Sun Moon lake and the tree is up!!!!

We have not been out to Sun Moon Lake for ages (actually more like years) We are going to be spending New Year's there and so we decided to take a drive out that way to check out the new route etc... We went to the peacock garden and Itaho tribe area. Great day with perfect weather. A lot has changed in the area since we were last there most noticeably the cable car that now connects the lake with the Formosan aboriginal park. Did not give it a whirl...save it for another day...if they can get me on a cable car that is:)*scared of heights*



Maya scouting out for tunnels...we have this ritual that we all call out when going through tunnels...she LOVES it and as soon as one tunnel is gone she is looking for the next!


In the tunnel:) AHHHHHHHHHH!

Pretty Maya in her traditional hat.

More posing:)

With bubbles, binoculars and glasses (in back) she is ready to go on her next adventure!


We decided to put the Christmas tree up this weekend. At the bookshop the kids chose some party hats. Dylan has just put this on Maya's head to get the decorating "party" started. They had a ball and were singing "We wish you a merry Christmas" the whole time.




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Birthday and stuff

On a boat ride at Feng Le park. We have not done this for ages and the last time we did Maya was quite scared but boy has that changed. She was very excited to look at all the ducks, turtles etc..while daddy and Dylan pedaled like crazy





We did celebrate with cake etc on the Sunday before my birthday but somehow forgot the camera:)Monday birthdays can be blah but the fam picked me up and surprised me with an evening out. Went to Mitsukoshi where they have the Christmas decorations up and a big plastic snow globe. The lights inside were a little overwhelming for D & M who just stared with mouths agape after the initial excitement.





Post dinner coffee...and pre Maya's cup of juice falling onto the upholstered chairs and carpeted floor....Still had a fantastic birthday thanks guys!!!!!!

Flying cow ranch

Last weekend we went up to Flying Cow ranch and the kids had a fantastic time. Although we took a round about way to get there..the whole day was fantastic. The place is huge and there are all sorts of activities going on and animals to feed etc...which was fun too but so was just running around in the greenery:)


Maya in posing mode above and Dylan in posing mode below...moved backwards into her to pose with her but she was having none of it that day:)

On the way to the ranch at one of the rest stops we came across a real gem...fruit ice pops with nothing added. A lot of the ice pops here still have some sort of milk added which Dylan cannot have so we stay clear of them and NEVER buy ice cream out..they only have what i make at home...BUT these were pure fruit and super yummy.....they devoured them..Maya may look like she is frowning but it is the cold:)




At the ranch one of the guys made this flower for Maya.

And Dylan with his sword:)

Feeding the goats.

Highlight was the pony rides!!!





Snacktime





Another highlight was this old tractor...which the kids tried very hard to get working again:)





Dylan loves flowers and he especially loves picking them and giving them to me....we decided we should rather just look at this one and leave it here.

On our horse carriage ride....Just prior to this I had taken Maya to the bathroom and the soap dispenser instead of dispensing into her hands was at a weird angle and shot right into her eye!!! You can see her left eye was still a little red from the whole ordeal!!!

October round up

It has been a busy month. Lots of growing, developing, talking, tantruming, sibling fighting and loving:)). October and November are probably our favourite months of the year here in Taiwan ..the weather is sooo nice as we head into fall and before it gets really chilly in January/February. That means lots of outside time!!!! Thanks to Dora and Diego both kids are wandering around with the odd Spanish phrase or word...Between the English, Chinese and Spanish i have to listen carefully to follow:))

Riding bikes round the nearby school.



The other day i was in the kitchen and two little people went running passed with arms full of toys...when i came around the corner there they were. Later a small truck was used to ferry things to and fro from the chair.

Maya with her dolls..

Another of D's puzzles.

At our favourite park (with the starbucks:))








At the Jazz festival..at this point someone had walked past and given Dylan a balloon but it was their last one and they did not have one for Maya. We promised to find one for her soon..she kept saying "Where's Maya's balloon?" We did get one just after this :)
We had a really nice place to sit at the first stage.






Dylan up on dad's shoulders so he could see was imitating the Saxophone player with his balloon stick...He loved listening to the wind instruments.

There is a new grassy area next to the Park Lane department store. What is a grassy hill if you don't roll down it?..of course that is not necessarily done here:) We got a few strange looks.

And then the girl on the left started joining in...

Maya didn't want to do more than one roll but loved running after Dylan and giving him a push..here he is heading around and almost back up the hill...notice the couple on the left having a good giggle and the guy with the camera was snapping away:)

On the second day after stopping at the two smaller stages we spent some time listening to the evening big band act warming up...the actual show was a bit late for our little guys.








Having a cooking, making tea session.

At the Wen xin park this weekend. The weather was gorgeous.



Up at Metropolitan Park with the ducks and turtles.

Maya watching the kites.