Luke in Taiwan

Where was Luke through all of this?

He and Baga had a great time by themselves. The rest of us would sleep in while Baga got Luke out of bed and led him in some early morning stretches and weights and then fixed breakfast while Luke set the table. Nearly everyday they would walk to Colton's school and run around the track, stop at Mos Burger for chicken nuggets, french fries, and milk, and walk home (a trip of about three miles total). Then Luke would happily go down for a nap.



Afterwards they would often take a trip to the local grocery store where Luke would pick out a balloon or to the bakery for a loaf of bread, or take a short train ride to go pick up some little custard-filled pastries.

Part of me worried that Luke was feeling a bit left out, but those fears were put to rest one day when we told him we were leaving and he announced, "I need to stay here with Baga." 

Taiwan--di er tsz!

Some of these may look a little familiar (see here) with some minor changes (pregnant belly, Kenny present), but our second trip to Taiwan was well worth it! And thanks to a new job and their willingness to let Ken take a few weeks to recuperate, Kenny did absolutely no work the entire time.

Ken's Favorite: the Memorials

Emme's Favorite: Yehliu Geopark

Taroko Gorge:

 (the 3+ hour traffic we sat in to get to Taroko Gorge)

Pingxi

Taipei 101

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial

National Palace Museum

Yehliu Geopark

Ken ever-so-slightly bending the rules...

 ...and this fisherman totally obliterating them. 

Tamsui

And because no trip to Taiwan would be complete without it, 

Emme's favorite food experience: the Stonehouse--fried softshell crab, pork rice, soft fried tofu, marinated eggplant, stir-fried mystery greens

Ken's favorite food experience: the Mango Bing

Apology Accepted

Houston weather and I have had a reconciliation. Though I can't get over the fact that there is no snow and no festive bite in the air before December, right now I really can't complain. We don't have any ugly, melting, gray snow, we don't have any rain, and Luke and I (and Kenny, occasionally) are soaking up the beautiful, sunny, 60-70 degree weather. 

Are you wearing short-sleeved shirts outside at the moment? No? Well. 

You've been forgiven, Houston. For the moment. 

Sunday Afternoon Naps

The best.

Arms Race

Luke has discovered the joys of weapons. A few weekends ago we had dinner with some friends and their four boys (who have consequently collected many weapons) and ever since have been shot repeatedly by Luke's miniature Star Wars blasters (or "fires", as Luke calls them) that he got for Christmas. 

And we aren't the only ones.

If that weren't enough, they have also invaded our nightly prayers, as Luke will always "bless the weapons and the weapons and the weapons and the weapons..." and on and on until we interrupt with another suggestion. 

Boys will be boys, I suppose. 

Batter Up!

All decked out in his dada's alma mater gear. 

Future BYU ball player, anyone? 

Law of the Jungle

Dear Mothers of the Houston Children's Museum:

Some of you seemed a little appalled by my parenting methods this morning, specifically my laissez-faire attitude that I adopted when my son totally dominated your kids and stole their toys. All I have to say is, if your child is as large as mine and doesn't have the guts to get his own toys back clearly someone needs to learn to fight for themselves.

Sincerely,

The pregnant lady in the corner on her phone.