Happy Thanksgiving

This is the second Thanksgiving in a row that we have been outside the US. While we miss our family tremendously, we have enjoyed experiencing Thanksgiving with our new family and friends. One of our favorite memories from the craziness that was IMD last year was the wonderful Thanksgiving we shared with our American IMD family.

This year, Peter worked again while I had my Dutch friend Susan and her daughter Rosalie over during the day. At night, we had the good fortune to share dinner with our good friends Grace (from MI) and her husband Jean Pierre (French). Times such as holidays make one miss ones' family and greatly appreciate the relationships and friendships you have be fortunate enough to establish. Ty was in a crazy active mood tonight so I did not get a picture of the 5 of us, however taking a note from Peter's Mom, I was smart enough to capture our family dressed (yes, I wore a dress) for Thanksgiving.

We miss you all and hope you have a wonderful and enriching holiday season. Enjoy each other's company ---and the fantastic food. We are thinking of you all! A special shout out to Heidi & Ken, hope you found some turkey! Wish we were sharing Heidi's great Southern cooking with you again this year!! Ty is sharing some hugs...

~Hugs and kisses from Shanghai,

Peter, Heather, Tyler & Truffle

New Web Album Added

Finally had a chance to upload a Fall web album to Picasa. Tons of pictures of Tyler, and some of the rest of us, from the last 2 months.

Halloween
Trips to Beijing and Xian
Shanghai Sights
Grandma and Grandpa Hansen Visit

Hope you enjoy!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/heather.klug/Fall2007

Wishing We Were There!

The Portland crew (my brother Bob, his lovely wife Julie, and their 5 energetic and fun boys) are making the trek back to WI this week for a jammed pack week of fun with all of the family back home. We are hoping for a safe trip and a fantastic time for you all. Please send pics!

Ty dreaming of hanging with all those cousins!

Hugs & Kisses XOXOXO

Fall Fun with T2!

We have been taking advantage of the beautiful autumnal weather we have had...high 60s. The skies have been blue, filled with billowy clouds.

The boys and I have been enjoying some time running in the yard. A few days ago, Ty and Truffle discovered a sprinkler in our yard and squeeled and ran for cover when sprayed. Tyler is getting great at going up and down the steps of our patio as well as opening the folding screen door AND the gate to our yard. Oh joy! Time to teach Truf to herd his little lamb back inside.

It truly is a joy to see the love and friendship they have from one another. Truffle is so kind and tolerant of Tyler when he takes his toys or bones away. Ty often falls over when Truf bursts by. They love to share balls, snuggle and "wrestle" on the rug, and play tug of war with plastic bottles. The lonely days come a little more often here yet with these guys it is hard not to smile.

Soapbox: Protect Our Basic Freedoms; Support Our Troops

***There is an extended version of this available via e-mail with more details of what restrictions we face or have noticed personally. Let me know if you'd like it sent to you. The fact that I do not feel comfortable posting it should reinforce the fact that we do not enjoy the freedoms many of you have.

In our house, we are definitely divided on why/where our troops are deployed currently. One thing that is safe to say is that we full heartedly support the individual people and appreciate their commitment to our country and safe guarding of our freedoms as a whole.

Living in a place where our "basic" freedoms of speech are impeded upon daily truly makes one reflect on those freedoms we have taken for granted for many years. Case in point, I just tried to access a US.gov site on the Bill of Rights and it is blocked. I did find it here (thank you Google!): http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html

Recently, I was watching "The View" and the widow of Peter Jennings was on to promote a book about her late husband. She mentioned that Peter always carried a copy of the US Constitution with him. Interesting as Peter was Canadian until the early 2000s. When was the last time you reviewed our Constitution or Bill of Rights?

I received an e-mail with a link to send a free postcard to our troops. The effort is sponsored by Xerox, Manpower, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and many others. Kids created beautiful drawings to show their support. Please take a moment to send a card. Regardless of your view point of our current situation, our troops protect us, and our basic freedoms daily and have done so for centuries.

Rights do not come for free, it is our responsibility to support those who lay their lives, and those of the families that love them, on the line. Let's show them our respect and appreciation this holiday season!