Elle's First Day of Preschool

Monday was Noelle's first day of preschool. Ike also started school again on Monday (after only a one week summer break!), so he was ready to show her the ropes! He's a great big brother!

On the first day she didn't have her new backpack yet, so a Traveler bag carried her toothbrush, cups, kleenex, and toothpaste (thank you Ike for reminding me of what she needed to bring with her!).

By the 2nd day she had a uniform (they wear it 2x/week), backpack, and her rice bowls
Pretty sure that Andy made Ike take her hand for this picture....not positive, though
While Ike and Elle were at school, we celebrated with breakfast at McD's.
Pretty sure that Joe is thinking this "only child" thing isn't a bad deal!

New pics of the kids....finally!

We FINALLY took the kids new pics (Joe's 2 yr, Elle's 3 yr, and Ike's 5 yr)! Andy did a GREAT job! We went out to a rice field that was being harvested and the boys were in awe of the work going on which made them very compliant! So, Grandma and Grandpa L and Grandma and Grandpa K, they will finally be on the way next week. Sorry about the wait!!!

I love this picture of the brothers watching the work going on the fields!

Feeling sort-of crafty

I've been feeling a little crafty these days, not to do anything extravagant or difficult, but to do quick and easy projects. I started out making a quilted wall hanging (finished the front but still have to back it and quilt it, but not exactly sure how to do that...good thing Mom is coming in a few months), finger knitted a couple of scarfs (yes, I realize it is 90 degrees and I don't need them now, but it's never to early to get things done), and then today made an EASY and FAST purse for Noelle. Here's how it turned out....

It's HOT outside!

It's been in the mid-90's for the past couple of weeks, so the kids and I have been doing whatever we can to stay cool....swimming, trips to the grocery store, playing with the hose outside and that wonderful super soaker that Uncle Kyle sent a couple years ago....but the favorite around here (at least with the kids) is to head over to 7-11 (there's one on nearly every block in this country) and get a cold slurpee!!!
Ike's definitely enjoying his!

Here's Elle showing you that the one she and Joey shared is "in my belly, in my feet" as Joe-Joe likes to say!

Ike's end of the year school program

After a week away from home, we got back just in time for Ike's end of the year program at school. Most of the program is a graduation celebration for those that have finished their last year of Chinese Kindergarten, but the rest of the classes also take part in the program (lots of dancing)! Ike is now finished with his 2nd year at Chinese Kindergarten and has one year left. His last year there will be the equivalent of his kindergarten year in the US, so this means that I now have a kindergartner....yikes! Time sure flies by!

Ike and a few of his buddies from class

Can you find him??

Ike with his teacher, Judy

Summer fun!

These pics were actually taken on the 4th of July, but I am a little slow getting them up. We spent the afternoon with the C's playing croquet (however you spell that) and other games. Then we had a BBQ and lit off fireworks. A fun day!!!

Joey played his own game...not sure what you would call it!

Watch out Ike, here comes Joey and he's swinging!

My girl!

On our trip to Hualien we stopped at a "scenic overlook" (a big parking lot overlooking the ocean) and bought a latte from a coffee truck. Yep, you heard right, pretty much an espresso shop on wheels. They make great lattes, and they always do latte art with the froth. Anyways, Elle loves lattes, and while she didn't get her own, she did get to finish the froth that Kim left in her cup. Yummy!

Thank you Auntie Kim

Thank-you for visiting, Auntie Kim! We miss you already!

Come back again so we can visit the ocean again!

Hualien

We just spent 3 days in Hualien (a city on the East coast of Taiwan)! It was our first trip there....BEAUTIFUL!!

Enjoying the Pacific
Hiking in Taroko. This hike went through lots of caves...very fun!

The "bat cave" that we had to hike through (this is what Ike called it, and then he said that he was like Batman)
The view from our car on the drive home....The Pacific was Gorgeous!!!
We stopped at the Taipei Zoo on our way home to see their new Pandas
Kim and Joe at the zoo....he knew that Auntie Kim would pick him up every time he wanted to see something!

A fun day with Kimmy!

We kept Kim busy all day on Saturday (couldn't let jet lag get the best of her). We went shopping, ate sushi, and of course went for coffee (all minus kids). Then went to the night market for a truly cultural experience (and a fun one, too).

Enjoying coffee time and trying to take a picture of ourselves...we're not good at that! Plus it was super windy and super hot, thus crazy hair and "glowing" skin!
Fun with Auntie Kimmy (as Joey calls her)
A trip to the night market where you will find everything on a stick (from corn dogs and corn to squid and tofu). The stuff in the picture was "safe"...corn and blended watermelon!
Joey just had to go outside!
Uncle Mike and Aunt Dodi joined us at the night market

New Quilt

It was like Christmas when Auntie Kim came! So many things sent from America....pudding, toys for kids, books for Kris, new popcorn popper for Andy (he uses it to roast coffee), etc.... My favorite, though, was a brand new quilt for Noelle's bed!! Thanks Grandma K, she loves it!!

7 years and counting

On Monday Andy and I celebrated our 7th anniversary! While there were no babysitters to be found, I was determined that we were still going out to celebrate (ok, I didn't want to cook), so we piled the kids in the car and headed to the "Kangaroo Restaurant." We had a wonderful meal and the kids were great (maybe because it was 7pm and two of them hadn't had lunch so they were quite hungry)!

Auntie Kim is here!!

My sister is here for a quick visit! We are going to cram as much into a week as we can, so stay tuned for updates!!

(She's already made it through one day without giving in to jet lag! Caffeine is a wonderful thing!)

Haircut time

Thursday Ellie got her hair cut. She was pretty nervous thinking it would hurt, but when her turn came she looked at me and said, "I don't want to hold your hand, Mommy. I'm a big girl and won't cry." She did great and got a few inches taken off. It's adorable, but of course I forgot to get an after picture. Oh well!