Nanny and Papa in Dubai: Baseball and Bouncing and Farmer's Markets!

Nanny and Papa were very excited to see Teddy play baseball (and hockey but a dead car battery and a gas leak at the rink prevented them from seeing him play). Our first stop by to the Dubai Little League fields overlooking downtown Dubai. Teddy is a member of the Marlins team.

Nanny and Ripley walking from the parking lot to the baseball field.

Ripley's favorite thing to do during Teddy's baseball games is to ride his scooter.

The Dubai Little League logo.

Ripley cheering for Teddy, who is at bat.

Teddy hitting a big hit!

Since Teddy used his muscles for his big hit, Ripley wanted to show everyone his big muscles too.

Nanny and Papa with Teddy after his big baseball win.

Nanny and Papa at the ballfields with the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, behind them.

We then drove over to our favorite after baseball outdoor restaurant, Irish Village.  We enjoyed good Irish food, a few adult beverages, and a bouncy castle for the kids!

After a late lunch, we went over to the opening night of a farmer's market in our neighborhood, The Ripe Market.  It was such a beautiful night (as they all are) filled with local middle eastern foods and vendors.

Thanksgiving in Dubai

It was so special to have Nanny and Papa in Dubai for Thanksgiving this year! We celebrated with a turkey (purchased from a local grocery store and pre-cooked because my oven is not very reliable) and some of our favorite Thanksgiving treats such as green beans, cranberry sauce, and apple pie. It was the most traditional Thanksgiving we could muster in the United Arab Emirates!

The little boys sitting at our Thanksgiving table.

The feast!

Nanny and Papa in Dubai: Storming the Dunes!

We had an amazing 8 days in Dubai with Nanny and Papa. After spending a few days getting over jet leg and taking a city bus tour, we decided to go on a Desert Safari.  A true UAE experience!

We started off by being picked up by our driver and being taken out to the middle of the desert...sounds like the beginning of a horror movie, but it was great!  We began by renting 4x4s and driving them over the dunes.  Shana and Papa took out the first 4x4 but we quickly realized that we were too heavy to make it over the dunes - haha!

Papa took it for a few minutes on our own before Michael got on it by himself and followed Teddy around on his own mini-4x4, which he loved!

Michael on the 4x4.

Teddy on the 4x4.  We think he could have stayed out there all day!

After 4x4ing we go back into the Arabian Expedition SUV and went dune bashing. 

I didn't really know what to expect from dune bashing - maybe we would drive around the dunes at a leisurely pace - but I certainly didn't expect to drive up to the top of a VERY high dune and literally hang the SUV over the other side....and then speed down the other side with sand flying everywhere like a sandy roller coaster.  It was awesome!

Hanging over the dune trying to decide if we should go forward.  YES, we should!

After dune bashing, despite the fact that I was feeling pretty car sick, we got to take some fun pictures at the very top of a very big dune.  This was our best one!

I love this picture of my parents!

And the Russell family (although we were missing Ripley a lot).

We tried many times to get a family picture of us jumping into the air, but it didn't really work out.

And little Teddy Bear hanging out on the dune.

And my parents jumping too!

Next we drove over to another dune to do some sand boarding.  Yes!  It's exactly like surfing but on sand.

We then went to a camp site to have dinner, ride camels, and watch a traditional show.

Teddy and Michael with the camel after riding it.

Nanny with the camel.

Nanny and Papa in traditional clothing.

Shana and Nanny in traditional clothing.

Michael and Shana in traditional clothing.

The belly dancer.

The male tanoura dancer.

First Little League Game!

Slow and steady wins the race...

Ripley is learning to use the potty at his own pace!