My Dad & Darlene adopted a mama & baby elephant for a day in Chiang Mai, their favorite experience during 3 week visit
And Riley's favorite. She couldn't wait to show us the date she'd recently had with Rob. Actually, at dinner the other night, my Dad asked what was her favorite thing that she's seen while living in Thailand. With a smile & not a second of hesitation she tells him, "Seeing you here." That's Mei-chan.
We all agreed it does seem to help a bit... very soft feet for a few days
This could be the A&W with the chain's best view in the world
Allie with Khun Sak. She's loving lessons, as they're more mind stimulating than swimming laps
Found a tulip for Ry this week to celebrate Holland's newest designation, 2nd Happiest Town in America. We're happy it's our home
Not a TV watcher, but the Olympics suck me in. Bought a bunch of silk in a village near Cambodian border during Christmas trip. It's been calling me, so I'm hand sewing pillows & tackling some mending while spectating sport. Ry keeps telling me that she & I will come back here to pick out silk for her wedding gown that I will sew for her when she's engaged someday.
2 years ago, St. Anton, Austria, our 11th wedding anniversary. Gosh, I miss snow. While watching Olympic events last week, I could almost feel my frozen toes snowboard cross to glory.
My Dad & Dar left last night for flights home. So glad for a little time with him this month. Short & sweet because of all the venturing out they did, but glad to see them navigating so well on their own, Tammy beams with pride. The girls enjoyed hearing my Dad call me Tammy again. It's been a while, and he is about the only one in the world who can get away with it.
A lot going on, but not much excitingly Thai. Heavy into work & school. Allie's world is school projects and tennis... group play once a week and privates twice. I took my Valentine to the Pattaya Open Semi-finals last weekend, watched world #9 Vera Zvonareva, great time. Hot afternoon sun crept into our covered seats, but court was positioned on the sea, so terrific breezes & views helped us tolerate the sweat. Even sitting in semi-shaded seats, we were as soaked as the players. Gross.
During our lovely tennis date, Rob & Ry had Valentine A&W floats and fishy foot massages. She loved it. Dangle feet in fish tanks for a half hour while they nibble off dead skin. Gross. This weekend Ry insisted we take my Dad & Darlene. My Dad giggled like a 7-year old, and Ry's mission was accomplished.
I'm helping often at the girls' school library. Getting ready for a new card catalog system, woo-hoo! I'm truly loving it there and more seriously pondering career options in library science.
Random question... what do you think of a hospital that has McDonald's in its lobby? Allie's friend has been a pretty sick girl here, but has had lots of McD while being treated by MDs Doesn't quite seem right, but then I guess happiness & such meals can heal.
Rob & I are about to celebrate a baker's dozen tonight. Sitter for the girls & dinner for us at Mantra. I must share my groom with a baker's dozen of his colleagues, but so it goes. Mantra dinner is always special, and it is time with my love. Hope we at least sit together :-)
Some thought it may not last when we returned with surprise from tying the knot on our own in Venezuela. I said vows in my handmade dress of the silk shantung Rob brought me from his first Thai adventure in college. We were babies. But here we are today, together even when we're not, and enjoying our landscape of love. Mt. Fuji, Pico Bolivar, a mountain of parenthood with two spunky girls, rocky mountain highs, death's valleys, a tour de France, Alps, tropics, and a little house in the big woods on the shores of a Great Lake in the 2nd happiest town in America... I can't help but smile.
