Grandparents Visit Taipei

My parents came out for two weeks at the end of January!!! We had so many ideas and plans which included seeing a bit more of Taipei than their previous visit a year ago, but it rained EVERY SINGLE DAY they were here!!! Thankfully that didn't stop them from getting out and exploring our neighborhood... and it definitely didn't stop them from getting plenty of Hunter time! As always, they came laden with goods from California - and as usual, they returned home almost as laden with gifts for the rest of the family and their friends! Despite the weather - we really enjoyed their visit; too bad it only happens once a year!

Back to the Chinese New Year market... mom & dad loved the outdoor traditional markets!

This is what they really came for... Hunter time!

You know grandparents are pretty sly... Grandpa bought Hunter his first drum on the last day he was here! Grandparents definitely know what they're doing!

Of course they wanted to see this little guy... who could resist those cheeks!

We had planned to take a 3-day trip to the east coast, but due to weather we decided to stick around Taipei. Since we already had a rental car lined up, we took a few day trips outside the city. Yeliu is one of our favorite natural places near Taipei so it was a good choice when we woke up and it wasn't pouring down rain!

Dad & Mom with the "Queen's Head".

Thanks to my bro & sis-in-law, Hunter got to ride in style in a new backpack carrier... you can just barely see his excitement!

Can you see the crocodile? What about the lion? Remember - the Taiwanese have great imaginations when it comes to rock formations!!!

We also went down to the Yingge Ceramics Museum where we had shelter from the rain while being reminded that ceramics really are part of our everyday life!

I did it again! I neglected to call the Taipei Eye (when Amber & Grandma were here we did the same thing), so we got all dressed up thinking we were headed to the Chinese Opera, but alas - they were on a one month break. Longshan Temple was the best alternative plan so we took mom & dad on their first temple visit. It's a fascinating place, especially at night.

Tea Time at the National Palace Museum

After putting Hunter down for a nap, catching the MRT & bus, and enjoying a light local lunch, mom, dad & I miraculously made it in time for the 3pm English Tour at the National Palace Museum. We were all impressed by the intricacy of handiwork in some of the special treasures there!

Cuddle time w/Grandpa & Grandma - the best part of their visit!