Riding a camel with Mimi

Last weekend Tamer, the boys and my parents and I went to a Middle Eastern festival at a local church.  We all enjoyed the music and delicious food.  Tarek loved jumping in the bouncy caterpillar.  And then to top off the evening, Tarek and his Mimi went on a camel ride.  Tarek thought it was pretty fun and loved that the camel was named Nick (like one of his cousins).

Aden LOVES his slippers, some days he won’t take them off.  He also likes to sport these beaded necklaces we have.  And every time he finds a cell phone (the boys have several we let them play with) he tries to call his “Bumpa” (my dad).  He’s a really sweet baby and always has a smile on his face.  He will stop whatever he is doing to do a little dance to any music he hears.  I wish I could remember the song that was playing when he was doing this little dance!

Our future rock star

It’s so wonderful to be outside and enjoying the Minnesota summer.  Tarek, Aden and I try to go on as many summer adventures as we can, including walks, trips to the park, playing with friends, water parks and zoo outings to name a few.  We couldn’t do half of these without our wonderful double stroller–the City-Mini by Baby Jogger.  I love, I mean ADORE our stroller.  I really am a walking advertisement for the City-Mini–so much so that three of my friends bought the same stroller.  We’re quite the site as we gather weekly for play dates; four adults, nine kids under the age of five and four double strollers, each one a different color!  Here’s the thirteen of us at the Minnesota Zoo a few weeks ago.

Weezie, Ethan, Jack, Maria, Elly, Olivia, Chloe, Alice, Grace, Josie, Melissa, Tarek & Aden

I’ll post photos of more of our summer outings soon!

We knew Tarek loved the beach but weren’t sure what Aden would think.  As you can see from the photos–Aden loved the sand and waves as much as Tarek does.  Unfortunately, he decided to “try” the sand.  He put a whole handful in his mouth before I could stop him.  He hated it–yet tried it again, three more times!  Silly boy!  

Here’s our beach babies!

Tarek and his cousins took turns getting buried in the sand.

Tarek loved laying in the waves!

Aden's first beach experience. He loved the sand and the waves!!

Um, sand is not so delicious. Blech!!

My sister's favorite photo of David--it really captures his essence.

My sister, Cindy, and niece, Lacey, prefer to say “See you later” to their husband and father, rather than to say, “Goodbye.”  Whatever you decide to say, please put my family in your thoughts, as my brother-in-law, David, passed away last week.  He had esophageal cancer and fought a strong battle against it, down to his last days.  

There are little memories of people you never forget, memories that stick with you from the impression they made.  My favorite little memory of David was him kissing my sister on the steps at my parents’ house.  I was only nine, and although, then, I thought kissing was “gross,” I now look back on that memory and just see the love they had for each other.  

Tamer did an amazing photo montage of David–he used photos from my sister, Cindy, and her kids. Before he started the montage, he remembered some of our own photos we had of David.  The photos were of him playing “Santa” the Christmas of 2004.  The photos are great, with David handing gifts out to all of the kids and my nephew, Finn, kissing him.  I even had a chance to get a gift from “Santa.”  I simply love the happiness and joy you see in the photos.

Me receiving a gift from "Santa" David

David was an amazing friend and husband to my sister, a wonderful father and a kind brother-in-law.  He would have helped anyone with whatever they needed.  Even when he was sick, he was at my house, and volunteered to move things around and carry something heavy.  David was a great guy.

My heart is heavy and although we just returned from Chicago late last night, I wish I could be with my sister again.  

David will be deeply missed but will forever be in our hearts.