Brendan's sister Julia and her husband Mike just had a healthy baby girl, Eleanor Isobel Tite, on the 27th January. We so look forward to seeing her later this year! Kisses from Uncle Brendan, Aunty Samantha, Cousins Isabelle & Matilda
Here are a bunch of photos and stories of what we have been up to since moving to Doha, Qatar, in July 2006. Enjoy! Brendan, Samantha, Isabelle, Matilda & Josephine
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Isabelle has lost her first tooth!
I can still remember the day this tooth popped out when she was four months old! Doesn't seem so long ago. Our baby is growing up!
(SCROLL DOWN FOR CHRISTMAS IN SWEDEN PHOTOS!!)
Happy 2007! from Qatar
Hello!
Hope you all had a joyous Christmas/Hanukkah and a fantastic start to 2007!
We really had a magnificent trip to Sweden. It all started with knowing half the plane on our way there (many families leaving Doha once the school term was over). The girls coped really well, and Brendan found out how much ‘fun’ it can be flying with kids. (I'm wondering how he got away with avoiding it for so long!) Nineteen hours later, we were at my uncle & aunt's home in the south of Sweden. It was wonderful being there in their home. Full of memories for me (spent many happy days there as a kid every summer), and such a warm place, both in temperature and in spirit. The house was decorated in true Swedish style, glowing lights in all the windows and on all the tables, lots of Christmas cheer. Just one thing missing, snow! According to the media, it was to greenest Christmas since 1957!
On the first day, we spent some precious time with my grandparents. They relished the chance to see the girls and to meet Brendan. Last time I was in Sweden was for the new millennium seven years ago! That was “pre-Brendan”, so everyone was eager to meet my little family.
The next day was already Christmas (we celebrate on the eve in Sweden) and we had the most delicious table laid out in front of us. I lost count on how many meatballs Isabelle ate, and both Brendan and I kept returning to fill our plates! Brendan sat next to my uncle who kept the schnapps flowing. It was a very MERRY Christmas, indeed. Santa arrived at the back door, having trekked through the forest. He was a hit with both adults and kids!
Next caught up with Mum’s cousin and her husband, who lived in Doha 25 years ago. They showed us a video of what it looked like then, which was fascinating. Needless to say, Doha is more than two major roads and one hotel now. Brendan was most impressed by Ingmar’s purpose-built bar downstairs, and they both disappeared for a while.
We took the speed train up to Stockholm and stayed in a destined-for-Vogue-living apartment right in the heart of the city thanks to a close family friend. How lucky were we! Caught up with a school friend who I haven’t seen for 17 years (!!) and another close family friend, and how fortunate it was that her daughter and family were visiting from Portugal. Spent the days showing off the beautiful city, visiting Pippi Langstrump, and shopping. Oh yeah, and did I mention eating!? Coming from café-bare Doha, we certainly indulged gastronomically. Brendan was impressed that I still managed to find my way around (actually I think the word he used was “amazed”). I had a wonderful 29th birthday, and got a lovely watch from Brendan. I’m a very lucky girl.
We returned to the south of Sweden, and stayed with my cousin Annika and her husband Johan, son Erik, two Icelandic horses, two Old English Sheepdogs, and cat on a fabulous property. Much to my delight, we went horseriding in the forest a couple of times – oh, the feeling of galloping in the open is marvelous! I’m determined to find a riding school here in Doha now. We celebrated New Year’s Eve on the second storey balcony with champagne watching fireworks all around us. This is legal in Sweden, so every Tom, Dick & Harry lights up their own pyrotechnic show in their backyard. It was awesome!
On our way back to Doha, we stopped in Malmo for a night and met another cousin and her family. Also, had time to shop a little more, and eat a bit more bacon! So, with our near-bursting suitcases (c’mon, we only had two bags… next time I’m bringing extra empty cases!), we boarded our plane to Frankfurt, and then home to Doha (again, there were several Maersk families on board!)
I can honestly say it felt good coming home. Not only returning to our own beds, but to our life here. Isabelle woke up the next morning, got dressed and ran out to see all her friends, and we didn’t see her until 6pm that night! I’ve returned feeling recharged, and ever so grateful for the opportunity to connect with family again.
We took hundreds of photos, but I have put a just a few on our blog. Again, it is www.whitefamily8.blogspot.com
Look forward to hearing your news in 2007!
Samantha, Brendan, Isabelle & Matilda xxxx
Hope you all had a joyous Christmas/Hanukkah and a fantastic start to 2007!
We really had a magnificent trip to Sweden. It all started with knowing half the plane on our way there (many families leaving Doha once the school term was over). The girls coped really well, and Brendan found out how much ‘fun’ it can be flying with kids. (I'm wondering how he got away with avoiding it for so long!) Nineteen hours later, we were at my uncle & aunt's home in the south of Sweden. It was wonderful being there in their home. Full of memories for me (spent many happy days there as a kid every summer), and such a warm place, both in temperature and in spirit. The house was decorated in true Swedish style, glowing lights in all the windows and on all the tables, lots of Christmas cheer. Just one thing missing, snow! According to the media, it was to greenest Christmas since 1957!
On the first day, we spent some precious time with my grandparents. They relished the chance to see the girls and to meet Brendan. Last time I was in Sweden was for the new millennium seven years ago! That was “pre-Brendan”, so everyone was eager to meet my little family.
The next day was already Christmas (we celebrate on the eve in Sweden) and we had the most delicious table laid out in front of us. I lost count on how many meatballs Isabelle ate, and both Brendan and I kept returning to fill our plates! Brendan sat next to my uncle who kept the schnapps flowing. It was a very MERRY Christmas, indeed. Santa arrived at the back door, having trekked through the forest. He was a hit with both adults and kids!
Next caught up with Mum’s cousin and her husband, who lived in Doha 25 years ago. They showed us a video of what it looked like then, which was fascinating. Needless to say, Doha is more than two major roads and one hotel now. Brendan was most impressed by Ingmar’s purpose-built bar downstairs, and they both disappeared for a while.
We took the speed train up to Stockholm and stayed in a destined-for-Vogue-living apartment right in the heart of the city thanks to a close family friend. How lucky were we! Caught up with a school friend who I haven’t seen for 17 years (!!) and another close family friend, and how fortunate it was that her daughter and family were visiting from Portugal. Spent the days showing off the beautiful city, visiting Pippi Langstrump, and shopping. Oh yeah, and did I mention eating!? Coming from café-bare Doha, we certainly indulged gastronomically. Brendan was impressed that I still managed to find my way around (actually I think the word he used was “amazed”). I had a wonderful 29th birthday, and got a lovely watch from Brendan. I’m a very lucky girl.
We returned to the south of Sweden, and stayed with my cousin Annika and her husband Johan, son Erik, two Icelandic horses, two Old English Sheepdogs, and cat on a fabulous property. Much to my delight, we went horseriding in the forest a couple of times – oh, the feeling of galloping in the open is marvelous! I’m determined to find a riding school here in Doha now. We celebrated New Year’s Eve on the second storey balcony with champagne watching fireworks all around us. This is legal in Sweden, so every Tom, Dick & Harry lights up their own pyrotechnic show in their backyard. It was awesome!
On our way back to Doha, we stopped in Malmo for a night and met another cousin and her family. Also, had time to shop a little more, and eat a bit more bacon! So, with our near-bursting suitcases (c’mon, we only had two bags… next time I’m bringing extra empty cases!), we boarded our plane to Frankfurt, and then home to Doha (again, there were several Maersk families on board!)
I can honestly say it felt good coming home. Not only returning to our own beds, but to our life here. Isabelle woke up the next morning, got dressed and ran out to see all her friends, and we didn’t see her until 6pm that night! I’ve returned feeling recharged, and ever so grateful for the opportunity to connect with family again.
We took hundreds of photos, but I have put a just a few on our blog. Again, it is www.whitefamily8.blogspot.com
Look forward to hearing your news in 2007!
Samantha, Brendan, Isabelle & Matilda xxxx
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Jul och Gott Nytt Ar!
Here is my entry about our wonderful trip to Sweden!
Got to spend some precious time with my grandparents. I hadn't been back in Sweden for 7 years (pre-Brendan) and they were delighted to meet my little family.
Christmas is celebrated early in Sweden on the eve, so here is Brendan tucking into his 3rd helping of food and continuous schnapps on the 24th!
Isabelle and my cousin Anneli getting into the Christmas spirit. We lost count on how many meatballs Isabelle ate!
Matilda and I digging in too! Yum!
Christmas Day morning... we discover that Matilda is a die hard animal lover - she squeals with delight when she sees cats, dogs, horses - all of which we were surrounded by on our trip!
Caught up with Mum's cousin and her husband... Isabelle charmed them! (I have no photographic proof, but Brendan got cosy in Ingmar's purpose built underground bar.)
On our way home to Doha, we stopped by in Malmo to catch up with one more cousin and her family. Nicole, Olof, Sebastian and Alice.
We had a blast!
We arrived late on the 22nd December in Copenhagen, then took the train directly to Hassleholm where my uncle Johnny picked us up. Walking into Johnny & Agneta's warm home, both in 
temperature and spirit, was reallly wonderful. I have an abundance of joyful memories of playing with my cousins every summer growing up. After a good night's rest and a mighty breakfast we headed out for a 5km walk to Lursjon... it was definitely chilly, I even had to steal, I mean borrow, my own child's beanie!
temperature and spirit, was reallly wonderful. I have an abundance of joyful memories of playing with my cousins every summer growing up. After a good night's rest and a mighty breakfast we headed out for a 5km walk to Lursjon... it was definitely chilly, I even had to steal, I mean borrow, my own child's beanie!
Got to spend some precious time with my grandparents. I hadn't been back in Sweden for 7 years (pre-Brendan) and they were delighted to meet my little family.
Christmas is celebrated early in Sweden on the eve, so here is Brendan tucking into his 3rd helping of food and continuous schnapps on the 24th!
Isabelle and my cousin Anneli getting into the Christmas spirit. We lost count on how many meatballs Isabelle ate!
Matilda and I digging in too! Yum!
Christmas Day morning... we discover that Matilda is a die hard animal lover - she squeals with delight when she sees cats, dogs, horses - all of which we were surrounded by on our trip!
Caught up with Mum's cousin and her husband... Isabelle charmed them! (I have no photographic proof, but Brendan got cosy in Ingmar's purpose built underground bar.)
We spent a few days in Stockholm where it was so cold the squirrels froze to the stones...
Back in the south of Sweden, we stayed with my cousin Annika, her husband Johan, son Erik, and baby number 2 on the way. It was marvellous! All 3 White girls got to go horseriding on their Icelandic horses, and we were all so delighted!
Indulging in hot chocolate and mandarins in the hayloft after one of our rides.
Indulging in hot chocolate and mandarins in the hayloft after one of our rides.
On our way home to Doha, we stopped by in Malmo to catch up with one more cousin and her family. Nicole, Olof, Sebastian and Alice.We had such a joyous Christmas and New Year. Lots of lovely memories to warm the heart.
Thanks to all who contributed to this.
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