Weekend Getaway

Kaiya and Jonah ready to go

Petting a "wild" deer at the park

Our cabin where we stayed at the resort

Beautiful view

Kaiya enjoying the pool

Jonah liked it too

Beautiful scenery surrounding the pool

Last weekend we went with a group from Jonathan's school to Khao Yai National Park. We stayed at a nice little resort near the park. It was so nice to get away from the city and to go out into nature (which I so dearly miss since moving to a city). It was so beautiful there - with so much greenery, mountains and there were so many butterflies at our resort. Upon arriving and getting out of the van - one of the first things Kaiya said to me was "look Mom, Mountains!" We got to spend some time at the national park and we spent a lot of time at the swimming pool but mainly just enjoyed being out in God's nature. One of Kaiya's parting remarks when we were leaving was "I wish we could stay here forever." I know what you mean...

Birthdays - Part 2

Jonah's charcoal goatee

Jonah and Lia checking out a present

The ladies

Jonah and Kaiya enjoying their presents

We had a second birthday celebration for Kaiya and Jonah with my sister Laura and her family. The original plan was to go to a water park for the birthdays, but unfortunately 3/4 of our family was sick. So our alternate plan was that we had pizza and opened presents at home. We had a great time despite being sick.

Rio Mission Trip

Julie and I

Jonathan and I (sans kids) at the cultural show

Julie with Jonah and Kaiya

Rio Lindo Academy came out to do a mission trip here in Thailand at the end of March. They went up to a village in northern Thailand to build a water system for that village. On their way to and from the village they spent a couple days here in Bangkok. It was so nice to see the familiar faces of our friends and (Jonathan's) former students. Jonathan and I got to join the group for an evening out to see a Thai cultural show which we enjoyed. I was very happy to get to spend a little time with my dear friend Julie who went on the trip as a sponsor.

Birthdays

In the past two weeks Jonah turned one and Kaiya turned four. My babies are growing up so fast! We had a combined pool party for them with some of our friends. We are very thankful for both of them and feel so blessed to have them in our lives. Words cannot describe the joy they bring into my life.

Popsicle gang

Kaiya and some of her friends enjoying popsicles on our front porch. Kaiya loves popsicles and asks for them every day. She also always tries to find someone who will share the pleasure with her and there are usually willing people around due to the hot weather.

Christmas Season

Jonah checking out the tree

Kaiya asleep on Jonah's play mat - one of the days she was sick

This year it has been hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit. The main reason being is that it still feels like summer to me. Also it is difficult to do our normal holiday traditions such as going out and picking out a real Christmas tree with hot drinks in hand. And to top it off, I have had two sick kids over the past week or so making it difficult to go Christmas shopping, do Christmas baking or get anything else done. However, we did go get a (fake) tree and decorated it (with cold drinks in hand) and it is slowly starting to feel like Christmas, just a new kind of one with new experiences and traditions.

A Favorite Place

Tiramisu and Strawberry Almond Cake

Within walking distance from our home is a little shop called Sugaroma. It is one of my favorite places to go. They have an amazing selection of desserts which varies each time I have been there. So far my favorites have been: the strawberry shortcake, tiramisu, the chocolate bomb (chocolate hazelnut mousse with a chocolate shell around it) and passion fruit smoothie. I am looking forward to taking my parents there this Christmas break so they can partake in the yummy goodness.