Christmas Trip 2014 (part 1)

Part 1 of our Christmas 2014 Trip consists of me taking Unicorn, Ladybug, and Monkey to Arizona to visit their grandparents so Hubby and I can go on our 10 year Anniversary cruise.

On December 9 we headed to Abu Dhabi to begin our trip. We stopped at the new Yas Mall and wandered around for a while and had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Then we headed to the airport at around 9pm. Our flight wasn't until 2:45am the next day but Hubby needed to get back to Al Ain (about an hour and a half drive) and work the next morning. The kids and I went through the first security area and waited for check-in for our flight to open. We were still sitting there when Hubby texted to say that he made it home safely! After we checked in we went through passport control and went to wait in the terminal. At this point Monkey was exhausted and finally fell asleep.

Since you have to go through security a second time, to get to the gate, we had to try to wake Monkey up. He would NOT wake up. I had to hold him up and push him (gently) through the metal detector and the security guy had to catch him as he came through. It was quite entertaining. The sweet ladies that were getting ready to help us board the flight saw me struggling with him and let me sit in their nice comfy chairs until it was time to board. They also had me board first (been a long time since I have pre-boarded a flight).

The flight was fine and we had some time in the London airport to find some food. Monkey was really excited to have pancakes and I was thrilled to have Eggs Benedict!! Can you say HAM?!?

The little play area in one of the Family Lounges at the London airport.

After London we had a quick stop in Dallas. So quick that we barely had time to get through customs and recheck our bags and get to our gate...just in time for them to announce a gate change...to the other side of the freaking city, I mean airport! Monkey was not very happy as we had to pass a McDonald's on the way and he was starving and we didn't have time to stop...or so we thought. Once we got to our new gate we had to wait to board (of course)! This made for an even more frustrated Monkey! Thankfully the flight was uneventful and we were not too late into Phoenix on the 10th.

Dec. 11-14 the kids and I visited with family and friends and also walked the Gilbert Temple grounds. I couldn't get a really good photo of the kids because either the sun was in their eyes or they were freezing in the shade!

On the 15th I headed back to the UAE to go on a cruise with my hubby! The kids remained in Arizona with grandparents until I returned in January. My flight back was a nice long trip with a decent lay-over in London. I knew about the long lay-over in advance so I had booked a hotel room and purchased tickets to see WICKED on the 16th! It was so awesome.

I arrived home in Abu Dhabi the night of the 17th, spent the 18th repacking and sleeping, went to our Branch Christmas Party and then drove back to Abu Dhabi to start our Anniversary Adventure in Italy.  Until next time!

Our European Vacation {Day 13 - Frankfurt Temple}

On our last day in Germany we had breakfast with E and M and then drove to Frankfurt. We wandered around the grounds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple. Just as we left the Temple it started to pour down rain.

Abayas, Skype, Birthday, Border Run, and Camels

We have been in the UAE for 30 days now (and yes, we are still in a hotel)!

On Thursday, Feb. 20, we had our first guests! A family in our branch came by to visit and brought us homemade chocolate chip cookies! YUM!

Friday, Feb. 21, we went to church (still getting used to this whole church on Friday thing) and had a wonderful potluck meal with our branch afterwards!

Church at the Villa

Saturday, Feb. 22, we went shopping to find supplies that Unicorn needs for Youth Conference. She will be going on a Trek in the desert and needed a sleeping bag, mat, backpack, flashlight and 2 abayas (traditional dress for the women in the Middle East). We found everything she needed except the 2 abayas. Unicorn was also able to Skype with her father and her (half) brother back in the States.

Sunday, Feb. 23, we FaceTimed with my sister and her hubby and their puppies. We are especially grateful for technology here as it is nice to be able to talk with family in real time! A friend came and took Unicorn and me to a store that has abayas and we were able to find 2 that fit her (the only 2 in her size actually). She also took us to the supermarket so we could get some dinner and snacks. Then Unicorn went to Seminary.

Monday, Feb. 24, was the second day of ice skating for the kids. They are really loving this activity and are doing very well. I love that they all have their lesson on the same day at the same time!

Tuesday, Feb. 25, Unicorn had Mutual (youth group) and they went to the Rugby Club and played Frisbee Golf.

Wednesday, Feb. 26, we FaceTimed with my mom and step-dad and my mom's mom!

Thursday, Feb. 27, hubby went to Abu Dhabi to pick up his Emirate's ID card. This is big because now we can work on getting ID's for the kids and me and we can buy a car (after he get paid)!

Friday, Feb. 28, Unicorn's birthday! Can't believe she is 14 already! We also Skyped with my dad, step-mom, Gram (dad's mom), and Aunt & Uncle (dad's sister). Then it was time for Stake Conference. Hubby and the girls went and I stayed back with Monkey as he was showing signs of a cold.

Happy 14th Birthday Unicorn!

Saturday, Mar. 1, Unicorn and I went and got mani/pedi's for her birthday. Then we all went to Bawadi Mall and had Unicorn's birthday lunch at TGI Friday's, did some shopping, then had Cold Stone ice cream for dessert.

Unicorn getting pampered

Me getting pampered

Unicorn's pedicure

Unicorn's manicure

My cuties

Being silly

The birthday girl!

Singing to Unicorn for her birthday!

Cold Stone ice cream!

Sunday, Mar. 2, we got up early and did a border run. A border run is where you leave the UAE and come back under another temporary tourist visa. We should only have to do this once as hubby already has is resident visa. We will submit the necessary documents to get resident visa's for the kids and me as soon as Unicorn gets back from Youth Conference this coming weekend. On the way back from Oman we saw a pick-up truck with at least 5 camels in it! It was also Seminary night for Unicorn.

How many camels can you fit in a pick-up truck?

Monday, Mar. 3, today we were able to watch the Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration. This was neat as it is the area we just moved from. It also made us a bit homesick. Then it was time for ice skating lessons. I really can't believe how well they are doing. The girls are skating forwards, backwards, and in circles. Monkey is getting pretty good at walking on his skates. He is still quite nervous about it though. Today was Ladybug's first day at Activity Days. This is when the girls at church ages 8-11 get together and learn and have fun together. She had a great time, especially since she isn't technically old enough to go. She was invited to join them as she will be 8 in May and there are only 3 other girls in their little group. Other good news today, hubby got paid, got his bank card and got his medical card! Next up, housing and resident visa's for the kids and me!

Abu Dhabi Update ~ More Waiting

Yep, we are still waiting for our "Golden Tickets"! While we knew this would probably happen we are starting to go a little stir-crazy. We are plugging away with our homeschooling and wearing out our phone batteries checking our e-mails constantly! The latest e-mail update said that visas are being processed as quickly as possible and that once the visas are processed they will issue tickets.

 Tuesday the 14th, hubby's high school was in lock-down for a few hours while the police chased a man in a car through town!

I have also been working on getting caught up on my scrapbooking. Last year was pretty rough and around April I stopped scrapbooking. Last Friday (the 17th), I finished my 2013 family scrapbook. Yippee! I am also up to date with 2014. :)

Saturday (the 18th) we had an amazing opportunity to tour the new Gilbert Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was so neat to be able to take the kids and see their faces as they enjoyed the beauty of this temple that they had been watching be built over the past 3 years!