Hong Kong at Christmas-time

Our friends, the Garns, invited us to their home to see the sights and lights of Hong Kong at Christmas-time from their balcony.

Gifts of Christmas

The theme for the Christmas open house this year was 'the Gifts of Christmas'. One of the rooms of our church was set up for visitors to pack personal care packages for refugees in Hong Kong.

Christmas Open House

This picture was taken in December, 2006 in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Behind us is a display of Nativity scenes from around the world.

Nativity

Here we are with some missionaries from the US Malaysia and Pakistan, at the Christmas open house in Wan Chai.

Father Christmas

The kids met Santa at the Victoria First Branch Christmas do.

Holiday Farm - New Territories

Here's Charlie on a school excursion. We thought it was a bit much that he was assigned to carry everyone's lunch and water bottles.

2 Pirates + 1 Princess =

Excitement and fun for some.....confusion for others.

Music Lesson

"That's the green one....and that's the yellow one."

"Should I be playing this piece allegro or al dente, Grandma?"

Halloween 2006

Grace, waiting for her broomstick at the broomstick-stop.

Tug-o-war

Grace preferred to give coaching tips to Christian rather than actually help pull the rope with him.

Charlie and Goliath

This year's Primary Halloween party on the Peak had an activity station where you could throw wet sponges at a modern-day giant (aka Chris). Charlie got in some impressive hits before being dragged away to the origami boat-building activity.

Flower-girl

"Do I look bee-yoo-ti-ful?"

Ball-girl

One of Jane's favourite things to do is ball-play. As much as she enjoys chasing, grabbing and passing balls to loved ones, she delights the most in telling you that the thing she is chasing, grabbing or giving you is a "Ball!"

We're Forever.....

Sometimes it is a difficult decision when to use your reading or sunglasses for various tasks.

Conference Centre

This is the Conference Centre, next to Temple Square, Salt Lake City.

BY-Blue

The sky was blue, the light warm and bright, and the air was clean and fresh. We had a great morning at BYU together.

Autumn Colours at BYU

This shot was taken on the BYU (Brigham Young University) campus in Provo, Utah. The Autumn colours were quite breath-taking. It is a wonderful university with a remarkable Rocky Mountains backdrop.

US Trip

Laura, Rich and Robert went to Salt Lake City and Nauvoo in October. Here they are in front of the Salt Lake Temple on Sunday morning, October 1. We were on our way to General Conference. We had a fantastic time in the US, made possible by Laura's parents, who baby-sat for 10 days.

Bus-stop

Here we are waiting for the buses. Last week Grace went to pre-school for the first time by herself. To celebrate, Laura baked her a special cake that afternoon. Grace was chuffed. She called it her 'bus-cake'.

Like brother like sister

Charlie's starting to look like Huckleberry Lightyear in his shrinking Buzz suit and Grace senses that hand-me-down season is fast approaching.

At the airport express

Grace sees Grandma and grandad off on their holiday.

grandad

Here are Jane and Grandad getting reaquainted. We had Jeff and Gayle here for a week before they left for their tour of China. They will be back soon for a longer stay, and we can't wait!

First day of preschool

Gracie started preschool recently, and after a very cautious start is now loving it. She comes home every morning with a big grin and lots of news.

Year One here I come!

Charlie started year 1 at the end of August. Year 1 is quite different from kindy - he even has homework! Yikes!

Brian

Here we are with our good friend Brian. He is a PhD student from the US who is very good at mathematics and doing magic tricks (among many other things!). It is the latter skill set that particularly intrigues the kids. They think he is pretty amazing. He worked here in 2005 for a bit and is back now over the summer, doing some science camps. This shot was taken the same week his self-confessed 'mad scientist' bushy hair-do magically disappeared - because even brilliant mathemagicians get hot in Hong Kong in July. We will miss him when he goes back to the US on August 9.

Dancing

Here we are doing a little Scottish jig with friends.

Farewell to our friends

Here are a sober Charlie and a contemplative Grace, eating a meal at their friends Sarah and Emily's place. It's a sad time for us all because our friends are leaving and going back to their home in the US.

Dragons Beware

He is brave, he is strong, he is.......Tim, the Knight.

Grandfather and Jane

Christmas 2005.

Kickapoo Joy Juice

This is Rich's new favourite beverage. Goes down very well after a hot day.

Gracie Girl

Grace's favourite fictional characters are Pooh Bear, Thomas, Lilo, Cinderella and Snow White. Here she is dressed up as Sleeping Bootie.

Jewells

It's important to look your best for bed-time.

Charlie's Letter

Possibly the best letter Rich has ever received.

Go to sleep, Baby Hunter....

Grace did such a good job putting Baby Hunter to sleep that she dropped off herself. Not textbook mothering but caring and effective nonetheless.

Purple head-sock wearers of the world unite

To obsession and beyond!

Disneyland Train

This train ride circumnavigates the theme park and takes about 10 minutes. We saw Tigger, Pooh, Minnie, elephants, zebras, crocodiles, little green men and some scary signs saying 'danger'.

Very Confuzled!

Here we are searching for Heffalumps and Woozles in the Pooh Bear Ride at HK Disneyland.

Jiggered at Disneyland

A little known part of Hong Kong Disneyland, nestled between Tomorrowland, Adventureland and Fantasyland.....is Napland.

East Meets West at HK Disneyland

"No, actually, they're my own ears."

"Really?"

"Yes, that's right. I didn't buy them here, I don't work here, they are not part of a novelty hat, they are my real ears stuck on at birth."

"Amazing. The West must be a mysterious and wonderous place."

Gracie

Grace has been two and a half for several months now. She will be three in August.

Peeking at the Peak

A couple of weeks ago we had dinner at a restaurant at the Peak, overlooking Hong Kong. After dinner we played in the playground there for one more minute....one more minute....one more minute...

Friends

Jane and Vicki are great friends. They enjoy various activities together including reading, playing with toys and going for walks. Vicki is a wonderful friend to all of our family.

Repulse Bay

Here are Grace and Rich enjoying the wonderful sights of Repulse Bay. (Grace and Rich are the small figures on the left.)

Picnic Hide-away

Last week we had a hike and lunch in a secret little place known to only a few million people, called Tai Tam Country Park. Literally meters away from buildings and roads we found this cute little bridge over a gurgling brook running past a secluded picnic area. We ate food, spotted dragonflies and picked up litter. It was lovely. Then we 'hiked' back to the taxi rank.

Taking a Breather

We do a lot of dancing at our place - twirling, hula, shaking one's tail-feather etc. As much as we would like to, we can't dance ALL the time, so the odd breather is required. Here are Laura and Grace taking a break.

Hong Yau Lee at Repulse Bay April '06

Helping Hands

A large number of families from other countries have come to Hong Kong seeking a better life. While they wait for their application for asylum to be processed, they have all sorts of needs but have very little money. A few folks got together on May 1 to pack some care packages for some of these families. Charlie and Laura helped pack the bags and had a great time doing so.

Higher, higher!

Here are Jane (aka 'Sweetie-pie') and Grace (aka 'Role-model') enjoying some swinging together.

Church Administration Building - Hong Kong

This is where we go to Church each week and where Rich works Monday to Friday (except when he takes a day off to go to Disneyland).

There are three chapels with classrooms etc on the first seven floors, serving the needs of six different congregations (two Cantonese, one Mandarin and four English). There is also a basketball court on the first floor where Rich plays one on one with his mates Ryan and Joe on Tuesdays.

The top three floors are where the Church's humanitarian, construction and other programs are administered for the Asia Area. Rich's office is on the 10/F, seven o'clock from the large round window.

Repulse Bay

Nothing repulsive about this bay, thinks Jane. It's quite lovely in fact. What was a little challenging, though, (but definitely not repulsive) was the many, many mainland tourists who crowded around our children (like seagulls do when you open up your fish and chips packet). They wanted to touch their hair, take pictures and generally ooh and aah over them. Many were astounded that we had three children! Laura and I felt like Tom and Nicole at Bondi Beach circa late 90's. The kids didn't mind the attention. I wonder how they will cope being non-celebrities back in Australia?