Our Princess !!

Iman was a real hero during our recent move from Bangkok to Brunei - she left the loving environment of Ladybird and all her friends on a Friday, arrived back in Brunei on Sunday and went straight to JIS on Monday morning without a whimper......

First morning back at JIS - no longer taking a taxi to school !!

Face painting at the Empire - Iman with her 'mermaid' face - she wouldn't wash her face for two days to try to keep it .......

Jack being Jack !!

Some images of Jack being a monkey and an adorable little boy - he's still not growing much even though he gets through his food

Jack with P'Bank from Ladybird - he missed her once she left school to begin her new life in the UK with Kevin .......

Swimming in Ice - Bangkok Style

Even though BKK enjoys some great hot weather, unfortunately, the swimming pools in apartment complexes are invariably freezing!! However, try tell that to the kids.

Iman is becoming very confident in the pool which is both worrying and great all at the same time. Yesterday, in Brunei, she and her cousin were caught jumping into the pool without anyone being around - needless to say they have now understood the error of their ways.....

Jack is making progress with his armbands in tow - he enjoys jumping from the sides and has got used to wearing his hat in Brunei.

Iman, Jack, Rosie and Rahul hanging out in the cold water with Jack looking like he's had enough ........

Boats, Trains and Buddhas (Big ones.......)

Checking out a Thai Train Station - Hua Lampong while beginning our first and only 'tourist' day in Bangkok -

Iman looking all hot and sweaty after a morning checking out the Big Buddha while we abondon plans to get a water taxi due to the crowds

The Big Buddha - amazing place - pity about the hoards and hoards of tourists......

Catch Up on Photos from Bangkok ........

The 'Jungle Gym' will never be able to beat Seacon Square in Bangkok - anyone going to BKK with kids and need an afternoon indoors, then Seacon Square is a hit - huge amusement arcade above a shopping centre - Iman and Jack suka !!

It's only a matter of time before these 'Group Photos' become a thing of the past with one or other refusing, but for the moment, they enjoy it - Iman looking every bit the 'Big Sister'

Brunei - BBC View

Here we go - for those of you that haven't been to Brunei and would like to see what it's like - this is the BBC Holiday program which recently aired giving a view of Brunei.

Happy Viewing

Jack is 2 !!

Today, Jack has crossed another milestone celebrating his second birthday. He understands that the focus of today appears to be him and has been signing 'Birthday, Birthday to you' with Iman correcting all by saying that it should be 'Happy Birthday to you !!'.

We are having dinner and cake this evening after a swim.

Apologies for not updating photos as we have been busy managing the process of moving from Bangkok back to Brunei. All has gone well - Iman settled immediately into her new school (www.jis.edu.bn) and she hasn't looked back. Jack is enjoying the freedom of moving around and all their cousins are happy to have them around.

Donncha has been traveling forward and backwards to Singapore, spending enough time there to buy presents but still getting back to Brunei quickly.

We hope to get organised in the coming weeks and will them be updating photos again on a regular basis

Laughs, Scars and Smiles......

"How about you guy's sleep in your own beds?"

First Scar ....... obtained while attemping to climb onto a prayer temple outside the apartment ....

Ayden looking for reassurance from Maria .......

Iman's Birthday at Ladybird ........

Iman's class photo while celebrating her birthday (Big 4!) at school ...... Jack is right in the middle of the action as usual.....

Iman's birthday cake - Sugar Free !!!! At least that what they said in the shop !! Iman really enjoyed eating the boat!

Jack has taken to Playgroup and enjoys getting his hands dirty. Once the singing starts though, he heads straight for the playground.

Balik Kampong

Well, it's official. Donncha has been offered a new role in his current company, Temenos which allows us to live in Brunei. So we are moving back to Brunei at the end of March. Maria is in a panic as her trips to the weekly Bangkok markets will only last another 2 months.

New Years and Hari Raya Haji

New Year's Eve swim Brunei style .... taken at the Empire Hotel on New Year's Eve. Iman is now swimming well and can swim the width of the pool.

Hanging out with Ayden, all dressed up for Hari Raya Haji

Post Christmas Trip to KK

What happens when Ayden gets up and running - I only have two hands.....

Iman, on a trip out shopping with Mum and Dad - KK is looking really cool these days with loads of new shops and bars ....

Santa Claus Operating in Brunei

After coming home from a Christmas Eve Party, we found that Santa Claus had already arrived and left lots of presents next to the tree. All the presents under the tree are for and from all the cousins which can only be opened after Christmas lunch.

Turkey was great this year and made for great sandwiches later in the evening

Iman was determined to leave something for Santa Claus, so milk and cookies were the order of the day. Santa Claus managed to polish off everything with Iman very excited that he even left crumbs in his glass .....

Christmas Preparations in Brunei

All Dressed Up - Iman and Jack looking very good before heading out visiting......

Hariz (London) visiting Iman at the Empire - Jack equally keen to get into the picture

Like father like son ..... well - it's sparkling apple juice so don't get all excited. Jack looking all grown up without his pants .... don't think that will impress the girls but he sure has a killer smile !! Picture taken in the villa at the Empire in the run up to Christmas

Jack and Ayden getting into the Christmas Spirit with poor Ayden suffering at the hands of his big brother

December Views

Maria, Iman, Jack and Ayden are in Brunei getting ready for Christmas. I'm still in Bangkok but heading back next Wednesday in time to spend 3 days at the Empire (thanks to Mrs. King) before getting into Christmas celebrations...... no rest though, St Stephen's Day (ok - Boxing Day) we are off to Kota Kinabalu for 3 nights..... looks like I am not going to see much of our house in the next couple of weeks

Home Sweet Home - view from Maria's parents house - our house is the middle house in the distance ............ lovely blue Bruneian sky!!



Slightly forcing a smile for the camera ...... tucking into a plate of fruit at the new family favourite restaurant!


This doesn't happen often but when it does, it's certainly a pretty sight ....... needless to say there are no spare seats with Ayden also taking his place these days....



Like he's going to listen to instructions - his defence being those eyes !!!!


It's not much fun hanging out with older people as Ayden has been finding out - Poor Iman just can't keep up!

Ayden fights for his place

All kitted out for second day of Hari Raya - without Mum and Dad !




Jack has taken to the water in a big way - with floats. Every day at 4pm he wants to go 'Wimming'



After the initial greetings from his sister and brother, Ayden has settled into fighting for his place in the pecking order. Unfortunately it looks like it will be a while before he can influence this.

More Photos

"Fields of Athenry!!"



Cake - What Cake ? We didn't eat it !




Ok - Enough Grandchildren now ........



"Look what I just found - Can we keep him!!"




A moment of deep concentration !!

Introducing Ayden Azhar

Ayden Azhar was born on the 25th of October at 10.24pm coming into the world 4 weeks early and at 3.01 kgs. Iman and Jack visited the next morning and were very quick to have their photo taken with their new brother. Maria is doing well and we are all getting used to bed sharing as you can see from the photo below.

All of a sudden Jack looks huge ........

Big Grins from Ayden's big sister and brother ....

We also had a welcome visitor to the garden which meant that all the kids forgot about Ayden and moved onto their new visitor .......

Back to Brunei

Iman, Jack and Maria are heading back to Brunei tomorrow for about 5 weeks. Iman has just had her cousins visiting with Fatin, Zahra and Amin all in Bangkok shopping.

Not forgetting the Irish Link

St Patrick's Day - 2006 - Iman ready to go to school and Jack is keen not to be left out.