The Waterfront

Today the 6 of us rode the MRT out to DanShui. We explored the boardwalk area and then took a boat out to Fisherman's Wharf.


We all enjoyed our boat ride and exploring Fisherman's Wharf.


After we got back to DanShui we went on an excursion to find the Red Castle Cafe. The kids and I had eaten there before and thought it would be a fun place for lunch. After we finally found it, we discovered that they had changed their menu and we weren't interested in their new cuisine. So all of our hard work to find it was for nothing.


We went back to town and just ate at the kids' favorite- McDonald's. This institution is beloved by children all around the world.


Noe and Kaleb taking an airplane ride on the boardwalk. It's filled with rides, games, prizes, treats- oodles of fun!

Lin An-Tai Old Homestead

Today I took grandma & grandpa and the kids to tour the Lin An-Tai Old Homestead. It is a wonderfully preserved old Chinese house complete with furniture and signs explaining about the culture and superstitions of the time. Len took Steve & Suzi there last month, but today was my first time visiting. I can't wait to go again and explore some more!


The homestead actually housed a large polygamous family. It was built in concentric squares. There were the central rooms surrounded by hallways connecting to other rooms. Then there were the outside corridors surrounded by even more rooms. Not all of the homestead is preserved- just the center building and one outside ring. I love the courtyard feel to these corridors.


Check out the beautiful and brightly painted ceramic detail on the roof peaks.


Yes, this wood needs a good rub down with oil, but look at the intricate carving. Flowers and birds- such gorgeous craftsmanship.


The homestead even had its own god and temple shrine.


Kaleb and Noe thought the best room of the house was the puppet theater room- how cool is that?

Grandma & Grandpa green eyes are here!

My Dad & Mom Pittl arrived June 9th for a little holiday with us. We went on lots of mini-adventures around the island, so I'll make a post for each one. The kids & I flew back to Idaho with them on the 19th. But first we had 10 days of fun here!

Last day of School

I can't believe it's already the last day of school for Kaleb & Noe's Kindergarten A year (Junior Kindergarten). They have learned and grown so much this year, and had lots of fun along the way!



They had their last class party to say goodbye to their classmates, teachers, and all the parents. They'll miss Rene, Kevin, and Andrew when they move this summer. They'll also miss their teachers, but Ms. Paetzold told them even though she won't be their teacher next year, she'll still be their friend!






Gavin always has fun when we go to school. The kids all love to see him and he loves all of them as well.



On the way home from school, Kaleb & Noe decided to give Gavin a new pair of shoes- how silly!

Happy 32nd Birthday!

Today is Leonard's 32nd Birthday! To celebrate we all went out to dinner at Chili's. He also opened some fun presents- a book about World Religions and a Carmina Burana CD.



He even shared his Molten Chocolate Cake with us. What a fun way to honor such a great guy! We love you!

Buffalo Meadows

Ms. Paetzold and Mr. Lewis took the K-A kids on one last field trip of the year. They went to Buffalo Meadows for a pic nic and to play. Len took the day off of work to stay with Gavin so I could go with them. Unfortunately, I woke up that day with a raging fever (mastitis again) so I stayed home and Len went. I was disappointed that I didn't get to go with them, but I'm glad their daddy got to go with them. They all had a lovely time.



They were up in the gorgeous mountains and before they left the fog rolled in and Len said it felt like they were up in the clouds.



The grass is taller than Kaleb & Noe!



They're off an a grand expedition!



Here they are being cute, goofy little 5 year olds. Gotta love 'em!

The making of a Prima Donna

First, you've got to curl your hair...



...next you've got to add a touch of stage make-up...



...then comes the tutu...



...and the final ingredient- a pinch of attitude...



...and voila! You've got a Prima Donna! Noe danced in her first ballet recital and just did a darling job. We're so proud of you Noe!

Momma's Day

For Mother's Day this year, Len & the kids gave me this gorgeous flower arrangement- I just love it! The kids also made me some beautiful cards, I'll treasure them always. But the best present I have is...



...my 3 wonderful children. I love them so much and I am so glad I have them.



My sweet Kaleb, Noe, and Gavin. I am just privileged to be your momma! I hope I can be a good mother to you by leading, guiding, and walking beside you. I definitely know what it means to have your heart outside of your body. I just love you 3 with all of my heart!

I am also very privileged for my wonderful mothers- my mom, my second mom (my dad's wife), and for my mother-in-law in heaven. You are all wonderful examples to me and I hope I can follow in your footsteps!

Steve & Suzi are in town!

Steve just graduated from BYU Law School, so Suzette gave him an awesome graduation gift- a trip to Hong Kong and Taiwan! Suzi grew up in Asia, so she got to show Steve some of her old stomping ground. We were so glad that got to come to Taiwan too and stay with us for a few days!



Len took some time off of work and we kept the kids home from school so we could do some sight-seeing together. We went to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial and toured the buildings and parks. We also had lunch and unfortunately, Kaleb got sick right afterwards. I took the kids home and Len took our guests to see some more sights. They went to the 101, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial, Lung-Shan Temple, and to Snake Alley. The next day Kaleb was still sick, so I kept him home with me & Gavin, but Noe went to school. Len took Steve & Suzi out for more sights. They went to the Martyr's Shrine, the Lin An-Tai old homestead, and the Shih Lin Night Market. Steve & Suzi were also able to do a session at the Taipei Temple that night. The next day Kaleb was feeling better so I sent him to school with Noe. Len took Gavin & Steve out to DanShui to see some sights out there. I took Suzette out to the fabric and bead markets. Unfortunately, while we were out I started getting sick. We found some cool beads and pendants before we ended our shopping trip though. After we got back Suzi made me some really pretty necklaces- she's so talented and so sweet! The boys also brought us all back some dumplings for lunch. After lunch, it was already time for Len to take them back to the airport. It was a quick trip, but we were SO happy that they came!



The kids were tired after climbing all the stairs to the top of the CKS Memorial, so they laid down on the red carpet to rest. Kaleb has become Taiwanese and always flashes peace signs for pictures- just like the locals always do. Noe's just a silly girl, and Gavin's such a mellow guy always up for an adventure in the stroller.

10 years of Happily Ever After

It seems like just yesterday Len & I got married, and now here we are 10 years after already! Time sure flies when you're having fun.



To celebrate the day, I made Len a Kodak picture book with pictures of all 10 of our anniversaries and my "So Now What?" letters that I write him each year. He came home from work with a beautiful bouquet of pink & yellow roses for me. We all went out to Chili's (our family favorite) for dinner. During dinner, Len surprised me again. He booked a room for us at the Bellagio along with tickets to Cirque du Soleil's "O" and he made reservations at Prime, their steak house. We'll be home in Vegas next month, but Len won't join us until the end of July. I can't wait for our little get away! Having said that, I'm still so happy that we have been blessed with 3 amazing children. We always call them our little passion fruits, because that's just what they are! I love you Leonard, and look forward to the next 10 years (and eternity)!

Just to Leonard- You are the one good with words, but I'm going to steal some to dedicate to you:
Every time I look at you the world just melts away
All my troubles all my fears dissolve in your affections
You've seen me at my weakest but you take me as I am
And when I fall you offer me a softer place to land
You stay the course you hold the line you keep it all together
You're the one true thing I know I can believe in
You're all the things that I desire you save me you complete me
You're the one true thing I know I can believe
(from Push by Sarah McLachlan)

Grandma & Grandpa Derry are in town!

Lloyd & Velma Derry are our kids' honorary Grandparents. They've earned this title because they are the parents of Jeff (Leonard's best friend since they were 4). They're also the parents of Jay, Jon, and Jannis. Jannis is also an honorary auntie. She lives down in Taichung, so she gets to visit about every other month- and we just love it when she comes. Lloyd & Velma came over to tour the island with Jannis, and lucky for us they stayed with us for a few days while they explored Taipei. We're so glad they came!



The Derry's spoiled all of us with gifts. These teddy bears are just my favorite! They are great people that we are so happy to have in our life!