Visiting Ottawa--after 2 years!

Our visit to Ottawa was a much needed, earned and enjoyed visit. It was very relaxing and I couldn't believe how quickly it flew by. Not having to cook or clean and the extra helping hands taking care of Nusayba and Asmaa were definitely a treat I'll never forget--شكرا يا أبله نجاة

Eid without Allaedin

It was definitely a blessing being amongst family on Eid day, but it wasn't the same without you baba

Enjoying their cousins!

Food contests at every meal really gave Nusayba an appetite!

At the library

At cosmic adventure (the jungle)

It was difficult for Asmaa to keep-up with the three of them, even when it was just to get a sip of water!

Getting spoiled by haneena

yes, I was enjoying an ice-cream cone!

just for you Nana!
(Libyan traditional dress for women--yes, this was the fabric for our Eid hijabs!)

henna in one hand a firecracker in the other!

Swimming!

Nusayba absolutely loved the henna and getting her hair braided!

With our Aunts and Uncles
(khali Akram, you were truly missed)

Visit to Houston

Alhamdulillah, we had an adventurous visit to Houston. Nothing went quite as planned, but the girls definitely got enough of each other:) We arrived to Maha's place at 11:00pm on Wednesday night, by 8:00am on Thursday the phone was ringing off the hook--friends and family members calling to advise Maha and Muhammad that they had to vacate!

I think I got to meet all the MAS members in Houston during this visit and they were definitely very hospitable!

We didn't get to spend much down time at Maha's place (we stayed there for two nights, but there was no electricity so we had to leave again). Here Nusayba is giving a gift to Iman.


Upon arriving to Maha's place (post-hurricane) the girls got to enjoy the puddles!

This was so funny!

Subhana Allah, after the hurricane we drove back to Maha's place and on the way there you could see trees everywhere, missing traffic lights and roof-tops without shingles. Alhamdulillah, there was no real damage to Maha's home--just some broken trees (the one above is right in front of her home) and a broken fence.