SEALED WITH Adventure

Two years ago today, we said goodbye to Portland and set off on a new adventure in HCMC, Vietnam. Here's a quick look back on our expat life: Countries visited: Vietnam, Jamaica (without Elijah), Philippines, and Thailand...Matt also made his way to China a couple of times for work! Family trips to the beach (in country): 8 Places traveled in Vietnam: Nha Trang, Phan Thiết, Phú Quốc, the Mekong Delta, Mũi Né, Da Nang, Hội An, and Huế Friends and family who came and visited us

Living in Vietnam has opened my baking world up to the multi-cultural vernacular of such treats. I find myself getting lost while hosting playdates in understanding the difference between a biscuit and a cookie, or a scone and a biscuit...and what about crackers? In the U.S. and probably Canada, we know biscuits to be similar to what New Zealanders call a scone, but in Australia and the U.K. a biscuit is what I know to be a cookie. Hence, the confusion...especially when being

$1.34 haircuts are the best! One of the perks of visiting a small local shop in Vietnam is that my two dudes get super cheap haircuts. Even with a tip, they are both out the door for under five bucks! We go to a wonderful lady who owns a salon walking distance from our apartment. I don't know her name. We always just walk-in. Her English is very limited. But, she cuts hair fast (a plus when trying to get a 3-year-old to stop wiggling) and does a great job. Did I mention how c

Saigon has two seasons: rainy and dry. I'd say hot and humid, but it's pretty much that way all year long! From May to October, afternoon thunderstorms are the norm with a deluge of rain coupled with thunder and lightning. We see some pretty spectacular storms from our apartment. Sometimes the cloud cover is so thick and dark we can't see across the river! Fun fact: The lower end of the Saigon River is on the floodplain, and is therefore subject to tide change from the sea an

I love our neighborhood! There is so much richness in the culture and I always feel it when we get out and take a walk. From the graffiti art to interesting shops, wet markets, and wandering chickens...I love soaking in all our surrounding streets have to offer. #Vietnam #Saigonstreets #activefamily #expatlife

Yesterday, I arrived in Bangkok for my very first trip to Thailand. It's funny, when I've thought about visiting here I always imagined I'd be exploring some exotic sights or relaxing on a beautiful beach. I did not think I would be medevaced into the country for surgery. Sometimes our travel adventures don't always go as planned. In late April I tore my ACL while vacationing in the Philippines, and now a month later I am at Bumrungrad International Hospital recovering from s