May 12 - The Mattel Factory in Thailand

Woo! Hoo! It was a trip to the Mattel Factory to see how they make Hot Wheels cars. Thanks to Tay’s Lodge bro we found out about and joined an Embassy CLO(Community Liaison Office) trip. The kids got to see BIG, HOT, LOUD machines stamp out, bang out, and tumble out parts. Then, there are tables of women assembling and doing other finishing work… decals, etc. There’s 1,600 workers at the plant. They bring the women in from the country via bus. Per a Mattel employee, “We prefer women. There is less trouble.” :o) Due to taxation laws/issues we weren’t allowed to buy or take away any finished product but the kids all received a token gift monster truck. We weren’t allowed to take pictures of the assembly action… but here are a few pictures from the bus & the training room below.

So glad to be off that bus... and there's chocolate milk!







It's time to fuel up before the tour...

Look Papa! DeWALT!
A long day...

April 8 - Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! We make it to Holy Redeemer Church in Bangkok by the US Embassy for the 11am English mass. Thank you God! I’m so glad that Geoff was able to find a church and call to get the mass schedule. We see Tay’s friend Mark. And go shopping a little at the Commander hotel down the road a bit. Mmmmmm, Starbucks is everywhere. It’s been too long since Geoff has had his double tall cappuccino.