LANGUAGE CLASS FIELD TRIP TO POTTERY VILLAGE!!

My Thai Language class went on a field trip to a pottery village so we could practice using our Thai language skills and learn more about the Thai Culture in the village. One of the ladies making pots that day was 84 years old and had been working their since she was 14! We were able to communicate in Thai and make a piece of pottery too!! It was a great day!!

GOOD FRIENDS COME TO VISIT!!

We so enjoyed visiting with the Perrymans and Mo!!

Good Food,

Good Fellowship,

Good Friends!

CUTTING DOWN THE BANANAS!!

We shared our bananas with our Thai friends and I made some banana bread!!

WE FINALLY HAVE RIPE BANANAS!!

We have been waiting for months for these bananas to get ripe. One morning we heard a bird outside the window and when we looked outside we knew the bananas were ripe enought to eat!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUSS!!

For Russ' Birthday--Our Parents sent him money to have a seafood dinner. One thing this part of the world is know for is "chili crab". It's basically a crab with chili sauce on it. As you can tell it makes such a mess that they give you

a bib!! Russ loved it!!

THE RICE IS GROWING!!

The rice is about two feet tall now. They continue to flood the fields every few weeks to keep it watered. The rice in this field will feed several families for the whole year.

HAPPY 34TH ANNIVERSARY!!

Russ bought me these beautiful flowers for our Anniversary!! We went to Bangkok to get visas the next week and our parents bought us tickets to see "Mamma Mia!!" Thank you Moms and Dads!! We had a great time celebrating!!

IT'S RICE PLANTING TIME!!

One of the fascinating things about living in SouthEast Asia is rice planting time. This rice paddy is right outside of my language class window. My teacher and I watched the farmers till up the ground and then flood it. They throw out seed and let it grow "shoots". The shoots are then pulled up and put into piles. Each farmer takes a pile of shoots and sticks them one at a time into the ground with their thumb in perfect rows. It is back breaking work. They throw out fertilizer and just watch it grow. They will be harvesting in a few months. The green color is so beautiful!!

AUBREY'S GRADUATION QUILT!!

I made Aubrey a quilt for her dorm room in her favorite colors of pink and brown. I sewed the top together and sent it to my friend Mona. Her friend and quilter, Val, quilted it and Mona and Bob sewed on the binding. Thank you Val, Mona and Bob for your hard work!! It will be a surprise for her Graduation Party!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLI!!!

My birthday started out at Dunkin Donuts for Breakfast. I received great boxes from family and friends. Aubrey sent me these personalized candles. Our SeaTeam had sent the giant cupcake pan and sprinkles. Thank you to everyone who made my day so special!!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

The V.F.W. along with the U.S. Consulate hosted the U.S. Independence Day Celebration. They had Ball Park Franks, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, and even sugar cookies decorated like flags!!

As you can see, Uncle Sam showed up!!

There were games, watermelon eating contests and a great fireworks display!!

Happy Birthday America!!

HELPING AT THE NEW PRE-SCHOOL

This week we began helping at the new

"Precious Stones" Pre-school.

These children are from our neighboring countries.

We helped them with English and taught them some songs and read stories.

THANK YOU SEA TEAM!!!

A Great Big "THANK YOU" to our Sea Team for this fun box of our favorite things!! You guys are so good to us!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!! LOVE, KELLI

MALAYSIAN FAST FOOD

One of the things about living in Asia is the "hawker food". This is food that is prepared by vendors in little stalls along the streets and marketplaces. Russ picked out his fish and the

vendor placed it on a banana leaf and cooked it for him.
Russ' favorite food was the variety of things you could pick out (look at the top picture). He thought he would pick them out and eat them individually. But when he went to pay for it, the vendor took his plate, dumped it out on a cutting board and chopped it up, then put it back on the plate and added some veggies and this spicy red sauce. Russ said it was delicious. Gotta love the diversity of tastes and spices!!

VISA RUN TO PENANG

Two weeks ago we had to go to Penang to renew Kelli's Visa.

We found an incredible Tropical Spice Garden to visit. Russ loved all the green foliage and varieties of plants. Then Kelli and Sydney got to visit a local tea house "Winter Warmers" for a "cuppa" (Which is what the British call a cup of tea!!)

PAINTING AND REARRANGING

Since Aubrey moved to the states, we decided to give Kelli her room and make Kelli's room into a guest room (hint, hint) So any of you who want to come see us--come on over!! We're already taking reservations!!