Back to the Sand Box

We made it! 

After a long 30 hours of traveling, we arrived in Riyadh with all our bags, a happy baby, and two tired parents. The first leg of the trip (Denver to Chicago) Leif slept the whole way on Jordan's lap. Our layover in Chicago was uneventful, but highlighted by our candy apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  Our second leg of the trip (Chicago to London) was the worst of the three since there was only one bassinet on the flight and the youngest child was assigned it...Leif wasn't the youngest. Luckily the BA rep found us an aisle with 3 seats so Leif could have his own seat. We had great plans to lay him on the seat and let him sleep the entire flight. It all worked out fine until 2 hours into the flight when the seat belt sign was turned on and never again turned off. There was slight turbulence the rest of the flight which meant babies had to be held. We (mostly Jordan) ended up holding Leif for the next 5 hours. Leif slept most the flight, but was awoken a few times by screaming twins 2 rows behind us. Thankfully, they didn't bother him much and he went back to sleep. The last leg (London to Riyadh) was great since we were given bulk head seating with a bassinet. Leif slept 5 out of the 6 1/2 hours so Jordan and I were able to catch up on some much needed rest. After a long line at customs, we were finally on our way home. We arrived to a spotless villa!  We've spent the last few days unpacking, settling in, and catching up with friends. 

We had such a wonderful summer...It's one we will never forget!

Back to work tomorrow...

One Decade Down...

10 years ago we made the best decision of our lives! 

Some of our experiences in the past 10 years:

-graduating from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with an bachelors degree in History
-graduating from Colorado College with a Masters of Arts inTeaching
-studying in Egypt for 3 weeks
-moved to Nigeria
-moved to Saudi Arabia
-spent a holiday with friends in South Africa
-went on safari in Kenya and saw the Big 5

-visited the black and green sand beaches of Hawaii

-cruised the fjords of Alaska

-traveled to all 3 countries in North America, 5 countries in Africa, 6 countries in Europe, and 3 countries in Asia.

-went to the famous Keukenhof Tulip Festival in Holland

-enjoyed a private tour of Rome and a romantic dinner in a 1000 year old wine cellar

-visited 28 states
-lived in 5 houses
-lived in 3 countries
-lived on 3 continents
-owned 7 cars
-lost Grandma Lyons
-lost my dad
-road tripped around the US on 5 separate trips in 1 year
-lived out of a Honda Element

....and most importantly, welcomed a healthy, handsome, and happy baby boy into this world

We've had our ups and downs, but are stronger than before because of them. 

I can't wait to spend many more decades with this man! 

Summer Fun Continues

Can't believe how fast the summer has gone by. Thankfully we still have two more weeks of fun!

View of Half Dome, Nevada Falls, and Vernal Falls from
our "date" hike in Yosemite 

Leif meeting his cousins Hayden and Brinley for the first time

Hayden showing Leif the games on his iPad

Brinley loved to help

Laying on the beach

Beautiful Lake Tahoe

Enjoying the lake on a peddle boat

wiped out

Gorgeous sunsets from our condo

Acting tough after seeing Man of Steel

Girls Day Out: Shopping and lunch

Summer So Far...

We have been on summer break for less than 3 weeks and we've already done so much...

My two boys enjoying their drinks for Father's Day

Walking around The Broadmoor  in memory of my  Dad

Maggie, me and my mom playing a round of golf at our
local golf course. Dad would be so proud!

A beautiful red sun due to the dozen fires burning in Colorado.

Leif meeting some cows at my grandparents farm in Oklahoma

Leif met all the animal farms

Leif hanging with his cousins, Malachi and Kylah
in Yosemite

View of Yosemite Valley
(El Capitan, Half Dome, the Three Brothers)

Spending time at Lower Falls in Yosemite NP

Climbing up to the falls

Jordan, Kylah and Malachi swimming at
the base of the waterfall

Time Flies...

It's hard to believe we are finishing our first year in Saudi Arabia. It seems like just yesterday that we arrived in this big "sand box".  Our lives have changed drastically over the past year and we couldn't be happier. We enjoy living overseas and all the interesting adventures we have on a daily basis. Trust me, living in another country is like nothing you can imagine unless you've done it. After a while, things that seemed so abnormal in the beginning tend to seem more normal in the end. Situations don't phase you and you almost forget what "normal" is. We've learned how to assimilate to a different culture, speak a few words/phrases of Arabic, became parents to a darling baby boy, and survived our 5th year of teaching. We are excited for summer and all the plans we have, but it's nice to know that we have a welcome place to come back to in the end.

Moving overseas and with only 5 bags of belongings

Saying final goodbyes

Learning valuable lessons from the natives

Our new landscape

Becoming a family of 3

Weekend Treats

Weekends are the BEST! 

We've always enjoyed the extra time with one another, but with the pool two minutes from our doorstep and a cupcake shop downtown, we're in HEAVEN! ...at least Jess is. LOL

No, Thank YOU very munch! 

We couldn't make up our minds...I was surprised
we narrowed it down to just six.

Getting in...

Leif really enjoys the water. It was a bit chilly under the
shade pavilion, but Leif didn't seem to mind.
His new favorite thing is floating on his stomach.

We're in the Homestretch...

In one month, we'll be back in the states enjoying some much needed free time. We have an action packed summer planned and can hardly contain our excitement. 

Hike Mt. Whitney and the surrounding area
(Photo courtesy of leftcoastvoices.wordpress.com)

Visit family in Oklahoma
(Photo courtesy of blog.newsok.com)

Explore Yosemite National Park 
(Photo courtesy of www.alwaysonvacation.com)

Visit Lake Tahoe 
(Photo courtesy of www.astonhotels.com)

Hike throughout Grand Teton National Park
(Photo courtesy of grosventreriverranch.wordpress.com)

Soak in Glenwood Hot Springs
(Photo courtesy of www.examiner.com)

Visit New York City
(Photo courtesy of www.123rf.com)

Let the countdown begin...