Kai Turns 10

It is hard to believe that Kai has been with us now for just about a decade.   I can still recall the morning we brought him home to Tarut Street in Udhailyah.

We recently celebrated his birthday here a little early so that he could enjoy a sleepover with friends before we (and his friends) scatter for the summer.   For the first time we’ll be in a position to celebrate his actual birthday back in the USA with family!

The party was a sleepover with 5 friends where we did a trip to the bowling alley, pizza and cake and running around in the park after dark with glow sticks.   That last bit only resulted in 2 injuries and thankfully they weren’t enough to keep anyone out of the rest of the party.   The main event was a Minecraft LAN party that went well into the night and started back up before dawn the next day.   All 6 boys joined the same world and set about to complete a series of Minecraft challenges.   It was the first time we’ve tried something like that and it was a hit!

Enjoy the pics!

Fourth of July

Fourth of July started for us on July 3rd this year.   It was a special treat for us – it is the first July 4 that Kai and Nora have really been able to celebrate in the USA.   In the past we’ve arrived on July 4 but were too jet-lagged to enjoy it.

Our big fireworks were on July 3rd when Shell Lake had their display.   Color us impressed – not only were there big crowds but the fireworks far exceeded expectations.   Each time we thought they hit the finally it turned out there was still more.

The big event on the 4th of July was a Duluth Huskies game (they won 2-1).   Hard to imagine being more American than eating a hot dog at a baseball game on the 4th of July.

We capped off the 4th with an unexpected fireworks display over Bass lake that had to have Smokey the Bear needing a change of pants had it been any drier out there!