Andy's Birthday

Sunday was Andy's birthday, but when he smelled the lemon cake baking on Saturday he asked if he could have his cake early. It was his birthday, and the cake was done except for the frosting, so who was I to say "no"? Lucky for us he did have it on Saturday because Sunday he came down with the nasty cold bug the rest of us had and didn't want to do much of anything except watch the Australian Open!

Enjoying his lemon cake with chocolate frosting (I know, I know, weird combo, but it is his favorite)

Happy Birthday, Andrew!! We love you!

More time with family!

We just "sent" Grandma and Grandpa, Katie and Amy back to America. We had such a great visit with them and already miss them a ton!!! Here are some pics from our time with them!

Joey and Grandma having a pillow fight
A common sight....Ike on Grandpa's lap
Ike took Grandpa and Elle to the zoo (he had to show Grandpa the alligator)
A common sight in Taiwan (the masks, that is), but not so much in America. I just had to purchase the masks for Katie and Amy!
New Year's Eve day K and A and I ventured up to Taipei with the kids. Here they are outside the (at the time) world's largest occupied building...Taipei 101. Apparently this past week the current tallest building in the world opened in Dubai.
The Taipei 101 Christmas Tree
Bringing in the New Year with our Sparkling Grape Juice
New Year's Day we went to an old town that is now a tourist spot. This shop owner graciously showed us how to throw this huge and heavy top.
It actually spun!
This week we headed to Sitou Bamboo Forest for a few days away. It was gorgeous! We did some hiking, playing, and, of course, lots of picture taking!
Me and my cousins (more like my little sisters, really)!
1st cousins once removed (ha...whatever that means)
Being goofy

Andy showing off!

3 generations
Grandma and Grandpa watched the kids while they napped (or maybe they all napped) and the rest of us hiked up to see the Giant Tree.
The Giant Tree

Along the way we walked on the Skywalk (it's 7 stories up)
Yes, K and I really went on it even though we are scared of heights
Looking down

And I even got to play Dutch Blitz!!! My favorite game!
The trails were beautiful.

Grandma and Grandpa and Katie and Amy are HERE!

My parents and cousins arrived on Sunday night for a visit. It is so great to have them! Here are a few pics of their visit (so far).

They're here!!!

Celebrating Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa
Trying on his new pj's (over his clothes, of course)
Husbands waiting bench (or at least it is according to Dad)
Ike and Elle were at school, so Joe got lots of attention from K and A
Check out these newly acquired skills!
And these!
Andy pestering the girls!
Grandpa time
Some of Elle's new Christmas presents....She loves the Ariel necklace! That's Peppermint Hot Chocolate on her face (just in case you are wondering).
This is for Grandma Barbara, Uncle Mark, and Uncle Tom.... all the family with Math degrees...Elle's getting a head start

Elle's First School Christmas Program

Christmas Happenings

This past week has been busy with different Christmas activites. Here's a look at a few of them....

Andy's had the opportunity to share at 3 different schools during this Christmas season. It's a great opportunity to share the reason that we celebrate Christmas....Christ came!
We had our Mission Christmas party last Sunday. This is how Joey and Ike entertained themselves while we chatted. This mat is what we like to refer to as "Taipei". In other words, LOTS of cars!!!
Ellie spent as much time as she could with Miss H
This pic is for Grandpa Kenny. Ike surprised us all (but especially me) by eating the C's fruit soup. I think he thought it was chocolate when he took it, but he ended up having 2 bowls of the stuff!!
Just to show that we really do have Scandinavian pride, M and I also tried the fruit soup. Brought back lots of memories of Grandma Bestemor!
We spent Christmas Eve down south with our friends and went to this great science museum!
There were lots of fun things for the kids
...and the adults!
Yep, Joey is without pants in this picture. He had to pull his "gag and puke" act at dinner so we had to quickly wash them before we headed home.Christmas morning!!!
Puzzles from Santa
This boy was up at 6:45am and dug into his stocking and Joey's (who was still sleeping). Guess he was excited!
We ended Christmas Day with a program at the kid's school. I was pretty impressed with the program this year...lots of Christmas songs, a magician, and some traditional Chinese music.
It was Elle's first Christmas program and (surprise, surprise) she wasn't shy at all.