Our Incredible Family ~ ~ Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Hong Kong.  Disney loves to celebrate Halloween.  Today we play at the hotel this morning while Daddy tours Hong Kong City Center.  Later this afternoon we will head back to Disney for some more fun. This will be our last BLOG from Asia.  (Lucky you).  We are down to the two final breakfast buffets.  3 final bottles of water for tooth brushing. (We can't wait to use our tap water and to be able to drink water freely.  David and I both drink at least a gallon of water a day and have TOTALLY missed it). We depart in 23 hours and go to San Francisco.  As soon as we hit the ground in San Fran Maran is automatically a US CITIZEN.  We have four hours to clear customs and then head to Charlotte.  I am sure I will cry the whole way.  We can't wait to see our family and friends.  Saturday we plan to have a drop-in to show off our Lil' Miss Sassafras.  We think her nickname needs to be Sassy.  Her shell continues to break.  We aren't sure if she will be the Class Clown or the one who everyone loves and thinks is perfect but gets away with EVERYTHING. 

Since I have been completely selfish and blogged only about our Little precious Porcelain Doll  and Snickerdoodle Luke I wanted to tell you about the rest of our family.  If I sound like I am bragging then I apologize up front.  We truly have some incredible people whom we are proud and honored to call family!

Nammy & Pop Pop -- the best grandparents in the world who always make you feel loved and always have time for their family regardless of what they have to do.  (David's Parents)

Grandpa Bob -- Maran has the "BOB BRYANT" look down.  Dad gives this look when you are telling him a story that he either doesn't believe or can't believe the absurdity of.  It is quite funny.  I can't look at ice cream without thinking about him,  As a kid we always got ice cream no matter what time of day or night it was.  (Ann's Dad)

MeMe Bryant --Ann's mom who is in heaven and has the best seat in the house.  She would love our two children more than life itself.  She now enjoys them from a different view and we know she is watching over them as she watches over us. 
Napha:  Grandpa Bob's girlfriend whom we love and adore. She is so beautiful and makes the best spring rolls ever. She treats all of us as if we were her own children. 

Our Grandparents who are no longer with Us:

MaMa --the coolest lady I have ever met who would tell you like it was and loved Arby's horseradish sauce (Horsey sauce she called it)  like it was water.  I miss her every day. (David's maternal grandmother)

PaPa -- Gruff but lovable.  (David's maternal grandfather)

Poppy -- Very active until the day she died.  Incredibly worldly. Taught me (Ann) how to love broccoli.  Great cook, great homemaker and would not allow you to eat chicken because she ate it too much as a child. (David's Paternal Grandmother)

Grandaddy -- loved to read his grandchildren classic stories. (David's Paternal Grandfather)

Grandma Adams -- Perhaps the sweetest lady who ever lived.  She never said a bad word and never cursed.  She saw the good in all. (Ann's maternal grandmother)

PePaw Adams -- the man who always had candy and who knew what it was like to treat people with respect. (Ann's maternal grandfather)

Grandma Bryant:  the toughest lady I ever knew.  She taught me many things about life. (Ann's Paternal Grandmother)

Grandpa Bryant:  There truly was no man like him on earth. Overhauls were worn every day and farming was in his blood.  Loved his family but always wanted to be a tough skinned man.  (Ann's Paternal Grandfather)

Our Siblings:

Mary:  David's oldest sister who is extremely loyal and the biggest political buff I know.  She can tell you everything about what is going on in the world and is a wealth of knowledge.

Peggy:  David's older middle sister who is a fighter.  She has been battling colon cancer for 9 months now and is a true warrior.  She and David are very close and they are very protective of each other.

Chip:  Ann's big brother who is a huge teddy bear with a tender heart. Extremely funny &  loyal.  He would run into a burning house after me  (Ann) without hesitation or care for what may happen to him.  

Lisa :  Ann's big sister (by 10 months).  Battling multiple sclerosis like it is a bad head cold, will never give up and has a very tender heart when she let's it slip through her thick skin.

Our Siblings Spouses:

Michael: Belongs to Mary (David's sister).  He is the reason that David and I are together today.  Non Judgemental and can fix any computer there is... want his phone number?

Byron: Belongs to Peggy (David's sister).  He is the one that we love to tease.  A workaholic who has a smart comment about everything.

Donna: Belongs to Chip (Ann's brother).  Another figther in the family.  Has survived anueryisms and makes the best apple pie I have ever tasted (when she doesn't fool me and give me Ms. Smith's).  Will cry with you in a moment's notice and support you when you do really stupid things.

John:   Belongs to Lisa (Ann's sister). Perhaps the most grounded person we know. Not afraid of a challenge and absolutely adores Lisa like there's no tomorrow. 

Our Neices & Nephews:

Meghan: The engineer & smart one.  The one who loves seeing life as lollipops & candy.

David:  The family clown. Loved by all and loves all.  Morehead Scholar Semi-Finalist.

Stephanie:  Beautiful young lady who loves children and will be a great teacher one day.

Dylan:  Incredible athlete and a very tender hearted soul. 

Christina N:  Outgoing & always ready to have a fun time.

Edward N:  Skateboard dude who has a soft spot for children -- especially Luke

Tyler N:  In the running for family clown. Adorable smile and mischevious in a cute way.

Logan:  Athletic raw talent like none other.  Big Man on Campus.

Chandler: Behind the 'reputation he has to protect' is a sweet and tender hearted young man who is loyal and great with kids.

Nicole: The caretaker who loves caring for others.

Alesia:  The sweet soul who is loyal.

Christina B:  Wise beyond her years and an extremely hard worker.

Heath:  A tender hearted jock who has the cutest face you have ever seen. 

Aunts & Uncles:

Aunt Jean:  All I can say is that everyone should have an Aunt Jean.  She can always make you feel good and is the best cook ever!  She will always tell you that she loves you.

Uncle Leon:  The one who made many childhood Christmases happy.  (Ann's Mom's Brother).  Loyal family man and one who just always makes you feel loved. 

Aunt Louise:  A tender soul with a huge heart who loves family and loves my cousin Heather Leigh as if she birthed her.  I am forever grateful to her for that but also for making me feel so loved.

Our cousins are the best too:

Heather Leigh who is going to be the best nurse ever.

Mike and Timmy -- who always played with us as kids and who are dog lovers like no others!

We have second cousins too and we love you all very much and thank you for being in our lives!

FRIENDS:

Our friends are our strength to life and daily challenges.  Whether they are GIRLS NIGHT OUT FRIENDS or co-workers who are freinds.  You can never have too many friends and the older you get the more important they are.

Love and Hugs to all.  We are off to enjoy our last FULL DAY here!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  BOO from Hong Kong!