Some family fun in Khao Lak

It's been another fun filled trip here in Khao Lak. Lots of time by the pool, on the beach and hanging out with friends.


G and I did a 2 day 1 night live aboard dive boat. Six dives in two days. Grant finished up his advanced open water course and hit a max depth of 21 meters. Way to go G.


Merry Christmas on the beach


Followed by some cool lanterns.


Take the photo fast before we get soaked.


What a way to end a day.

Location:Amphoe Takua Pa,Thailand

Grant on Stage

Grab a tub of popcorn, sit back and enjoy! Grant's stage debut is officially on the internet (oh my!). The entire play is about an hour or so. If you want to speed through, he shows up about 24 min in, again at 50ish min, and at the end at 57 min. 

http://youtu.be/HsnUVqhNeKw

We'll put some pics on the blog in a couple days. Have fun watching the prince – we always knew he was one. Ha! 

A great weekend continues

We took Young to a local Christmas bazaar to kick off the holiday season. It was great fun explaining to her all the American traditions of the Christmas season - stockings (why do we hang socks? I'm mean really???) wreaths, gingerbread houses (no, you don't eat it, just decorate it) and poinsettias (who's idea was to put poisonous plants in the house?).





ahhhh...the smell of real Christmas trees! Miss that smell!

Then it was back to the house for tree decorating, making a gingerbread house and having a fabulous steak dinner.











Living abroad has taught us so many things, but the biggest is the importance of people. Having good people in our lives makes all the difference and we are so, so lucky to have met such amazing friends during this journey. We love you Young and you will always be a part of our family, no matter the miles. ❤️

-Kelly

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Location:Jinqiao

Thanksgiving in Shanghai

Our good friend, Young, came to visit for the Thanksgiving weekend from Songdo, Korea. We are so excited to have her with us.











On our first night, we took her out for dumplings and showed her around downtown. Brrrrrr...it was very cold. About 1deg Celsius.

Then it was time to prepare the feast. I didn't have my trusty egg taster (miss you dad) but Young dig a great job. Grant is becoming quite the helper in the kitchen as well.
























We then entertained 40some friends in our little apt. Had a great time. Lots of food, laughter and good times.










































Tomorrow we are off to the Christmas bazaar, putting up the tree and showing Young more of Shanghai.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our loved ones near and far. I am so thankful for our health, happiness and all the lovely people in our life. We are so blessed. Sending love to you all.

Xoxo
Kelly

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Theater debut

Today is the day. Grant's big opening performance as the Prince of Monte Carlo 2 in the MS production "Hotel Escargot". Dress rehearsal was yesterday.



More photos to come tomorrow.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (And the help of a VPN)

Location:Yuedong Road,Shanghai,China

News

No pic today but a bit of exciting news for those that haven't heard. The Grant, Kelly and Mark Hevland family are currently in the process of adopting a little girl from China. We still have a ways to go but have made it through the approval process. All the paperwork has been turned in and now it is just a hurry up and wait period. We don't have a child selected, that will hopefully start in January/February, but we are looking for a girl age 3-5.

We are all very excited and will keep you posted.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (And the help of a VPN)

Location:Zhongshan West Road,Shanghai,China

Gotta love Shanghai

So how can you not love this place? Woke up this morning and needed to get supplies for the Hevland Thanksgiving party. Got on the computer, while still in bed and coffee in hand, pulled up Google chrome and in 20 minutes had all the groceries ordered and set to be delivered around 6:00pm. Not only that. Who can have a party without beverages?



Had this all ordered by 8:30 and it arrived less than four hours later. All without putting on my socks or getting carded.

Drink anyone?



Now where the hell do I put it all?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (And the help of a VPN)

Location:Yinshan Road,Shanghai,China

A quick post

It's been awhile and things are crazy busy but wanted to share a few photos.

Gotta hang with R2D2 at a Disney preview event

Watson still enjoys his days at school

Grant's MS drama performance.  Can you believe he sat in that position for 3 minutes without moving?  Not only that he recited a self authored poem.

Grant and I making our first white sauce lasagne

Grant was sure he would burn his hand on the oven

And more travel

Landed in Shanghai Sunday morning at 2:00 am after a delay out of Manila. Drove home, repacked and back to the airport for a 7:30am flight to Dubai through Bangkok.

Arrived in Dubai at 8:00pm Sunday night. I'm here for a meeting of the International Task Force on Child Protection. Just one more project I have in my pocket. It's been a great couple of days with lots of progress. Head home tonight.

While here I got to spend most of Monday with our friends Chris and Christina Price, and their beautiful baby girl.





Did a little sight seeing. Totally different than any other place I've been.



Huge aquarium. Didn't go, have to wait for Grant.





Tallest building in the world, 800+ meters.






Last night we were had a dinner hosted buy the billionaire owner of GEMS schools.


His house. How the 1%rs live.


Red carpet entry


Food and drink everywhere.


Hallway to the bathroom lines with photos of high ranking officials and celebs.


A sneak peak into the living room and entry.

Location:Al Nabt 2 Street,Dubai,United Arab Emirates

Last week was spent traveling to Puerto Galera Philippines for the October holiday. We went with about eight families and a bunch of kids.














Grant and I did a bit of diving and there was a bunch of hanging by the pool. Good times even though both Kelly and I were sick for some part of the trip.

Location:Al Nabt 2 Street,Dubai,United Arab Emirates