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.

balloons, birthdays and boys — Luke, Isaac and Matt

Whew, that was close, Luke has been expecting his birthday to be celebrated ever since we got here and finally it was.  We got home from a two day trip to a near-by beach resort - see Laura's blog for excellent write up, and Linda and Kate had decorated full out with balloons and streamers.  Color scheme included Isaac's 1st, 3rd and 8th favorite colors so good choosin' Linda and Kate.  

This is actually the last photo of the blog but I moved it to the front as it captures Luke so well.  It gets a streamer above Luke's head and catches Luke pretty much like he was at that point - - overwhelmed.  His excitement level was beyond itself and he is in a stunned state as he confronted cup-cake, ice-cream, M&Ms, sprinkles, and had just opened presents- in addition to being full on center of attention.

Paparazzi out in full force and note Matt in background documenting it.

Luke with "boy baby" a Cabbage Patch" doll Patt found for him through web searching.  Luke was genuinely thrilled.  Patt had also gotten little baby clothes and pampers so Luke was set and the envy of his sisters for once.

Isaac posing with his new watch. We later heard the time that evening pretty much at 4 to 6 minute intervals.

John Paul with party favor and Luke's doll momentarily forgotten during party favor time courtesy of Linda and Kate -  Patt and I were also honored on the occasion of our 45th wedding anniversary with gifts too.  Big day for all.

For a while it appeared as if Matt weas forgotten but he too got a card and seemed pleased when he got his picture taken.  Luke and Isaac were non plussed over the last of the photos having other pressing business to attend to.

Less spray than his uncle, but similar energy.  Full body effort.  Numerous efforts but the candle was ultimately subdued.

45th wedding anniversary

Yesterday for our anniversary Patt and I celebrated by hiking up Penang Hill. We have been hiking the hill most days since we have been here and really enjoy it.  I't is a jungle, complete with monkeys, strange birds, streams to cross, and in places quite challenging to climb.  We love it.

Today we had special companions. Matt, Kate and the big three kids. Laura, John Paul and Luke walked from the house with us and waited in the playground at the bottom of the hill.

our lead crew

great trails 

and rocks to climb over too.

We ended at the Youth Park pool, a very nice public pool with an amazing series of fountains to add to the pool experience. Perfect size for little kids too. Hopefully more to follow on that.

It was a great 45th — looking forward to more like it and could have never forecast it long long ago.

this shoulda been part of the previous post on George Town -- and a little sports.

but did not have all photos downloaded and it would have been too long of a post so here is part II

We did some shopping in Little India as the girls bought some jewelry. No surprise there.

got more photos with the famous swing.  Here Julianna balances with the permanent riders.

and all five of the Asian Grandkids with one of the street creatures.

Kate deciding that she really did not want to use her camera any more.  No other explanation for the picture that I can think of.

note Isaac's right arm in this photo and each of the next two photos. Yes, Charles heard some words too.  Lots of them.

Had a chance to answer a question - partially — I understand.

speaking of right arms, and rolling eyes.  Julianna can roll them too.  As Luke waits patiently — seriously - for our lunch at the Scandinavian restaurant.

When it is time to sleep, John Paul does not let time or place stop him- on the way back home to Charles and Linda's.

and a swing and a miss.  

We are not yet ready for the Malaysian National Team - which I understand is quite good.  (I have seen them on the Asian version of Sports Center- and they appear pretty darn good)

 opps another one got by

and one more

got one

with an assist from Lydia

Penang Youth Park and a group trip into George Town

A day or so ago we walked from Charles and Linda's to the nearby youth park which was quite nice.  On the way into the park we were welcomed by some amazing high wire acts by a troop of monkeys who put on a great show for us as they moved from tree to tree eventually making a long leap across a road swinging wildly on branches as they landed on the other side.  Fantastic to see.  We all loved it.

At the park we found out we had some close cousins to the monkeys ourselves as Isaac went over the top of a challenge course high ladder.

Julianna recorded Matt going upside down on a whatever you call this. And by-the-way, the kids too went upside down.  You know who did it first.

Swings are a big part of a park.

and then the tired walked back to the house, pool, and lunch. A good morning.

Before leaving the park we had ice cream and the local "cool guys" were there at the canteen.  Well thinking I am a cool guy myself (Stephen please note) I of course spoke to them and asked if I could get my photo made with them - well they know cool when they see it and so John Paul and Luke were invited. I got to go as their chaperone.

John Paul getting ready for a workout or to give someone one.

In George Town we posed with the famous street art. Here is one of the better coordinated group photos you will see.  Perhaps I can crop Matt and Laura out or the picture and it will be in sync.  One thing that is coordinated is the kids tops.  The shirts were tie-dyed by Caroline, Julie's eldest and the kids loved 'em.  We brought them, the shirts, from Hawaii.

and another of the street art scenes.  there are quite a number of them and quite nicely done.

As was this lunch time scene at the Danish Marish Tanvan Restaurant.  We were certainly surprised to find a Scandinavian restaurant serving Malaysian food.  The Bahisn Rice (I may not have gotten the name quite right) was quite good.

Guess who came to dinner - Matt Laura and the kids !!

Sunday night late, the Thai Air flight finally arrived in Penang and lo and behold who should disembark, but daughter and her husband and five of our six (almost 7) grandchildren.  Much celebration and merry making commenced. Northam Beach was a requested destination for the first nights dinner, and it did not disappoint.  

We showed 'em how to order food and fill a table, and then empty plates. A sight to behold as we did some serious damage to the inventory of food there.  

Even sporting some new tattoos on a couple of the kids.

Aunt (or occasionally Uncle to John Paul) Linda introduced the pets, here she is learning once again how to listen to two kids talking at once, as Isaac foreground lower left is talking and Luke lower right is working like the dickens to get some point made or acquire some information.  — Probably both— when he gets the floor, he likes to take advantage - can't say I blame him either.

Twiga, the cat, has been most patient with the kids, allowing herself to be carried and petted. The other cats are a bit more wary.

Linda does seem to have enough drawing pencils — or rather Emily used to — the week is yet young.

One morning Kate, bless her soul, took the kids, Matt, Patt and I on a Penanag Hills hike. For the uninitiated they (the hills and the hikes) are somewhat famous, at least in our family. I blogged about them in October of 2011 and will again. Charles and Kate took Matt and Laura on one the first evening they were here and Patt and I have been on several with Charles and Kate since we have been here. Patt goes to Station 3 by herself too. (Mark - Kate took us to the beginning of the Jesselton trail— yes that steep one that starts off with the scramble).

Kate with the big three at a resting point after one of the early scrambles.

John Paul on the first scramble. Doing great too. After he got the hang of it he really took off. A bit of loose sand was a bit of a tough navigation, but he went after it. Patt and Luke were a bit slower.

Now Isaac really enjoyed it. Dry season makes it look like fall. The temperature, in the high 30s — that is centigrade means it is upper 90s— fall it is not.

Isaac, Lydia, Julianna, and Kate going up one of the steep sections — it was great fun according to the kids. They did great and said they really liked jungle hiking. I know I do.

Patt and John Paul — at this time Matt is helping Luke and we are in two distinct groups.

Just before we separated groups, John Paul with me and the big three with Kate.  It was an out and back hike on the trail. The trip back down was also a challenge too - especially where it was slippery due to loose sand and lots of dried leaves. The swimming pool in Charles and Linda's back yard was a welcome sight when we got back home. We are looking forward to more days of adventures here.