Fulong Beach

What could be better than a day spent enjoying lush greenery, bright flowers, sand, surf, and sunshine? We left Jioufen and travelled to Fulong Beach. It was so nice and relaxing there. Definitely want to go back sometime!


Sky blue eyes. Our little Gavin is a beach bum too!


Our adorable little diva, Noe!


I want to play in the sand with Kaleb!


I love spending time at the beach because it is truly care-free. Can't I live here?


The 7 of us really felt like we were in heaven here. Another fun day!

Jioufen

Leonard took some time off of work to be able to join us on our little day trips with grandma & grandpa. We had heard that Jioufen was a great traditional village to check out. It wasn't what we were thinking of with the word traditional, but it had breathtaking views of the lush mountains surrounded by the ocean. It also hosts some of the most expensive real estate- a huge cemetary. These pictures are of family tombs. You can see the ornate decoration and how they are kept very neat. Every year there is a national holiday- tombsweeping day, where the people will go and clean their family plots as a part of their ancestor worship. I think it's neat how they care for their ancestors so.


You can see how vast the cemetary stretches from this shot.


We found a little trail up one of the mountains, so we took it. Kaleb & Noe were so cute holding hands the whole way.


The view from the top of our little hike. Taiwan definitely is formosa!

We're so glad that Grandpa & Grandma are here!

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!