Thursday, August 5, 2010

Summer

We spent July back in the States

 Rob's grandparents have energy & love a parade



New sweetheart cousin, Addison

Sweetheart cousins Taylor, Grace & Tristan


Guilty of crowding

3 hour layover O'Hare...

4 hours in Tokyo

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed... we collected 51 board books, 44 toys/sets/puzzles, 2 crib mobiles, and $130 for the orphanage. We'll be home at Christmas, and plan to dedicate another suitcase or two then for the kids. Allie & I delivered load #1 this past week, and it was graciously received.

Riley has begun riding lessons & got a nasty bite last week, but couldn't wait to get back on her horse this week.

New garden

New palms

Snacking in new backyard, likely our only shot at ever having a pool

Our Thai door has changed. Previous lease was coming due with our 1-year Thai anniversary approaching, so we chose a neighborhood on same golf course, but with more kids the girls' age, a small gym with lovely AC, tennis courts for growing enthusiast Allie, a little more space, and our own small pool (just a giant hot tub, really, but still only a meter outside our own door). This is Riley's 7th residence in her 8 enchanted years... 2 for Thai, 2 for France, her first move was at just 4 months-old, so it's not quite as bad as it sounds, but still... gypsies, we are.

Exploring a different land, I was reminded this week.  A part-Thai buddy of Ry's from school was over for a playdate.  We girls were chatting, and I learned that her dog was hit by a car some months ago.  Allie asked, "Did you bury her in your backyard?" ... "No, we put her in a bag in the freezer." ... "Why?"... "Because my cousins wanted to eat her. They ate my other dog, too." I've always heard of such things, but this was my first personal "encounter." That I know of... don't care to think on THAT too long.

Yes, we are back in Thailand for Year 2.  Bring it on!