Spring Break in Laos

We just got back from an incredible trip into Laos. We took a short flight from Bangkok to Nakon Phanom, Thailand then crossed the boarder over the Maekong River by car. Jason was here last October but I knew little of this country with just 6 million people. But let me just tell you it is beautiful and sunny- two things this city family loved. It was also nice to be off the beaten tourist path.

 

 Laos was colonized by the French and the town of Thakek where we stayed still reflects some of the influence (including fresh french bread, yum) 

We stayed with some friends who work in Laos and they were amazing, generous hosts.

 Our kids got along great with their two girls. Within an hour of arriving they'd already caught a gecko!

 We all loved hanging out in their yard. In the afternoon the Lao kids come over to play. Josiah especially loved basketball, four square, climbing and even a slip and slide (whoot whoot)

We took an overnight trip with our friends near the Vietnam border. Along the way we stopped at villages and got to see the water filters at work that Craig sells. 

Behind me are the bungalows where we stayed. Very rustic- but only $6 a night. 

 Three boys playing with machetes and a mama with her 10 day old baby

Laos has lots of caves in its many limestone formations. The kids got to play in this one and Jason had some fun of his own goofing off on this tightrope. 

I will add that this was our first trip since Annabelle became mobile and she certainly did keep us on our toes! Laos was a bit of a hard country to have a crawling baby in because everything is so dirty. Plus she was cutting a tooth on the trip so her fingers were constantly in her mouth. Day 5 of our trip Annabelle developed a fever but praise God she seems totally fine now. We love to travel but we always love coming home to our own home and beds!

Annette Turns 4- Part 2

 This tea birthday party was just too much fun! 8 little ladies, necklaces, feather boas, ribbons, bow, cupcakes, dancing and tea. All of Annette's favorite things rolled into one morning.

As the girls arrived they did some coloring and then we got go busy decorating our fancy hats

 Time for Tea! (in this case pink punch)

 I love this photo of Annette praying before lunch

Opening presents with her very special friend Ava

 And just for fun, here is a picture of me at my fourth birthday party (that my amazing mother hosted 2 days after giving birth to her fourth child!) Looks like Annette inherited my bangs.

 All the girliness around here seems to be wearing off on us all. Josiah walked into the living room like this tonight (it's hard to sees but he has on plastic high heels). Looks like it's time to pack the feather boas and tiaras away!

Annette Turns 4- Part 1

Annette is a sweet girl day to day, but when it comes to her birthday she just squeezes out some extra sweetness, making her super lovable and fun to celebrate. This photo was taken on her actual birthday (March 12). It was a busy day for our family, but we did go out to pizza and then buy her a pair of rain boots which she had been wanting for a long time. 

The following day we had a class party at school. The teacher likes to celebrate the monthly birthdays together so she shared a cake with Calvin. This is what the cakes from bakeries in Hong Kong usually look like. 

She's pretty easy to spot in her class!

The funniest part of the party to me was when they had the birthday kids cut their cake. I mean look at them!! I think it will be at least 20 years until I'm ready for another moment like that! 

I started last year interviewing the kids on their birthdays. Here are her 4 year old answers. . .