Singapore Flyer

A few weeks ago we went to the Singapore Flyer. It takes about 30 - 40 minutes to go around once and it gives spectacular views of the city at night. We had gone out for supper at Outback Steakhouse and realized we weren't too far from the Flyer so we walked over. There wasn't a line and we got right on - when it first opened we heard people were standing in lines for hours to take a ride!

Inside one of the cars.

The Flyer is constantly changing colors as it rotates.

Here is one of the cars - each one can hold 15 people maybe.

Moving Update

I thought I'd post a quick update on how our move is progressing. Our TENTATIVE plan is as follows: The kids and I fly out June 8th with a layover in Tokyo before landing in LA. We're going to spend a couple of days with Justin, Robin, and co. before flying on to Elgin on June 10th. Ryan will follow on June 26th after he oversees the packing of our house. It's a little strange for me to not be here when all the packing will be happening but at the same time it would have been crazy to have all three kids around while they are trying to work.

The moving company is delivering boxes to me two weeks before I leave for the US so that I can start pre-sorting things. That will hopefully make the unpacking slightly more organized!

Our air shipment gets packed up June 3rd which is the day before school gets out for the summer. Hard to believe that first grade is almost over! I tell the twins from time to time that it's okay with me if they just stop growing for awhile:)

As far as our summer plans they will all depend on when we close on a house, how much work needs to be done before we can move in, and when our shipment will arrive. I'm not looking for our shipment before middle of August since it will take awhile for it to go through customs once it arrives in the US. We will be in temporary housing for the first two months after we move back or until our shipment arrives (assuming we have a house by then.)

The only FOR SURE plans we have are to spend a couple of weeks in Forrest, a couple of weeks in KC, and a week in Colorado with my parents. The timing of those weeks depends on the whole house thing again:) I'm also planning on meeting up with Joe and Joan near O'Hare the day after we arrive in Elgin for supper since they will be in the area for meetings.

Ryan talked last night with the people coordinating our move and they added more things to our to-do list! Seems like the more we tick off the more gets added.

We are running errands today and finishing up a couple of projects before we meet up with our friends Brian and Fay one last time before moving. They will be leaving for Chicago for a visit soon and they get back about the same time the kids and I fly out. It will be sad to say good bye but I'm holding out hope that they will move to Chicago in a couple of years:)

Tomorrow evening we leave for Phuket, Thailand for four days before our really busy time happens. It will probably be the only vacation Ryan gets this year so we're pulling the kids out of school for a few days to go. When we get back Ryan leaves for the US and I'm spending a day with a friend doing a yard sale to get rid of all our electronic appliances. We can't bring any of them back with us because of voltage differences.

Well, I need to head to the mall to pick up a birthday gift for Kaitlyn to take to a party next weekend. Have a great weekend!

This One's For You, Dona!

Last weekend we went up to Melaka (or Melacca), Malaysia for a two day holiday with a co-worker of Ryan's. It was fun to finally cross the border that is literally 5 minutes from where we live and take a road trip - kind of reminded me of trips back in the US complete with rest areas. It took us awhile to get through customs and than about 3 hours of driving before we were there. Ethan loved not being in a carseat which is going to make it so much fun once we get back this summer! It made me nervous to ride with him like that but we didn't have a carseat for him. We spent the night at the Baba House which is an old shophouse that has been renovated into a hotel. It was unique and so much fun! Below are a few pictures of the hotel. There were little alcoves and gardens all over the place.

Ryan took the next picture. The streets there are very narrow which forced us to walk between parked cars and the drainage ditches. Sometimes it was a precarious walk (as you can see from Ethan!) but it was far safer than walking on the street.

Kaitlyn stayed behind in Singapore to attend a birthday party that she had been counting down the days for.

Kenton and An

There was a section of town where the police were riding horses.

We climbed up many stairs to see an old church that also had a fantastic view.

We went on a river boat cruise and saw many old buildings - many of which have been around for several hundred years.

Ethan was getting sleepy and was in desperate need of a nap - but over all he did very well!

This is the first ship that ever landed in Melacca.

We let the boys ride these motorized animals around at a mall. They have these all over Singapore.

There were trishaws everywhere offering tours of the market area.

On our way home we stopped at a market to pick up fresh mangoes - 3kg was the same price as one mango here in Singapore costs (about 6 pounds worth.)

Ethan wanted to ride a horse so we stopped to let him take a little ride.

Kenton and Ethan got to take a mini go-cart out for a spin!

Back in S'pore

I'm safely back from Illinois. 6 1/2 more weeks of "vacation" than back to the real world:)

Move

Things are coming along with our upcoming relocation. To the best of our knowledge we will be going to Elgin, Il. Ryan has been contacted by the relocation company and they are coming over in the next few weeks to figure out how much we are packing. I am still in Illinois following Grandma K's funeral and will begin the house hunting process tomorrow. We'll keep everyone updated!!

In Loving Memory of Grandma K

Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Safe on His gentle breast,

There by His love o'er-shaded,

Sweetly my soul shall rest!

******

There is joy that Grandma was able to break free of the bonds of earth and soar towards her Savior but there is also sadness as I replay the parade of memories that come before me. Grandma was a very big part in making me who I am today, and she is woven through the fabric of my life in such a way that there will always be threads of her there even though I feel the hole that ripped in it this morning. I love you, Grandma, and miss you very much!!

*******

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4

Easter

We had Easter dinner with some friends of ours last Sunday. They had a lady show up at their home the day before trying to get rid of puppies before taking them to the SPCA to have the put down. This is one of them that they took in - Caspian. He was a HUGE hit with all the kids! 5 weeks old!

Ethan sittin' with the girls! Ella, Grace, and Gracie.

It was quite a spread of home made food! I definitely ate way too much:)

Ethan got a replica of a Singapore taxi in his basket - he just LOVES the taxis!

The following video is really for the Grandma's:) You can watch if you want but you may find it a bit boring!