Tioman

A few hours drive and then an hour boatride away is Tioman,Malaysia. We have been to this island a couple of times.  It has nice beaches and the snorkeling is great. The boat ride can be a bit rough, but it is worth it to us. On this trip, we were joined by the Webbs and the Adams. It is always fun having friends along.

Jordan and Libby. These two had a great summer together. Most families leave for the summer so it was a great blessing to have the Webb Family here this summer with us.

Cute Preston

Ethan and Rachel

Sydney pondering what she wantsfor lunch

Adam

Christopher

Spencer

Adam and Sarah

 The boat on the return trip was crowded and Christopher ended up missing our boat and caught the next boat. We waved to each other as the kids and I departed. Luckily his boat wasn't far behind ours. Because of the crowds, we were split up all over on the ferry. I was sitting by Sydney and Adam, Spencer was in the row ahead, Ethan and Preston were a few more rows in front of him. Jordan was sitting with her friend Libby on the level above us. We were pretty spread out. Thankfully Spencer was fairly close and could help when Sydney threw up on the return trip. The two young ladies who were sitting next to us probably wished they had let Spencer sit next to us instead.

Preston's 15th Birthday

Our little Preston is not so little anymore. He turned 15 this year. He has grown over an inch in 3 months. He is a breath of fresh air to be around and he is darn cute too. He has been very patient this summer with his collarbone break. He was very limited in his activities, but kept a smile-well most of the time. He has a very full load this year at school. He is taking AP Chemistry and AP Calculus along with his other classes. He will have surgery in November to take out the plate and screws. We feel so blessed to have Preston in our family.

The kids gave him some awesome presents.

Preston's Collar Bone

Saturday Morning Christopher took the boys to the school to play Ultimate Frisbee with friends.  Preston went all out for a pass and had a major tumble. He was slow to get up and finally called for Christopher. Preston told Christopher that he couldn't move because he had broken his collar bone. He has broken this collar bone twice before when he was 6. Christopher asked him if he was sure and Preston said he was sure because he had heard it. (YUCK)

The girls and I were having a leisurely morning. I was just getting out of the shower when I heard the door slam closed. A moment later, Jordan comes running upstairs to inform me that Adam (4 years old) relayed the message that Dad had taken the car to get Preston who had broken his collar bone and I needed to get passports, a wallet, painkillers and phone. I wasn't sure where I was supposed to go, but thought I should head to the school. I hopped on the bike for the 2 minute bike ride to the school. I got there as Christopher was pulling out to come home. We stopped at home to grab ice and the painkillers that I had forgotten and headed towards the hospital. We got to the hospital around 11am and he was in surgery by 4.30pm.

Preston on the way to the hospital. He was such a stud, hardly a whimper.

Waiting for X-Rays (which they had to take a couple of times.)

Waiting for  Surgery

Nifty little scar
(click to make it bigger- if you want to, it isn't very pretty!!)

Before

After

Spring Break: Tioman

For Spring Break we took a fast trip to Tioman. We hadn't really planned on going anywhere for Spring Break, but we all decided we needed a BREAK. Tioman is in Malaysia. We rode a bus from Singapore to Malaysia and then a boat to the island. Before departing for the island they handed out throw up bags to everyone. It was definitely the most bumpy ride I have every been on. Everyone was a little sick and Sydney and Jordan even made use of the bags. We really enjoyed our time in Tioman and our time together.

Adam loves to snorkel. His favorite place is near the shore where he can touch if he needs to adjust his mask. He is quite a little fish.

Sydney discovered this perch at one of the beaches. She sat on the rocks, ate snacks while keeping track of everyone's moves.

We hiked through the jungle to this beautiful waterfall. Everyone had a fun time playing in the water and climbing around.

Christopher already has posted about this picture. I would like to point out it was his post and not mine. ;-)

Preston peaking up from the water. You can see the tip of Spencer's snorkel.

Preston, Spencer, Ethan and Christopher swimming around a small island.

Ethan and Spencer had both decided to go fishing for their birthdays.  We found a guide in Tioman who showed us how the locals fish. They drop a line with a big weight clear to the bottom and then jerk the hook and squid off the sea bottom with a quick motion. Spencer and Ethan had a blast. Jordan even enjoyed it too. The Guide would drop the line, snag a fish and hand it to Jordan. She caught the most fish...

Preston was sick, so he, Christopher, Adam and Sydney stayed at the hotel and lounged.

Ethan

Spencer

Jordan with one of the many fish she 'caught'

The day Preston was sick, the rest of us hiked to another waterfall that was supposedly in the movie South Pacific.

Jordan

Ethan and Preston 

We enjoyed the food in Tioman and enjoyed the prices even more. We found a restaurant we really liked and went back every night!

Ethan feeding the fish

Jordan being swarmed by the fish. She has bread crumbs in her hands

This is one of my favorite sequences of pictures. Preston was hanging on the beach with Syd. And little by little he fell into her 'trap'. What an awesome big brother to acquiesce.