Hello there.

I had full intention of keeping up with the blog this summer.  But, once we hit US soil, we have not stopped moving.  We have become I-5 gypsies, living out of suitcases.  However, both North and South we have our own space and the kids have rooms to claim as their own.  This has been great considering that other people we know (teachers) are on the constant move around the States and sleeping on couches. 

Being back has been like a dream.  We have loved being with family, friends and the easiness of it all.  It has been refreshing with how simple it was to fall right back into "our" old lives.   It has also made me realized how much stuff there is here and enjoy. I have missed that and will claim that the Northwest is the most beautiful place in the world on a sunny day. 

Shopping: The first time I walked into Target when I got back I left with nothing because I was overwhelmed.  Now, I have spent a small fortune and I am afraid I won't have enough room in my suitcases to bring it all back to BKK. I just keep thinking I need to find stuff to last for another 10 months!!!  I think I have over done it :). 

Food: I came to eat, and man did I.  I seriously have put on some lbs and hope the Thailand heat and food will shed it fast once I am back.  Wade and I came for beef and we totally fulfilled that desire.  I go to bed most nights with an upset stomach because of the richness and quantities of the food here.  I totally understand why we are the world's "largest" nation.

As I look on FB to see friends from BKK arriving back, I am looking forward to our next year there.  I know it will fly by fast and I already have big adventures planned.  Doing what we are doing is like going away to college.  I need to enjoy it while I can and take advantage of what is has to offer for us/me and how it is changing us/me for the better.

Let the last two months be told in pictures.  We leave the States soon and I will post more once we are back in BKK.

Countdown in hours

Preschool graduation done.

Good-bye dinner with friends at our favorite Thai restaurant completed.

Last mango and sticky rice from Soi 166 (Amelia singing her love for it with every bite) devoured.

Thailand, we will see you in 57 days.

Countdown is on.

With 9 days left until we come home for the summer, my list of things I am excited for is growing. I have decided to list my top 10 (not included seeing family and friends because that is a given) so I can remember to appreciate them when back in the good ole' USA.

1. Eat and EAT....I miss meat the most. Good, red meat grilled to perfection. I have a feeling I am going to gain some weight....Mexican, American, cooking dishes I have not been able to do here....Trader Joe's!!!!!

2. Wearing layers of clothing. For the past 10 months I aimed for minimal, light outfits. Heading to a 30 degree difference, I know I am going to freeze. I am going to be the crazy person dressed like it is winter in June. I miss my hoodies.

3. English: English is spoken a lot here, but I am looking forward to EVERYTHING (mostly) being in 
 English. We live by the saying “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit”. There is also ”Thailanded” coined by some friends. You have to visit to understand.

4. Driving a car. I have only driven a motorbike while in Thailand. I am hoping I still remember how to drive. I long for the freedom it gives.

5. Running. I use to call myself a runner. I have not ran once here. It is too humid and hot. I am excited to take a run in the fresh Northwest air and not feel dizzy from heat after.

6. Meeting Hadley and other babies born while we were here. Knowing I have a niece and the kids have a cousin they have never met is sad. I hope we can make up from lost time.

7. Taking HOT baths. Only cold showers here.

8. Sleeping with lots of blankets and soft beds. The mattresses in Thailand suck and are very hard. My memory foam on my mom's bed is calling my name.

9. Being in the same time zone...this means calling people and not needing to calculate what time it is there.

10. Using a washer and dryer to do laundry (preferably with Tide). I have a washer in Thailand, but the water is hard and the clothes are dried in the sun. That combo does not give the same feeling on your skin. Tide is also over $30 here in the Western grocery store. I can't afford that. 

Liam has also become a little confused here.  A little time away may be good for him.

Long weekend: Erawan Falls and Kanchanaburi

It is nice when long weekends that occur in the States fall as the same time as long weekends in Thailand. Makes the world feel a little smaller.  This year instead of joining a team for "Ski to Sea" over Memorial weekend, we joined our neighbors for a hike up the Erawan Falls  to celebrate Visaka Bucha day.   The falls are seven layers, with water pools and slides at each.  Wade and others made it to the top, while the kids and I made it to level 4.5. It was nice to be out in nature, but the pool at the resort was calling my name after being sweaty and muddy for a couple hours.

Taking a break after some serious climbing.  I had to bribe the kids with a coke to keep going. 

Look closely at the rock and you can see the natural water slide. 

In his "spot".  The Ergo has been a lifesaver for me/him and our travels.  Best pack ever. 

All cleaned after our hike and enjoying a snack  by the pool. 

The pool was right outside our room.  

The falls are just out of the city Kanchanaburi, which is famous for the "death rail".  The movie and book named  Bridge on the River Kwai  is based there.  Being so close to this historical place, we needed to make a stop on our way home.

The bridge. 

The train passing on the bridge as we were on the tracks. 

Looking at the river and the famous bridge. 

Here comes the train.  Thank goodness there were platforms off to the side.  My mom was telling me in the past these were not there and people ended up in the river. 

Waiting for the train. 

Birds and Bees

Forget Vegas...the world's capital for sin is Pattaya, Thailand.  Run by mafia, the center of Asia's sex trafficking and dead (farang) bodies showing up on a daily basis, why not have a bachelorette party there?  With three teachers getting married this summer we had a reason to celebrate.

The pool

22 of us hoped into a party bus Friday after school and partied until Sunday morning.  We ate good food, got plenty of sun, but most of all had good (mom we were safe) fun.

As for the rest....what happens in Pattaya, stays in Pattaya.

What I will say is we stayed at a resort away from the main strip called Birds and Bees.  It is part of the famous restaurant Cabbages and Condoms.   It was a great place that I will keep in mind for future weekend trips.

The three reasons to celebrate.

Good meals

Condom Santa

Birth-control Man

Two for Two

I no longer have a baby, but another kid. 

I love this picture because he looks like such the little man. 

Over Songkran, Liam turned two in age and attitude.  Because we were on vacation for his actual birthday, he was the lucky one who had a birthday that went for a week plus with multiple celebrations and two parties!!  We had one at the resort where the staff at dinner made him a pancake, turned out the lights and everyone sang.  He LOVED it.  We had the other party when we got home and had his neighborhood and daycare friends over for a "pool" party with pizza and cake.  He was adorable with his expressions and excitement with presents and cake.  He is not only a very loving little boy, but very expressive (in good and bad times).

Over break Liam also had his annual exam.  The exam was a little different than we had the year before in the States.  In addition to looking at his growth and such, he also had a blood test and chest x-ray.  All turned out perfect.

2 Year Stats:
Weight and Height: 12.9 kg (28 lbs) and 86 cm (just under 3 feet).  He is not a big guy.  Built more like a bull dog: short and broad.  I am afraid he is taking more after my father than his father.
Physical Examination: All normal  Blood Count: In normal range Blood Chemistry: Normal, but iron low. Chest X-Ray: Normal sized heart and such.  Mom count: Perfect little boy.

Developmental:  Liam is a talker, but sometimes it doesn't always makes sense.  He can express his wants and feelings pretty well and speaks 3-4 word sentences.  He is a good eater and LOVES Thai/Asian food.  He also has a sweet tooth and often asks for candy.  His favorite people are mommy, sister and Goma.  But, dad always needs to be accounted for and near by.    He thinks he is a BIG kid and keeps up with the neighborhood gang. His favorite activities are playing cars, riding his scooter and jumping on the trampoline.

Happy Beach Birthday

I am raising him to be a lover. 

Pool party

Songkran Break: Koh Kood

I am starting to think maybe our adventures our not just due to us living in Thailand, but perhaps we are a little jinxed (or destined).  Everything always seems to work out, but the process leaves us stories to tell.

This vacation would be no different. To make a long story short, we had ended up adding two unplanned nights to our trip and almost didn't make it to Koh Kood. But, the island was worth it all and the resort made vacationing with children easier.

All there is on Koh Kood is small resorts, clear water and white sand. It has yet to be hit by BIG named hotels, there is no town/city and the first paved road was in the process of being built while we were there. It is not a place you go to looking for action. It is a place you go to lay in the sun and relax with a dip in the water to cool down.

We stayed at a resort called "The Beach" with our neighbors from home. It has little tiny bungalows nestled into the jungled hill. The best part of the place was the beach. Perfect for children and adults. I could relax in the sun while Liam and Amelia played near by in the calm water. We ate great seafood, the kids loved being with friends and Koh Kood is another place on my list that I want to return to.

White sand.

Clear, warm water.

Oh yeah, there is also a waterfall on the island.

Nightly sunsets.

Our jungle hike to see the waterfall. 

Sunglasses are a must. 

An attempt for a family picture.  Why is it so hard for all four of us to smile at once?

He thinks he is a swimmer.

One of our additional nights waiting for a boat at the Centara Resort on the Cambodian boarder. 

Liam found a ball... coconut.

The resorts dock.

Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

Waves.

Liam turned two on this trip.  Here he is showing his "two".  He is getting so big/.