We're so sorry that we've had such issues with our connection to the internet over the last 3 months. We're beginning to realize that those kinds of things are to be expected where we are, so we're going to do our best to keep you informed as often as humanly possible, working around our computer situation at that moment. We'll give you no promises regarding a timetable, but just know that we're going to do what we can! It's been way too long since we've updated you all on our adventures over here on the other side of the world, so I'll get right down to it.

First and foremost, please meet our two new family members (can you find them amidst the stuffed animals?!?!?). Yes, we have acquired two very cute Chinese kittens. They are named Frank and Joe, after the Hardy Boys of course. We like to name our pets after book characters and other odd things. Albert and I were lobbying for Duke and Earl, or Nacho and Rico (that's my favorite), but the kids just didn't get it, so they went with Frank and Joe. The names are growing on us, as are their precious little personalities. They are doing what you pay cats to do, as Albert likes to say, and that is snuggling and purring. They've made our apartment seem much more like our home.

We had an absolutely lovely time in Thailand during the month of February. Though it was cold here in China, it was 95 degrees there and our memories of the frigid apartment and frozen toes were quickly replaced by fun in the sun. You all know how incredibly white we are, so we did end up with some pretty bad sunburn, oh, but it was so worth it. Check out this view of the Andaman Sea from the pool in our tropical paradise.


One of the islands we were able to visit had been totally destroyed by the 2004 tsunami. As we visited the memorial site, it was incredibly sobering to think about how that horrible day transpired for the people on the island.


Here we are riding a huge elephant through a pineapple grove. Notice my Gamecock shirt - Our blood runneth garnet, even on the other side of the planet!









The beautiful Thailand sunset over the ocean - so incredibly gorgeous












Here is Kendall getting her hair braided on the beach by a sweet Thai lady. After an hour and a half, she had 32 braids in her hair (see above on the elephant)!









Here's Kendall enjoying the unusual sight of snow in our city. We were told that it had not snowed in 3 years until this day in January. It was beautiful coming down but by lunchtime it was gone (reminds us of South Carolina).

Can you tell by the number of pictures she's in that Kendall is the ham of the family?





This, dear friends, is truly a doggie bag. Let me explain :

Brooks and Albert came here determined - determined to eat dog. Yes, you read that right. Even though I told them that Watch (our precious former pooch in the US - please Margaret, don't tell him!) would never speak to them again if they did, they were on a mission. So one day in January they went with our house helper and ordered dog and tofu hot pot for lunch. Just typing that makes me nauseous. To get to me even more, they brought home the leftovers and fed it to Whitney and Kendall. Yes, again, you read that correctly that two of our precious girls ate dog meat. Not to be outdone, Brooks set out to top that. The next week he ate congealed chicken blood and a duck foot. I think I'm in over my head in the food department over here . . . . . .




And finally, our first Christmas in China - It was a blast because you helped it to be! Thank you so much for all of the goodies you sent for the kids (and the adults!) to make the holidays seem "normal" to all of us. We had a blessed day rememering why we celebrate and singing Christmas carols. Wish you could have been here - so go ahead and get your passports and tickets now so you can come see us in 2007! Come celebrate the Year of the Pig in China with the Allens and make memories that will last a lifetime -

We love you all and can't wait to see you soon!
Until next time -