Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from our masked grim reaper (Caleb), zombie (Benjamin), and cutest little skeleton!

Each year the Embassy puts on a great Halloween celebration. They have trick-or-treating, a haunted house, kids games, and a dinner buffet. Nathan was out of town, but Tes came with me to watch Eliza while the boys and I did the haunted house and other older kid activities. The haunted house was a hit and we went through it a couple of times.

This sweet girl played outside most the evening!

I don't have any pictures, but that weekend I took the boys to their school's Halloween celebration called Spooktackular. It was the first year we went and I'm glad to say the last. It was a really well done event, but to say I felt like a sardine trying to maneuver through the crowds was an understatement. Lines were really long for everything, we waited almost an hour to go through the haunted house. They also had trick-or-treating, fairy gardens, spooky games, music, food, and lots of activities. If it was just 1/2 as busy it would have been great (for me) but the kids had a fun time so I'm glad we went this year. 

Dead Sea Fun

Over a long weekend, we took what we think will be our last trip to the Dead Sea before moving. It was perfect weather and we had a great time swimming in the pools and floating in the sea.  Our first trip to the Dead Sea almost 4 years ago, both boys were scared to go in the water. Now they swim out to the bouys, love the sensation of floating, and as you can see, like to lather themselves in the mud.

As much as they enjoy the sea, they love the pools most. We always stay at the Marriott because they have amazing pools, a water slide, and a kids pool. The pools were chilly, but it did not stop this crew. It's a good thing the boys hit the waterslide hard the first day, because it was closed the next day.

This sweet girl loves the water and I think it's safe to say she enjoyed her first trip here. She's a bit young to get in the sea, but hopefully she will get to experience it one day when she is older.

The sunsets are always amazing here.

After sunset we walked around the hotel. Eliza did a lot of walking on this trip, and as you can see she has two brothers keeping a close watch on her!

The next day we swam until lunch time, then headed back to Amman. It was a fun trip and we were glad we could get here one more time!

Benjamin is 7!

This special boy turned 7 years old, and he was so excited for this day. Benjamin has grown, both physically and emotionally, a lot this past year. He is a hard worker and puts his heart into everything he does. Benjamin loves all things music - singing, dancing, and especially playing the piano. He enjoys sports, arts and crafts, math, magic, and playing outside. Benjamin loves telling jokes and making people laugh, and he enjoys being the center of attention. Benjamin is also very sensitive and thoughtful and he thinks of others often. Benjamin loves his siblings. We sometimes say it feels like we have twins because he and Caleb are so close and we are thankful for their brotherly bond and love. Benjamin is a great big brother to Eliza and he loves playing with her and making her laugh every day.  Happy 7th birthday Benjamin, we love you big boy!

Ten Years!!

This year we celebrated 10 years of marriage! Life has been quite a journey for us and I am thankful for each day, the opportunities we have had to learn and grow about each other and ourselves, challenges we have overcome, lives we have created and nurtured, experiences and fun we have had, and the may places we have seen. 

The past 10 years we have had 3 kids and lived in 3 countries - U.S, Kuwait, and Jordan. I don't think 10 years ago we would have guessed our lives would be what they are today, but I'm so glad they are, and am grateful to be sharing and experiencing life with this man. I love to remember this perfect day and all the love surrounding us. 

Nathan is a loving and dedicated husband, father, and friend. He is my rock, by better half, and I love how he can bring calmness to any situation. Nathan is an engaged father and our children adore him. He is a role model, a wrestler, a cuddle, and adventurer, and so much more to them.

I love you so much, and I thank God everyday for choosing me to be your wife. 

Sweetly remember our first dance, Swept Away, which is also the song he proposed to me to, on his 28th birthday, at Shenandoah National Park.

We talked about taking a trip to celebrate, but for now, we enjoyed a nice dinner at a French restaurant we had been wanting to try. And this is the dress I wore for our wedding rehearsal dinner :).

Happy 10 year Anniversary Nathan! I love you so much, and look forward to what the years ahead have in store for us!