Winter Fun

The weather this past week has been miserable, very wet and extremely cold. On most days, when we've looked out of our windows (we're up on the 45th floor and on a clear day we can see all the way to Kowloon), all we could see was fog and rain. Those days, Ryan and I just curled up under our blankies on the sofa with his books and toys. Nonetheless, despite the awful weather, we still managed to find many fun things to do to keep ourselves busy.

The Aberdeen Mariner Club (AMC) has become our second home, especially during summer when we spent most weekend mornings lazing by the pool and of course also on rainy days playing in the fantastic indoor playrooms. This weekend we took Ryan up to the "big boys" playroom where he had a blast flying down the slides and climbing across the rope bridge.

"Again, again!" (after the 23rd time)

Don't look down, don't look down...

On those wet and cold days, Mama and Daddy had to come up with interesting ways of entertaining ourselves. So we practiced our cabaret dance moves and jumping stunts! :D

If you could make it there, you'd make it anywhere, it's up to you New York, New York.....

Oh what a feeling...

On one of those rare sunny days, Pam and I took the boys for a picnic at Inspiration Lake next to Disneyland. This park is one of the best discoveries that we've made in HK. I would say this has to be the best park we've found in HK so far. Surrounding a gorgeous little lake is a beautifully manicured garden where kids are actually allowed to run on the grass (most parks in HK has a "do not step on grass" sign!). Ryan and Nick had a great time running around, chasing birds, rolling around on the grass and enjoying the beautiful sights on the bike ride (Aunty Pam and I were a little bushed after that though. Hey, it's hard work exercising both our mouths and legs at the same time you know!).

Less talking and more pedaling please Mamas!

Our new little playmate, Gisele's birthday party.

Ryan loves drawing and colouring. He's learning to colour between the lines and is getting really quite good at it. And when in Hong Kong, what else would you colour if not "Hello Kitty"!!

Colouring fun with Ravi, my playmate from our Kindyroo days.

And of course our week wouldn't be complete without a visit to our favourite place, Mickey Mouse's house (as Ryan calls it). Chinese New Year decorations are have been up all over Hong Kong for weeks now, and Disneyland was no exception. We were greeted with "Gong xi, gong xi, gong xi ni" songs as soon as we got to the entrance. Even Mickey and all his pals were dressed in the traditional Chinese costumes.

Come on Daddy, smile!


Can you guess where we are?


All geared up for the 3D Donald Duck show

Little Penguin

Last Saturday our dear friends Deanna and Alex tied the knot at the St Johns church. Our friendship with Dee goes back almost ten years ago when she moved from Wellington to Melbourne to work at Booz Allen with Shad. While her stay in Melbourne was very short, we've continued to keep in touch and over the years she has become a very good friend to the both of us. Dee is one of those few people who always brings a smile to my face with her bubbly personality. As for Alex, she couldn't have married a nicer guy. I think kids are the best judge of people, they somehow seem to have an innate ability to sense who holds genuine affection for them. And Ryan always loves spending time with his Aunty Dee and Uncle Alex. They have not only been our "family" since we moved here, they are also our ever reliable "HK yellow pages" for everything from where to shop to where to get a haircut and of course the most important thing, where to eat!

We've been very excited about this wedding for some time now, but were also getting rather anxious as the big day drew nearer. No, it wasn't because we were worried that Dee would pull a Julia Roberts in "Runaway Bride", we just didn't want to be held responsible for the "runaway rings"! Ryan had been given the honour of being the ring bearer for Dee and Alex, but of course we could not guarantee that he would perform on demand. And if the church rehearsal two days before was any indication (Ryan spent the entire time fidgeting around and saying no to the things I asked him to do), we were all a little nervous. Thankfully everything went smoothly. Deanna was gorgeous in her wedding gown, Alex was a dashing groom, the ceremony was beautiful and the rings didn't go missing either! Ryan did a great job (he made us very proud), he performed his duties perfectly and was on his best behaviour the entire time. He was even cooperative enough to fall asleep within five minutes after we put him in his bed when we got home so that we could go to the after party in Lan Kwai Fong! It was a wonderful day indeed.

Getting dressed for the big debut, but still looking very groggy from the afternoon nap.

No matter how old (or how young in this case), men just can't keep their bow ties straight!

Potential GQ model??

Last minute instructions...

The groom and the ring bearer. Both seem to be looking a little nervous!

"I think this might calm your nerves Uncle Alex, let's go chase some birds."

Last minute nerves before the show begins

Walking down the aisle, and following Mama's instructions to the letter (ie. look up and follow the priest to the front of the church).

Time for my solo act (delivering the rings to the alter for blessing)!

Handing over the goods.

The blessing of the rings.

"Careful now. We're almost there, don't fall over."

"Man, is this thing ever going to end?"

"I'm getting a little bored, I wonder what everyone else is doing?"

Presenting the newly weds, Mr & Mrs Chin.

Ryan with the Wong family, Aunty Fi Poh-poh, Uncle Peter Kong-kong and Uncle Deon, and of course Aunty Dee and Uncle Alex.

Comparing cufflinks with Uncle Peter Kong-kong (Deanna's dad)

The dinner reception was held at the Aberdeen Mariner Club. It was a lovely night. The marquee was decorated beautifully, food was good, speeches were great and we enjoyed an entertaining video of "When Deanna met Alex".

I must say that the Ngam boys do scrub up pretty well!

Then seven, now eleven...

The last time our family (the Hans) got together for some professionally taken photos was over 10 years ago after both Karen's and my graduation. Then we were seven, now we are 11 (with the addition of Will and the kiddies)! We gathered at the Treasury Gardens in East Melbourne on a beautiful summer morning and had lots of fun posing for the camera.

The fun must come to an end eventually, and honestly, enough is enough. Isn't it obvious from Mei-mei's (aka Teagan Khoo) expression??!