Merry Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to all!! Any big plans for New Years? The Thai’s celebrate New Years here so I am not to sure what we are up to just yet for New Years, I might possibly have a babysitter so we will see.

Trent & I finally went on a date night last night; we had a girl from the states here visiting her parents so we nabbed her for a night. It was so wonderful not to have to dine & dash like we usually do. We went to this restaurant called “Prompthep Cape” and it overlooked the Kata bay, amazing setting. We missed the sunset but it would be breathtaking up there.

There was a table cross from us and it is amazing how we have so much information about the world and people still are ignorant to information. This woman from Ireland was shooting off her mouth to the other patrons at her table that next to France Canada is an all French speaking country. I was waiting to hear her say we also drove dog sleighs. I would have corrected her however by the number of whisky bottles on the table I don’t think she would have remembered our conversation. She was a woman who knows the world and was even giving lessons on how to speak Thai and she is here on a week’s vacation.

That is not the first time we have heard that in Canada we all speak french. I met a family from Italy and when I said we were from Canada they immediately said “Oh you speak French” I corrected him by saying only some of the country does us red necks in the west don’t. I told Freddy (the Italian) tell all your friends to tell all there friends that Canada is not a French speaking country and maybe the word will spread.. lol…

We had a great Christmas. Emma was up bright and early and found the gifts from Santa. Emma and Easton had to wait about an hour for Everett to wake up ( we love practicing patience) The kids had a great time, it is nice to have a few new toys around here as we only brought from home; one Barbie for Emma, and a few dinky trucks for the boys (mean parents I know)
(I made sure everyone was dressed this christmas morning picture..haha last year the kids and most of Trent we not clothed)

Toys were quite cheap here. I went shopping and I had three huge bags full and it cost me I would say half of what I would of paid back home. I found Emma these shoes and they are so cute, I found ones like them at home at Browns and the price tag was $90.00 here just as cute $12.00. Quality is better at home but she won’t be wearing them forever. The cutest dress like the one Gramma Galbraith gave here years ago the pink one with the stretch material up top, found one here for $9.00 and it is so cute on Em.

Mr. & Mrs. Simpson and Mr. Day I bought Trent and electronic Texas Hold’em game for Christmas so we can practice our skills, any games been going on lately?

(Mom, here is the puppy & book for the kids)

Christmas afternoon we went out for lunch and the food was not so great. We went to an English pub and it was not what we were hoping for. For supper however we went to a place called Jimmy’s light house and the couple who own it is from Calgary. The turkey dinner was excellent just like being at Gramma’s, so that brightened up our Christmas. We went back the next day for turkey sandwiches. The Lighthouse restaurant is right at the pier so we watch all the sail boats and it’s neat for the kids.

I went for a Thai Massage the other day and I still don’t know what I thought of it. The only way to describe it is a massage, slapping of your skin, woman standing on you, joints being pulled, a chiropractic session and finally a few good thumps on the head for good luck. I had no idea what to expect so I could not relax fully next time I know so I might be able to enjoy it. The woman starts massaging and the next thing I know she is using her foot to dig into my muscles, it did not hurt I was just surprised. At the end of the 60min massage you do a few stretches with her and then she twists your back to crack it (that felt great since I am in need of an adjustment) It was an experience that I look forward to trying again.

Emma and Trent went to the dentist yesterday. For x-rays, checkup and cleaning $30can. Trent said it was very clean and nicer than our offices back home. The dental clinic is in the hospital, I go next week so I will be able to give you a better indication of what it is like.

The weather has been amazing I hope that the rainy season is now past us. We have been going to the pool more often since we met a family who is originally from Germany but has lived in Hong Kong for the last 10yrs. They have three girls’ ages 9-6 & 9months. Emma and her six yr old Aleigha are so happy to have each other. We were talking about food and since her girls were raised in Hong Kong the crazy things they eat ( ox tongue and other things we are not so accustomed to ) The girls think peanut butter is so gross and sandwiches are not very good, they can not go without rice at every meal practically.

Everett is a lot easier at the pool now, we found water wings that are a lot better and off he goes, he loves putting his head under water to float like Emma & Easton, he is growing up really fast trying to keep up to the other kids. We have no baby,baby left..

I have been asked about our car, it is a little Honda. I truly miss my truck as I LOVE my truck. We are definitely cozy in here. When Trent picked up the car the first day we rented it, the guy laughed as Trent got in it; it’s like being back in Germany again. (small cars) ..... Jim Drew would have a heart attack, our kids ride in the hatch of our car, no seat belts.. (I will take a picture of the car for next time)

We have been taking this a little bit slow this past week with Christmas and all the tourist out and about which creates lots of traffic and not alot of beach chairs left when we get there.

On the 26th was the anniversary of the Tsunami and we drove by Patong beach one of the hardest hit beach. There were a lot of people there and ceremonies going on. The stories we have heard are very sad, a lot of people came back this year to make peace with what happened. Patong beach is huge and we drove high up to over look the beach and for this amount of water to surge in at this particular beach I can not imagine.

No matter where Trent goes the cops seem to find him. He got stuck in the a check stop and he got a ticket for no seatbelt, he had Emma with him(she was not happy) He had to get out of the car and stand in line to pay his ticket right on the spot. He said it was comical how many people were in line and how many Thai's it took to file, take payment and stamp your ticket.. He still does not wear his seatbelt because the offense is only worth $9.00. No amount of money makes him wear it because at home he does not..

We were at the beach yesterday late afternoon because it was sooo hot here. We went at 3:00pm and I was still worried about the boys and their skin. Everett would kick us away and just swim around on his own, he loves it.. You not believe how comfortable he is , he rides the waves, drinks the salt water and he is fine... Easton got caught in a few waves on his boogie board but is on his way to being a pro.. Emma says, "lets go surf" - Em is waiting for the perfect wave!

At the beach it is so great having fresh fruit. The kids devour watermelon and pinapple. I hope to learn how they cut of the pinapple, its a great way to eat it..

I am so thankful for this time with the kids. We are watching Everett become a little boy before our eyes with no distractions. Easton is such a young man, he is communicating so well and has really benefited from all our one on one time. Emma, well my girl is such a little lady & is really understanding the word patience with her brothers and is doing great with them. They are really working well together and Emma does not like to go anywhere without Easton, its really nice to see. We have an amazing family and our kids amaze me each and everyday. I also want to say to my husband as much as I give him a hard time (haha) he is a wonderful man and an unbelieveable dad.. I want to thank him for trusting in my choice to come to Thailand and trusting that everything would be OK. He has created an AMAZING life for us and for that I am extremely grateful!!


Happy New Years to everyone!!!

All our love and miss you, I can’t believe we are heading to 2006 and before we know it we will be on our way home…

Love getting your emails keep them coming…

All my love to my family, I miss you!!