It is a lot quieter around here —

And not because Kate finished washing the dogs.  Julianna, Lydia, Isaac, John Paul, Luke, Matt and Laura have left.  They left early yesterday.  By the way, washing the dog was not quiet either.  Much laughter accompanied the washing. Kate, if you did not know, is very very good with the kids.

and here are some left over photos I did not get to use from several sources.

Matt and Isaac

look alike huh?

as do Laura and Lydia

the back view of birthday party central from Matt's camera — note balloons and birthday boys center of paparazzi.

Now this is an amazing photograph— Twiga (Swahili for giraffe) the cat is close to John Paul and was so often.  Normally Twiga is somewhat shy around people, but after a day or two seemed to enjoy being around the kids especially the two youngest boys.  Now I do not mean he sat in their laps but allowed them to occasionally pick him up, and did not run too far away.  Luke frequently followed him around saying "I'll hold you, I'll hold you".  

Here, Linda, once again showing the dogs or cats to Luke in the morning who is most concerned about their location and whether or not they have eaten.  This occurred each morning I think.

The pool in the park that we played in after the hike on Penang Hill.  Note the Muslim woman taking Luke's photo.  Luke had been playing with her granddaughter — getting our photos as strangers was actually pleasantly rare here.

and John Paul and I made a trip up and down somewhat of a gauntlet of water jets that converged in a long path down the middle of the pool.

Patt with the big three - at the dinner table with Isaac checking the time on his new watch.

Julianna eating one of my new favorite dishes Char Koay Teow, the Malaysian version of Phad Thai, which is very good.  That is watermelon juice she is drinking, also very good.

And Charles and Isaac in his Malaysian soccer team jersey.  The team is appropriately named the tigers. Unfortunately, the team performs on the international stage much like the Deacons do on the national stage.

and Lydia, Isaac, Patt and I went for a bit of a hike down the beach and found this old boat that was just about covered in sand — the motor was "pretty much rusted over" as we would say back home.

reviewing pictures of times together with Grandmama on the computer — good times and we sure do miss the noisy house.  Charles and Linda and Kate, on more than one occasion. have noted an empty swimming pool.