Dubai

Dubai: what an incredible experience. Firstly, it was amazing to see Loretta again, first time in a couple of years and secondly, the sheer enormity of the construction was just jaw dropping.  I often felt like I was walking though the set of Star Wars when I went exploring the streets. Loretta's apartment building had a swimming pool on the roof top so I went there most mornings when I woke up.  It was too hot to stay out at any other time of the day .

 Buildings like this were just everywhere.  It amazed me that there were enough people to populate them!

I loved getting to hang out with Loretta's children.  Tyger (who is the same age is Eden) had grown up so much since I last saw him and it was lovely to meet Rio for the first time.

We ate out in amazing places, Loretta and Ross truly spoiled me.

Loretta  treated me at the Ivy, a place I'd never been to.

I got to see lots of incredible buildings. Here is the Arc de Triomphe Dubai Style.

And Atlantis...an incredible structure boasting aquarium, hotel, mall, restaurant and much more.

On Friday (the first day of the weekend; Friday and Saturday comprise the weekend in Muslim countries since Friday is the holy day in the Muslim calendar) we went to the beach.  It was absolutely boiling but the sea was beautiful, like sitting in a warm bath.

My favourite part of the holiday though was our trip to old Dubai.  We made the journey across the harbour in old boats and got to explore the souks and ate in a traditional restaurant.

Catching up with Loretta was amazing and so was spending time in an amazing city.  I was really sad to say goodbye, but I was also ready to see Jason and my babies again - a week was too long without them.

This is 37

Can't believe that I'm 37, that's really quite close to 40 - middle age. I have to say 37 feels like I should be more grown up, but I still feel like I'm 18 in my head.

This year, Jason really spoilt me. On the 24th he babysat the children so I could go with my girlfriends to eat at Nandos. It was the first time I'd been out in a social situation since September of last year and even though I was nervous initially, it was lovely to be with my friends.

On the 25th my lovely friend Bex and her children came over and we had lunch and cake. Then we went to Cosford Air Museum; we all had a blast. 




In the evening, Jason and I got to go on a double date with Sammy and Jono Kimber. We went to Bistro Jacques in Shrewsbury and had a lovely meal. Its so nice to still be in contact with friends from school who I've grown up with and who know me.

On the 26th (my actual birthday)  I was treated to breakfast in bed by all my lovelies and then I got my things together to fly to Dubai to be with Loretta......my big birthday present from Jason.  We attended Sacrament as a family and then Jason drove me to the airport.  The seven hour flight was very pleasant without children and when I arrived in Dubai, Ross picked me up from the airport and I arrived at Loretta's to find she had decorated the entire apartment with helium balloons. All in all is was such a wonderful weekend, a far cry from last year when I was so poorly.

Grandpa turns 60

Although he looks much younger, this weekend we celebrated Grandpa reaching the big 60. Nanah had rented out a lovely house in Somerset and the Basfords, Howletts and Duerdoths descended en masse.

It was lovely to spend the weekend together, Jarom and Eden particularly appreciated running around together being the only boys in their respective families.

I love this photo of me and my beloved, darling daddy. I'm so proud to be his daughter.

The men on Sunday morning, (Daddy's birthday) just before we left for church.

Nanah did a sterling job of picking a house right by the beach and when we saw horses, well, we did what anyone would do and took the children for a ride on the beach.

The cousins messed around taking photos.

We rode horses again (after the kids had had lunch and played in the park).

We ran around and splashed our wellies in the sea.

The house has it's very own park which proved very popular with the children. 

The weekend's sporting endeavours included touch rugby (for Jordan and Jason) quick cricket (for Chas) and kite flying for Elisabet and Nanah.

During the evening we all wore our leis and enjoyed a spot of ukulele playing and singing together.

As with any Howlett gathering, there was lots and lots of food involved. The Basfords, Duerdoths and Howletts each did a stint in the kitchen. Special shout out to Clare and Jordan for their superb fry up and to Cissy and Chas for the amazing roast.

Of course, a birthday isn't a birthday without presents. Here is a picture of grandpa being helped in the present opening process by his progeny.

My daddy is an incredible man who doesn't realise how much he is admired and loved, so for his birthday I wanted to do something extra special. I compiled a book for him with messages from friends  new and old. It was such a lovely experience doing this, and even lovelier to see his reaction, he was truly blown away.

I love my family so much. I am so grateful to have had a mother and father who created a strong, family unit and who have set such marvelous examples of parenthood.