Having visited the Philippines several times over the past two years, we knew that there would be a lot of fun family activities waiting for us once we moved here. Looking back over the first two months since our arrival it’s amazing how many trips and memories we’ve made in such a short amount of time. Below is a summarized list with links to photos documenting our experiences. (linked photos are also displayed at the end of this post)
During the past two months, we……
- Met cousins for the first time in Manila, and went to the Ayala Triangle Light Show together
- Flew to Cebu City – stayed at the Shangri-La on Mactan Island, activities included paragliding, cultural dinner show, sun bathing
- Flew to Thailand on a business trip (two weeks after arriving in Manila, so the family didn’t join me)
- Flew to Cambodia – 3 days / 2 nights (hastravel.com package), visiting temples in Angkor Wat (with Robbie) (here we realized that Kalani, at 8 yrs old, has vacationed in 10 different countries!)
- Flew to Dumaguete – met up with new-found cousins for the first time and took the
- Ferry to Siquijor Island for Christmas, activities included:
- Drove to Anilao, Bantangas to hang out on the beach for a day and snorkel with sharks
- My front-top-right tooth fell out while eating… 6 times! (Manila 3x, Thailand 2x, Dumaguete 1x) (A new permanent crown is being fabricated next week)
- We attended the amazing CR Christmas Party (and I had the pleasure of participating in our department’s skit)
- Attended Halloween and Christmas parties for our apartment complex
- Church Activities:
- Attended the branch Christmas party/dinner
- Invited to dinner by five different families in the first two weeks (+2 more invites from co-workers)
- We both spoke in sacrament meeting
- Tia was called to teach primary
- Matt is the new branch clerk
- and of course, Saturday morning basketball
- Played in the work-league basketball tournament (3rd place) (we also do pickup games 1-2x a week)
- Mason had his first professional haircut (he did great)
- Enrolled Kalani at the International School of Manila (ISM) (she loves it)
- Watched the Mall of Asia fireworks show
- Added 30+ Facebook friends (relatives and co-workers)
- Relocated / moved twice (Houston -> Ascott Makati, then Ascott Makati -> Rockwell)
- Witnessed some amazing random public performances
- Tia’s brother Robbie visited for six weeks, so in addition to much of the above, he was also present for the following activities
…. and as if that wasn’t enough, over the next few months we’ll have three separate extended visits from friends and family (Nate and Laura + 3 kids, Ryan and Sarah + baby, and Felicia, who will accompany us to Thailand on a combined business trip + vacation)!
Photos from the links above:

Ayala Triangle Light Show, meeting cousin Jennifer for the first time

Cebu Shangri-La

Paragliding in Cebu

Cebu/Mactan Shangri-Law Cultural Performance and Buffet

Mactan Island Beach (Cebu, Shangri-La)

Traditional dancing performed at a Bangkok restaurant

Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

Long lost (found) cousins! Jennifer, Kennybie, and Belinda

Village volleyball tournament (Cousin Judith Grado)

Family picnic at Salagdoong Beach

Village Disco (Belinda and Robbie pictured)

Cantabon Cave

Siquijor Cockfighting

Waiting with our cousins to find out if the ferry is canceled (typhoon)

We ran into 2nd cousins while driving around the island

We bought bread here almost everyday, and this employee is our cousin’s cousin

Junior doing the spider-man pose at Cambugahay Falls (Tia watching) (Siquijor)

Siquijor Butterfly Sanctuary (Siquijor)

Enchanted Tree (Siquijor)

Capilay Springs (Siquijor)

Christmas dinner at our cousin’s house warming party

Firefly Cove B&B (Siquijor)

Taking the ferry back to Dumaguete

Hanging out with our cousins at Julie’s Bakery

This dentist in Thailand fixed my tooth (until I could get back to Manila)

Christmas Party – Receiving the award for our performance

Ascott Halloween Party

View from the Ascott (our temporary apartment for the first 9 weeks)

3rd place in the basketball tournament

Mason’s first professional haircut

Kalani at her new school (International School of Manila)

A concert at the Mall of Asia

American Cemetery

Rizal Park

PBA Playoffs

The King and I

Market Market in the fort

Greenbelt Shopping Mall

Taal Volcano

Dampa Seafood Market

Dinner at the Hobbit House

Midget Boxing

Lunch and a movie (The Hobbit) with Lory and her husband Sugar 🙂

3D Art