Happy Birthday to Todd & Logan!!!

I love that Todd and Logan share a Birthday.

Forever, even when they are not able to be together on their Birthday

(as was the case this year) they will always feel that bond.

An extra special Father/son bond, inseparable by time and space.

I have many times been grateful we didn't name Logan, Todd JR!

Same birthday and the resemblance is enough! 

I sure love my men.

Happy 42nd, Todd!

and a Happy 19th to you Logan!!

I love you both with all of my heart!

Easter in HK

It has been pretty crazy since February, with going back and forth between the East Coast and Hong Kong.  Todd and I were able to be in Hong Kong for about 2 weeks around Easter.

Since the Pups made their journey to the States before we left, 

they had the opportunity to have their own 'vacation'...

We have never had to leave them in boarding before, usually the kids or my Dad will baby sit.

I could NOT stand the idea of them going to a kennel.

Luckily, we were fortunate enough to find this boarding service (that even picks up and drops off pups).  They are never caged, and are treated like part of the family.

Yes, we went to their place, and interviewed them and they interviewed our dogs too.

Since our dogs are so small, they had special privileges, 

which included bonding with their 2 yo on the sofa.

It was actually wonderful, as the 'Dog Chalet', as they are called, has an FB page and they keep it updated with pictures and videos, so you don't feel so far away. 

When we arrived in Hong Kong, the constant grayness of the sky greeted us in a beautiful way.

I didn't take a lot of pictures, we were super jet-lagged, and had lots to do...

But we were able to go to the movies with the kiddos.

I sure miss these cuties.

And how funny they are!

The Easter Bunny did find it's way to the flat!

Daddy Made Pancakes, which were the bomb!

I miss this little chicken way more than should ever be possible.

Oh, Krystin got us to play 'Russian Roulette" ...

Hazelnut chocolate bullets, with one that has HOT CHILLI in it.

We made Krystin go first, since it was her idea.

She totally faked us out, got it on the first go round and played it off like she didn't, so the game wouldn't end.

Should have guessed when her eyes started watering, jk!

Todd was afraid, very afraid.

Or someone farted, not sure.

 Other random shots.

I made blue-rasberry cookies.  Different.

Indy was too cool for schoool

Xia had a rare still moment shot.

Todd and I took the birds to the vet to discuss 'options'....

We ate local food and got itchy.

It was yummy, darn it!

Dessert at the Japanese Restaurant? The bottom three quarters was corn flakes.  Apparently, in Hong Kong, American cereal is so sugary it MUST be a dessert.

LOL!  They should try the donuts!

me being silly

Cute Inds, happy with her daddoo.

Kay trying to tackle a GIANT strawberry!

Dogs are gone, so birds have claimed the floor.

Pre prom pic.

I had fun.

More transit pics.

Love, love, love them.

Miss my babes.

We were laughing so hard at the above pic, because it looks like Logan's head MIGHT just be detachable.

Then we headed back to the east coast...

But, we talk to them all the time.

I am once again grateful for modern technology.

And the pups made it home safe and sound.  Honey was so excited she became a blur face....

International Relocating, ARGH!!

Moving is awful, really it is.

I think that I am somewhat of an expert on this, so I can say that with confidence.

Well, I should rephrase that...

Moving locally is inconvenient, messy, time consuming, and can be really stressful...

Well, moving Internationally is nothing less than crazy...

Well, that is if you are crazy enough to move with 4 pets (2 of them birds),

 and then adopt a 5th (yes, yes, we are that crazy).

Oh and 3 kids too.

Well, Todd was presented with an opportunity the beginning of the year that he was very excited about.  An opportunity to be a VP Group Architect (I think that is his title, sorry Todd if I messed it up.).  I was very concerned about getting the birds out, as I am a worrier when it comes to my babies.  However, we talked to both sides, got everything in order (or so we thought) and Todd accepted the position.  They needed him to start immediately, so that meant we would have to keep a place in HK until the end of June (for Krystin to graduate), and start moving to the East coast the end of February for his March 3rd start date.  The day before he was to start in NY, we received word from the HK government that they are banning all creatures with feathers from leaving the country.  ?!?!?!?!  I didn't know they could do that?  We have an import Permit for the US and even a Cities export permit form HK?!  Well, they can and they did.  They said they would reconsider lifting the ban in May, we have until June 21st to get them out so we were hopeful.  Well, and Todd had already committed to starting this new job...   

Anyhow, long story short.  

The ban is still in effect.

Very Concerned. Very frustrated.  and Pretty Stressed to say the least.

So, we have been going back and forth to HK between setting stuff up on the East Coast and seeing the kids...  Todd and I are grateful Logan was able to fly out early April after finishing Finals to help 'man' the flat and help his sisters.  He is awesome!

Oh, and our pups are safely out here too now btw.

So, we have the family split half in HK and half in the US...

ahahahhahah.

Well, here are some pics from our East Coast journey.

The skies are SO MUCH bigger out here than in HK.

We rented a little house and don't have much furniture, but we do have a red sofa.

and the dogs' have beds.

I am loving not having any furniture.  So nice. NO CLUTTER.

I think Lily likes it too.

We did import Honey's favorite monkey and she said, "thank you"...

Todd works in Manhattan and sometimes he brings me to work with him...

View from the journey.

Glad Lily is making proper use of my 'neck' pillow.

Oh, back to the tour.

We park by the train, and one night when we arrived a LARGE truck hit the side of a building or a pole and it fell apart like it was paper. INSANE! The sound was crazy too.

Honey wanted a pic too.

We were exploring New Jersey Shores.

Much like Hong Kong, you can see New York from Jersey across the water.

(In Hong Kong you can see Hong Kong proper from Kowloon.)

We joined a gym (although going regularly with the commute is very tricky).

I love the sign on the door! 

The dogs have really enjoyed the fresh air and freedom to go into a yard.

We have a doggy door, and it is amazing!

More random commute pics.

There are squirrels and chipmunks EVERYWHERE.  This little one was in the park downtown.

Ok.  Well there is a sort of update, while I am feeling like updating. I have been too stressed to acknowledge how crazy the situation is in any sort of outward way...

I prefer to have a happy resolution first!