new

 Our church built a brand new building in Sengkang. Our expat congregation was getting huge, so we were split in two and assigned to the new building. 

Its nice and shiny on the inside and the boys love taking the KPE tunnel all the way there. We can see the LRT train going by every 10 minutes or so from the windows in the chapel. Big bright windows. Letting lots of light in. 

We're missing some friends, but grateful for the beautiful building. 

And grateful for the light. 

No matter which building we're in.

Thanksgiving

We spent days thinking about things we are grateful for. Adding them to our thankful tree. We made little pilgrim chocolates and hand turkeys. We had a feast. A really really good feast. 

On our Thankful Tree this year:

good friends

Mr. Ho's turkey

air conditioning

candy

Mommy

Daddy 

Noah 

Gage

school

dim sum

swimming

mei mei

a healthy pregnancy

homemade hawaiian coconut pie

the gospel

handsome boys

small kindnesses

Noah's Favorite Place

If you ask Noah, "What is your favorite place in the world?"

He doesn't say that awesome beach in Krabi, Thailand or the ancient temples in Cambodia. He doesn't say Bali. He doesn't even say the woods in Michigan or the mountains in Utah.

He says Wild Wild Wet. The water park in Singapore.

He loves the raft slides, the lazy river and especially Waterworks. Now that he's tall enough.

Gage loves it too. They run around like the happiest boys on earth. Dancing to Justin Bieber and other pool jockey favs along the way. 

The last time we went we also got free tickets to this cozy theme park that was open for its last day. We rode a few rides before the rain came pouring down.

You should have seen Dave squeezing his long lanks into this airplane ride. Sorry, there's no picture to maintain his dignity. But he did it.

some news...

due May 2nd. 

This house is so excited.

LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA

Noah had 2 weeks off in October for fall break. 

So we went to Langkawi, Malaysia for 5 days. 

It was perfect.

A small sleepy beach town in northern Malaysia, right by the Thai border. 

 

 

There were rows and rows of these Muslim women waiting at the airport in Langkawi.  So colorful.

 

I have a confession to make. 

We didn't leave the hotel the entire time. 

Unless you count a bike ride.

Just hung out with these handsome boys the whole trip. 

And loved up every minute of it. 

At 4pm every day a fisherman came onto the beach, banged a big gong, and sold his day's catch.  We picked out our red snapper and sent him off to the beach bbq for dinner. So good. Seriously, so good.

The boys LOVED the kids' club. Games, friends, Malaysian music lessons on drums, kiddie yoga. Too much fun.

Dave and I loved the food. And sitting outside with the boys. Except for that one fuzzy black caterpillar who paid us a visit and left red itchy marks all over Dave's neck, and legs and hands. Who knew those could be poisonous? Now we do.

This is how the boys felt about going home. 

Me too.

LANGKAWI snorkel and kayak

The beach at our hotel was perfect. Gorgeous. Not crowded.  

With interesting spots to snorkel or kayak to.

The boys loved the kayak. Noah would jump out again and again and want to be towed behind. Or do tricks for us.

The best spot for gathering shells was just beyond that little island.

LANGKAWI pool

I could have sat in that pool chair and cuddled this boy all. day. long.

So cheeky. 

But I suspect he was really there for the milkshake.

That's ok. I'll take it.

The biggest decision of the day? Pool or beach?

The slide was definitely a favorite. The boys had all sorts of fancy ways to go down. Ninja style, belly sliding, twirling on the knees, 'The King of Singapore'.

And my favorite? 

Do you have to ask?

LANGKAWI beach

The beach! 

The boys could be here all day. 

Me too. 

So we did.

Play in the sand. 

Wrestle your brother. 

Don't forget to smile for the camera.

Or find a critter. Put him in your bucket. And make him your friend.

This is Crabby. Gage would catch him. Then set him free. Then catch him again. Poor thing.

Noah with his newly missing teeth.

'The River' was a favorite spot.

 

Remember to wash off your feet before you come in for dinner. 

Or don't come in at all.

LANGKAWI bike ride

One morning the kids stayed at the kids club while Dave and I went for a bike ride. 

 

 

The coast was gorgeous.
The sky incredible.
We saw rubber trees and
tropical flowers.

Watch out for the big red ants. 

and the monkeys crossing.

and the crazy drivers.
Remember which side of the road to stay on. 

We made it to the Gunung Machinchang Forest Reserve and hiked up to the Temurun waterfall. Local guys were climbing up and jumping in.

So Dave joined them.