Indiana

Indiana (where my parents and three sisters live) is only a day's drive from D.C.  It is a LONG day, but we just felt so relatively (no pun intended) close that we had to make the trip this year...five times!  We spent home leave there in July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and another quick stop on our cross-country road trip.  Could you pass up my mom's dinners, my sisters' awesome activities or cousin time at the country's best children's museum?

Washington, DC 2012-13

We spent the 2012-2013 school year in Washington, DC.  Jonathan was learning Mandarin for our upcoming assignment to Shanghai and the girls were able to attend a charter school that had Chinese immersion. We lived in the Brookland area of D.C. to be close to the school, so we made new friends and had new experiences but were happy to reconnect with a lot of old friends, too. See more posts by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

At the Arboretum, one of our favorite places.  Can you see the Washington monument and U.S. Capitol in the background?

Bangkok, Thailand 2010-12

We were so pleased to be assigned to Bangkok, and in many ways it was everything we thought it would be. I thought this picture captured some of that.  Thailand is a very colorful place: from the jungles and the beaches to the city lights and the taxis to the fabulous food and fruit. Prices are still cheap enough that you can add a few stars to your lifestyle, from vacations to hired help. Our helper, Nita, was wonderful and because of her, we were able to have another baby.  And, yes, it was hot...the whole two years.  See more posts from Bangkok by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

At the royal gardens in Chiangrai in the northwest corner of Thailand.

Washington, D.C. 2009

In anticipation of our assignment to Bangkok, Thailand, we spent a year in Washington so Jonathan could learn Thai. We took the chance to live in a vibrant area of town (Capitol Hill) right on the Eastern Market Metro stop in a tiny place without a car. We loved the friends we made and discovered much more of D.C. than we would have, had we lived in Arlington where the training facility is. You can read more details by clicking on the DC 2009 link above.

strawberry picking with the girls--an outing made possible by friends with a car :)

Jerusalem 2007-08

Our first assignment was to Jerusalem. This was a completely new experience for both of us and a needed education in historical and current events. We lived in East Jerusalem in a unique neighborhood called French Hill that is actually a mix of Palestinians, Jews and expats.  Our apartment was part of a Palestinian's family home, and they were very gracious toward us. We were able to go to church at the BYU Jerusalem Center and meet some of the service couples, professors and students who live there, as well as other expats and a few locals. We were able to see most of the main sites in Israel during our two years, but just to let you know, the Old City is not stroller-friendly. :)

at the Dome of the Rock