The trip to Dubai

Here is me with my awesome friend Laura who volunteered her 12 passenger van as our transportation to the airport. I was really skeptical that 12 suitcases, 6 carry-ons, 6 backpacks, and all 6 of us would fit but she worked her packing magic (and I mean magic!) and got it all in with a little room to spare. We did this the night before so we could just wake up and go!

And here the boys are making shadow puppets as the sun came up in the airport. 

 And just look who was waiting for us at our layover in Dallas! Kristen just moved to Dallas and surprised us with her beautiful self, and even lunch at the airport! She stayed with us until we were all loaded on Emirates, and pulling away to Dubai. I love this girl so much!


And 14 hours of the BEST AIRLINE THERE IS later, we were on the other side of the world and waiting again in airport lines in Dubai. Lincoln was having none of it and it's a good thing the flight was smooth sailing because this tantrum while trying to get through customs with all our stuff almost did me in.



But lo and behold, we made it though the airport, loaded THREE taxis with our stuff, and made our way to the hotel. It is beautiful, and fancy, and relaxing and perfect.


It had all these space age switches, and I still am not sure how to turn on which light. I just start pushing these buttons, and hope something works. The little silver light turns on with skin contact, cool huh?


Here are the boys after exchanging their $20 traveling money in dirhams. They were so excited to have $70 dirhams, and these nifty quicksilver wallets the airline gave all the kids.

It also happens to be a perfect time to be in this hotel because August is Very Important Kids month, so they get free pizza and ice cream EVERY day! We will be sad to see August end, since we will still be here into September. The restaurant staff are like our second family here. They see us every morning and afternoon, and know us all by name, and spoil our kids like crazy. I'll have to get a picture before we leave!


Oh, and our hotel is connected to a giant mall, where we go almost every day because it has the grocery store, and fun stuff for kids (Dora Live! was there for our first week), and a theatre, and cheaper restaurants than the hotel, and an Ikea, and this fun free little boat ride.



Overall, we are doing great and LOVE it here! We love you all! We'll keep you posted on the house hunt!