Miscellaneous Going Ons

We got to spend 3 wh0le weeks with my folks & it was great. They got lots of Sydney time. :) Here are some photos from our time together.

Bungai Beach
who knew crabs liked pretzels?

sydney in her beach gear to keep away the sun & sand fleas
ready for the picnic!

she'll be walking soon

i'm not sure if i'm ready for that!grammy & poppy putting together her new "bike"

beep beep! i love this toy!

As of now Sydney is 13 months. She can wave, blow kisses, walk with assistance, help you dress her, brush her hair, sort shapes, babble like crazy & use the signs for milk, drink, more & finished. And climb around on everything like a monkey.

Sydney's First Birthday!

syd's actual birthday february 4th, just a small gathering at home with a few friends & my parents

that's my girl!

That Saturday we had a huge blow out bash with about 50 people of all ages. The theme was monkey, tutu, princess. And 1 of course.
the bakery here did such a great job of recreating the monkey from her invitations!

this cake is just for sydney - and created to look like her cocktail napkins

the birthday monkey princess herself

view from the deck of the piasau boat club where we had the party

happy birthday beautiful girl

syd making the moves on william

singing happy birthday...

sweet kisses for mommy

my folks helped make it extra special

just getting into her own cake

after playing with/eating her own cake

phew! party is over & daddy gave her a shower in the locker room to get most of the frosting out of her hair

Kapalai Sipadan Mabul Trip

Here are some photos from our trip. We met Mom & Dad in Kota Kinabalu after their trip 1/2 way around the world. We all stayed the night at the Meredian Hotel & after a fantastic bay side Indian dinner headed to bed since we had a 7:00 am flight. The folks were whipped to say the least.

We woke up & headed back to the airport & boarded an hour flight to Tawau. Once there we got into a van for an hour ride to the port & then another hour ride to the resort. The resort was built entirely on stilts & every room had a breath taking view & a bathtub with a window that opened up so you could bathe & look at the wildlife under water. So cool!

There had been a US Embassy alert that Americans shouldn't travel here to East Sabah for fear of being kidnapped. We decided to not tell Mom & Dad that until we arrived. The resort is close to the Phillipines & there was concern about pirates but the resort was patrolled by the Malaysian Navy & we had a big red emergency button in our room to hit in case someone entered our room. We felt safe. Seriously!

Ken & I got to SCUBA in one of the top 5 dive spots in the world & Mom & Dad got to snorkel & hang out with Sydney. Win Win! We had such a good time.

Sydney on the boat to the resort (and Grover)

Mom & Dad on the boat

the view from our private deck

the walkway from the dining room to our chalet

the small beach & pavillion

taking Sydney swimming!

a view of the chalets

boat ride back to dry land

Kapalai Sipadan Mabul Trip

Here is a badly edited version of me & Ken's dive at Sipadan. We swam with sharks, giant sea turtles & a huge school of Barracudas!

Christmas 2009

Things have been great - we loved having so many guests recently & are now planning our trip back home along with a holiday maybe to Thailand over Easter. But I must get caught up on the blog!

That said - here is Christmas 2009. Hope everyone's was jolly! Ken's mom Elaine visited us here so we got to enjoy her & Sydney's first Christmas experience. Awww!

we did some shots for my folks christmas card & this shot became our card via emails - silent night?

christmas dinner at the marriott (my oven is too small to hold a turkey!)

sydney getting more holiday loot from the asian elf

thank you for my maracas daddy!

ho ho ho!

our first christmas tree!

my great grandma got me a cookie monster but i liked the suitcase just as much

End of the Year, Julia visits & Elaine visits

Just wanted to drop a few shots & give an update before the New Year gets a jump on me!

Julia came to visit day after Thanksgiving. Syd & I met her in Kota Kinabalu and we took a boat the next day to Gaya Island & stayed at the Gayana Eco Resort. Wow what a place! We had such a great time catching up & enjoying the scenery. She got to stay a full week & I was so sad to see her go. What a lucky girl I am to have a friend in her. I love you Julia!

Elaine came to visit for Christmas & got some good bonding time with Sydney. More photos from Christmas to come. We just hung out in Miri & she got to see our daily routine, holiday style that is. Most of our baby groups, etc. were shut down for the holidays. She got to stay a whole 2 1/2 weeks & we were sad to see her go.

Next post will be Christmas!

So Sydney is now 11 months, standing & holding onto furniture as she walks around, l0ts & lots of babbling, learned to go down stairs like mommy taught her & got 4 top teeth all at once - they are still just through the skin & will show soon. She is a trooper!

View from hotel in Kota Kinabalu

My girls

View from our deck on Gaya Island (the stairs go straight into the ocean for a swim)

Julia enjoying a Tiger Beer in the South China Sea

Nice infinity pool by the restaurant that had monkey's

Sydney found a kitty - can you tell she loves them?

Kiki the pet Hornbill

Elaine & Syd before a cocktail party for carols at Christmas

Sabotage

Our family lost an angel today. Found as a stray on the streets of Nashville our girl had quite a life. Boy will she be missed. Rest in Peace Sabotage.

Sabotage (Sabbie)
1996-2009