Sandstorm Day 2

Thought you might actually like to see what exactly a "sandstorm" looks like...

It's not haze or fog...it's blowing sand. See the RED chair on our balcony...it filled with sand from the wind blowing around sand! And, look at our lifeguard...he is covering his head and face from the sand! You have to be very careful of your eyes during the storms and walking outside is "yucky!" Most all of the outdoor workers and security guards wear masks on their mouths during storms as well. Hope it "blows" over soon!!

Two Naked Knuckleheads!!

Ryan spent the night last night and let me tell you...we are worn out today!!! Playing, eating, baths, ice cream, books, coloring, and the list goes on and on. They are two crazy knucklkleheads when they are together but so much fun!!!

Story Time??

What happens when you head to the Organic Market for the FREE story time that they promote all over the place and the story teller doesn't bother to show up?? Mom, the teacher, jumps in and reads a story to about ONE interested kid!! It's not nearly as cool if your mother is reading (thinks Fayth)...but one sweet little boy stayed tuned and with me until the end!! I even read in my "best" teacher voice!! Oh, well...I tried!! Better luck next time!!

Sandstorm...

Woke up...got dressed to powerwalk as a family at the beach...got in our car...only to notice...a SANDSTORM!!! So, off to the Mall of the Emirates we headed, for some walking there and fun for Fayth on the rides!!

It's Official!!

Yes, we will be on the show House Hunters International. They will tape on April 17-19th in Dubai, one day in July in Cary, and then HGTV will need to decide on our airing schedule. We should know the schedule by the end of September and hopefully our "slot" will be before the end of the year!! Now we are "freaking out!" We will go through the process just as we did when we moved here. We will be presented as "renters" like we are and view various properties until we select our final one, which happens to be the apartment we currently live in! It will be a fun "shoot" and something to add to Our Adventures in Dubai!! We'll keep you posted and take you on the "ride" with us!!

Dubai Mall Evacuated...

Today at 12:30...Part of Dubai Mall was evacuated after the Dubai Aquarium began to leak. A spokesman for Dubai Mall said: “A leakage was noticed at one of the panel joints of the Dubai Aquarium at The Dubai Mall and was immediately fixed by the aquarium’s maintenance team. The leakage did not impact the aquarium environment or the safety of the aquatic animals. The Dubai Aquarium works with international experts in aquarium management and upholds the highest safety standards in its management.” The aquarium at Dubai Mall boasts one of the largest tanks in the world, which has the capacity to hold 10 million litres of water. The front viewing glass is the world’s largest aquarium window, and according to the Dubai Mall website the tank homes more than 33,000 living animals, representing more than 85 species including over 400 sharks and rays combined.

Never dull in Dubai...first the elevators, to the observation deck, get stuck in the Burj Khalifa a week or so ago and now a leak at the aquarium!! I'm sure we'll be hitting the statewide news again soon!! The first photo is the one from today!!

Afternoon at the Park...

Yesterday afternoon at the park it was filled with moms, kids, and lots of action!! It's like when the first warm spring day back home hits and people come out of their homes after winter hibernation. Yesterday was about 88 and beautiful...and everyone came out!!

Thanks!!

Thanks for ALL the personal emails about HGTV...my mailbox was overloaded with emails this morning...it was like I hit the jackpot!!! We will keep you all posted and appreciate your ENTHUSIASM for us!!! I didn't realize SO many friends read this stinkin' blog!! We just hope it all works out!!! As for the few questions...Do we get like major stuff...the answer is NO...a small stipend and a DVD...and we AREN'T buying in Dubai (if you watch the show you know the couple is usually buying a property)...we only are renting ours and they are "staging" our story as if it was a year and a half ago~~Keep it all crossed and we'll keep you posted!!!

LIGHTS...CAMERA...ACTION...

and BIG BIG BIG NEWS...and NO...I'm not pregnant!! We have been DYING just DYING to "spill the beans" to someone but didn't want to jinx ourselves...however; sounds like it's all going to work out and the CRAZY EVENSON 3 will be featured on the ever popular show "House Hunters-International" on HGTV! And if you know me...you know I don't really even watch TV...but if I do...I have HGTV on during the day! How bizarre!!! Where do I even begin??? Over a month ago I received an email from a casting assistant in NY City for the show. She "found" me off my BLOG, of all places, and asked if we would be interested in trying out for the show that we'd be a perfect match! So, hours and hours later...of emails, VERY DETAILED questionnaires (took me about 4 hours to do), making the "first cuts", then making a home video (thanks to KellyAnne for keeping the secret and taping up...and her hubby for spending hours uploading while Jon has been traveling), and making the "second cuts" and signing off from our landlord we are almost all set! Just waiting to hear from Emaar, the builders of our towers, for the all clear and then...we can start freaking out!!! The crew is all set to arrive and start taping on April 17th...the day after Robin leaves at 2:00 am...and will be here for three days. We will be working from about 8-6:30p.m. everyday and Fayth will be with us for only a bit of the taping! Once again, KellyAnne will "SAVE THE DAY" and watch her the other hours! If you are familiar with the show...a realtor will show 3 properties (they have chosen a young Australian from Better Homes in Dubai...hope he's a hottie!) and then feature a "back story" where you came from and then the final product is your current home you chose & how you are living "now." We are going about this as if we are just now looking in Dubai. The "moving" crew will have to clean out our apartment for the first showing of it. YES...LOADS of WORK...but how fun that THEY FOUND US!! We will also film in Cary on either July 27, 28, or 29th for our back story (they are TOTALLY EXTENDING THIS FOR US)...so Gammy & Papa...better start cleaning now...just kidding...but we will probably have to use the house unless they film us in front of our old home. Can you believe this...I am still in shock!! And what do we get from it besides being "mooovie stars"...a small stipend and a free DVD. However; how cool for Fayth to have when she grows up to look back on. So, if you want a super good laugh...and I mean it...check out our cheesy home video at http://vimeo.com/9466168 and be ready to pee your pants!! Make sure you choose the one with sound!! NOW...just cross your fingers, toes and everything else that we get the o.k. from our tower builder and get ready to grab some popcorn and hit the couch to view your Favorite Funny Family of 3 in Dubai on HGTV!! ***It must be something about HGTV and my family...my sister and her hubby's house in Nebraska was just featured on HGTV in December on, National Open House, however; they didn't live in it yet, it was the model home, and were not part of the show!! We watched it over Christmas and were so excited...can't imagine we will get to be on TV with our 'home!' As for our parents & sis's...don't be po'd...we have been DYING JUST DYING TO TELL YOU...but we couldn't until we felt it was really going to happen!!! YYIIPPPEEEE!!!

Just Because...

the flowers are so beautiful and Fayth looked so cute...Had to have some photos this morning. Of course, the first one, is how our 3 year old reacts when I ask her to smile cute!!! Lovely!!! Oh, and to think she just got over being sick, with terrible tonsillitis, and was so snugly & sweet!!! Feeling better...ya think?!!??

"Bow-ture Bow-tique"

has a nice ring to it...doesn't it??!! Well, we sure hope it catches the eyes of locals and expatriates in the area because KellyAnne and I have "started a little craft business!" It all started the day we moved here over a year and half ago...everywhere we go we get stopped and asked, "Oh, your daughter's bow is so cute...did you get it here in Dubai? We can't seem to find any cute bows here!" Well, the final straw and kick in the butt I needed was when KA and I were at a playarea a few weeks ago and a grandma enquired about the cutie bow that was in Fayth's hair. KellyAnne said, "DONE..Let's do it!" So hours and hours later...we have ordered a ton of supplies (shipped them to our friends PJ & Kristen who are coming over for a visit in March), worked on our labels, named ourselves, asked a local friend that is home right now to bring back glue guns, glue sticks, and business card labels, practiced making the bows, asked RuthAnne to craft up a few display bow boards (thanks to her hubby Tom...they even have beautiful varnished stands he made) and spent endless hours talking about our new venture! We are so excited! WE hope to make some money and have fun all at the same time! We will be setting "up shop" at Festival City Mall once a month, having an add on Dubizzle (local Craig's list), going to schools, dance studios, sending out fliers, and begging our friends to "PASS THE WORD!" We also plan to do the local flea market and perhaps holiday craft shows. We need fingers & toes crossed for us and lots of hours to craft some fabulous bows!! And...if it's a BIG OLE' FLOP...Fayth's girlfriends will be receiving bows for the rest of their lives!! Stay tuned throughout the next few months and hopefully year to follow us on this adventure!!

Published Again...

Jon has been very fortunate to be "published" a few times in the past few years but this article is extra special since fire and life safety is near and dear to his heart & what he knows best. It was in the running for the cover but took second...however; there's no denying it is an awesome article and we are proud of him, Shamim (his boss), Aaron and Devan. It was a collaborative effort and is really a great piece. Congrats Pookie...another one for the collection!! We will have some framing to do for your home office upon our return!

Thanks Pookie...

Nice surprise!! They are so beautiful and fragrant...I love em'! Safe travels & we'll see you soon. xxxoooxxxooo

Slideshow...

Yesterday KellyAnne planned an outing to the Children's City and we had a blast!! Oh the trouble we could get into if we had a car everyday & used the portable navigation (thanks Glenn)!! It was THE best "museum" and the kids had so much fun. It targets kids 2-15 and was very appropriate for Fayth and Ryan. We were like the ONLY people inside since it was first thing in the morning and most of the kids, in Dubai, are at school. We visited the Let's Play area, Nature center, International Culture area, The Way we Live, Discovery Space, and then headed outside to take a ride on the Dubai Cable Car. Would you believe...I didn't even know this was here!!! The Cable car ride was awesome...for most of us...KA HATES heights and was so funny (hence the naughty photo of her and her finger gesture)...but it was a super 35 minute ride along the creek in Bur Dubai. I loved the views and so did the kids. It was so beautiful outside and the entire park is gorgeous. I couldn't decide which photos to pick so I did a slide show. Being a teacher...I found myself, giving lessons as we were walking through the museum. We even sang the brushing teeth song inside the mouth!! We ended the day with "fairy floss" or cotton candy and plan to return again real soon!!

Just Like the Old Days...

when we would receive a card from Gammy & Papa ON the actual day!! See, Gammy knew how to time is just right or better yet drop it in our box since we both lived in Cary! Well, today it was a miracle and "just like the old days!" when we would check the mail, on the holiday, and there would be a card in our box!! It happened today in Dubai and Fayth was ecstatic & couldn't wait to see the card! She even said, "I think there is going to be mail today!" Thanks Gammy & Papa...for the REAL card and ecard!! She came home, got out the crayons, and started coloring the "coloring part" on the back!! She loved it!! xxxoo

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Today we celebrated V-day with a few presents from mommy & daddy, a chocolate heart for breakfast, and a trip to the mall with Fayth's "boyfriend" Ry Ry to make "Build-a-Bears!" It was so cute and so much fun! I don't think I've made one since Jon and I took Ben, our nephew, years ago!! It was a blast and they both had a ball. Both kids picked out "Valentine" ones...which we actually thought would be the same...but no way...when Fayth saw there was a pink bear...she knew what she wanted to have!! Her favorite part...making a wish...I LOVE that photo so much!! She is closing her eyes so tightly and wishing so hard!! Then after all the stuffing, wishing, and washing the animals, it was time to shop for the outfit. Of course, Ryan got a soccer one (too cute) and Fayth chose the "getto" looking Hello Kitty!! There were a million beautiful dresses, princess ones, cutie summer outfits, jammies, swimsuits, Valentine ones...she wasn't having it...she wanted the Hello Kitty "wife beater!" We paired it up with some capri's and were all set. So, Fayth is the proud owner of Polly and Ryan is the proud owner of Scooby! We hit the food court for lunch and our cupcake treats and home for naps. One little lady passed out about two minutes after getting into the car. It was a fun morning!

Notice the cutie ponytail holder Fayth has in...that's one that Auntie Jill made!!