Just for FUN...I'm adding more Thailand pictures. We took over 1100 pictures...so how can I not sharE! It was an amazing place and I cannot wait to go back!
This is one of the many beautiful buildings we traveled to while north in Chiang Mai. It was up in a village at the Doi Suthep temples. We had a great taxi driver who was very courteous, informative, and amusing. To the right of the picture below, we took a tram to the top of the mountain where the temple is along with other beutiful buildings (as above). You have to take your shoes off and cover your shoulders (if bare). You can make offerings. Many people light an insence stick so the smell is pungent of musky air. Quite refreshing at times compared to other odors offered in this country.
Notice the many scooters to the right....it is the preferred method of traveling!
Many people sell fish ANYWHERE along side the road. At 5:00 p.m....quitting time....the streets fill up with any and all types of vendors. It is amazing what is sold at these times. The fish above were NOT dried (which many are). I discovered early on that one of the culprits of the nasty smells around town were due to the many arrays of fish that were being sold, bought, and eaten around town.
At quitting time you will also come upon certain corners of town that are dedicated to the offerings and prayers of people. After work you can stop off and buy birds, wooden elephants, or incense sticks to offer in prayer. Above were Thai dancers singing and dancing just on the street corner. Interesting, beautiful, and entertaining.
This is downtown Bangkok. You definately need to
NOT only know how to drive, but you also need to feel like you are the most important person on the road and everyone should get out of your way. I don't know how else to describe it....but you must definately be agressive, brave, inconsiderate (sorry Devin), and pushy. Otherwise, you would get NOWHERE FAST! Devin did an incredible impressive job getting us around. Towards the end of the trip....only when I saw him flinch or gasp would I get nervous...regardless of how fast the other cars were headed toward my side of the car or how hard he slammed on the brakes. ;-)
Last Sunday we took a little trip out behind Sandy Downs and let the kids play on the Dunes. The weather here has not been great, but it was nice enough we could get out. Of course the wind picked up right when we got there. Luke's hair was so long that the wind just kept it in his eyes and between that and the sand, he kept his head down the whole time. My best pictures of him were him running AWAY! All in all, it was a nice fun day running some energy out! 
JUST because they are SO BeauTifuL!!! And I LOVE taking pictures and playing with them on my wonderful FREE program "Picaso."!!!
Jake just had his Spring Choir Concert. We were excited to see him perform...but more excited to see him styling in a white shirt and tie. He specifically knew what he wanted to wear right down to the color. He was SHARP. We are so proud of you Jake for singing and dancing with all of those in your class. You looked very handsome!
Jake Wray is 8 Years Old! On March 19, 2009, we celebrated Jake's birthday at Blast Off with his cousins and grandparents. His close cousins Sage and Haden both have birthdays within a week so we were able to celebrate them all together. Jake and his siblings are very lucky to have family so close! It is exciting to have reasons and even NO reason to get together with family and have FUN! Jake is in the 2nd grade and he is growing so fast. He recently went to the orthodontist to have his teeth checked. In some of the pictures you may notice his teeth next to his two front teeth have not dropped. We did an x-rays and LUCKILY, even though they usually have dropped by now, they are STILL there! We were a little worried that maybe they just weren't existant. Now we just need to be patient and wait for them. I guess they'll decide to show up in his mouth when they feel like it. Good thing he is a sweet, patient, kind young lad. He reminded Allysa today about having manners at the dinner table. Lucky are we to have this kid around. I Love you Buddy! 
Jake played basketball this year. He did so good and was such a star! He took it very seriously and was determined to win each game. Not only did he SHOOT and SCORE....but he was very conscientious of all of the other players making sure they all had a turn with the ball and a turn to shoot. I am very proud of him and the player he is becoming. He LOVES sports. He loves football, basketball, and anything to do with throwing, kicking, hitting, or bouncing a ball. His grandpa Paul was at EVERY game. He is a great supporter, example, and mentor for Jake. They share sports stories together and enjoy watching games together. We all look forward to many years of watching Jake in sports.
