, family, senior pics, engagements, or any in between. {besides a full on wedding of course}

--it will include a 60-90 min session and a hi-res cd of 15 of your favorite images for free. {a $300 value}

 --you will always have the option to order professional prints and add on additional images as well but the 15 are what's included with this giveaway. 

--the session will take place in UT {north slc area} in TWO WEEKS between March 5th-12th OR not until after I have my little guy {in april} and he's ok w/o his momma for a couple hours:) {probably middle of may or june}. we can work out details after you win. you can even 'gift' the session to someone else if you feel so obliged to win FOR them. now wouldn't that be paying it forward?!

now for the fun part! you have from RIGHT NOW until next Wednesday, March 2nd at 10am to enter--- That day at noon the winner will be announced!

For more information visit her blog at: 
http://micahfolsomphotography.blogspot.com/search/label/giveaway

Actual Christmas Lights in Bahrain

We were shocked to see Christmas lights in Bahrain. We are not sure if they were really for Christmas or for the National Day in Bahrain. But hey they were red and green. Bryan pulled over to the side of the road so we could take pictures. I should have taken a picture of our villa with the red and green lights on. We were the only villa on our block to have lights up. Maybe that wasn't such a smart idea, looking back on it. Oh well.

Christmas in Bahrain

For the first time in my life I was able to sleep in on Christmas morning. Ari gave us the gift of sleep. She didn't wake up until 9:30. We discovered quickly that Ari could have done with just a couple gifts. Her favorite was the car she received. She would take every gift to the car to open. We were all spoiled this year. We missed not being with family, but were able to skype with them. We had lots to be thankful for this past year and look forward to this year.

Lamb

For Christmas Eve we decided to attempt cooking with lamb. Lamb is a staple part of the diet here in Bahrain. We have eaten it when we go out, but had never cooked it ourselves. We decided to start out with something easy. Lamb kabobs. We ordered the Naan Bread from a local restaurant to complete the dinner.

Sugar Cookies

As to not break Smith tradition. I made sugar cookies with Ari and Daddy helped her frost them. I now appreciate all the work my mom put into this tradition. It is a very messy one, but very rewarding. Thanks to all of our friends that were willing to eat cookies frosted by Ari.

Breakfast wtih Santa

The Base hosted a Breakfast with Santa. They had gifts for all the children along with treat bags. The food was delicious and the program was great. Ari did happen to be 1 of 2 kids who recognized Mrs. Clause. As soon as Mrs Clause came out and started reading Ari recognized her as one of the teachers at her school. It was pretty funny.

Random pictures of Ari

JELL-O

Nana sent Ari a jello mold around Thanksgiving time and I decided to try it out. Well, my attempt at making jello jigglers didn't go so well. It ended up just being jello. I stripped Ari down and she really enjoyed eating it. I am not sure how much ended up in her mouth, but it was fun to watch her.

From JELLO

From JELLO

From JELLO

Tree Lighting on Base

This year we were able to enjoy a tree lighting on base with friends. Ari enjoyed herself. I don't think we would find a live camel at a nativity scene in the states. The Base did a nice job of trying to make it feel a little more like Christmas when it was 90 degrees outside.

Bahrain Bath

One of the downfalls of our new place is that it doesn't have one bath in the five bathrooms it has. The landlord did provide a big tub for Ari and she seems to enjoy bath time. I was even able to fit two children in it.

Turkey Anyone?

This year we decided to roast the turkey on the grill. It has now become our favorite way to cook the turkey. The cooking time is less and the outer skin is delicious. It also frees up my oven for other dishes. Enjoy the picture of our mouth watering turkey.

From Thanksgiving Turkey