Summer 2013

Our long awaited summer vacation finally arrived.  We left Saudi right after school on the last day.  We were so excited to start our awesome vacation.  I was able to get a pretty good deal on flights that had a layover in Florida for 9 days.  We flew into Miami, drove down to the keys where we stayed for a few days, then drove up to Orlando to end our trip at Disneyworld.  It was awesome.

The courtyard view at our hotel in Miami.

Miami

Vika at Miami South Beach

Our first day in Miami we drove around and fell in love with Miami. Perfect day with lots of blue skies and sunshine.

Couldn't be in Miami without visiting where the NBA champs played.

This is what the kids do with the camera when they have to sit in the car for hours.

After driving around Miami, we drove down to Marathon in the keys where we spent a few days snorkeling and seeing the sights.  Absolutely beautiful.  We decided that the best beaches are right here in the US.  No need to visit any other beaches in the world, we have it all right here.

The road to the Keys.

Chill time at the park near the beach.

Decided this was the next house I want to purchase.

We spent the next day snorkeling.  Took a boat out with a group of other people and this was one sight we saw.  I think she has been in the sun WAY too long.

Cutie pies on the boat out snorkeling.

Our crew

Getting geared up!

 It was an amazing day of snorkeling.  Again, some of the best we have seen and we have been to several places in the world.

Gavin's interpretation of wearing a Hijab.  Not a good look.

Vika and her noodle.

 

Our boat was called "Jolly Roger"

The next day we drove  down to Key West.

 After a few days in the Key's we drove to Orlando to go to Disney World.

Vika at Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Epcot Center

Haunted House in the Magic Kingdom

We drove out to Daytona Beach and stopped at the raceway.  They were having practice runs and it was sooooo loud.  

Daytona Beach Raceway

We only lasted a few minutes at the races because it was too loud so we headed out to the beach.

Jonny and I stayed at the hotel one of the days and drove around Orlando.  We happen to come across the Orlando temple and were surprised that it was so close to where we were staying.  Took the family out there the following day.  Beautiful place.

Orlando Florida Temple

 Finally arrived in Utah on July 7.  We stayed at Ranell and Mike's for a few days before we headed off to Arkansas.

Jonny trying out the cowboy look.  

Vika loves to ride Uncle Mike's horses.  Thanks to a great cousin, Mikie, who would take her out to ride.

Ranell and Mike have done a lot to there place.  Looks so green.

We left for Arkansas on July 9 and took a few days to get there.  One place we stopped was in Colorado Springs.  

Finally made it to Arkansas where we were able to take several motorcycle rides with Keith, Ranell and Mike.  Love that our family is into motorcycles.

Keith and Mike…very much motorcycle dudes.

 Vika was able to spend time with her cousins Deegan and Sy.

One reason we went to Arkansas was so that Vika could be baptized with our family around.  July 13 was a very special day for our Vika.

Vika and her Daddy

So glad that we could have lots of family here with us.

Vika and Opa

Just wish Rachel was there with us.

Celebrating Austin's birthday

Vika and Sy…two of the cutest girls ever!

Vika was finally able to get her ears pierced. 

Had a great summer.  We spend three weeks in Arkansas before heading back to Utah.  By the time we got to Utah, we only had three weeks left of our summer.  It went by way too fast but was full of lots of fun things.  The summer would never be complete without the traditional ending of Gavin hiking Mt. Timp. with his buddy Chris.

Gavin on Mt. Timp.