Our Koh Samui Island

We got lucky with our weather in Koh Samui for our 15-year anniversary trip.

It was perfectly sunny and warm (can be quite rainy in June).

Best thing we ever did was rent a scooter so we could sightsee everywhere:

The island reminded us a lot of the Caribbean or Hawaiian Islands, 

we could circle the whole island in about an hour and a half.

We thought Nikki Beach Club was pretty cool & hip:

It was worth the treacherous scooter 

dirt-road ride up to the waterfalls:

Our favorite part of the trip was driving into the small side roads to see local life - such a relaxed island life.

Mateo loved driving the scooter, 
especially when we had ocean views

A highlight for us was catching the fishermen and women at Nathon Pier come in one morning with their daily catch.  They used chopped-up blocks of ice (huge ones!) to store the fish at the bottom of their boats.  Sorting the catch was so exciting to watch - a lot of frenzy and energy!

We can never tire of Thailand and all its beauty

Giant Buddha in Bophut was impressive, 

each one is unique:

Our anniversary seafood dinner by the sea.  

After 15 years we still have so much to talk and laugh about!

Last day sightseeing at the Pagoda Kho Hua Jook:

The Anantara Koh Samui resort was gorgeous!

Ella Paris First Dance Recital

My Ella Paris was SO excited to have her first dance recital.

It was held in Jubilee Hall at the famous historical RAFFLES HOTEL.

Ella LOVES dancing but she loves make up and costumes just as much!

End of the year already....

We had a few "last" outings this month.  May is always a busy month as we all prepare to end the school year and prepare for summers back home.  Here we are with Niko and friends at the American Club.  Lunch with Em, Lynn, Joce and Camie was very enjoyable.  

I always feel so lucky when I can mix mothering with socializing:

Last pedi's and lunch with the Blondes.  I'm going to miss everyone over the summer!

At our favorite vegetarian lunch place Original Sin - this chef really has talent!

We had another "last" outing with the Robisons.  Jonna invited us to the Symphony at the Botanical Gardens.  Lovely picnic and relaxing evening out to great music! Kids had a blast!  Geri and Jack joined too and they are an adorable empty-nester family we all love.

One last "hurrah" with our Singapore ward family - Daynes and Furners organized a couples activity we called Double Speed Dating.  Great evening at the British Club - Indian buffet dinner that everyone loved, funny games & speed dating, live music and great desserts. Perfect way to end the year!  Here are some dear friends we call family here.

Stevens, Moores and Liberatores:

Wagners and Brooks:

The Huangs: 

The Sloans:

And the Bikmans (boo hoo they are  leaving soon!)

I took pictures of every couple there, but only the adorable 

Hancocks were up for my dare to kiss for the camera!  

We love working with the Daynes on events, they are definitely 

YES people with AWESOME ideas!  

Life is always a party when Mike and Becky are around.

Ecolint 20th Reunion in Vancouver

It was a FANTASTIC week together with old childhood friends! I couldn't have asked for a better reunion.  Such a perfect mix of people.  I would have loved Katie and Amer there (and a few others) but it was just delightful that the six of us could get together - 

Mary, Matt, Sue, Jeff and Sharif.  

We started out with a Raclette dinner:

Sightseeing tour around Vancouver and Stanley Island:

Mary is the BEST hostess in her home, we have always shared 

a love for baking/cooking/entertaining:

I've been to Vancouver before (winter time with Amer) but the warmer

weather made Vancouver just a beautiful and stunning city:

My favorite moments were hanging out drinking tea, going over old photos, and looking up where others have ended up by finding them on FB.  I was totally in my element!

We laughed so much....we're totally planning on doing this again soon.

I

I can now understand why Mary and her family felt so comfortable when they moved to Switzerland - the beauty is very similar.  We went on a gorgeous hike:

 It's always all about food when I am with my Ecolint friends:

Mary and I met when we were 13 and have always remained close.  I loved spending time with her French husband Renald who is so cool and chill, and I am so excited that she'll be having her first baby next month!