January was a fantastic start to 2024. We were so excited to travel for a week of vacation and met some dear friends that we have not seen in a VERY long time. How long? Well, that young man has already graduated college and is working full time as a teach overseas. The last time we saw him, he was 10 years old. It's amazing how so much time cna pass and yet you feel like none has passed at all when you are together.
The girls spent some time hanging out with their friends for a few days.
Regan and Kai got their first big snow while at Union.
To say she was one excited college student is an understatement. She took pictures, played with Kai, made snow angels, and had a blast.
This was us heading to the airport from our house in Rome. Hudson forgot something important at the house so he and Jonathan went back for it. They were running to catch the train. We all made it just in time!
Hudson loves airports and airplanes.
Here we go!!!
Flying over the Swiss Alps
We have arrived....Bangkok, Thailand
First up...yummy fruit drinks (Actually, only Hudson got one because we were picking and choosing what snack we wanted)
The shopping mall near our hotel.
Jonathan has been waiting for some fresh mango and sticky rice!
We went to the floating market one day and saw this cute little guy. You could hold him and take a photo (for a price of course) but I opted for the free photo (with her permission) He was adorable!
Our guide to get there took us to try some coconut pudding. Sounded gross to me, but was actually really good!
Off on the first leg of our boating adventure...
The shop owners along the river would try to snag your boat to pull you closer to theri store and try to convince you to buy something.
Handsome guy here.
By the sign in case we ever forget where these pic are from...haha!
Yes, I paid for this one. Lauren had the memory of holding this snake when she was little with Papaw.
This was the memory Lauren had....I do believe the snake was NOT nearly as big as she remembered! :)
Since I paid for the snake photo, I wanted to join in also
Benjamin decided to hold a little one of these guys at the market.
Selling food from the boats.
Traffic was bad as we were heading to a different market. We asked the guide how far if we just walked it. He said 5-10 minutes. Yes, please. We will walk :)
Apparently, all of the traffic was to get to this place. I think it is the entrance to a temple.
We were headed to the Maeklong Train Market.
The people literally set up on both sides of the track. THe only place to walk is on the track. When the train comes, you have to get over. The venders, move their tables back and put down their awnings.
Here we are on the tracks.
He knows the train schedule. He was taking the tables inside until after the train passed.
If you look closely at some of the pictures, they have painted a red line on the ground to help the tourists know how far back they need to get so they don't get run over.
trying to get a photo. We couldn't quite get everyone in.
As soon as it passed, the people flooded back onto the track.
Mmmmmm, fresh mango smoothie. WE were enjoying the tropical climate in January ;)
The train was passing again.
haha
pretty tropical flowers
Stopped by a 7 Eleven and Lauren bought this ice cream. The kids used to get this one often when we lived on this side of the world.
Yep, we are definitely in Bangkok.
View outside the window of a bookshop that we used to enjoy so much. Still enjoyed looking, but just looking this time. The kids had other priorities for their wishlists.
Yes, I think he will get a Starbucks in every location we visit. It's his thing. He spent most of his Christmas money on drinks
Riding a tuktuk back to our apartment from the mall.
It really made me laugh because the kids are bigger now and more aware of things. They said, "Mom! No wonder Mamaw always worried about us! Are you sure it's safe? He's driving crazy." Yes, it's safe.
We asked him to take our picture before we got out. Jonathan and Benjamin opted out of this mall trip.
I was on the hunt for these guys the entire time. Actually, EVERY time we have been to Thailand I have looked for them. We have yet to find them. So if you ever see them for sale on a street somewhere, please tell me! ;) They are so cute!
The boys didn't stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve...jet lag...but the girls did! ANd we got tickled trying to get a photo in the dark
The girls bought Thai clothes and Hudson bought a souvenir shirt...Benjamin is saving his money.
The pool
Where we enjoyed breakfast
And now it's time to return to Rome! Hudson asked me to take several pictures for him since he was not by the window this time.
I'm glad he did. So many beautiful sites! This is flying over Tehran!
We had a layover in Switzerland because of the time differences. We got off the plane and it was snowing!
Yes, he had shorts on!!! All of the locals were worried about him :)
We are back on the plane and heading to Rome. It did snow so we were delayed a bit while they deiced the plane.
It was actually quite fun to see watch the deicing procedure!
The Swiss Alps again
The beach/Ocean in Rome
I was having coffee with some moms from the school and got a glimpse of Hudson during his PE class. He was doing archery.
We also met up with some good friends for coffee when we got back. It had been a while since we had gotten together between our family being sick and their family being sick (but on opposite schedules)
Lauren was super excited about this travel guitar!!! She's been wanting to learn a little guitar. So now, she is teaching herself.
Katherine liked this bell pepper the best.
And here we are! Waiting at the hospital for her biopsy (7am)
Finally have a room! (11:30)
Still waiting. SO we played some Yahtzee
It's finally time (4:30) It took 2 hours and I won't post the post biopsy pics. She was in a bit of pain.
Yuan Yuan was the first to arrive in SS so we did an extra lesson/craft that I had leftover from the morning SS, learning how God is here for you no matter the time of day.
Then She and Benjamin played for a bit.
Oh! Another Thailand photo :)
