Photos from Summer and Fall 2012

By KEVIN DING

Here are some extra photos I've had sitting on my iPhone from recent months. They didn't make their way into specific blog entries, but I think they're worth sharing. I'll add some captions where necessary for context. Most, though, are just spur-of-the-moment fun ...

 Maven wanted to try A-Ma Alice's reading glasses, and it was a pretty good look!

 Coming up are a series of photos from a beach excursion with Sedona's friends Gracie and Parker ...

 They just had to try on their Halloween costumes in advance.

 Me and Maven at the boba shop, with some added photo effect.

Here they are in Chinese class, where they've been going twice a week for about a year -- and not really learning much, if you ask me (or if I ask them to name all the Chinese words they know and they each come up with ... two words).

Greatest Video Hits from Summer and Fall 2012

By KEVIN DING

Here is a collection of videos from my iPhone over the summer and fall months. A lot of good stuff in here of some tennis progress, Sedona's tremendous spelling determination and the sisters dancing, singing or playing together, perfectly capped by Maven's giggling at the end of the "I Went to a Chinese Restaurant" clip.

Sky Zone Trampoline Fun

BY MAGGIE DING

Just some holiday fun at Sky Zone, it is an endless sea of trampolines, all connected to form one massive trampoline surface. 

It is quite a work out and the girls get sweaty and crazy! 

Sedona's Turkey Day

BY MAGGIE DING

Celebrating Turkey Day at Sedona's school with her seat partner, Camilla at Hermosa View

Maven is the best sister

BY MAGGIE DING

Have to love it when you see a daughter write this about her sibling: "Maven is the best ever! You are really fantastic! You are the best sister!" 

I truly hope they will continue to love and adore each other. 

Happy Halloween

BY MAGGIE DING

Maven enjoyed a fun day with her friend's at her Montessori school with her buds

With Sabrina (her birthday is the same day as mine!) and Mackenzie

Then off to celebrating with The William's family as our tradition for the last 6 years. 

The girls dressed as Mermaid's this year but as you can see from the white shirts inside, it was chilly! 

Isabel and Sabrina joined us toward the end and what a coincidence! Isabel is a mermaid and Sabrina is a cat to match Riley! 

Taiwan: Taipei Zoo

By MAGGIE DING

We hit up Taipei Zoo today after much begging throughout the week from Sedona. She was determined to see all the cute animals in person after previewing them on my computer at the hotel. 

There is an elaborate panda exhibit, which was fun. (Side story: My dad told his best man, whom we call Shing-chan, we were at the zoo -- to which he responded, "I own the panda building, but not the pandas." OK. Not something you hear often.)

Some amusement was had at the display explanations about using "poo" to fuel the "zoo" in Taipei.

Despite one of the hotter days during our week, the kids were still racing around on our way out of the zoo. Afterward, we headed back to the XiMenDing district for some Chi-ga noodles and to check out some local shops. 

At our favorite hair-clip shop, Pier Mei, we took fun pictures with my mom and Aunt Kelly. (Maven fell asleep, so she and Kevin were back at the hotel.)

For dinner, we met some of the cousins and family up on the 12th floor of the family hotel. Many will not be attending the official engagement party hosted by Mary's parents tomorrow. The head table at this dinner featured Dad's fourth and fifth brothers and Mom's fourth, fifth and sixth brothers.

Table 2 (below) had Mom's third brother's family -- with cousins included but missing Luc. 

And our table (below) had Dad's fourth uncle's children. Oldest son is the white shirt. His middle sister is in the red sweater, and youngest in black next to me. My cousins Shing-I and Alex (Mom's 3rd uncle's children) aren't pictured but sat with us also. At our table we passed the time by calculating the number of cousins we had on both sides. For Dad's side, we counted 46 cousins! Mom's side has 24 -- so I have a total of 70 cousins! 

Dad's fifth Brother came from Japan and brought the girls some fun toys. 

The girls ended the night playing with their second cousins: Mom's third brother's grandchildren.