Spring Break - Thailand!

A few months ago, Russ decided to look forward to when we would be sick of Winter, and would need a warm getaway for Spring Break at school.  The island of Koh Chang in Thailand was recommended to us, so off we went.

We had a night in Bangkok when we arrived:

It's wonderful to be in summer clothes again!!

We went for a wander around a local market....

Wonderful array of fruit.

10 different types of cooked bugs!

....and Russ found some rice - of course.

On Koh Chang we rented a lovely, quiet, affordable holiday house, and it really lived up to our expectations!  We stayed 5 nights at this house, and relaxed around the house and pool most days, with a walk along the beach each day too.

On the ferry to the island 

The view from our table - yes, the pool is just for us!

The towels on all the beds were cute!!

Russ showing that he is a true Queenslander -
was always on the lookout for coconuts to open!

Our beach rarely had more than 2 or 3 people on it!

In the middle of the week, we spent a day exploring outside our own little bay.  We went to an elephant farm, looked for monkeys (and eventually found some, on the drive back....), hiked to a waterfall and walked along the beach.

Had lunch by a lovely little river...

We had the fish treatment...... lots of little fish
'nibbled' on our feet and legs - ticklish, weird,
and quite hilarious!!

All in all, our time away was lovely and relaxing (Russell even relaxed!), and just what we needed.  We left Russ in Bangkok, and he then headed to Vietnam for work, while Alice and I headed back to Korea - we were welcomed home by a hint of Spring..... cherry blossoms have started, flowers are out in pots, and the temperature is improving!

AUSTRALIA DAY - Korean style!

Australia Day in Korea is generally cold and snowy, but this year was quite different.  It was cool (OK....we still had our big jackets on, so it was cold - below 0), but we managed to celebrate in style!

We started the day with a pancake breakfast, sharing it with Yuyu from Japan, who was staying with us for a basketball tournament at KIS (Alice's school).

Then we had quite a few of the Australians from KIS over for an "Australian" lunch - meat pies, pavlova, the lot!!

Barry entertains the kids!!!

The aftermath.....

The cricket match on the local basketball court was a highlight!

Kwancho demonstrates the style..... 

Bazza tried to pretend it was Summer.....
for a while.....

The kids cheering from  "The Hill"

It's so nice to get together with the Aussies and be understood, just for a little while.....  Thanks for a great day!!!

Summer in Canberra, Leeton and Kiama

We spent time over our Christmas/New Year break in Canberra with the Parsons family (ALWAYS busy and a bit wild!), New Year with friends in Leeton (a few wild moments there, too!!), and a few days relaxing by the ocean at Kiama.  All in all a very busy few weeks, but great to see people!

It's always great to see our family when we come back to Australia. A second Christmas with the Parsons family in Canberra was, as expected, busy and fun!!

New Year was perfect - a fun evening at the Yanco Hotel with good friends.

We love these guys!!!!  Thanks for having us, Cathy and Matt.

After a couple more days in Canberra with my parents, we drove to Gosford for Isaac and Jacqui's wedding....

Sydney for Rachael's farewell (she's gone to Belgium for a year)......

then Kiama for a few days......

Relaxing on the deck - Alice's friends from Korea, Shea and Sara, joined us for a night - fun!!

Beach babes!

Building the stumps for beach cricket.... as you do...

It wouldn't be summer at the beach without beach cricket!

Models!!

Two of my favourites!!

....and the evening entertainment is.....

Christmas in Maleny

So.... after the excitement of the engagement, we had a very nice, quiet Christmas with Russell's Mum in Maleny.  The weather was wonderful - temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s, no rain, and not enough humidity to worry us.

Alice's favourite present was, of course,
her One Direction onesy from
Mitch and Peta-Erin

Christmas day

Mitch, Hayden and Alice
playing the organ together!

Of course, these two are meant
for e

My boys....

Our beautiful kids at the beach!!

Mitch and Hayden invented a new game -
"Jumping frog tennis".
It kept them busy for a LONG time!!

Possibly the most exciting thing that could happen.....

In Australia for 3 weeks over the Christmas holidays, we spent our first week with Russell's Mum in Maleny, Queensland.  The weather was perfect, we managed to relax, and Hayden, Mitch and Peta-Erin joined us.

We all enjoy going for walks in the evening, and one such evening, Russ and Hayden decided to head out..... as did Mitch and Peta-Erin.  Russ and Hayden invited the others to join them, and offer which was politely rejected..... and NOW WE KNOW WHY!!!

MITCH AND PETA-ERIN ARE ENGAGED!!

Although we realised this was on the agenda sometime, Mitch had chosen the time and the location months in advance - looking out over the rolling hills at Maleny is the perfect place to propose, and they came  back from their stroll VERY excited!! 

CONGRATULATIONS to Mitchell and Peta-Erin.  We love you both so much! We have seen so much maturity (and lots of silliness) in you, and we know they will work hard to communicate with and support each other. You have both chosen well!!

They are getting married on January 10 2015, at Bungendore near Canberra.