Bridges Family

LANGUAGE CLASS FIELD TRIP TO POTTERY VILLAGE!!

2009-09-13T18:54:00.004+07:00

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!!

2009-09-13T18:34:00.008+07:00

We so enjoyed visiting with the Perrymans and Mo!!

Good Food,

Good Fellowship,

Good Friends!

CUTTING DOWN THE BANANAS!!

2009-09-13T18:18:00.005+07:00

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

WE FINALLY HAVE RIPE BANANAS!!

2009-09-13T18:10:00.005+07:00

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!!

2009-09-13T18:01:00.004+07:00

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!!

2009-09-13T17:57:00.004+07:00

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!!

2009-09-13T17:51:00.002+07:00

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!!

2009-08-13T17:00:00.002+07:00

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!!

2009-08-13T16:39:00.010+07:00

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!!!

2009-08-13T15:51:00.009+07:00

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!!!!

2009-07-28T22:27:00.006+07:00

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

2009-06-27T22:07:00.010+07:00

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!!!

2009-06-27T22:02:00.002+07:00

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!!

2009-06-27T21:56:00.003+07:00

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

MALAYSIAN FAST FOOD

2009-06-27T21:41:00.007+07:00

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

2009-06-27T21:09:00.006+07:00

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

2009-06-27T20:54:00.004+07:00

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!!

TAKING A BREAK FOR LUNCH

2009-06-13T01:00:00.007+07:00

Russ and Kelli are going to Khun Off's for some lunch.

Her Thai food is dii maak (really good) and tuuk(cheap).

They ate lunch for 88 baht or $2.51.

Great deal, huh???

WRITING IN THAI

2009-06-13T00:50:00.004+07:00

Today, I (Sydney) wrote my first paragraph in Thai!! There are no spaces between the words.

The vowels can be in front of, underneath or beside the consonants.

My Thai book and my best friend (the English-Thai dictionary).

The Teachers at CLC: Khruu Ciap, Khruu May and Khruu Ang.

PACKING UP AND SAYING SEE YOU LATER

2009-06-13T00:17:00.006+07:00

Passing thru immigration--all packed and ready to go

Bye Aubrey--See you later!!

We love you More!!!

KELLI'S FIRST GRADE CLASS AT GRACE

2009-06-12T23:58:00.010+07:00

Kelli, Sarah and The First Grade Class

The First Graders with their Certificates

The kids on the playground

It was a great year!!

Now it's time for Summer break!!

SAYING GOOD BYE TO FRIENDS AND PLACES

2009-06-12T23:52:00.004+07:00

Aubrey has begun saying good bye to her favorite places and friends. She will be moving back to the states in a few days. The waitresses in the first picture love Aubrey. In the second picture is Khruu Too, Aubrey's Thai Language teacher.

WE'RE GOING BANANAS!!!

2009-06-12T23:43:00.006+07:00

We have bananas growing in our yard. They start out as a red pod and then the leaves eventually fall off to reveal the little bananas. Then they grow bigger. We are waiting for them to turn yellow--when they do , we'll show you pictures of us eating them!!! This process has taken over 6 weeks to get this far.

PICTURES OF AUBREY

2009-06-12T23:29:00.008+07:00

Sisters, Sisters...

Aubrey and Brittany at GIS Graduation at the Empress Hotel.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEA

2009-06-12T23:21:00.005+07:00

Aubrey invited her Senior High Girlfriends and their Moms over for a "See You Later Tea".

All the girls are moving to the states in the next few weeks. It was a great way to say "Good-bye" .

RAIN, RAIN AND MORE RAIN

2009-06-12T23:05:00.007+07:00

It has been raining for 7 days in a row. The good thing about the rain is that it makes all our flowers grow!! The bad thing about the rain is that it makes the bamboo grow too!! Here you can see the before and after pictures!

AUBREY'S SENIOR TRIP

2009-06-12T22:42:00.008+07:00

Aubrey's dream was to visit the Great Wall of China before she left Asia. So here she is--on the Great Wall!! Everytime she would stop to have her picture taken--the locals wanted their picture taken with her. They would have their friends take pictures too!! It was too funny!! Seeing the wall was an awesome experience!!

JUST KHAO SOY

2009-06-12T22:25:00.005+07:00

Russ and Aubrey went to a restaurant named "Just Khao Soy" and guess what they serve?? Just khao soy!!!!

Khao soy is a curry soup with chicken (or some other meat).

It usually is served with chow mein type crunchy noodles on top. You are also given several different types of condiments (pickled cabbage, lime, onions) that you can add to your soup! They love it!!

A SHORT TRIP TO THE STATES!!

2009-05-11T10:13:00.007+07:00

In April, Sydney made a quick trip to the states to see Family, okay, Tanner and Hunter. She had a great time with the Sea Team, Her Thursday Morning Prayer Group, and The CRCC Outreach Leaders. It was a great time to reconnect with partners. She also ate some of her favorite foods.

Candace and her roommates welcomed her with this great sign!! Thanks Girls--Luv Ya!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY!!

2009-05-11T10:02:00.005+07:00

We were at our PI Conference for Sydney's Birthday again this year--so we celebrated in the hotel room!! Cute Cake, Great balloon and a fun family!! Thanks to all who sent birthday cards and wonderful gifts!! I truly felt loved!!

SON KRAN--THAI NEW YEAR--WATER FESTIVAL

2009-05-11T09:49:00.007+07:00

A little too much sun and a lot of water!!

Russ drove the girls around town so they could "pour out blessings" by the bucket full!!

It works like this--take a huge garbage can, fill it with water, add one block of ice, use plastic saucepans to "pour out" the blessings. People even use hoses and super soakers!!

SONGKRAN--WATER BLESSINGS

2009-04-04T01:06:00.005+07:00

SongKran is a Thai Festival that is held in April.

It began by pouring a little water on someone as a blessing. In Thai Class, the First Grade Students with the help of the Thai teacher made a perfumed water that was used by the students to "pour a blessing on the hands of their teachers". It was a great way for the students to honor Miss T. and Miss Bridges.

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!

2009-04-04T00:46:00.004+07:00

Kelli's First Grade Class celebrated St. Patrick's Day by eating green iced sugar cookies!! Yummy!

SERVING AT THE AGAPE HOME

2009-04-04T00:32:00.005+07:00

Aubrey and Kelli went to the Agape Home to help take care of babies. Kelli was so excited to get to hold a baby that was only 24 days old! Most of the kids at this orphanage have AIDS.

SYDNEY READS HER FIRST THAI WORD

2009-04-04T00:24:00.002+07:00

This two letter word is YAA and it means medicine.

The first letter (that looks like a cursive E) is pronounced yuh and the second letter (that looks like a candy cane) is the long vowel for a and is pronounced aah. So Yaa. We had seen these signs all over and it was so exciting when I finally sounded it out and Read it!! There are only 74 more letters to learn!!

SAYING GOOD-BYE TO FRIENDS

2009-02-14T15:43:00.008+07:00

Our Friends moved back to the states last Wednesday. So we spent our last evening together eating Pilipino food (yummmmmy) and singing Karaoke!! We had so much fun!!

Take care Gibsons!! We miss you!!

THE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

2009-02-14T15:33:00.006+07:00

After the Flower Festival, the Strawberry Festival started. They had strawberry smoothies, strawberry tea, strawberry sundaes and all kinds of strawberries desserts!!

They even had Strawberry shaped balloons hanging from the ceiling!! It smelled so good!!

And of course it was our favorite color!!

CHIANG MAI FLOWER FESTIVAL

2009-02-14T15:18:00.004+07:00

Last Weekend was The Chiang Mai Flower Festival. This celebration included a parade with floats decorated in flowers and seeds (Like the Rose Parade)! Also there were Ethnic Dancers, Concerts, Plants and Beautiful Flowers Everywhere!!

TO OUR FAITHFUL READERS

2009-02-01T15:28:00.004+07:00

Just a note to our faithful readers (you know who you are) about why we haven't posted in a while. Our main computer crashed and we learned an important lesson---BACK EVERYTHING UP!! We lost most of our pictures, it's a good thing Aubrey has her own camera and had saved them. I had to show you this picture of Sadie playing Rummicub. David (Candace's boyfriend) and his parents sent it to us for Christmas--so fun!! Thank you Taylor's!!! Enjoy reading!!

PRUNING THE BANANA TREES

2009-02-01T15:22:00.002+07:00

Because the weather is getting warmer, it is important to keep the banana trees pruned so that spiders and snakes don't have a place to hide!!

A FEW MORE CONTRUCTION PICTURES

2009-02-01T15:17:00.003+07:00

You can see the corner of our white house to the left of the picture. They haul the bricks up to the top of the house in a wheelbarrow with a pulley. They work so hard!!

CONSTRUCTION NEXT DOOR

2009-02-01T15:05:00.004+07:00

They are building a student dorm right next door to us. It will have 9 bedrooms and a separate house for the older kids to live in. The workers start at 8am. They take a lunch break from 12-1. And then go home at 5 pm. 7 days a week, unless there is a holiday.

LEARNING THAI READING AND WRITING

2009-02-01T14:31:00.002+07:00

I (Sydney) am now a Thai Kindergartener. I am learning to read and write Thai. Our Teacher, Kruu Too came to dinner and wanted to know how I was doing!! She brought me a book that they give to preschoolers to begin to learn the letters.

I was so excited when we saw this clock in Bangkok and I could read the Thai numbers!!

OUR FIRST VISITORS FOR 2009!!

2009-02-01T14:27:00.003+07:00

Our first visitors for 2009 were Kent and Simon!!

We enjoyed sharing with them and hearing about all the exciting things they're doing!!

SAYING GOOD BYE TO CANDACE

2009-02-01T14:22:00.002+07:00

They say that all good things must come to an end--so we said good-bye to Candace. We sent her back to the states ready to finish her last year of college.We had a great time with her and miss her, but we plan to see her in December when she graduates!!

TAKING THE OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO BANGKOK

2009-02-01T14:15:00.004+07:00

We decided to take the overnight train to Bangkok, because it was so much cheaper than flying. It was a lot of fun, but we didn't get much sleep.

THE RIVER BOAT DINNER WITH FRIENDS

2009-02-01T12:47:00.002+07:00

Our friends invited us to join them for dinner on a river boat. The weather was perfect and the food was great!!

KELLI'S FIRST GRADE CLASS!!

2009-02-01T12:28:00.005+07:00

This is Kelli's First Grade Class. The kids read the story "Green Eggs and Ham" and then they ate green eggs and ham!! This is Miss T., the first grade teacher and Kelli showing their loy kratongs they made.

HILLSONG COMES TO CHIANG MAI!!

2009-02-01T12:21:00.002+07:00

Okay, you can tell we were quite a ways back, but Rueben Morgan and Hillsong had a concert in Chiang Mai. Joyce Meyer had a conference here the same weekend. It was quite sobering to look outside of the stadium and see the Buddhist Wats (Temples) all around, when we were inside singing to the One Most High!!

ARE THOSE COWS IN THE BACKYARD???

2009-02-01T12:14:00.003+07:00

Kelli looked out the back window and saw these cows in the field behind us!!

OUR TRIP TO THE ZOO!!

2009-02-01T12:02:00.004+07:00

We took a trip to the zoo. They had just opened a new aquarium.

The diver in the tank was dressed like Santa. When Candace looked at her, she "waied" which is what you call it when you put your hands together and bow as you greet someone.

A good picture of the girls with the Panda, don't miss the guy behind them!!

They had so many orchids growing there!! Beautiful!!

MAKING THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE!!

2009-02-01T11:35:00.007+07:00

I almost forgot to show you the great gingerbread house we made!! A local ministry here employs Thai women who make the gingerbread house pieces and put them into kits to sell for Christmas.

VISITING THE UMBRELLA FACTORY!!

2009-02-01T11:29:00.002+07:00

One of our fun outtings while Candace was here was visiting the Umbrella Factory in Bo Sang.

They have many fans, umbrellas, purses and canvasses that you can have the artists paint on.

Here is one of the artists we met that day!

LIGHTING KHROM LOYS!!

2009-02-01T11:22:00.002+07:00

One of the Thai Traditions here is to light these big paper balloons and send them into the sky!!

Some of them have firecrackers attached to them. We see them in the sky almost every weekend!!

Firecrackers are a main part of any holiday here!!

NEW YEAR'S EVE SQUARE DANCE!

2009-02-01T11:15:00.002+07:00

On New Year's Eve, Our leaders here hosted a Square Dance!! We had so much fun!! There were about 60 people there!! YeeeHawwww!!

AUBREYS BAPTISM!!

2009-02-01T11:00:00.005+07:00

Russ had the honor of baptizing Aubrey on the last Sunday in December.

We were at the GIS Pool!! It was a great day!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!

2009-02-01T10:51:00.004+07:00

Our Christmas Breakfast was French Toast and Thai Bacon!! We must have been very good this year because we were blessed with great gifts from our family and friends!! Thank you for making our day so special!! And having Candace with us made it even better!!

EVEN THE ELEPHANTS WERE DECORATED!!

2009-02-01T10:43:00.004+07:00

At the local mall, even the elephants were decorated in Santa hats and lights!!

Local Church Christmas Party

2009-02-01T10:22:00.004+07:00

We had the priviledge of serving at a Local Church Christmas Party. We usually attend services here once a month. They reenacted the Christmas Story--The little girl in the bride's veil was Mary.

Christmas for the Coffee Farmers

2009-01-30T09:16:00.006+07:00

Blankets for the Coffee Farmer families.

A big thank you to all who donated funds for the blankets ! !

This came at a critical time, as the temperature hit record lows up in the villages.

Pictured here are most of the Coffee farmers who attended the Christmas Party and TRAINING time.

Here, one of my partners conducts important training on how to care for and harvest the coffee trees. The farmers livelihood depends on this project.

This relationship also offers many opportunities to share the Good news.

Here the farmers line up to receive their blankets and some other gifts.

Thanks again for your partnership in this important ministry.

"Company" Christmas Party

2008-12-13T14:14:00.013+07:00

Last week we enjoyed our "Company" Christmas Party.

It is a once a year gathering for all PI Teams to meet together.

We had a great time of worship with Christmas songs.

Aubrey was one of the worship leaders.

Great Job Aubrey! (and the others ).

Poor Wilber.

He seemed

"beside" himself.

His (Wilber) loss... was

... our gain.

Here- Syd, Carol and I were cutting up a bit.

Nothing like an outdoor drive-in movie = Thai Style.

Movie:

"Christmas with the Kranks"

Good food ...

Good friends.

A true Tropical Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all !!

Thanksgiving '08

2008-12-13T14:06:00.010+07:00

We celebrated Thanksgiving with our neighbors
who are from Virginia!!
Our table decorations were sent to us by our generous Sea Team (sending team).
We had a great day--good food, good fun, good fellowship!!

Meet "Gilbert", the $ 65.00 Turkey.

Cutting close to the bone-

you don't want to waste any of that precious meat.

Loy Kratong Festival '08

2008-12-13T13:37:00.009+07:00

Loy Kratong is an annual Festival here where people set into flight paper bags with a fire ring inside.

It signifies the releasing of ones sins of the past.

They also make and float flower rings down the river - which has the same meaning.

Here we are in the front of our house-lighting our khrom loy. We have been told that lighting these is becoming more of a cultural celebration than religious ritual.

A local loy kratong floating candle stand.

"You need to buy this"

In front of a Chinese Temple along the parade route.

The beginning of the Parade--it lasted about an hour.

Lots of singing and dancing and trucks carrying generator asto power the lights on the floats!!

11,250 Monks !

2008-12-13T11:49:00.011+07:00

11,250 Monks - Literally !
Last Saturday, Syd and I got up at 5 am to witness "Several "(11,250) Buddhist Monks from (only) the Chiang Mai area gather at one of the streets not far from our house. Indescribable !

From (young) boys to (old) men.

Monks from all ages.

Each carrying their offering bowls.

Just as many devotees came, if not more.

They came to worship ...

... They came to give their offerings.

The "Merit" (Karma) received from this offering is like one years worth - normally offerings are on a much smaller scale - to Monks daily.

It was a Family event.

Teaching the next generation the religion of Buddhism.

All generations were there.

Its been said, Christianity is the only Religion where the Creator seeks / pursues the created.

They deserve to KNOW !

... and so do they !

...the harvest is plentiful ..

... the harvesters - few ...

PRAY !!

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT SKYPE????

2008-11-24T08:25:00.004+07:00

These are pictures of the boys taken while we were on skype!! Skype has definitely been a lifesaver to keeping in contact with our family!! It is a free download--you just need to buy a camera with a microphone and it's easy to set up. So if you want to see us and talk to us--get a camera and download skype!! And then SKYPE US!!!

RUSS TEACHING ENGLISH TO STUDENTS

2008-11-24T08:17:00.004+07:00

Russ is teaching English to the students at the learning center where he took a two-week intensive language course.

They enjoy hearing an "authentic American speaker".

NEW CREATURES AT OUR HOUSE!!

2008-11-11T18:20:00.003+07:00

These are the new creatures at our house this month. We have the "Halloween Bug" and the "Snake-a-lizard".

I THINK I HEARD SOMEONE SAY "MORE GRANDKID PICTURES"

2008-11-11T08:36:00.006+07:00

What can I Say??

I Love these pictures and

knew you

would too!!

"KELLI'S CLASS GOES TO NIGHT SAFARI

2008-11-11T08:25:00.003+07:00

Kelli's First Grade Class went on a field trip to the Night Safari. They had parent helpers so each adult had 3-4 kids. It was in the afternoon, so most of the animals were sleeping. But they had a great time!!

"CRACKIN' UP"

2008-11-11T08:14:00.004+07:00

You are now entering the Macadamia Processing Plant

in front of the Bridges House. When Russ went up to the village he bought some macadamias from a farmer there.

When he started cracking the hard shells the nuts would fly everywhere so he (aka McGiver) made a wooden holder to put the nuts in and then hit them. It made the proces much easier. You see his lovely assistants helpiing him shell and sort the nuts. We then roasted them in the oven. And even Honey roasted some--they were amazing.

Recent Trip to the Villages

2008-10-14T21:51:00.009+07:00

Russ recently returned from a trip into some Northern "Border" villages with his two partners. We went there to meet with some local coffee farmers who are potential Ministry partners.

As you can tell, the farmers live in an area that is very beautiful. It was nice to get away from the noise and smog of the big city.

The steep hills gave my 4 x 4 truck a good work out. At one time, my truck that was loaded with local passengers, required the lowest gear to get up a couple muddy hills.

A local farmer in front of a new coffee nursery.

A friend in front of the Hostel he operates near the village for girls who are escaping the sex trade.

Coffee, with another amazing STORY.

HAVE YOU MET OUR LANDSCAPER???

2008-09-21T23:37:00.007+07:00

As many of you know, Russ loves working in the yard and growing plants. Above are a few of the varieties of flowers that are in our yard. Kelli especially loves the hibiscus!!

SEARCHING FOR AUBREY'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT

2008-09-21T23:08:00.017+07:00

Russ and Aubrey spent a day looking for a guitar for her birthday.

They jumped on a red "Songtheew",

which is a truck with a cover and two bench seats and went to the center of the city. Around the moat there are many musical instrument stores and not many English speaking store keepers!!

They found just the right guitar at an affordable price!!

You should hear her play it!!

Happy Birthday Aubrey!!

TAKING PICTURES WITH A PUMA

2008-09-21T23:00:00.004+07:00

At the Chiang Mai Night Safari we had our pictures taken with a young puma cub!!

STILL CELEBRATING AUBREY'S 18TH BIRTHDAY

2008-09-21T22:37:00.008+07:00

Aubrey was sent her favorite cake mix all the way from the USA!! Funfetti cake with funfetti icing made into a castle for the Birthday Princess!! We went to the Chiang Mai Night Safari!! It was so incredible!! It had beautiful buildings and they had lions, tigers, and bears (Oh my). They also had giraffes, rhinos, hippos and zebras that came walking right by us!! The laser and water show was also too cool!!

AUBREY'S BIRTHDAY BOWLING PARTY

2008-09-21T22:28:00.004+07:00

Aubrey had a Bowling Birthday Party with her friends!! The bowling alley was very nice with digital scoring and brightly colored bowling balls!! The girls loved the shoes!! They also loved Aubrey's chocolate cupcakes with chocolate funfetti icing and Tropical Punch Koolaid!! We had a great celebration!!

MAKING DOLLS OUT OF LOTUS FLOWERS

2008-09-09T17:03:00.006+07:00

Kelli and Sydney made dolls out of Lotus Flowers --So unique and fun!!

The finished products!!

CMU FLORAL FAIR

2008-09-09T16:56:00.004+07:00

Sydney and Kelli went to the mall this weekend for the Floral Fair. There were so many different varieties and colors of flowers--it was amazing!!

MORE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!

2008-08-22T08:23:00.003+07:00

We continued Russ' Birthday Celebration at a local hotel. When you arrive for dinner they bang a gong to announce your entrance. It is a yummy buffet with many desserts, some of them are really tasty!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUSS!!

2008-08-22T08:06:00.004+07:00

Russ' favorite cake-Italian Creme Cake and opening presents and cards.

08-08-08 OUR 33RD ANNIVERSARY!!

2008-08-08T17:42:00.004+07:00

Russ and Sydney celebrated their 33rd Wedding Anniversary on 08-08-08!! Time sure flies when you're having fun! We're looking forward to 33 more years!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLI!!

2008-08-02T16:32:00.005+07:00

Kelli's birthday started with a trip to the cow market with our language teacher, Khruu Too. Aubrey learned to play "Happy Birthday" on the guitar. We also went to Swensen's ice cream for a "Firecracker Birthday Dessert".

WE HAD SOME SPECIAL VISITORS!!

2008-08-02T02:50:00.010+07:00

We were pleased to have Bob and Simon come to visit. Incredible stories and spending time together!!

FOURTH OF JULY AT THE EMBASSY

2008-08-02T02:37:00.008+07:00

We celebrated Independence Day on July 3rd at the American Embassy. No Dr. Pepper this year, but still good hot dogs and Mug Root Beer!!

WE'RE BACK HOME!!

2008-08-02T02:34:00.003+07:00

Here we are back home--at the Chiang Mai Airport!! Pam and Stacey met us at the airport!!

OUR LAST MEAL IN THE STATES

2008-08-02T02:06:00.002+07:00

This was taken at our last meal in the states. Our sweet waitress brought us a "Good bye America" dessert!!

SAYING GOODBYE TO FAMILY IN CALIFORNIA

2008-08-02T01:59:00.006+07:00

We went to spend a few days with Russ's family before we left. They made yummy homemade ice cream and cake!!

KELLI DOING WHAT SHE DOES BEST--TEACHING!!

2008-08-02T01:54:00.002+07:00

Kelli had the pleasure of going to Candil Hall where she used to teach pre-K and tell the kids about the customs and culture in Thailand.

FAVORITE PICTURES OF TANNER AND HUNTER

2008-08-02T01:39:00.007+07:00

The only words that come to mind are; precious, adorable, delicious, kisses, hugs....

WORKING ON THE BACKYARD

2008-08-02T01:32:00.002+07:00

Tanner helping Daddy and Grandpa landscape the backyard!

MILKSHAKES--A FAMILY TRADITION

2008-08-02T01:16:00.007+07:00

One of the kids favorite memories is of going to Poppa's and Grandma's for homemade chocolate milkshakes. Rusty keeps the tradition by following Poppa's recipe!!

THANKSGIVING DINNER AND CHRISTMAS GIFT EXCHANGE IN JUNE

2008-08-02T01:06:00.004+07:00

We decided to go ahead and celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas since we wouldn't be in the states. We had turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. And then we exchanged $1 gifts--we had a great time!! We also had a Photographer come to take family pictures!!

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS?!?!?!

2008-08-02T00:56:00.005+07:00

Tami, Kelli and Candace are getting ready for our Christmas in June gift exchange!!

KELLI'S BIRTHDAY WAS "TEA LIGHTFUL"

2008-08-02T00:50:00.005+07:00

We surprised Kelli with an Early Birthday Celebration with some of her friends at a Special Tea Shoppe.

HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY MOM!!

2008-08-02T00:46:00.003+07:00

We celebrated Sydney's Mom's 70th Birthday on June 13 th!!

THE COFFEE ARRIVES!!

2008-08-02T00:23:00.009+07:00

We shipped 660 pounds of coffee from our farmers in Thailand to Vegas.
We had it roasted and bagged. It is being sold in two cafes in Vegas.

Sharing about "Coffee With a Story"

"Coffee With a Story" Label

CHILLIN' AT SPRING MOUNTAIN RANCH

2008-08-02T00:08:00.006+07:00

We went to Spring Mountain Ranch

to see the musical

"Beauty and the Beast".

As you can see when the sun went

down it got a little chilly!!

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

2008-08-01T23:59:00.004+07:00

Aubrey and Kelly...
The David Family...
Aubrey!?!?

EVEN MORE CABIN PICTURES!!

2008-08-01T23:28:00.006+07:00

THE FAMILY!!
Playing SPOONS!!
Singing around the campfire!!
Wild Riders!!

AT THE OLE' BALLGAME

2008-08-01T22:12:00.009+07:00

Here we are enjoying the Vegas 51's Ball game!!

Being silly and eating lemonade slushies!!