We Miss Pawpaw!

Fred got home Saturday night after a long flight. Zeke has been asking about him ever since. He saw a bald man from the back in church Sunday morning and got really excited because he thought it was Pawpaw. We have been just mostly hanging out around here. Yesterday was church and today Tami and I went back to the Grand Bazaar for some more shopping. I have just been enjoying hanging around the house with my grandchildren. Here are some cute pictures.

Fred has to leave

Yesterday was Fred's last day here. He left to go to the airport at 3:00 AM this morning. He should be flying over the Atlantic Ocean as we speak. I am going to stay until next Sunday morning. I hope I can find my way home and don't end up in China or somewhere - although that would make for another interesting experience. Yesterday Dan and Tami took Kaiyah to the doctor at the hospital where she was born. That hospital is connected to a very nice mall. While they were at the doctor, Fred and I hung out with Zeke. He wanted to ride some kiddie rides there and while he was doing that he made friends with a little girl who was also riding. We shared tokens and the kids got to ride twice as many times. I enjoyed talking to the little girl's mom.She spoke a little English and I spoke less Turkish, and we had a lot of laughs trying to communicate. The people here are so friendly!

Hagia Sophia

Yesterday Dan had a meeting so Tami played tour guide and took us to the Hagia Sophia. It is a building that was a church in the 1300's and was turned into a mosque . It was amazing to think of how a building could be built that was as spectacular as this one 700 years ago. After that we met some of Dan and Tami's friends. Then it was home for Taco Salad and learning a new card game called "nine holes of golf" . It was lots of fun even if I did get beat really badly.

Asia!!

I have now officially been to 4 of the 7 continents. North America, South America, Europe ( that is the side of Istanbul that Dan and Tami live on), and today we went to Asia. The day started with Fred and Dan going to the Asia side of Istanbul to register Kaiyah's birth. Tami, Zeke, Kaiyah and I met them for lunch. We took the tram to the boat, then the boat to the taxi, and the taxi to the highest point in Istanbul for lunch at a very nice restaurant with a great view. While we were waiting at the boat dock, Zeke was walking around visiting with people ( they love children here). He came running up to us with a piece of Simit ( Turkish bread) in his hand that he had gotten from someone. Then later while we were waiting for our table at the restaurant Zeke managed to get crackers from some nice people from Jordan. One thing for sure - he never meets a stranger and will never go hungry - as long as he has his pretty blue eyes and sweet smile. :-)

We Are Tourists

This morning Dan and Tami took Kaiyah to the doctor while we stayed here with Zeke. After they got home we spent a large part of the day being tourists. We went to the Blue Mosque. It is one of the most beautiful buildings that I have ever seen. After that we ate lunch at the Blue House Restaurant and sat on the roof with the most fascinating view. Then it was on to the Grand Bazaar where we bought a few souvenirs ( but I am not telling:-). We came back home after that - it was hot and we were tired, but pleasantly so. I am about to eat some homemade pizza. It was another good day!

We're Here!!!

After a lot of flying ( 12 hours worth), we are finally in Istanbul, Turkey visiting Dan, Tami, Zeke and our newest grandchild, Kaiyah. Kaiyah is now 3 1/2 weeks old and we thought it was about time that we met her in person. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see this wonderful family standing ,waiting for us at the airport. We spent last night at home - Tami opened all of her baby gifts and birthday gifts. Fred and Dan went to one of the local markets and got roasted chicken and Tami fixed vegetables to go with it. Fred also scouted out the best baklava that I have ever tasted - Jennifer, you would love it!! Zeke was a little uneasy when he first saw us but it didn't take long for him to warm up to us. We slept well last night - even the call to prayer at 4:30 AM didn't wake us up for long.

This morning we went to church at the international church. It is in such an interesting part of town. The building where they meet is 150 years old and beautiful. After church, we ate at a Turkish restaurant. The food was fantastic. Now we are back home and the kids ( and Fred) are napping.

Jack's Birthday

Jack is two years old! These two years have flown by. Jack's party was tonight at Tim and Dale's. Tim and Dale are Jennifer's parents and are also known as Mimi and Tee. There were several guests including Nana and Grandad ( my parents), Janice and Munn( Jennifer's aunt and grandmother), Aunt Liz and Uncle Zach, Aunt Tori and Uncle Lee, Erica and Billy along with Noah and Luke ( our friends from Gulf Shores last week). A good time was had by all. Jack got a lot of good presents and made sure that Noah, Luke and Clayton knew that they were his when they wanted to borrow them to play with. Clayton showed us how he can swim without floaties or a life jacket - Go Clayton!! We are leaving town tomorrow ( our next post will be from Central Asia !!) and Poco went to stay with Clayton and Jack for a week. The boys were very excited about that. We started to leave and Jack picked Poco's kennel and tried to carry it to the house just to make sure we didn't forget that he was taking Poco home with him. I know that Poco will have a great time. He probably will not want to come back home.

Gulf Shores

I spent the past five days at the beach with Fred, Jennifer, Clayton, Jack and their friends, Billy and Erica Mauldin and their sons, Noah and Luke. It was a blast. The weather was beautiful and the company a lot of fun. The boys were so good and kept me entertained. Thanks for letting me tag along guys! On the way home we stopped at the USS Alabama battleship in Mobile. There were veterans who had actually served on the submarine there for a reunion and we got to meet them and thank them for their service to our country. Clayton had his picture made with them. Jack loved the helicopters.

Lindsay Colley's Shower

The daughter of one of our good friends, Lindsay Colley is getting married at the end of July. I helped give a shower for her last weekend. It was a lot of fun - I am always amazed at how good the other ladies who helped are at decorating. I just show up and try to follow directions. They should go into business!

It's a GIRL!!

We have a granddaughter! Thursday around 3:55 pm our time Tami gave birth to our first granddaughter. Her name is Kaiyah Michelle Shackelford and she is beautiful. The only problem is that she lives in Central Asia with her parents, and I haven't gotten to hold her yet. However we will remedy that problem in 2 weeks and 4 days when we go visit. Can you tell that I am rather excited?