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<channel>
	<title>update &#8211; the remkes</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.theremkes.com/?cat=36&#038;feed=rss2" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.theremkes.com</link>
	<description>the everyday happenings of our little family</description>
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	<item>
		<title>my girls</title>
		<link>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=693</link>
					<comments>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=693#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jordanremke]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:46:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[categories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[everyday life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[evie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[keadryn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sayla]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the girls]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theremkes.com/?p=693</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Just wanted to write a little update on my girlies. Thankfully, everyone has been doing well and getting back into routine. The big girls are in school again and loving it. I mean, they really do love it. When we &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://www.theremkes.com/?p=693">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just wanted to write a little update on my girlies. Thankfully, everyone has been doing well and getting back into routine. The big girls are in school again and loving it. I mean, they really do love it. When we were moving here, school is what gave me the most anxiety and our first <del datetime="2013-03-10T10:03:00+00:00">daycare </del>school was such a disaster, but this school has been such a blessing to us! Both girls love their teachers, have great friends and are learning a ton! What more could we ask for?<br />
Oh, and Kead has several loose teeth/ teeth growing in! Did you even know that could happen?? It is so bizarre- the grown up teeth are growing in behind the baby teeth, but the baby teeth haven&#8217;t fallen out yet. So weird! Uncle/Dentist Adam says its pretty common and not to pull the baby teeth if they aren&#8217;t ready&#8230;but I am a teensy bit sad to not have the classic toothless smile pic. :)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7532.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" alt="IMG_7532" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7532-1024x682.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7539-001.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-697" alt="IMG_7539-001" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7539-001-1024x682.jpg" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7539-001-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7539-001-300x199.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7539-001.jpg 1133w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a><br />
She is just getting so big.</p>
<p>Sayla is also doing great and (I assume) all is well in her own world. We sit outside her door and listen to her from time to time; talking to herself, talking to her stuffed animals, singing, talking to Sonny and Bunny (fully Sayla&#8217;s friends now)&#8230;she makes us giggle so much and I love her spirit. She also came home with a near perfect report card. We were wondering how so much time in &#8220;La La Land&#8221; was affecting her at school, but she is doing great there too!<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7407.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-695" alt="IMG_7407" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7407-682x1024.jpg" width="640" height="960" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7407-682x1024.jpg 682w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7407-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>The big girls have also re-started ballet class and are having a great time. And I just love the little ruffles and buns and ballet shoes. I think I take a picture of them every time before they go to class because I just never get over the cuteness!<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blog-20131.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-698" alt="blog 20131" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blog-20131.jpg" width="1024" height="732" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blog-20131.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blog-20131-300x214.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></p>
<p>Evie is starting to talk a ton and that is so much fun. She turned two in January and we had a really really simple party here. (We had a <a href="http://kojo-designs.com/2013/01/farmers-market-birthday-party/">big party</a> in denver).  I am just loving this stage of life with her! While Drew is at work and the bigs are at school, we get to hang out together and I cherish it. She is so spunky and funny and such a joy.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7194.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-700" alt="IMG_7194" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7194-1024x682.jpg" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7194-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_7194-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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			<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>more summer.</title>
		<link>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=629</link>
					<comments>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=629#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jordanremke]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:51:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[categories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dubai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[visits]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theremkes.com/?p=629</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Moving on with summer&#8230;We got back from Prague right smack in the middle of 120+ degree weather and Ramadan. Holidays are an interesting time to be an outsider. For locals, Ramadan is a time of festivity, family, special food, special &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://www.theremkes.com/?p=629">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Moving on with summer&#8230;We got back from Prague right smack in the middle of 120+ degree weather and Ramadan. Holidays are an interesting time to be an outsider. For locals, Ramadan is a time of festivity, family, special food, special traditions, visits and a great sense of community. Life goes at a<em> slooow</em> pace and most things are closed during the day. As it is the month of fasting, there is also no eating allowed in public places and all restraunts are closed. After sundown the feasting and visiting begin. Think thanksgiving dinner amounts of food every single day for a month.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201244.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone  wp-image-633" title="blog 201244" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201244-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="682" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201244-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201244-300x200.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201244.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
Our friends were very welcoming during this time and we had many late night visits (people stay up eating and partying all.night.long) and shared in many wonderful traditions. It is a time when you feel very involved in the community and yet very much not part of it at all. Kind of confusing, I know.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_1869.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone  wp-image-631" title="IMG_1869" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_1869-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="546" height="819" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_1869-682x1024.jpg 682w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_1869-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px" /></a></p>
<p>Anyway- At the end of Ramadan is the Eid celebration. It is a fun couple days of visiting and everyone gets to dress up in special Eid dresses and the kids get little treats and money. We had a great time seeing friends and the girls LOVED dressing up and getting candy everywhere we went.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/3662.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" title="3662" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/3662-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="960" /></a></p>
<p>Also during Ramadan, some sweet friends from Texas had a 2 day layover in Dubai and we got to hang out with them and do something new! Until now, we have just admired the Burj Khalifa from the base, but this time we went up to the viewing deck on the 124th floor. The elevator was&#8230;highly uneventful. It goes so fast that it take less than a minute and the only way you know you are going so high is that your ears pop. The girls loved the lights and music though.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Collages5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone  wp-image-637" title="Collages5" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Collages5-1024x640.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="640" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Collages5-1024x640.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Collages5-300x187.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Collages5.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></p>
<p>The views from the deck were hard to grasp. Everything just looked so&#8230;small.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201246.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone  wp-image-635" title="blog 201246" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201246-1024x819.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="819" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201246-1024x819.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201246-300x240.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201246.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
We are glad we got to do it, but because Dubai is such a hazy and hot city in the summer, I think if we do it again we will wait for the cooler winter (the dust settles a bit and the views are a bit better, too.)</p>
<p>We also took them down to the old Gold Souq. It has been quite some time since I&#8217;ve been down there, but it was fun to go see again.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201247.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone  wp-image-636" title="blog 201247" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201247-1024x614.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="614" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201247-1024x614.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201247-300x180.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blog-201247.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></p>
<p>Well, that gets me caught up through August and the end of Ramadan! Next up&#8230;Sayla&#8217;s birthday festivities.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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			<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>summer happenings</title>
		<link>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=554</link>
					<comments>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=554#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jordanremke]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:16:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[categories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dubai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life in the desert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[party]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theremkes.com/?p=554</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I refuse to give up on this blog, even though I am possibly the worst blogger ever. Seriously. Lots has happened since my last update&#8230;and my last update wasn&#8217;t even up to date. Geeze. Here we go: ::4th of July &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://www.theremkes.com/?p=554">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I refuse to give up on this blog, even though I am possibly the worst blogger ever. Seriously. Lots has happened since my last update&#8230;and my last update wasn&#8217;t even up to date. Geeze.</p>
<p>Here we go:</p>
<p>::4th of July was a blast. We had a ridiculous amount of people come to our house (we invited every American we know- to give you an idea&#8230;) to celebrate. It was so much fun! At the time we had some girls living with us while they studied at a summer Arabic program and they were a huge help in getting all the decor together. Britt and Traci helped a ton too, of course. (Have I mentioned that Traci moved here? She did, and it&#8217;s SO fun having her around!)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_9505.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-560" title="IMG_9505" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_9505-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_9505-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_9505-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/facebook2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-569" title="facebook2" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/facebook2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="360" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/facebook2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/facebook2-300x168.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/facebook2.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_9598.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" title="IMG_9598" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_9598-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p>::One of the bonuses of living so close to Dubai is that we get to see people as they pass through en route to their final destinations! This summer we got to see my cousin and some friends from Texas and this fall two more sets of friends will be stopping through that we get to see.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0090.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-570" title="IMG_0090" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0090-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="960" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0090-682x1024.jpg 682w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0090-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>p.s. I love Sayla in this picture&#8230;</p>
<p>:: The date harvest happened. Dates are a pretty big deal in this area of the world, and the date harvest is fun to see. We went back to <a href="http://www.theremkes.com/?p=442">the oasis that we went to while granny was here</a> and walked around to see how it&#8217;s done.  Fresh dates are sold here as a delicacy and are super expensive, but most of the dates are dried on roofs (like raisins). Personally, I prefer the dried dates. The fresh dates are kind of like a green banana, they feel a bit fuzzy on your teeth and aren&#8217;t very flavorful.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0178-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" title="IMG_0178-2" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0178-2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0184-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-579" title="IMG_0184-2" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0184-2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0184-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0184-2-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a> <a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0182.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-578" title="IMG_0182" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0182-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0182-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0182-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0203-3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" title="IMG_0203-3" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0203-3-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0210-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-583" title="IMG_0210-2" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0210-2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0210-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0210-2-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0191-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-580" title="IMG_0191-2" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0191-2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0191-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0191-2-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>:: This summer has been a slower time than usual (it&#8217;s stinkin&#8217; hot!) so we have taken the opportunity to do a little &#8220;photo bootcamp&#8221;.  I set up a <a href="http://maseeraphoto.blogspot.com/">blog</a> and have been collecting useful photo articles for us all to read. It has been wonderful and I feel like I have learned a lot as well!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0062.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" title="IMG_0062" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0062-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p>So there you have it! Most of the summer in a nutshell.  I also got to take a most wonderful trip for my 30th birthday, but that deserves its own post. We have really had a fabulously mundane summer, but are ready for the schedule, busyness and cooler weather that will come with fall!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>april and may</title>
		<link>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=475</link>
					<comments>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=475#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jordanremke]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 May 2012 22:01:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[categories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ballet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[birthday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[everyday life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life in the desert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[special occasions]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theremkes.com/?p=475</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I just looked at my calendar and realized it is the end of May. The end of May! How did that happen? Here is the past month&#8230;er, two months, in review. The girls had their ballet recital. It was adorable. &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://www.theremkes.com/?p=475">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I just looked at my calendar and realized it is the end of May. The end of May! How did that happen? Here is the past month&#8230;er, two months, in review.</p>
<p>The girls had their ballet recital. It was adorable.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Collages4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-490" title="Collages4" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Collages4-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="360" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Collages4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Collages4-300x168.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hyatti4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-488" title="hyatti4" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hyatti4-1024x640.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="400" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hyatti4-1024x640.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hyatti4-300x187.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>I got to take pics at kead&#8217;s school for the yearbook. It was so.much.fun. I spent a morning getting to flutter around the school popping in and out of classrooms, taking pictures of teachers and kids in their element. Kead thought it was pretty fun too!<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6137.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-476" title="IMG_6137" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6137-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6137-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6137-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6413.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-477" title="IMG_6413" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6413-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6413-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6413-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>The girls are settling in to visiting local with us. I&#8217;m <em>still</em> not sure if Sayla realizes that everyone else is speaking a different language. She just cracks me up. Keadryn is way more reserved, but after sitting with me while Sayla searches out the house for kids and toys, she slowly creeps away and joins the other kids. Evie, oh Evie. We affectionately call her &#8220;The Master of Disaster&#8221; and she just tears around the house like a tornado. :) The locals love her though and she has gotten a lot better at letting them hold her.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7725-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-478" title="IMG_7725-2" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7725-2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7725-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7725-2-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>Speaking of the Sayla in her own world, I just love this picture of her.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6942.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-481" title="IMG_6942" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6942-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6942-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6942-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>And speaking of photos, I currently have 400 photos on my computer of a wedding I got to photograph. I was attending the wedding with Britt and she knew the brides cousin&#8217;s wife. As the Bride was coming down the stairs they realized the photographer wasn&#8217;t there, so they asked me to take the pictures! But then they asked me not to share them with anyone. I DIE! These ones of the flowers without faces are ok, but seriously- so hard not to share.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7427.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-487" title="IMG_7427" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7427-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7427-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7427-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>And speaking of birthdays&#8230;wait, I wasn&#8217;t speaking of that&#8230;but anyway- Drew had a quiet 32nd birthday with a family brunch and dinner with friends<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7651.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-483" title="IMG_7651" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7651-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7651-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7651-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>and Kead turned 5 this year. FIVE!<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kead.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-489" title="Kead" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kead-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="640" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kead-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kead-150x150.jpg 150w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kead-300x300.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kead.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a><br />
We are having her party while the cousins are here, but her real birthday was an exciting day because of the 4 foot doll house. It has been quite the hit.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7806.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-486" title="IMG_7806" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7806-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="960" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7806-682x1024.jpg 682w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7806-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<p>Well, thats all the big stuff&#8230;.oh, And this:<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7740.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-485" title="IMG_7740" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7740-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="426" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7740-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_7740-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a><br />
Kead actually requested to watch Newsies. And it made my heart so happy.</p>
<p>Next up: A VISIT FROM KIRST AND FAMILY! So excited for this one.</p>
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		<title>&#8217;round here&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=364</link>
					<comments>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=364#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jordanremke]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:20:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[categories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blogging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[everyday life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the girls]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theremkes.com/?p=364</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[&#8230;We stay up very, very, very,very late&#8230; I love the Counting Crows, and that song, and its true- we DO stay up way too late. I&#8217;m random, I know. Did you know that the &#8220;post title&#8221; could possibly be the &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://www.theremkes.com/?p=364">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8230;We stay up very, very, very,very late&#8230; I love the Counting Crows, and that song, and its true- we DO stay up way too late.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m random, I know. Did you know that the &#8220;post title&#8221; could possibly be the number one reason I don&#8217;t post more? I <em>hate</em> finding a title.</p>
<p>Anyway, here is some of whats been going on &#8217;round here:<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/366.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-366" title="366" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/366-1024x512.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="335" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/366-1024x512.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/366-300x150.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a><br />
I started the 365 project again&#8230;only this year is a leap year, so it is a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52159593@N03/">366 project</a>. I decided to do it again after watching a slideshow of my last 365. SO many little mundane things happened that wouldn&#8217;t have been recorded otherwise and that I would have lost memory of. This year is a fun year to do it, too!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/blog-20128.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-367" title="blog 20128" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/blog-20128-1024x640.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="418" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/blog-20128-1024x640.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/blog-20128-300x187.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/blog-20128-80x50.jpg 80w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/blog-20128-598x372.jpg 598w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_3645.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" title="IMG_3645" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_3645-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="446" /></a><br />
We finally had the Pajamas+Pancakes birthday party for Evie! The complete write up will be over on the <a href="http://kojo-designs.com/">kojo blog</a> soon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_3980.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-369" title="IMG_3980" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_3980-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="1005" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_3980-682x1024.jpg 682w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_3980-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a></p>
<p>Last I posted, Kead wasn&#8217;t doing too great. She is still having the hardest time of the three girls, but it is definitely getting better! She is going to an international school now where she is thriving (and learning to speak with a British vocab and accent&#8230;so funny). She is also loving ballet and asks everyday when it is ballet day. Glad to see her little smile more these days. Man, she is beautiful.</p>
<p>So, our town is not little in size (about 80,000, I think?) But it is seriously lacking in amenities, so we usually drive either to a bigger city in Oman or to Dubai to do our shopping. Since it is about a 2 hour drive both ways we always try to pair it with some fun in the Big City. This time we  went to a children&#8217;s musuem:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blog-201212.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-370" title="blog 201212" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blog-201212-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="376" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blog-201212-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blog-201212-300x168.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a></p>
<p>Did we tell you that two friends from Lubbock moved here? Kevin and Andrew are going to language school and live in an apartment next door to us! They are wonderful with the girls and troopers for driving 2 hours to join us at a children&#8217;s museum. (Or it could be that our town is insanely boring&#8230;) We love them.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blog-201213.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-371" title="blog 201213" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blog-201213-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="376" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blog-201213-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/blog-201213-300x168.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a></p>
<p>Part of the fun of going to the museum was playing at the playground. It was nice to just sit on grass and watch the three crazies play.</p>
<p>Ok- that&#8217;s all that is going on. Lots of mundane and I am happy to say we are slowly getting into (dare I say it?) a routine. &#8220;Routine&#8221; has not described our life in so long that I welcome it with open arms! I am hoping that this little blog can become part of the routine as well so that it is more than a once a month occurrence.</p>
<p>Missing you all! Write a comment or e-mail and let us know you&#8217;re still there!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>a short list</title>
		<link>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=314</link>
					<comments>http://www.theremkes.com/?p=314#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jordanremke]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:25:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[categories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[everyday life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[keadryn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life in the desert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sayla]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theremkes.com/?p=314</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[1. Keadryn and Sayla started Ms. Brittany&#8217;s ballet class. They have been looking forward to it for a year and it did not disappoint. They LOVE it and I think they are the cutest ballerinas I have ever seen. Can&#8217;t &#8230; <a class="more-link" href="http://www.theremkes.com/?p=314">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>1. Keadryn and Sayla started Ms. Brittany&#8217;s ballet class. They have been looking forward to it for a year and it did not disappoint. They LOVE it and I think they are the cutest ballerinas I have ever seen. Can&#8217;t wait for the recital!<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0415.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone  wp-image-315" title="IMG_0415" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0415-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="429" height="643" /></a></p>
<p>2. Keadryn and Sayla also started going to a local preschool. The goal of them attending is to start hearing Arabic and learning to communicate. It&#8217;s not going great. The TV is on the whole time they are there (with English programming) and Keadryn hates it. She cries the whole time, which is totally not her regular personality, and says she can&#8217;t make friends until she learns some Arabic. I try to explain she won&#8217;t know Arabic until she makes friends, but that doesn&#8217;t seem to translate into 4 year old. We are optimistic that she will get settled soon. Just be praying that she can make at least one friend. Sayla is liking it and doesn&#8217;t seem to notice that no one speaks English. (Also,  I love this picture of them on their first day- mainly because several locals have mentioned to me how I need to dress them in warmer clothes for the &#8220;cold winter&#8221;. It was 85 degrees on this day, but I didn&#8217;t want their teachers to think I&#8217;m a horrible mom. haha)<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0399.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone  wp-image-316" title="IMG_0399" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0399-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="442" height="663" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0399-682x1024.jpg 682w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0399-199x300.jpg 199w" sizes="(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px" /></a></p>
<p>3. Speaking of life here, we all LOVE the food. Eating out here is amazingly inexpensive (much cheaper than cooking) and so we have got to try several restraunts. Kead&#8217;s fav is the hummus and Sayla loves the chicken. Anyone have amazing eggplant recipes I need to try? They are in such abundance and I love the way they taste- but don&#8217;t know how to cook them!<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201139.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-317" title="blog 201139" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201139-1024x256.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="167" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201139-1024x256.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201139-300x75.jpg 300w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201139-1006x250.jpg 1006w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a><a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201140.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-318" title="blog 201140" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201140-1024x327.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="213" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201140-1024x327.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/blog-201140-300x95.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a></p>
<p>4. We are feeling more settled in everyday. I promise there will be a &#8220;house tour&#8221; soon. As soon as Drew hangs up all the frames, decor, etc. Walls here are concrete so hanging a picture becomes a much bigger task than tapping in a couple nails. For now, here is a picture of our living room with our humble Christmas tree.<br />
<a href="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0425.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-319" title="IMG_0425" src="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0425-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="446" srcset="http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0425-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://www.theremkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_0425-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px" /></a></p>
<p>5. There&#8217;s more, but I&#8217;ve been working on this post for a week so I am going to post it before I am adding Keadryn&#8217;s Sweet Sixteen party to the end. Merry week-of-Christmas everyone! I hope that you are enjoying family, and cooler weather and all things winter in our stead!</p>
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