More Pictures from Taiwan

All of these pictures were taken on 7/11/2012. That is the day we went to the Carrefour and our AIT appointment. The AIT is the American Institute in Taiwan and is where Kendall's Visa was issued. It was also the last appointment we had to finalize Kendall's adoption. YAY !!!!!!!! We don't have any pictures in or around AIT because we had to leave the cameras in the vehicle. National Concert Hall 7/11/2012

Kendall, Mommy and Olivia in front of the National Concert Hall in Taipei.

Olivia walking on the wall outside of the National Concert Hall.

 

We were wandering around the concert hall before our AIT appointment. Yes, it was HOT !!!!!

Kendall and Olivia having fun before bedtime fun on 7/11/2012

Awesome picture of two sweet sisters.

 

Snacks in bed. UGH !!!!

Olivia itching Kendall's back while they are watching TV. So cute !!!!!!

 

Previously Unpublished Photos

 

Olivia getting busted trying to download apps on David's iPad !!

Thank heavens it is password protected !!

Beautiful Olivia in Taiwan

Olivia and Kendall hamming it up for the camera. We were at I Love Pasta on 7/14/2012. It was great pizza and pasta and a welcome change from cheeseburgers at McDonalds !!

Beautiful sisters.

Olivia saying I Love You in sign language.

Smoothie bar sign on the street in Taipei. It's a bit lost in translation but one of those smoothies is for your "health"' not heath. LOL !!!

Floral displays on the street.

Taipei 101 in green. Every night it's illuminated in a different color.

It's not the Cheeseburger in Paradise Jimmy Buffet sings about, but for us, it was pretty close.

I just love this 3 story McDonalds !!!

 

Three girlies out for a stroll one night in Taipei.

Crazy mommy in heaven in a crowded night market !!!! I was the only one in our party of 4 having fun. It was extremely loud, super hot, crowded, fast-paced, smelly from all that freaky

night market food, and totally awesome !!!!

Delicious Taiwanese pastries.

One of the big regrets I've had ever since we went to Taiwan in 2008, was that I did not bring back a tea set for Olivia. I talked myself out of it, mainly sure that it would never make it safely back home in our luggage. This time, we threw caution to the wind and bought three Taiwanese-made tea sets: one for each of the girls for when they are older (one blue, pictured here, and one red), and one for us (pictured below). Actually, we were very cautious and packed them with extreme care. And thankfully, all three sets

made it home safely and in perfect shape !!!

 

Finally More Pictures !!!

We are home and the jet lag is AWFUL !!!!! This is our 5th night home, but we are still totally out of sorts. We aren't sleeping great at night and the girls are up super early every day. However, things are starting to get more settled. We are unpacked and are trying to get Kendall into her new routine and Olivia back into her old routine. It's a bit tough since we are not taking them to school. I know I owe you all tons of pictures, but it seems every moment has been occupied with the girls, getting the house and yard straightened out, or total exhaustion !! LOL

Olivia at TGIFriday's in Taiwan. 7/13/2012

Kendall 7/13/2012

Kendall

Olivia staying busy on David's IPad.

Kendall

Taipei 101 lit up in purple at night.

 

Almost Home !!

The world weary travelers have made it to Miami. We're in the truck, heading to Key West, and making good time. Oh man, are we ready to be home to our little house, the cats and the chickens, and getting our little ones into some kind of a routine. 

We left our hotel at 1pm, drove an hour to the airport, and then spent 4 hours at the airport in Taiwan before our flight. Then went from Taiwan to LAX in around 12 hours. Our layover in LAX was right at 4 hours. So we were able to grab 3 Diet Dr. Peppers (LOL !!!!) right after we cleared customs, where little Kendall became a US citizen !!!! YAY !!!!!! Then we celebrated with a Mexican dinner at Chili's (which Olivia calls Pepper's). Our trip from LAX to Miami was right at 6 hours. So, that makes 27 hours so far and we've got a 3 hour drive to home. My brain is a little fuzzy from lack of sleep, but I think that's 30 hours.

There were a number of meltdowns during the trip and NONE of them were David's !!!! Kendall was really good for the most part but lost it a few times over the seatbelt having to be on her. Her crying was so sad. Really terrible sobbing, screaming, just kind of like a tantrum, but still, I wonder what she was thinking. She was super mad at me after the Taiwan to LAX flight. She wouldn't let me touch her or hold her so David had to sit next to her at dinner.

But all seems to be good for now. Kendall has been saying a few words in Chinese (mostly just: no, yes, more). And she says mama a LOT !!!! She has said baba (daddy in Chinese) a few times. But when we got in the truck. She said daddy, clear as a bell. We will post more pictures in a while.

Love to all,

Sheryl

We're Leaving !!!

We are scheduled to fly out of Taipei in 45 minutes (at 6:40 pm, Taiwan time). We've been at the airport since 1:45 pm, so we have about worn out our welcome here with these two energized girlies !!!



Olivia and Kendall tearing up the nursery room at the airport.




Olivia on a mission !!!!

Your prayers for safe travels are always welcome !!!! Talk to y'all soon from the USA.


Sheryl

 

 

 

Pictures !!!!

Kendall and Olivia playing with hair bows. 7/13/2012

 

7/13/2012

 

Kendall 7/13/2012

 

Mommy, Olivia and Kendall, 7/13/2012

 

Olivia and Kendall, outside of our hotel, 7/13/2012. I think this is my favorite picture of the two of them together, so far.

 

 

Later in the day on 7/13/2012 at Taipei 101 Food Court. We think this was Kendall's first ice cream cone. She inhaled it a few times up her nose as she was trying to figure out how to eat it.

 

Yes, McDonalds. It is all Olivia will eat here, but she rarely ever wants it at home. LOL and God knows, if I ever go there again for a meal, it will be too soon !!

 

At one of the fountains, outside of Taipei 101. For the longest time, Olivia wouldn't get in the water. Kendall jumped right in. 7/13/2012

 

 

Here comes Olivia, nervous at first.

 

Kendall getting soaked !!!

 

 

Kendall having a blast, but Olivia is still dry !!

 

 

 

Finally !!!! Olivia jumped in for some fun !!

 

 

They are both in there now !!! It was an awesome way for them to spend a while in a blistering hot day. Just Olivia, Kendall and me went back on Saturday, but I will upload those pictures later.

 

Ziajian,

 

Sheryl