First Singapore post

Hello from Singapore! So we've got our internet up now, although there is still no furniture, but we can at least do a blog entry. There are a thousand great pictures from our time in Ohio and Indiana, but I'll need a little more rest before I can tackle that big post.

In the meantime, here are some images from our trip to, and first week in, Singapore. Of course, the whole adventure started in London. Big Ben was acclaimed as the favorite.



Westminster Abby, we kind of ran through, as the kids were threatening to break down. But still, breathtaking even at 60 mph pushing a stroller.



We did get to see the Christmas Tree lighting at Trafalgar Square. The tree is an annual gift from Oslo to London to commemorate British help in WWII.



When we arrived in Singapore, we were met with a "snowfall" outside the hotel - a mall had set up a winter wonderland where it snowed bubbles.



The kids didn't know what to think--bubbles are always a positive, no matter if you just spent 13 hours on a plane.



Here's our empty apartment. When pool toys count as furniture, you know it's empty.



Our container is scheduled to arrive early next week. To get by in the meantime, we did do a quick Ikea run (as quick as that can be) and got this little dining set for our munchkins. The Christmas tree is kind of an abomination that Dad would prefer not to talk about - let's just say that it glows purple and yellow when you plug it in. Of course the kids love it.



Here's Ida Jane and her dad atop a bridge at Clarke Quay. Most outings have had one or no pictures because of jet lag tantrums. And sometimes the kids have been cranky, too. :)



We do have a kickin' pool that the girls love to visit. We're in almost every day, don't blame me if the kids come back with webbed toes.





There's also a nice hawker center down the street where you can get beaucoup food for pennies on the dollar.



This delicious plate of rice and veggies (Ida Jane's favorite thing to eat) cost all of $2.50 Singapore, about $1.75 US.




Today Mom took the girls to Dad's office in the morning for a quick tour, and then to visit the Children's Garden at the Botanic Gardens. They had a blast in the ultra-big sandbox.



The floating wetlands pier was a hit with Harper.



As were the giant, jungle-sized leaves.



And who doesn't love a good candy cane?



That's about it for now - Dad's got his first business trip tomorrow (a day trip to Kuala Lumpur) and Mom just had a job interview with an American school that went really well. Keep your fingers crossed!

History, Part III: Goodbye, Rockville

This should be the last of the History entries, getting us through our last few weeks in the fair town of Rockville, Maryland.

We went to the Silver Diner on Rockville Pike, where Ida Jane turned into a red cat.



The girls getting some quality coloring done.



Harper enjoying a ride on the pony before he got on the boat to Singapore.



And here's Olivia, being patient as always, after the girls built her a "nest."



Halloween was a big hit with the girls. Harper went as a very huggable Minnie Mouse.



Getting ready for the Rockville Halloween Parade and trick or treating! Ida Jane went as a unicorn rider. In case you were wondering, that's a "cowgirl hat."



We had a great time in the parade, and ran into some of our good neighborhoods friends, the Ashtons. Andrew had an excellent Bumblebee costume (the transformer) and managed to keep the whole ensemble on for the entire parade. Ida Jane, leading the way for the parade.



Trick or treating was epic.



Look what I got!



Of course, we will sorely miss Fia and the Smiths. Here she is, over for one more play session.



Let the Wild Rumpus begin!



Finally, it was time to camp out on air mattresses for our last night in 820 1st street.



So long, house! You were a great home for 5 years.

A Brief History of the Zoll Family, Part II

Continuing the epic saga of the past two months, while Dad was overseas in Singapore, our good friend Alexandra came to visit the girls. They had fun hanging out in the hammock together.



And just wrestling in general.



We're glad that we'll be able to see Alexandra and her mom and dad one more time before we leave for Singapore after Thanksgiving.

Finally, Dad came back from overseas, and we went to visit Nana and Papa in Ohio. We had a great visit to the zoo, riding on the train.





It was a bit cold outside, but still lots of fun.







It was great seeing family again. Here's Ben with his Granddad:



And here's Nana with Hayley and Harper.


When we arrived back in Rockville, it was time to start getting ready for Halloween! Shopping for pumpkins:



And decorating:



Halloween and much more coming up in the next update.

A Brief History of the Zoll Family, Part I

OK, so clearly I have been delinquent in posting. This has been a hectic time for our family, with multiple trips, a month for Dad in Singapore, and the sale of our house in Rockville. So to make up for lost time, I'm going to do several posts over the next few days to catch up.

The first post takes us on our trip to Florida. We all flew down to Naples for Labor Day weekend to visit our Sunshine State family.

It was great getting back in the pool with Meme.



And hanging out on the beach with Baba.



We went to a really nice waterpark with our cousins Grayce and Maddy.





There was a great cupcake cake for Ida Jane's birthday:



And Dad got one more trip to the beach before he left for Singapore.



Uncle Tim gave Ida Jane a golf lesson, which has her asking for her own clubs already.



Nice swing!



The girls put on a fashion show before heading back north.



Meme was nice enough to come back north with Amy and the girls, where they went apple picking:





Finally, a train ride around the Rio.



Stay tuned as we keep catching up over the weekend!