Friday, 11 January 2013

Family visits and Introductions...

...First up - Aunty Claire and Uncle Grant


Thanks to a combination of a new arrival and the Grand Prix, Claire and Grant came to visit us for the first time since I left South Africa (10 years ago), so a momentous occasion all round.



As it was their first time in Dubai, there was much to be done. Shopping, shopping and more shopping, trying out the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Karama Market, Dragon Mart, Global Village, IKEA you name it. 


Claire and I did a few walks around the park.  Grant and Claire headed to the beach alongside the beautiful Burj Al Arab, where Mark, Hudson and myself joined them later for Hudson's first ever beach experience.  

Mark took them skiing in the Mall of the Emirates for Claire's first ever skiing experience.  And it sounds like much fun was had...both Claire and Grant seemed to take to skiing as naturals and it wasn't long before they were heading the whole way up (and down) the slope.

We also tried out dune buggy riding in the desert for the first time...  We rented a 4 seater, however since we had little H Dog with us, we couldn't all go at the same time. So Grant, Claire and myself set out first...Grant driving...and Claire and I squealing our way thru it, especially getting stuck on top of the first dune at a very precarious angle!  Once half time was up, we headed back to get Mark.  I was jumping out to switch with him, when Claire decided she had had enough too, which left the boys to go a little crazy without going deaf at the same time.  

Whilst at the dune buggy place, we tried another first for Claire.... camel riding.  Since our Egypt trip Mark has sworn off camel riding forever, so the sisters set off together singing 'Alice the Camel'...as you do, of course! 

Before Grant's week came to an end, it was time for the Grand Prix, which the boys had been very much looking forward too.  Driving to and from Abu Dhabi each day.

Claire stayed on an extra week, helping out with the little man, and giving me a chance to catch up on some sleep, which was much needed.  The rest of the week also gave us a chance to shop until we dropped at the various malls and markets, before it was then time for Claire too to head back to her little family.


...Second up - Grandma


On her way back from the UK, Grandma Sue came to meet her Grandson for the first time - bringing with her a suitcase full of presents for a very lucky little man, from all the aunts, uncles, great aunts and great uncles, great-grandmothers and cousins.  So thank you all for spoiling him rotten!

And as Sue has already been to Dubai on a few occasions before, her time here was a little less busy. We did however get to do something we hadn't done before...heading to Abu Dhabi for Mark's first Porsche Track Day with the Porsche Club, where he would get the opportunity to drive around the Yas Marina Circuit.  

As luck would have it the weather that day was playing havoc and just before we set out for Abu Dhabi, the heavens opened making Sheikh Zayed Road a dangerous (even more so than normal) water logged dam.  So deciding against it, we took the first exit and headed back home to wait out the rain.  It managed to clear giving us the chance to get to Abu Dhabi safely.  Where we settled into the hotel for a few hours before heading to the track.  The Porsches were lined up by the dozen!  Sue and I both took turns in getting a chance to be driven around the track (by Mark) which was quite an experience.  One which Mark absolutely loved! Unfortunately the weather turned again and the track day had to come to an end earlier than expected.

The next day on our way home, we stopped at Ferrari World for the first time, trying out the various rides. Mark and I decided to give the worlds fastest roller coaster ride a go.... which gets from 0 - 100 in 2 seconds and gets up to 240km in 4.9 seconds! Awesome! 

Grandma also got the chance for her first solo grandson babysitting session, giving Mark and I the chance to head to some friends for their annual Christmas dinner party. 

...A few days spare

We had a few days spare between all the family visits, where my main task was to capture a Christmas card photo.  Every year for the past 10 years, my sister has done beautiful personalised Christmas cards of photos of the girls, and with her permission, I decided I needed to do the same.  Getting the perfect photo of little Hudson was somewhat a little harder to get than I thought.   I had also booked a professional photo shoot for Hudson, which if all else failed I could at least get one done professionally....  Little did I know however that they photos would only be ready mid January.  So not really any use to me by then!  The photographer managed to get some awesome shots of our little guy and I myself even managed to capture a perfect Christmas card photo.

...Third up - Granny

Then it was time for Granny to arrive and meet her first grandson (who I need to add is also the first great-grandson for my gran - the first boy out of 8 great-granddaughters!).  So granny arrived, camera in tow (of course) and Hudson soon became probably more photographed than Suri Cruise and Harper Beckham together!  ;) 

My mom's month long visit, covered a few big firsts for Hudson, including his first Christmas and first New Year, both of which were rather low key this year for obvious reasons.

Christmas day I made the mistake of deciding to cook myself...so much of the day was spent preparing a feast in the kitchen.  Baring in mind there were only 3 and a half of us... 3 meats (gammon, chicken and lamb) was probably a little OTT...not to mention all the rest that went with it.  But nevertheless it all turned out very yummy!  But before the cook off began and again baring in mind there were only 3 and a half of us...it was time to open the abundance of christmas presents!  Thank you everyone for the lovely gifts!

New Year's Eve was spent at some friends, who also have little ones and also had grandparents in town, after yet another delicious meal, we watched the beautiful fireworks show put on in Dubai on TV! 

We again spent a vast amount of time in the shops, leaving me completely shopped out for the next few months to come.    Hudson however had other ideas, as he seemed to go through withdrawals... becoming a little grumpy if he hadn't had a shopping outing in a few days.  :)

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