April Travels...Surprise!!!!

April: Thailand and a Surprise Trip to Minnesota!

April was full of ups and down, surprises, gratitude, and jet lag for all.  Jon’s Mom and Dad were planning to come and visit us in Doha for 9 days over our spring break, and we couldn’t wait to take them around and show them how life has unfolded for us here.   Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be as poor Bev, Jon’s Mom, became very sick and hospitalized with pancreatitis and gall stones L  Due to her condition, need for immediate surgery, and hospitalization his parents were unable travel L  Of course Bev and our boys were devastated at this change in plans and we decided  that summer was too long to wait for a reunion…Soooooo, Jon and the boys flew home to surprise Bev & Jerry.  After 35 hours of travel from Doha to Paris, to Chicago to Rochester (after a canceled flight to MSP), they made it.   I wasn’t able to go with them because I had a work conference in Bangkok that had been set for months.  So we were half a world away with everyone in St. Paul and me, in Thailand.  It was such an amazing opportunity that I had to jump at the chance to go.  While it was a good trip and professionally rewarding, I missed Jon and the boys more than I could have imagined.  But it did my heart good to know that they were back home, visiting family and having a ball.  The kids loved  seeing some of their friends too, especially when they stopped by their old school, JJ Hill and got to see former teachers and friends from the last several years.  Aunty Lori had a birthday party for all the kiddos, seeing as we didn’t get to be around for all of the celebrations.  Grandma Maribeth and Grandpa Ed got to come down and see the boys too.  They stayed at a hotel and swam and played and had perma smiles in every picture they sent my way.   They got to experience a snow storm, a thaw,  cold, and more hugs and kisses than they can count. 

I just about exploded when I saw them at the airport after 11 days of being apart.  They all looked so big ... needles to say they were sqeezed and smooched until they couldn't stand it any more :)

Tuk Tuk Ride with Lindsay and Anne Marie

Chao Phraya River in Bangkok

Cutest sisters I've ever seen...Bangkok, Thailand

Cool Restaurant with trees running through

Conference Dinner with Colleagues

My Sweet boy saying "good morning" from St. Paul

Lego Jackpot with Grandma Maribeth

Hotel Pool Time with Grandma Maribeth

Such a nice visit with family

Meeting Cousin Priya :)  The Sweetest little baby!!!

Checking out the homestead and not missing the snow!!!

Adam Turns 10!!!!!!!!

March, 2014:  Our baby is 10!!! 

We don’t know how it happened but our baby boy, Adam Monroe Sherwood, born March 15, 2004 at 1:01 a.m., weighing in at 8lbs, 3oz, at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Santa Rosa, California turned “10” while living in Doha, Qatar 2014.   How is this possible,? How have 10 years passed by and now this beautiful, polished, intelligent, funny, kind, generous, creative, unique, and hands down, fantastic young man stands before us? We have never known such pride outside of looking at our children.  Adam has had his fair share of obstacles, frustrations, and pain over the years, but we have seen him come out on top an even stronger, more appreciative person.  We love you more than you’ll ever  know!!!!!

Adam decided on a friend birthday party at the compound clubhouse where we live.  It was a lot of fun with music, limbo, art, photography, dress up, and a favorite movie …”UP”.  Many of the kids stayed after and swam which made for even more fun.  All in all it was a great day for our double digit kid. 

Our family (the 4 of us) had a special birthday weekend planned at the Intercontinental Hotel  here in Doha.  We were all spoiled with a beautiful room, beautiful cake, room service,, view of the beach/ocean, and lots of poolside fun.  It felt like we were on vacation somewhere far from Doha, which can be a very good thing because Doha is quite small in size  and can really feel that way some days, running into people you work with at many turns when you just need a break. 

Adam pooled all of his birthday money together and bought himself an ipod touch,  It was quite a moment of maturity and responsibility,  We almost didn’t allow it, but I guess we have to teach him how to use a device like this responsibly.  We’re so happy for him J All in all, it was a great birthday for our baby boy!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay is enjoying the Room Service

Birthday Dinner at Chili's of all places :)

"U-G" photo to remember Grandma's fun game at bedtime 

Adam buys an ipod touch with his bday $$$

Hotel Birthday Party

Birthday fun at the Intercontinental Hotel

Isn't he just gorgeous???

Daddy's Big Boy

Loungin on the Beach, Playin' with his new gadget

One Happy 10 year Old!!!!

Grandma & Grandpa Arrive!!!!

After nearly 30 hours of travel, Grandma Maribeth and Grandpa Ed arrived in Doha!  Jon and the boys picked them up at the airport because with all of the luggage and people, we weren't sure if all of us would fit. The boys were beyond excited and couldn't wait to wrap their arms around them.  We were all incredibly spoiled with hugs, kisses, and lots of Western treats, clothes, and toys!!!  Jon had to take off to Germany for a conference for part of the time so that meant that #1 we missed him terribly and #2 that I was going to have to drive around this crazy place.  It was insane and uber stressful but darn it, I did it.  Not that I plan to do too much more of it if I don't have to, but I have proven that it can be done ;). My mom was surprisingly calm about the traffic so that was a relief.  She really adapted to everything here quite quickly and quite well.  She's a natural in the Middle East for sure!  think everyone got to see how well the boys have adjusted and how happy they are here.  Mom made it to the local market "souq" twice and I think she is still being talked about for her mean haggling skills and business sense. :). All in all, an absolutely amazing time that we will remember forever.  The sweetest and saddest was when they were pulling away in their taxi and Adam confidently says to me and Jay, "First one to cry loses"...as tears start to build up in his eyes he says, "No, first one to cry wins." And promptly begins sobbing. :(. Poor guy.  It is always hard to say good bye. Thank you so much for coming all this way and putting up with all if us. Mom and Dad !  We love you!!!!!

Airport Reunion

Field trip to the movie

The Persian Gulf

St. Regis Brunch

Pedicure Time

Gondola ride at Villagio

Fanar Cultural Center 

Jet Lagged Grandma Time

Singing Sand Dunes

Brunch at the Torch

Flying Carpet Restaurant

Gotta Check the Ashland News

World Traveling Mom & Dad

Resting in the Amsterdam Airport

Christmas Vacation in Thailand

It was truly a dream to be able to travel all the way to beautiful Thailand for the Christmas holiday.  The even cooler part of this adventure is that we were able to meet up with our dear friends, and next door neighbors in St. Paul, Dan, Ericka, and Xochitl, who are currently living and teaching in Shanghai, China...who would have ever thought, when we moved into the neighborhood 10 years ago, we'd embark on adventures like these with our Congress Street counter parts.  As usual, Xochitl, Jay, and Adam picked right up where they left off :). We started in Bangkok for a couple of nights and really enjoyed the grand palace, fantastic street food, friendly people, and moments for giving thanks.  Those moments had to do with innocent children and babies out on the street at night begging for food.  Needless to say, we had some good discussions and moments serious reflection.

On a lighter note, Koh Samui was gorgeous, we relaxed until the cows came home, Santa found us, kids never wanted to leave, and elephants had us all enamored.  Jay and his elephant, tai kel, really seemed to have a connection and Jay never wanted to leave.  We will never forget this amazing experience and are now on grandma and grandpa alert as we wait for my mom and dad to arrive on the 20th of January.  Believe it or not, after 18 days off for Xmas we are at the end of term one in 10 days and will have two weeks off to fully enjoy our time with them and show them around Doha.  I just hope they can handle the driving insanity and me at the wheel :)

The great restaurant with a pool for the kids to swim in while we waited for our food :)

Rough Life

Great Friends!!!

Best buds since babies.

Santa Found Us!!!  SCORE!

Adam and his dance partner

Three greased up, sunburned monkeys :)

My water baby

Life in Koh Samui was glorious

My pool boy, Don Juan

Elephant riding at the Nu Maung Waterfall

Getting his first tattoo

Sweet Scorpion

Thai Grand Palace in Bangkok!

The Villa Pool

Our ride to the waterfall

Christmas party at the hotel