TeamGaither

Wind Blown

The kids loved the boat ride despite being a bit wind blown upon arrival!

Cast Aways

This is one of the beach huts that you can rent and share with other families. There is no electricity but there is a bathroom and a pool that the local families will fill up before arrival. Everyone brings food and the staff cooks it. We went tubing and water skiing. You can swim in the ocean but the rip tide is very strong so the pool comes in handy!

Beach Front Property

View of the beach - it is hard to find tranquil places around Lagos so this is a dream!

Fun for Four

This isn't too different from the layout in our bed most nights- both kids crammed in the middle and E and I barely holding on!

Speed Demons

It doesn't look like we are going very fast but when one hand is holding the handle and the other is holding your kid, and someone hits the gas, you fly!

Shore Thang

A rare pic of E relaxing!

Current-ly

G&Ts

Everyone pitched in and brought food and liquor to the beach hut. It was not a 1:1 ratio!

Captain Kerrigan

Kerrigan wooed everyone on the island announcing she was captain of the boat - and the sea apparently!

Frocked up

Okay so this is not my fiercest frock but it's the only appropriate thing I packed to attend a speech by the 1st Lady of Nigeria - Dame Patience "Goodluck" Jonathan.

Hats off

The Nigerian women had the most beautiful head pieces to match their dresses. I often see local women in traditional dress but the hats seem reserved for special occasions.

More Buffet

This is the 1st Lady - in the buffet line! I thought this was odd but she looked pretty content to sample the various Nigerian dishes - one of which someone told me was all the "extras". hmm.

Protocol

I had a chance to shake the 1st Lady's hand but then I saw people curtsey and kiss her hand. I wigged and chickened out.

Fashion Show

I tried to take pictures of all the gorgeous gowns but it really doesn't do them justice. The designs and patterns are hand picked and custom made. Some have bustles and others have bows. They almost all have head pieces. A few ladies wore the same pattern to show solidarity for a tribe or region.

Who Deserves to be Millionaire?

This is the set of the Nigerian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". It was a special episode called "Who Deserves to be a Millionaire" where the players earn money for their favorite charities. It was a very unique experience and an amazing display of wealth (the most popular TV show in all of Nigeria) for a country people assume is Third World.

The Ryan Seacrest of Nigeria

My friends and the host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Frank Edoho. We got to go back stage after the show and meet the cast and crew. Very cool!

Stuck on You

The School had a Welcome Back day for families and the kids each got a turn being "Velcroed" onto the wall of this bouncy castle. Too bad I couldn't keep them there longer!

Stuck on You - 2

C seemed completely at home up there!

Stuck on You - 3

For once, K was not moving, talking, screaming, fidgeting. Fun!

Feeling fine at 39!

August 24th was my 39th birthday - and I'm not one of those people who says I'm 39 because I'm actually 43 - I really am 39!

Prezzies

My kids are the best presents I could ask for - they are such good kids!

For the love of Cake

Venus made a cake for me and the kids helped decorate it - it was covered in fruit loops, marshmallows, all kinds of sprinkles from my cookie tin and a bunch of drink stirrers they found in a drawer. They even flagged it with some little toothpicks I have w Australian flags on them!

Birthday Boy

E celebrated his Big 4-0 in Lagos on June 5th. We had to squeeze it in between my trip w the kids to Scandanavia and our home visit so we've decided to treat ourselves to lots and lots of vacations in lieu of a big party!

Smaller World 2013

Smaller World is a lagos-wide fundraiser made up of international teams, raising money for school in Lagos. Kerrigan danced for the US team. The theme was of course SuperHeros!

Smaller World 2013 - 2

Smaller World 2013 - 3

Apparently there were 3 Wonder Womans so K opted for Cat Girl!

Puppy Love - 2

Yikes!

For one of K's dance performances, I let her wear some of my make-up. She is 8 going on 18. Crazy!