Thailand Tales

Petersens, Bundys, Skeens, Lakes and Caspersons. I keep adding on pictures, so these are totally out of order!! This was our last day in Phuket, which 12 days into our trip we were all still not ready to leave. It was back to Bangkok for some final massages, tennis, shopping and sightseeing for 2 more days before taking that loooong flight home.
Probably safe to say the nicest poolside vicinity's I have ever seen. And this is only a quarter of the largest of 3 of the pools.
"Hong by Starlight" Tracer did good on this one. We took kayaks out during low tide through caves in the ocean to enter lagoons on the other side. It was so tranquial and peaceful. We took turns jumping off the boats top balcony....had a wonderful Thai spread, made offerings out of flowers and fruit then took them into the wavy night waters through the darkened bat filled caves to light them and give as offereings. It was so awesome. We saw fireflies and sea kelp that looked like it lit up when you touched the water. Magical is the only word that discribes that adventure.
Quest. Team building activities such as rock climbing, rapelling, walking the balance beam waaay off the ground and climbing a telephone pole and jumping to a trapeeze. Fun.
Our jungle mt. biking trek which I wrote on down below. What was our Belgian bike guide thinking?? I know we did more traversing the jungle than riding but I loved it. Here I just stepped in the dung!
Local Fresh Cuisine...what'a grocery store??
This was so awesome! Elephant hair is prickley and when he was reaching for more bananas with his big snout, it kept coming closer and closer towards me and reminded me of a snake! Eek!
Snorkeling off the Phe Phe Islands of Phuket. SO gorgeous and clear!
We swan out to Monkey Beach where all these aggresive monkeys came right up to us and were fighting over food. These islands the Tsunami devasted from both sides since they are so small. Watch your fingers Ryan!
Ahhh, Mr. JW Marriott really knows how to create a relaxing get-away.
Our Bungalows on the River in Northern Thailand. By far the best food we had and breezy "open air" dining. Night's lodging $8. Dinner $1.50....mosquito netting, a bathroom- shower- toilet combo and a fan....what more could you ask for?
Don't believe they do seat belts here at all. It's by boat, taxi, moped, elephant or let's all load up in my truck.....getting supplies in Chaing Rai to take to Tribal villages the next day.
Phuket
D. Trace Skeen and Annie.....they sacrificed a trip AROUND THE WORLD for us to all come here together!!!

I can say with certainty that I have have about 200 pictures to scape of our most fabulous trip to Thailand. I wanted to post a few of my favorites but how do I choose! First off....my biggest fear (besides something happening to one of my children) is SNAKES! Yikes Stripes! I can't believe I even did this to this day. I was pretty grossed out, crying and shaking. Todd says even though my nostrils were flared and I was shaking with fear, he found it disturbing yet somewhat arousing. LOL!! Snake Farm Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok, in front of the King's Palace....Gold everywhere!
Visiting the Yellow Lahu tribes outside Chaing Rai we dispersed many goods brought from home as well as what we bought there to give to these poor tribal children. It was my most memorable part of the trip. Todd is holding her pet beetle and I am giving out toothbrushes/paste.

OK, this was just the best! I felt like that wild mt. man that has his own survivial show....Grizzly Adams or something like that. We took our Mt. bikes way up into the jungle. The village we rode through was up such a steep road that even yours truely had to walk her bike. That tells you something! They looked at us as if they had never seen bikes before....probably hadn't. We had to carry them through the thick jungle, across a stream, through rice feilds and I even stepped in water buffalo dung! Nice. I loved it, loved it! Thanks for going back Sara!

10 p.m. at Siam

Is that a Big Donut or do I just have a big mouth? Look at Ryan in the background...He thinks I have a big mouth doesn't he?

Enjoying solitude compliments of Mr. JW Marriott and D. Trace Skeen
I love having all sisters!

TM Custom Portraits

My favorite pictures

A good friend referred me to her photographer who captured the very essense of my children's personalities. This is my most favorite wall in the house.



Camdyn and Kennedy had lots of fun taking shots in their tu-tu's.

Why were they more cooperative for Tara than for me??

Litte Girls

Having little girls can be a lot of work, but so much fun! Linny helped me compile this darling banner of pictures I hung at Camdyn's baptism. Mom helped sponge curl hair Camdyn and do raggy ringlets on Kenna.

Camdyn had a "fairy princess" party at our home with 8 of her friends. We made wands, played games, ate dainty finger foods for "tea" and made worms in dirt with pudding and crushed cookies for dessert.

The girls are taking ice skating lessons and love it. As Activities Chairman I reserved the rink for our ward only and it was well attended and so much fun!

Papa and Annie's visit

We enjoyed Papa and Annie's visit so much. The kids stayed the night with them downtown....went out for pizza, sat in the hot tub, went walking, got popcorn and watched a movie before sleeping on the pull out bed. Kennedy said it was the nicest hotel ever!



The girls and I made these cupcakes after church for our prebaptism devotional with 4 of her friends, the Lakes and all of us. It was nice to have Camdyn being the only child baptised that night. She is a sweet daughter and growing up right before our eyes!

Camdyn's Baptism

Our little Camdyn was baptised on Sunday. Just as our dear prophet, left this Earthly life, Camdyn became it's newest member. It was a very sweet day. Annie and Papa flew in for the occasion. We invited 4 of her little friends over to the house for appetizers and a devotional and then to the church for the baptism. Papa Trace and Steve bore thier testimonies. Annie gave her a necklace, Beverely a CTR ring and I a CTR bracelet.

Our Home Teachers gave wonderful talks and Jon Jackson conducted. Beverly Lake played the piano to Camdyn's favorite songs: I'll Follow Him in Faith and I Love to See the Temple. Mom and I gave the prayers.

Clean Slate 2008

There are many things I wanted to start in 2008 and Blogging wasn't one of them. However, I am proactive in any form of preserving memories and bringing family closer together. So if this can accomplish that....and it doesn't overtake my free time, then great!!

I'm sending this out more or less as a test run to see if I am actually computer savvy!