I'm learning how to take portraits in class...

What do you think?

Helps to have good models...

Gym Medal #3

Isabelle's first up... good luck!
Whoa... there she goes!

How does she do that?

Ouch.

It's a tense moment waiting for her scores.

Waiting with team mates...

Well done Isabelle!

Total score: 15.5/20

All smiles.

NYD - Beach!!

Cuddles with Mormor on the way.
It's a beautiful day at Al Wakra, but a bit cold for bathers.

Belle and Brendan.

Kong Kong enjoying the Doha seaside instead of the French Riviera. We're grateful.

NYE

Can you guess which parent dressed which child??
Woohoo! Look at her go!

Thanks for Birthday Wishes!

Lunching with my girls on my birthday at their pick - TGIF!

The Sun is Shining

The girls hit the pool for some water therapy. Yee haa!

Museum of Islamic Arts

Matilda sneaks into this photo...

Architect: IM Pei

We were all really impressed by the museum! A must see in Doha.

Boxing Day Activities

We hit the park with the girls and their bikes (and my new camera & tripod...), a quick shopping trip and then home to enjoy the results of Brendan's Christmas present... a fish smoker. Super yummy!

It's finally Christmas Day!!!

At 6am, we sneak downstairs to see a couple of golden packages for the girls, a chomped carrot, a nimbled fruit mince pie and an empty glass of milk. Amazing that Santa snuck past the dogs...
Isabelle and Matilda embark on a two-hour mission of opening the mountain of pressies. Go girls!

Matilda manages to score every single thing on her wishlist. Gosh, Santa is a clever man.

Isabelle also slam dunks her wishlist! I think Mrs Claus should take the credit...

Christmas outfit #16. It's a good one.

Aww... pretty.

We get down to serious business... the turkey is carved and we're hungry after all the gift-unwrapping!

Mmmmmmmmmm. Good thing Uncle Rob isn't around since there's only two drumsticks.

At 4pm, after our naps, we regroup to attack the sweets. This is Mormor's specialty... Christmas cake, Christmas chocolate log, pumpkin pie, homemade chocolates, pepparkakor, fruit mince pies...

We had a wonderful Christmas! Thank you to everyone for emails, phone messages and texts. Hoping everyone's wishes came true!

Julafton hos familjen Castles

Brendan is very happy to be behind Martin's bar once again. We shared a fabulous authentic Swedish meal together, for the third year running. Thanks for good friends!
Isabelle and Jessica are all smiles.

Jultomten even called past with some goodies for the kiddies. What a treat!

All five rascals patiently waiting...

High Tea @ Four Seasons Hotel

Ready, set, go!

(How excited I was to see my GF selection on the left!)

And then, three hours later, we're all done. It was all delicious.

When are you due Brendan??

Christmas entertainment

The girls perform at their annual concert in our living room.

Cuddles with Kong Kong