Welcome to the world, Zaid.

Hello everyone,

Well, things are going very well with our family, including our newest member, Zaid Ahmet Ekren. He was born on March 5, 2010. As many of you know, I tend to become a hermit when I'm pregnant, and I do apologize for that, but now that I'm getting back to myself physically, I'm getting back to myself mentally, too. =) Here are some pictures of the new guy, and the older ones, too.

Cruising on the Nile

We enjoyed a nice cruise on the Nile. Leyla and Gabe preferred to stay home and battle to the death with their toy weapon arsenal, so Volkan stayed with them. It was a lovely afternoon.

Na'el was getting his groove on to the bad Arabic music they were blasting.

Some of the scenes from the boat.

Don't they look sweet?

Alaina is growing up so fast!

Downtown 6th of October

Here are some pictures from Mom and Dylan's recent visit. It was the first day they arrived, and this is what the city we live in looks like downtown.

This is my class, one big happy family.

Random Goofing Off

Here are some fun shots I dug up. Enjoy.

I made chocolate rocks, which Dad taught me years ago. It was always a very special night when he made them, and they rarely lasted until the next day. Well, I figured that one out- just make a quadruple batch! Gabe's digging in.

These guys are online talking to Nisa. It's a really nice online chat program, if anyone's interested in learning more... (Hint to my family)

Not sure what's the story here... Anyway, doesn't he look cute in his soccer uniform, even if he's strangling his sister?

Sweet, innocent Nael. Nobody buys that one, do you?

We've been sick

Hi All,

I have been quite sick this past month. I got an internal infection, and have been totally out of the world for the last two weeks. I was in the hospital- a very nice one- and am finally feeling like a human being again. Yeah! And, while I was sick, the kids were, too. It's been loads of fun around here. Volkan chooses the best times to be out of the country... Maybe there's something to that one... Anyway, here are some pictures of our adventures in sickey land. =)

Buddy was the only one who didn't get sick, but he certainly kept himself busy bugging the heck out of the rest of us!

Alaina resting, in her cute jammies sent by Grandma Susie and Papa. Thanks, guys!

Gabe is never too bad off if there's a computer around.

Leyla's sleeping on the couch, after an exhausing evening watching Pirates of the Carribean.

We're all feeling better, so nobody worry. Volkan's also coming home tomorrow, God willing, and he couldn't be coming at a better time. We'll post some well pictures later this week. Much love to everyone!

School Pictures

Our school went on a field trip to a nearby art farm, where they did various projects. I got some nice pictures.

This is Sermiane, my assistant teacher. She is so great. The kids love her, and so do I.

This is the whole school, including some parents. There are lots of kids absent, but you get the idea. We're really small. This is Leyla and her buddy, Abdul Aziz. He's about the sweetest kid. He's also in love with Leyla. It's cute. A terrible picture of me, but the kids look cute. Eating lunch with their friends.

Anne's Birthday

One bummer about being an international family is missed birthdays. We were close to catching Anne's, so we decided to celebrate anyway. It was fun. The party was at her mom's flat in downtown Ankara. I love to sit at the window and look out. You feel like you're in the middle of everything, but nobody can see you.