39

happy birthday dad! from brooke taylor on Vimeo.

I'm writing this letter in a shuttle van with seven Asian men, just past the Hong Kong exit and just before China, waiting and waiting and waiting to cross the border. Todd took the ferry home with three heavy suitcases and a backpack. I opted to get my e-channel Hong Kong express pass before my one year mark so hopefully in the future I can bypass a few lines. We are returning home from Taipei, Taiwan. Chase and Brooklyn watched the kids this weekend (thanks kiddos!) so we could make a quick trip to costco for a hot dog lunch for Todd's birthday in a couple days. It was quite the ordeal. We couldn't use our US costco card, couldn't renew, couldn't borrow anyone's card. We had to buy a year membership only renewable in Taiwan. By the weight of our bags (57kilos-17 over the limit) I'd say we made good use of the card. We also walked around the Taipei temple which was closed for cleaning, purchased some Mandarin songbooks for the girls and things for Chase, ate at an old famous beef noodle shop, walked the streets of a Taiwanese night market and visited Maokong (Chinese: 貓空; pinyin: Māokōng;  literally "cat empty")mountain by gondola. After the gondola I sat on the MRT in somebody's spilled water (I hope) and SOAKED my pants. Todd walked behind me for cover for the next hour or so while my pants dried.  We want to global mall, ate at T.G.I. Fridays (it never tasted this good at home) and saw Captain America, my first movie in a theater since James Costello's birthday last June. The popcorn tasted so good. We had to request salted instead of sweet popcorn. Sat morning we went to exercise with the locals at a nice park and track. We ran laps while tai chi was going on all around us. Lots of people were waving their arms doing their own thing by the fence in the shade, to lovely Chinese music playing in the park. It was a quick trip but we loved Taiwan. Good food, beautiful surroundings, interesting things to see, friendly people.  They would often say "Welcome to Taiwan."  My favorite was a bus driver who said "God bless you in Taiwan" and then said our ride was free. There were TONS of scooters everywhere and most everyone was wearing a helmet. The other thing I noticed was there was WAY less honking.  It seemed so quiet.  Hopefully we can make it back there with the kids one day. When we got home today they had fun sitting around the table watching what foods from their past came out of the suitcase like a rabbit out of a hat, complete with all the oooohhhs and ahhhhhhs.  Simple pleasures.  Honey Nut Cheerios for dinner! (From Brynn...It was better than Christmas. You have no idea.) 

Then we watched conference--no church today for us, we are a week behind.  

Monday-Chase has a new Mandarin tutor. I think he likes this one better than the last.  Watched some of conference for FHE and then some American Idol. The girls and Brigham also have a tutor and are picking things up, enough to get by.  

Tuesday we went to pick up the little girls swimsuits and dresses that they left with the tailor. We had to leave a couple for some more alterations but the dress and Brynn's suit were good. The boys called as we were on our way home and wanted to meet for taco Tuesday before going home teaching. This was Brigham's first time going home teaching. They visited the Roy Greenland and his new wife Lena from Brazil. Chase played basketball after dinner and Brigham went down later to meet him. I took Sophie to the gym and she hopped into a Zumba class and loved it. Now she wants to go every Tuesday and Thursday, and has some new best friends who tell her she does a great job dancing. (Brynn....At the tailor (lohou) it is REALLY SMOKEY so, the last time we went, we got a packet of mint nose plugs to prevent the sicknesses and headaches. They actually work.)

Wednesday Chase and I, a bag of chips and a couple of snickers bars headed to Guangzhou on the train to submit his Australian visa application. They wouldn't take it, however, because we are leaving the country before 8 weeks. And for that decision, we had to wait 30 minutes so the head guy in Beijing could finish his nap before answering us.  So after a very long day of unnecessary travel, I had to take the paperwork back to Hong Kong to be sent to the US via pouch for processing in slc. Hoping he gets it on time to leave with his group in July. After walking around aimlessly for a while we did have a nice lunch in Guangzhou at simply life, so that was one perk. Todd and Brigham and Brooke had mutual at the church house tonight. (Brynn...I had to do school tonight while the other kids (-sophie) hit a piñata full of candy. I kind of took a day off...)

  

Thursday: Seminary then a hike with Joyce.  Brooke took the girls to zumba but sat in the hall and watched.  I headed to Hong Kong before my flight to run some errands-find Easter anything, mail package to Ally, Chase's paperwork, bank. I was wiped out by the time I met Todd at the airport.  We shared some Singapore style noodles and spring rolls then hopped on the plane. (Brynn.....Zumba was.... unique. There were weird songs and russian ladies who sweat A LOT!!! I am so dang sore. But it was fun.) 

Friday- (from Brooke) Chase taught seminary while mom and dad were in Taiwan. He did good! I can't believe he's leaving for his mission in just over a month! We woke up the girls and made sure no one went back to bed:). We did our online school and then were invited to the neighbors house for a thai dinner. Good thing too because I'm not a very good cook! We played apples to apples while we waited for dessert. Dessert  was something we've never tried, but so good. I don't know what Pon called it, but it was coconut milk and toppings of your choosing (cantaloupe, tapioca, black jelly, corn). Then we went home with another episode of American Idol ready to watch. We watched that and a few other movies and then headed to bed.

Saturday- We slept in until about 10 and did a little school. I took the girl's down to the neighborhood Easter party, and took them home about 20 minutes later because it was sooo hot.  We cooled down, had lunch, painted a little, and then the boys went to priesthood session. Sophie helped me make tacos for dinner, and Sydney Sears came over from next door so we could finish our apples to apples game. We watched another movie when the boys got home, (it may or may not have been highschool musical 2) and then went to bed.

Sunday - (Todd) Everyone made it home safely.  Kids only have a few weeks to finish their school work.  Getting ready for the Trek-style youth conference in Beijing and then a short trip with the rest of the family to Xi'an and Chengdu afterwards to see the heart of China.  I'm  a trail master, Chase a big brother, Brooke and Brigham family members.  65 other youth from China participating.  Should be fun. 

Sophie is getting so excited for her baptism. Todd gets a bit older and wiser this week. Time is passing quickly now, it seems.  

Take Care! Come Visit (anytime after July 15). Let us know what's new with you! Miss you all. 

Love from China, 

Todd,Jane & family