That's a LITTLE Fishy

One of the things that John really enjoys doing is fishing.  The last few summers I have been the one to take John to the lakes, streams and rivers to "catch the BIG one".  As a mom I am not the best fisherman, fisherwoman or fisherperson..but I get marks for trying to help John get chances to get his pole wet.

Here in Thailand John has wanted to go fishing and Ron was finally able to find sometime to go - it just so happened that David was still here so all of my BOYS had a day of fishing.

I will just let the pictures tell the story

because it is a Little Fishy to me!

What is in a Good Bye

In the past couple of years I have come to realize that there is nothing "GOOD" about "GOOD-BYES".  It seems that I have been saying good-bye to many things, places and people the last few years.  In fact I force myself to not let the word "goodbye" slip from my lips, see around or see you later is more my style.

Why do I detest the word "GOOD-BYE" so much, JM Barrie in Peter Pan explains it beautifully..."Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting"... 

Living here in Asia has been and is a amazing opportunity for adventure, for travel and for personal growth.  Yet, it has its difficult side for me...family, friends and loved ones seem so far away.  Not just the physical distance, but also there is a distance emotionally and mentally as well.  I don't want to forget and no one wants to be forgotten...but life happens and if you are not connecting on a daily basis or even weekly that distance widens and the "forgetting" finds its way into the relationship.  So, this December, as my children left one by one I never told them "goodbye" - I hugged and kissed them and said "I would see them later" .  The hardest was to tell that to Austin, so I didn't just hugged and kissed him.  I was reminded of an old proverb that says, A kiss without a hug is like a flower without the fragrance"! 

Austin was "smelling" pretty good as he boarded his plane to back home to Seattle.  He is like my personal bouquet! 

The Babies

John loves animals and once when I was out of town, I came home and John had talked Ron into buying a pair of sugar gliders. We have now had Jackson and Amelia for about 18 months now.  I have to admit they are kind of cute - with their big eyes and their individual personalities!

THE BABIES

John is my Baby

Austin my grand-baby

 and Jackson the sugar glider baby!

A Very Thailand Christmas

Christmas Morning in Thailand...

Johnny and Mommy

Austin and Nana

The Best GIFT ever...MY FAMILY

For christmas this year I asked for a short note about the Thailand experience... here is what they wrote

AUDREY...

I usually feel eager to go home and get back into my regular routine at the end of a long vacation.  After a month in Thailand, though, I wasn’t ready to go home and could have easily spent a few more weeks there.  I loved being able to spend time as a family in a relaxed and unobligated environment.  It was so wonderful for everyone to be together without any other responsibilities.  I loved waking up each day knowing that my only focus for the day was having fun with my family.  That, to me, is a perfect vacation no matter where you are.  I loved watching Austin interact with his Nana, Papa, Aunts and Uncles.  It made me so happy to see how loved he is by his family.  I know he’ll go through life continually supported and uplifted.  I’m so grateful that he has so many good examples around him.  I look forward to more family vacations in the future, and I hope each one has the same feeling that this one had.

Love, Audrey

TOREN...

I really enjoyed our time together in Thailand.  It brought back fond memories of my time in Southeast Asia having served my mission in the Philippines.  As with any trip my enduring memories all have to do with family.  My greatest take away from our vacation was the opportunity to spend time with everyone and get to know each other even better than before.  This is fun in its own right but getting to share these experiences in one of the World’s most beautiful countries was a real bonus.  I also relished the opportunity to spread a little Marco Polo cheer.  Too bad we didn’t get to play a couple of more times.  Thanks Mom and Dad for making this trip possible.  I love you both and thank you for your examples of love and faith.

Love, Toren

AUSTIN...

I loved being in Thailand!  I wish I could go back right now.  My favorite part was being spoiled by my Nana.  I loved the endless treats, tickles, and smooches.  I love that my Nana has enough energy to keep up with me.  I loved swimming in the pool, riding in the golf cart, and taking long bike rides.  My favorite part, of course, was all the cool animals I got to see: monkeys, giraffes, geckos,  sharks and a whole lot more.  I can’t wait to go back!!  Thanks Nana and Papa!

Love, Austin

Laura:

Spending the Christmas break with the family was the best way I could end my time in Thailand. I had been in Thailand since August and completing my internship and I couldn't think of a better way to end the semester. I loved spending two weeks with family both on Koh Tao and at the house.  Having the house filled with my loud and crazy siblings was the best. But the best part of the trip was Scott asking me to marry him. Second best was him coming off the plane early.  Spending time with him and the family was the best Christmas present   could ask for. This Christmas was the best I have ever had.

Scott:

This Christmas was memorable to me for so many reasons. I was able to visit a country I had never been to before and try some new thingsI've always wanted to. There are to many things I enjoyed to really pick a favorite but I loved the scuba diving, riding the scooters, eating out together everyday, going to the markets, hanging out by the pool, and learning to play the Angklung. Most of all though the highlight of the trip was getting engaged to Laura. She is everything I've ever wanted and imagined when I would dream about my future wife and family. Coupled with our engagement I really enjoyed spending time with the rest of the family and getting to know everyone better. I felt instantly loved and welcomed and that made the decision to marry Laura so much easier. Thank you for a great and unforgettable Christmas. I look forward to many many more!

Mandy and David plus grandson #2

Ever since David and I got married, I found it remarkable how easy it is to call you and the rest of the family, “family.” I cherish all of my memories with the Gailey clan and couldn’t be happier. Being in Thailand for Christmas was perfect. It was stress free and the focus was just having fun with the family. I loved getting to know everyone better and to have opportunities to become closer as a family was great as well. I would have to say while I loved the family time, my favorite part was going to Chiang Mai with David and spending the day with elephants. That has ALWAYS been a dream of mine and it is something that I will never forget. I have loved being able to visit Thailand and explore new places, but it has been even better to be able to do it with a family whom I love so much! Thank you for one of the best Christmas’s ever!!

Love you!  Mandy and Grandson #2

This Christmas was filled with amazing moments from the beginning to the end.  However, one of those stood out more than the rest. My very favorite experience from this trip to Thailand was all the fun we had playing in the pool at Koh Tao. From splashing around with Austin to endless relaxation, Ultimate Marco Polo to The Game of Skill, this wasn’t he absolute best memory from our time together. There is just something about having carefree fun with the whole family in the water that brings a smile to my face. I loved it because it was just simple, honest, good-time-having fun. I think that those kinds of times with the family are my absolute favorite. Yes, there may have been a few raindrops. Yes, there may have been some silly rules to Ultimate Marco Polo. Yes, there may have some minimal sunburns acquired. But I must say that this was still that happiest I was the whole trip. I love our family. And I love being together and playing with our family. Thank you so much for you and Dad making that possible. I love that we all get along and enjoy being with each other. I can’t wait for the chance we have to get together again for some more awesome pool-time festivities.

Love, David

Sun, Sand and Surf

We are a scuba diving family, if you marry into this family not being able to scuba dive might be a deal breaker, it is a good thing that Laura's "special friend" Scott knew how to dive.  Our family dive trip this year found us on the beautiful island, Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand.  We had to take a little "puddle jumper" flight to the island of Samui and then it was a long 2 hour boat ride to Koh Tao. 

We have a family of TEN - and so we took up most of the plane, the transfer train!

My baby John (16) waiting with me as we get ready to board the boat.  The weather was fine at the pier - the boat ride was another matter.  Rain, wind and swells of about 15 feet.  We were all glad when that ride was over.  Koh Tao is a small island that primarily caters to divers and so we were excited to start our adventure.  Our hotel room and view from our deck.

Austin was a local attraction...the Thai could not keep from talking to him, holding him and just laughing at him.  Which is what I do most of the time.

When we are not diving we are eating, hang out or playing games.  That is how the Gailey Gang spends time together!

Little Bits of this and that (L2R) Laura, Austin and Audrey - Austin and David - Beach - Scott and Laura (ENGAGED on Koh Tao!) - Mandy with the Crape Man - Toren and Austin - David and his sweet island ride - Austin (could you loose the flower it doesn't look good with you BYU shirt) - Audrey and Toren.

Going riding with John

Diving the Koh Tao way

After diving a Thai massage is in order... 

The Gailey Gang

Koh Tao

Thailand 

December 24, 2011

Engaged

Laura's Christmas Present came early this year.  Scott asked her to marry him while we were visiting Koh Tao - and by the look on her face you can tell she said YES!

Laura and Scott Sorensen will be married in August 2012

Chicken POX!!

For the next week or so we stayed pretty close to home, Austin started running a fever a few days ago and had a cold when he first arrived.  Audrey kept putting "Baby OFF" on him to keep the pesky Mesquites away from Austin.  I noticed that the bites were not going away and looked more like "Chicken POX" to his Nana.  Audrey didn't think that it could be chicken pox as Austin had the vacine 6 months ago. ( Still I had gone through three miserable cases of chicken pos with Audrey, David and Laura - John had the vacine also and ended up with a mild case -so I knew it was possible.)  And over the next few days - more little dots started showing up - and then they blistered over ...NANA was right, Austin had the Chicken POX!!

Which actually relieved Audrey a bit - as Austin was so fussy on the plane  and he was whiney and not sleeping, we just thought it was due to jet lag - so when the pox started showing up - Audrey was actually grateful - she started to hope that the flight home would be better.

Austin is a wonderful little guy and even though he was not feeling well, he still had some fun...

 Cheetos and frosting- that was even new to me, but it looks as though Austin like it - and then I think enough is just enough!  

 Although Austin can't say her name, his Aunt Laura is his favorite!

On the counter with a tub of ice cream - that will make anybody happy!

Lions, Tigers and Bears OH MY

Since John is 16 and not really into the "ZOO" like he was at 6 we had not visited the small zoo in downtown Bangkok.  So now that Austin is here bright and early Monday morning we set off to the "HEART" of the Jungle - okay I mean the heart of the city - because that is where the Zoo is located.

 Feeding time - Bottoms UP

 Okay - I broke a Nana rule...but I needed some Austin loven - I took Austin out of his car seat -(they don't even have car seats for children here in Thailand, so I was not breaking the law) I held him and smothered him with kisses - which he was kind enough to receive! Then I showed him the sunroof - and well he wanted to see what was outside and so being the loving, caving in Nana that I am - I obliged.

Lions, Tigers and Naughty Nana's OH MY

Seasons Pass

I don't snow ski, I don't even like the snow ..so i am thinking that I will not be getting a season pass to any ski resort this December and that is fine by me.  But,that doesn't mean I don't get a seasons pass because I do!  The pass is good from December 1- December 30th 2011.  It is my pass to "AUSTINLAND".

The entrance fee every morning is a big hug from Austin and a few smoochies too.  Then we get to have breakfast with the "character" that would be Austin again, then the rides begin.  First with the jogging stroller, then the golf cart, which is followed by a ride on a bike and we must leave out the car ride to the MALL, where Austin had to try out the very "ASIAN" kiddie rides.  And FINALLY MCDonalds - something Austin understood!  I think that chicken nugets are culturally universal.

I tried to get Audrey to try the corn ice cream sunday and even the spinach pie that they sell at McDonalds, but she definitely refused!

Austin is thinking - Seriously this is all ya got!

Finally - something that Austin can sink his teeth into!  

Another fun day in AUSTINLAND

AUSTINLAND

If you know me you know that I love all things Jane Austen, I would like to think that my oldest daughter knows me pretty well...and I would like to think that she named her first born son, my first grandchild after my favorite author - but I am sure that is not the case - Nevertheless I do love all things Austen and AUSTIN.  The month of December did not bring us to "Disneyland" but it did bring "AUSTIN-LAND" to my home.

Audrey and Austin left Seattle on November 29th at 2:00 in the morning. Their arrive time in Bangkok was to be 11:00 am on December 1st.  Audrey was anxious about the flight, but was hope that Austin would sleep for most of the 20+ travel time.

But of course things didn't work out as planned.  Austin only slept for a few hours on the first flight and was not in a good mood the other 8.  He ran up and down the isles and pretty much wore Audrey out.  By the time they left Taiwan, Audrey was drained and so was Austin.



The arrival was bitter sweet!  Audrey had sent a text to let Laura and I know that Austin had not slept on the first flight - so we both knew what had to be done.  We formulated a plan for the pick-up - Laura was to grab Austin and I would let Audrey fall into my arms and cry.  And everything went according to that plan!  Once we were finally able to load the suitcases and the Austinator into the car, Sayan are driver, quickly got us home.

After a shower and some good food, Nana was ready to take over for mom.  Audrey took a nap and I was in "AUSTINLAND"!!

We messed up the kitchen, made muffins, went for a run, went to the park, had to stop and refuel with lunch - then it was swimming in the tub!

Austin wanted to go on another walk....BUT the JET LAG kicked in, I was okay with that as I knew that I had all month of December to be in AUSTINLAND

It was a perfect way to start the Holiday Season