Happy New YEAR!!!
What a great time of year, just finishing celebrating Christmas which is one of my favourite seasons but without snow it just does not have the same feel 🙂 So to make up for that we sprayed snow adorning all our windows with paper snowflakes hanging above.
The past few months have been action packed with visitors, coaching sports teams and organizing a festive Santa’s Breakfast. We took advantage of the Christmas break and catching up on some fun unfinished projects except our blog ..haha.. But here is to a new year 🙂
A trip back to 2011!It was
Movember month and Trent was participating along with his Mo-Brothers in support of Prostate Cancer awareness. There was a fuzzy caterpillar growing under Trent’s nose 🙂 Thank you to everyone who donated to this important cause, Trent was the top man in the fundraising in his group ~ great job honey!
(close to two weeks of growth – sooo itchy to kiss 🙂
~ Lets Hit the Road ~
We settled back into our routines in September after a always whirl wind trip back in Canada so to enjoy a bit more family time we explored one weekend venturing up to the Panviman Resort overlooking a beautiful valley.
(I am standing at the pool looking up to the reception and resturant area. The grounds and views were beautiful)
(This very refreshing pool (aka freezing water) was a beautiful setting. This picture was taken on day one, all the action happened on day two when Everett spotted a snake in the water. There was alot of commotion and Trent sure moved fast..haha)
(I came around the corner to find Ev sitting peacefully meditating. His Asian friends are having soothing influence on him 🙂
(Easton trekking through a cavern filled with wonderful carvings thoughout)
(Em taking in the breathtaking views ~ she is growing up into such an amazing young lady)
(the kids loved the mini buses who shuttled us around the huge property, it was a tight squeeze getting in)
~ The devastating Flooding ~
I am sure you had seen on the news, stories of the flooding situation in Bangkok and surrounding areas. A week or so before the waters reached Bangkok we had our own situation here in Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) Our house was not effected but the kids school was closed a few times due to extreme high water levels.
(Trent and I got caught in the flooded area by the Night Bizzare in Chiang Mai one afternoon. It was a tense situation because we were in the truck and we started to push water. Trent was very concerned about water overtaking the motor leaving us stranded with a damaged vehicle. There was cause for concern when we saw small boats floating in the water instead of the usual flow of motor vehicle traffic)
(A lady making her way through the street, the wave you see is from our truck as we traveled down the street)
(this gentleman just sat and watched us crazy foreigners try to make our way)
(I never understood the full devastation of what flooding could do. Now that we had been in the middle of it and witnessed what was happening for the local people I feel an overwhelming sadness for so many fellow countryman but so many people and organizations pulled together to help the victims which was fantastic)
~ The Newman’s Arrive ~
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| (The Newman’s arrived for some exploring and fun in our neck of the woods. It was a blast having them here! The monsoon past over us the day before they came, so the weather was great and like always the food was yummy) |
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(One of the first stops ~ the kids wanted to show Jax one of their favorite places… The Snake Show of course. We will not forget how fast the flying snake landed on Colin 😉
(Colin was a brave soul, these were live scorpians the kind gentleman started placing on Colin. All the showman could say was “don’t move, don’t move” – how comforting)
(The big boys Colin and Trent! – A milestone year for these wonderful men)
(Went exploring to a waterfall and swam in this amazing creation from Mother Nature)
(Newman Family loving Thailand)
~ Beach time to Koh Samet ~
We woke up early to catch our flight to Bangkok, hoped into a van, drove 2 hours south to Rayong to then board a speed boat, finally arriving at the island of Koh Samet.
(My beautiful Emmy, excited to head to the beach!)
(Pulling up to our resort on the powder white beach. Jen said the sand was like baking soda between our toes)
(our favorite part of the beach ~ relaxing in a chair, reading a book and getting freshly cut juicy mango and pineapple. My mouth is watering for it right now 🙂
(The view from our rooms. The boys playing in the pool that over looked the ocean)
(We all got tattos! This is my lotus flower which I love. Trent got some Thai script on his foot … Em, East & Ev were all tattooed up all over their bodies. Aunty would be proud 🙂
(The kids always having fun. Jax being a trooper in the mix of my three 🙂
(Trent is looking for a new profession so he thought he would try selling fruit on the beach for a bit. To his astonishment the baskets was extremely heavy and awkward to carry – on to the next job I guess then)
(Back on the mainland and time to say goodbye to the Newmans. It was a blast having them come visit, Thank you for coming all this way!!! Come again soon.
~ Boarder Run ~
Every 90 days we have to cross a boarder to stamp out of Thailand then re-enter. This time we decided to head north to Myanmar/Burma and the Golden Triangle.
(Had to stop at the infamous pie place on the side of the road on our travels up to Myanmar or also known as Burma. I do have to say the pumpkin pie was delicious!)
(ahhh sisterly love, we have proof she loves East)
(Here we go kids, time to walk across the boarder and check out the other side)
(We went through customs and we walked to the Myanmar side, this was my first view to my right)
(A large market of a variety of goods were to be had once we crossed over. Wow were the people aggressive and I do have to say the prices were crazy cheap on many things)
(The kids with a little local woman)
(These woman were relentless, Trent was putty in their hands)
(Another cute local lady… The kids are so sweet with the elderly)
(This picture is funny because I eat food off side carts all the time with no problems. Trent finally decided to try some tasty treats and that night his tummy was not so good)
(Ev is such a giving boy. He does not shy away from the less fortunate, he just wants to help them. This man had the best smile and laugh)
(Now these local boys would put any Vegas street hustlers to shame. Wow they were good talkers, lets just hope the money they receive goes to helping their families have a better life)
(Back at the hotel cooling off from a hot day of being in the markets. This tree was the best pool play toy ever)
(One of the famous attractions in Chiang Rai is the White Temple. This temple will take a total of 70 years to complete and it is stunning. The paintings on the inside of the temple will blow your mind at how beautiful, intricate and symbolic they are. The kids were so amazed by it we had to go to the temple twice)
(You can take the kids out of Calgary but you can’t take the cowboy out of them. They saw these handmade cowboy hats and had to have them, they are so funny)
(Up to the Golden Triangle where the countries Laos, Thailand and Myanmar/Burma meet. A river separates the countries. The Golden Triangle is extremely historic and known for the Opium Drug Trade. We took the kids to the Opium Museum and they saw first hand how without education how devastating a substance can be. Freaked the kids out, a very educational trip)
(Welcome to the Golden Triangle)
(Me and my hubby surrounded by beauty! So blessed)
(Time to pack up and head home. Make way for the precious cargo on the trolley)
~ Happy Halloween ~
(The boy dressed up for the school parade. I love their creativity! Everett dressed up as Man in Black and Easton was Black/White Man)
(Halloween Night ~ Easton was a cool pirate, Em a to cool for you witch and Everett a cute pirate)
(Always a family event ~ I was a Greece Goddess and Trent was a Hanson Brother..haha)
(Trent’s buddy Sean, could appreciate Trent’s costume as he was a Canadian hockey player as well)
(Em is an official scooter driver. She is doing so great, so confident and ready to join all the under age drivers around Thailand (or lets just say she would if we let her)
Hope you had a wonderful 2011. I have more updates in the wing of my Mom’s visit as I am finally catching up and the rest of 2011 🙂
Lots of love
Our Crew x x x
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