Happy New Year

"Out with the old, in with the new" ... one of those phrases that comes up when one year ends and a new one begins. As bumpy as last year was, and as hard as some days were, how grateful we are that we got to experience G0d in so many ways. Without doubt, He carried us through. And even though we sometimes act like the Father is taken by surprise by the events of our lives, we are thankful for His sovereignty, His mercy and His grace.

From this side of the world, as we said goodbye to 2010, we couldn't have been more excited to spend it with our former "Toad Suck" friends from Conway. They taught us so much about the last country we lived in when we all still lived in AR, our kids loved playing together, and in all honesty, we still can't believe we're back on the same continent, let alone the same Asian city. Our kids are much older now, but it's almost as if time stood still in some ways. We brought in the new year with them at a place that has a Rainforest Cafe feel ... Thai-style. Elizabeth and Noah ended back at their house later than night for NYE, and they're looking forward to many more sleepovers in the future. We were also excited to get to spend some extra time with the matriarch of the family, Nenek, as she flew in to help them get settled.

So neat to see these girls together again....

As well as the boys ... they're representing Conway well at their school. Noah is on the track and field team while C just made the basketball team!!

What a gift from the Father in bringing us all together again!!

We also spent the New Year's weekend on a first-time outing to the zoo!!

It was a fun day and we saw things we'd never seen, but New Year's weekend was probably not the day to go to the zoo as it seemed like the rest of Chiang Mai may have had the same idea as us.

Flamingos....

Photo op with an ostrich....

.... and an elephant!

Another difference in this zoo and other zoos we've been to is the number of "touristy" things. So many more things to do than just look at animals, like this human-sized ball that you can actually get inside. If you've seen Bolt (the movie), think of the hamster. Noah could hardly eat his lunch he was so excited to get his ball rolling.

Of all the colors, the only color he didn't want was PINK ... and here is Noah being "blown up" in his pink ball!! He loved it though and got one of the best 15 minute workouts of his life.

Inflated and about to be tossed in the water!

His competetive spirit came out and he and the boy in the orange/white ball went head to head!

One of THE funniest thing we've seen here ... and going back to the animated movies theme, think of Dash in The Incredibles. :)

Making his exit ... and all smiles!

A little video footage if you're interested (if you listen, you'll need to scroll down and mute the music on the blog).

Another difference is the number of trams and regular vehicles that drive throughout the park. Definitely have to be on your toes ... or you might lose them!

Another "cool" exhibit is the Snow Dome. Being that we're so close to the equator, most folks around here have never seen snow. Once you enter the snow dome, you are met with -5 degree Celcius temps (23 degrees Fahrenheit), man-made snow, a "tubing hill", and a whole lot of fun!!

We weren't allowed to take anything in with us, including the camera, but how "NICE" of them to have photographers throughout to take family pics ... for a small fee! And yes, they provided these themal coats and snow boots to wear ... with our shorts! :)

We then went next door to the Panda exhibit. The pandas are on loan from Ch!na ... and these people here go absolutely nuts over these bears. In fact, there is a 24/7 cable channel that you can turn on and see what the pandas are up to whenever you want. It was neat to see, but we won't be getting cable to see the pandas! :)

This first guy slept the entire time we were there!

But around the corner, this momma bear was up and about the whole time we were there.

We had as much fun watching the people watch the panda as we did watching the panda!

The amazing white bengal tiger....

And his counterpart!

You've seen one giraffe, you've seen them all, but this really was beautiful!

American boy in a stare-down with a Thai giraffe!

Okay, so they're a little small, but their Poppie would still be proud!! :)

Elephant-feeding time....

We waited around for the hippo to go swimming, but it wasn't to be on this day.

Whether your a flower or a bird, chances are you're vibrant in color!!

The zoo sits at the foothills of Doi Suthep ... He created so much beauty in this place!

It was a fun day to get out and experience His creation in a whole new way!

A neat thing about a new year is that we also get to celebrate another year of marriage. We didn't go out on our actual annivesary, but after school a couple days afterwards, the kids summoned us to our room while they cooked our annivesary dinner - ham sandwiches, Sponge Bob macaroni and cheese, oatmeal/chocolate cookies, and sweet tea. They also brought out the finest china-ish dinnerware, placemats, and candles. They did good ... they did REAL good!!