It's a been a busy few months!

Visitors
Stan & Delia came to visit us in January. We had a great time renting a car and going down to Koh Samet, but it seems that the apartment complex next door was Stan & Delia's highlight of Thailand! They loved the convenience of dinner, a haircut, and a massage all within two floors of each other!

The Jennings family came in February. It was great to have a lot of 'down time' to catch up - as they've had three kids since we saw them last!!!

Steve
Steve's been very busy coaching girls' volleyball with his Southern (had to add that to sound exotic...hahahaha) friend - Jack, teaching (as usual), playing soccer, and working with the student council. He was in charge of the Valentine's Day rose sale. For a week, he dreamed about roses - and not having enough! Last night, he helped to organize the high school lock-in... an all night activity extravaganza held in the school. He even had to MC! Needless to say - he'll probably be sleeping all day!

Noelle
Noelle is very grown-up recently. She loves dressing up in her princess gowns - a great gift from Grammy! She LOVES her play group and going to church - coming home from church most Sundays telling us Jesus stories and singing songs. Other things she's into now... Barney, Dora, princesses, babies, hanging with her friends at play group!

Kam
I had a GREAT 31st bday last week... I felt super loved and special with lots of calls from family (as well as a few super-thoughtful shipments too!) We celebrated with a yummy Lebanese dinner, and I bought some oil paints! I haven't painted in awhile, so it will be good to get back into it! I've picked up a few more violin students... so by the end of April, it will be six total. It's been a huge blessing to me - and has inspired me to play more too! I've also been part of a ladies' accountability group/Bible study of John that's been really great for friendship and support.

Other news...
We've decided to live in a house that opened up because another teacher will be leaving in June. It's just a five minute bike ride from school, and there are a lot of other foreign families in the neighborhood, so friends will be close! We're excited at how God has provided for us - and ready to have a bigger space to move into.

Our sister and brother, Jen & Andy, had a new baby in February- the third boy...Zachary Andrew Ladas!

Our plane tickets are official - we'll be home from June 8 to July 29. We'd love to see you, so let us know if you'll be in our area then!

Here are some recent pics...

January


February


March

Noelle in the crazy Dubai airport...

Greetings from FREEZING New Jersey! I think they scheduled a few ice storms especially for our arrival! Noelle & I made it after a LOOONG 29 hour journey (including all waiting times, etc). I feel accomplished - and after a full week of rest - my attitude is more postive at having successfully managed a two-year old traveling partner for so long by myself. hahahaha! Steve will arrive on Friday. I will NOT feel sorry for him and his jet-lag as I'm sure he'll have fully enjoyed Emirates' personal TVs and entertainment the entire time :)

That past month has been busy... Steve's been coaching his boys, we went to the beach with friends for Thanksgiving, Kam ran a 1/2 marathon in Cambodia with her wonderful new friend, Kim, Noelle celebrated her 2nd birthday and we had some dear friends from Taiwan visit us just as we were leaving for home.

I'll attach our Facebook photos so you non-Facebookers can have a look :)

Merry Christmas! Our next update will probably be from a warmer place!


Noelle's Birthday Party

Thanksgiving Photos

Cambodia Photos

December Photos