The Florentin's welcome Abu Dhabi, UAE, as their new home!  We have been here for 3 weeks and have been very, very busy! All we took with us from the states was 17 suitcases and our sense of adventure.
It took some time to get used to the time change.  Bennet and Ashtonn were falling asleep in the car, at a restaurant, and pretty much anywhere they could sit!
We spent our first two week in a villa rented through Gregg's work.  It had a great big pool and we were able to watch a Euro cup game on a projection screen tv by the pool! We were happy to move into our own townhouse in a place called "Al Muneera" which translates to "the lighthouse." It is a large compound with apartments, villa's and townhouses. It is a brand new development and very nice. We are a 5 min. walk from the beach!
We have had many adventures trying to find locations, moving furniture and trying to understand English through thick accents!
We have met so many great people already! Everyone from church is very friendly.  Our first Saturday here we went wake boarding!  The kids did really well for their first time! I attempted to also, but only managed to bruise my legs! (I'll blame it on jet lag.)
We met up with some friends at a place called, "Sparky's" to celebrate Ashtonn's 7 birthday. It was a lot of fun.  Ashtonn's new friend, Aziza, came with her sister and nieces and nephew. The children all love Aziza.  She was the first person they met who wore an "Abaya" (the long black cloak the women wear) and a veil. She immediately made them feel comfortable and now she is all they talk about!
We spent a weekend in Dubai.  We stayed at the Atlantis Hotel in the Palm. It is a big chain of man made islands that look like a palm tree from above. (very cool) We enjoyed the huge aquarium, water park and a dolphin adventure! We also checked out the Burj khalifa.  It is simply amazing! It is the tallest building in the world and is just fantastic.  The entire skyline of Dubai is something from a futuristic novel. At night the lights are incredible. We also visited "Ski Dubai" but saved skiing for another trip!
We are now getting settled into a more normal routine. Some things will take longer to get used to but for that I am grateful.  What good is a life changing adventure if you get everything figured out in 3 weeks?