Our Handsome Little Guy!

This photo was taken year three years ago today...(pretend you don't see the date stamp!)

This is 'Our Guy,' or 'Ry Guy' or 'Ryan James Hallstrom' as he looks today. He is adorable! He is funny! And he is three years old today! Hurrah for the three year old 'guy'!

He is a handsome little guy...just like his dad! And speaking of dads...Ryan adores his dad! They are always a twosome on the coach watching TV together, and when mommy tries to get him for his bedtime, he has been known to wail in dismay..."Daddy, daddy, I need my daddy!" And most of the time, his daddy agrees with him!
I love his chatter..."Ryan!" I exclaim. "What Nana?" he responds in a serious little voice and then we are off on a dialogue that always makes me smile. He loves all things mechancial and trys his very best to make them work!

He is a chip off the 'old' block!

When bringing him a little treat one night and he cleverly spied it in my hands...He said in a frantic voice..."Oh,oh, I need that!" and so, before he could hyperventilate...I put it into his little hands, and he responded with a heartfelt, "Thank you, Nana!"

He is a great helper, with a firm, "I will do it! NO, I will do it!" Look at him taking Grandpa Clifton for a walk! He loves trucks and cars and trains and planes--and, oh, I can't wait to see his face on this year's Christmas morning when he opens his present from us! However, where he excels is at the computer. He can navigate his way from signing on, go to Favorites, scroll down and click on Bob the Builder and then proceed to play the game of his choice without any help from adults. I kid you not! (Julianne, we need a picture of him at the computer!)


It is the same thing with game boy--he loves to play it and he loves to watch! Note the intensity of focus! Too, Too Cute!

How many three year olds do you know that can do the "shaka?"

So on this special day, November 7, 2008, we would like to say, " Happy Birthday Ryan James!" You are loved and adored in Hong Kong!

A Fond Farewell and Warm Hello!

We said goodbye last night to Elder and Sister Toone and hello to Elder and Sister Halversen who are taking their place here in Hong Kong. It was a sweet occasion to be gathered together with friends who wanted to express love and appreciation for the good work that these couples have done and will be doing. It is good to be reminded that we belong to a wonderful community of saints who are willing to give of their time, their talents and their means--not to mention leaving their families to help build the church anywhere in the world that they are called. It is a privilege to witness the miracle that are Senior couples!

This is Elder and Sister Toone...they are flying home on Monday!

Say hello to Elder and Sister Halversen from California! They are thrilled to be here!

Of course, you must check out the table setting!

Here's a closeup of the individual place setting!Here we are (minus dad who is taking the photo) all gathered together, ready to have a fabulous meal....What was on the menu you ask? Cranberry Chicken and a lovely sauce...Festive Fried Rice....corn...spinach salad and rolls. For dessert we had apple crisp and ice cream!

Does it make you hungry?

Don't you wish you were all here? I DO!

Happy HallowEEK!

Believe it or not, Halloween is celebrated here and particularly in the street markets! Of course, most of the costumes and decorations are a little on the creepy side!

AND now for a little Halloween treating from the past! During our first year in Hong Kong, it was a foregone conclusion that Emma and Ellie be dressed in 'something' Chinese! So I found them matching Chinese outfits! So darling...(and the outfits are pretty cute too!)Here they are approaching a door to chant..."Halloween Apples--Trick or Treat!" (Okay, I am not entirely sure they said that, but that is what I taught our kids to say!)

This is where they hit the jackpot...at Aunti Erin and Kara's house when they lived in Salt Lake!Oh, if only I had access to my pictures from yesteryear's...What fun we would have being reminded of trick and treating in Grandma's neighborhood with all the cousins!
Happy Halloween Everyone!
PS: I believe we have Aunti Kara to thank for the kiddies trick and treating photos!

You Say Its Your Birthday?

A few years ago...on this day, the 23rd of October, cute Erin arrived! She came so fast and with so little fanfare that we were all taken by surprise! Even Dr. Bachman was shocked that Erin was not willing to wait another minute. So from the time I started labor through to the delivery it was only a couple of hours! A perfectly behaved baby!

And what a sweet baby she was--good natured and full of smiles! As she grew she had her own personal style when accomplishing ordinary events...like her knee walking until she was about 15 months old! Oh, for a photo of that feat! As an adult...she can take pictures of herself with absolute perfection and has shared that skill with her sisters!
Her sisters are her delight and she loves spending time with them. She is thoughtful and caring to so many--and a sweeter daughter you could not ask for. This past September, she flew home two weekends in a row just to be with family...The first weekend was to be with Emma for her baptism. They have a special bond and Erin couldn't let Emma celebrate this special event without her! The second weekend was to be home for conference...so that we could be together for a few days while we were in Utah.

Waiting for the surprise!

Loving the surprise!

Together at last!

Erin is an innovator. She began Sister's night 21 years ago--and it is still being celebrated by them today! One of the sweetest thing I heard Emma (Erin's shadow) say this summer was this, in response to Ellie saying that Emma never wants to sleep with her: "Ellie, I will sleep with you...on Sister's Night Christmas Eve!" So it looks as though the second generation is going to continue the tradition! Check out this link to read about how it was done last year! http://knittinglemonade.blogspot.com/2007/12/on-eleventh-day-of-christmas.html

When we would take a trip to Utah...I always had my favorite places to go and see! One of them was Mormon Handicrafts. On one trip when Erin was with me, I parked out in front of the store. Erin turned to me and told me that she couldn't go in that store with me...all those crafty things made her feel ill! So imagine my surprise, when a couple of years ago, she announced that she was going to take up knitting. "Knitting?!" I said? You? When I reminded her of her aversion to crafts, she informed me that knitting was not a craft but a skill! I have to admit I was skeptical, but when she taught herself to knit, and then proceeded to become this knitting phenomena--I was completely in awe! She is always knitting...not a moment is ever wasted!

This skill she has honed is extraordinary! She knits the most amazing things and does not seem to be overwhelmed with difficult and challenging patterns! She has inspired others to knit and we couldn't be more proud! This is the sweater that she was finishing in the car. Note the detail of the pattern and color changes. It gave me a headache to think about keeping track of all that detail...but not Erin--she relished the challenge and it looks fabulous on her!

So on this special day of October 23rd, Dad and I just want to say

"Happy Birthday Dear Erin!" We LOVE you!

Then What to My Wondering Eyes Should Appear...

This is the last monument at Angkor that I want you to experience. It is called Ta Prohm--a Buddhist monastery built in the late 1100's. When the ruins at Angkor were first being excavated, it was decided to leave some of them alone, so everyone could appreciate the impressive force mother nature can wield. The huge trees that you will be seeing are called silk-cotton trees and they are spectacular! They are large and unique, almost looking fake--definitely giving Ta Prohm an eerie tomb like atmosphere. (FYI, Tomb Raider was filmed at this very location!)

So once again, watch your head, and come take a look at what mother nature has claimed as her own! (I am sure you have noticed by now that I like taking pictures that seemingly take you into somewhere else!)Remember how we have been here in both rain and shine? Well, the rain on this day brought rivers of water where there should have been none!

The following three photos are just to whet your appetite on what is to come!

May I just say 'You 'ain't seen nothin yet'? Check this out! And this! How puny are men's labors when mother nature takes over?

Here are the same two photos at a camera must stop...one is in rain--and one with shine!Although now they have added a fence in front--not a great addition visually!

As we were going through the ruins, there were several Cambodian boys following us. All of a sudden they stopped us, and told us that we had to look at this tree. I looked...and looked again; what was I supposed to be looking at or looking for?

And then I saw her...'The Lady in Tree'! She is the most famous resident here at Ta Prohm. Look at her close-up! My special thanks to our little friends who insisted we stop and take a look! So this is a little taste of Ta Prohm at Angkor--a fascinating glimpse into an "otherworldly place." I hope you can experience it someday for yourselves!

Just as I promised!

To take up where we left off, you simply have to experience two other stops in Angkor. They are unique in their own way, so I hope you will find it interesting. About 2 kilometers from Angkor Wat, there is a majestic entrance to Angkor Thom or "The Large City" as it was called, built in the 12th century. This used to be where the palace was located, and where they estimate 100,000 people lived. It encompasses a rectangular area of about 9 square miles and it has its ' own unique monuments. To enter this complex, you drive down a passage way lined with 54 gigantic divinities, that look like fearsome war-lords. They are carved in solid stone, with the 54 gods struggling to hold a large 9 headed serpent, as if to prevent it from escaping.

Can you see them clutching the mighty 9 headed serpent?

This causeway leads to a monumental gate that is called "The Victory Gate, or South Gate." This gate leads you into the city complex. The opening is large enough for the vehicles of today to pass through without any problem. (Actually there are four more gates like this one that surround Angkor Thom!)

Notice how beautiful these fearsome gods are...

Now for the close up!

It is thought that the city complex, the palace (which no longer exists) and its famous temple, the Bayon, are Buddhist in origin ( remember, Angkor Wat is Hindu). Certainly it has a different feel from Angkor Wat. Note serenity of the head on the top of the Victory gate. What a benevolent welcome!After going through the gate you come to one of the most famous and unique temples. It is called The Bayon. If Angkor Wat is grand and imposing, the Bayon is wild and erratic. To fashion this structure from stone, without use of cement or mortar, it is amazing to behold. Just visualize how grand it must have been in its day. In fact, the center tower of this structure was supposedly coated in gold leaf! That would have been impressive! When most of the excavating was completed, they realized that the Bayon was situated in the exact center of Angkor Thom.

These two shots gives you an idea of it's grandeur.

This is me enticing you to come with me and see!

Now I know you are thinking, what is so unique about this temple? Well, check this out!

And this!

And this!

There are 200 of these large faces carved into the 54 towers that make up The Bayon. Are you impressed yet?

I suppose you might be getting a little tired of seeing so many faces, but lest you think this temple is unique simply because of that...You should also know that they carved in their walls surrounding the complex these incredible bas reliefs depicting their daily life and significant events! Here are two examples for you to enjoy!

Just in case you think that Dad was not with me at this temple, here are two photos to prove that he was!

As we were leaving the Bayon to go to our third ruin...we passed by this beautiful and peaceful field, "The________ Terrace". I will let you fill in the blank!I was going to take you to third and final ruin of our visit in this posting...but this will have to do for today. But stay tuned...you won't believe what is coming next!