We're Home! We enjoyed a few days in Thailand on our way.
We stayed at three different islands - the only way to get into them was with longtail boats like these.
Sometimes you have to wade out to the boats - sometimes they have a little walk plank that works - depending on the tide.
The water was so clear and beautiful - we enjoyed 3 hours of snorkeling one day. Silly us - we thought our legs were under the water and not exposed to the sun. We were both badly sunburned on the backs of our legs, which did not make for a very pleasant long plane ride back home.
We did a scenic tour one day of the islands on one of the longtail boats. The ocean swells came up and we found ourselves riding up and down on the waves. There was just the two of us and one very skinny Thai guy standing at the wheel. We did wonder what we'd do if he fell out. But of course, we had a great time and arrived safely. Although the waves kept us from visiting all the islands we'd planned on.
The beaches, the water, the scenery were all incredibly beautiful and the water was 'bathtub' warm.
Monkey Beach

Lots of these little monkeys when we were walking a little trail from our room to the beach. I kept my distance after my 'not so pleasant' monkey encounter previously in KL. People were feeding them and when Garald reached out to touch one, it turned and hissed. Enough for us.
A great place for rock climbers. We found ourselves in the company of lots of young people - not very many our age. And one day after we'd taken a long ferry ride, a longtail boat and a run on the pier with our luggage to catch the last boat to our hotel - we questioned the veracity of what we were doing. But it was a great little trip to see an area where we will probably never be again. Such beautiful places and the Thai people were so kind and welcoming. In spite of sunburn, fatigue, and sometimes wanting to be on our way - we loved it.
Aw... sweet homecoming. New babies and more on the way.
Coming up our road with the fam
Hey... nice banner!
How nice to return to loved ones AND spring weather. Many thanks to family and friends for working on the house and yard to get it into good shape.

When in Malaysia, there were some 'homesick' days. Now I find myself being homesick again on the other side FOR Malaysia and the good people. Today at Wal Mart, I almost hugged a little Muslim lady I saw and was overwhelmed at the many choices on every aisle. We keep thinking of what time it is there and who's doing what and if things are going okay. Of course, we know it will all go on just fine without us. But we left a big chunk of our hearts there. Hope to return someday - maybe when a temple is built. We hope, for the saints there, that won't be too long. So many thanks to everyone for your kind support and love and emails and packages.... It helped a lot. Our homecoming will not be worth traveling many miles for, but if you'd like to attend... you're welcome. It will be the 15th, 9:00a.m. 13366 South 1300 East. Love and thanks to all.