Chillin' in Beijing airport and Taipei

After a 12-hour flight from Los Angeles, we had a 3-hour layover in Beijing.  Dad and Craig took full advantage of the comfy recliners.  Impressive airport--but mostly deserted.

Meditating or snoozing?!

While others slept, I tried out some of the camera features I have yet to master.

Not quite as comfy as the recliners, but Craig managed somehow

Craig prepares to return to total Chinese immersion

Thrilled to be back in Taiwan--hot though it was!

In Taipei we met up with Nancy and Jeremy Wang, members of our ward in Tucson who spend several weeks with family in Taiwan every summer.

In the subway with Nancy and Jeremy Wang

First on the agenda was visiting Taipei 101, for six years the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010 at 1,667 ft. (101 stories).  You can read more about the building here.

The views from the 89th floor were spectacular.

The yellow building on the left is a memorial to Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China

The world's largest damper sphere helps the building remain stable in high winds.

After enjoying dinner at a food court near the subway station with Nancy and Jeremy, we took a high speed train to Tainan.

Thanks, Nathan and Megan, for the inflatable travel pillow!

On arriving at the Good Ground Hotel in Tainan, we were surprised to discover that our room was furnished with "Japanese-style" beds, i.e. set on the floor and rock hard.  But we were so tired, we slept well!

A very Happy Birthday for Grandma Call

This has been another wonderful birthday thanks to love and greetings from family and friends!

Camille and Tytan started the day out with singing and BIG smiles...

Michelle, Ben and Josh called en route from Chicago to their new summer location in Dearborn, Michigan.  It was great to FaceTime with the entire crew in North Carolina:  Nathan, Megan, Ali, Kate, Max, Ava, and Olivia--and later FaceTime with Camille, Bryan, Tytan and Aubrie.  I love living in the high tech age--thank you, Camille, for encouraging me to get an iPhone to make FaceTime possible.  (Here's hoping Droids will have a compatible, seamless app like it soon, Craig!)

Wish I could have gotten a photo of a special birthday greeter--a young bobcat on our doorstep this morning!

Bruce chose the perfect restaurant for my birthday dinner--Outback Steakhouse.  

 Thank goodness he helped me finish off dessert!

Gluten-free and delicious

Cooks & Cooks in Utah with Grandma & Grandpa

Camille and Bryan came to Utah in late April to visit family and attend the sealing of Kjersty, Bryan's sister, and her husband, Chris, in the Logan Temple.  Bryan's parents, Bryce and Karol Cook, will leave in July to serve a two-year mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Bryce will be the mission president.  (Their mission will be two years instead of the regular three because of the difficult circumstances in the country.)

We enjoyed spending a few days with them while they were in town.  Craig, Michelle, and Ben came up from Provo to join in the fun.  We missed Josh, who was on a two-week tour of Asian countries with other BYU MBA students.

We had Sunday dinner with Grandpa Scott and took a few family photos in the backyard. 

Tytan and Grandpa; Ben and Bryan

Ben with Craig; Tytan with Grandpa

Aubrie is not too sold on grass.

The first of a dozen shots was the best.

Traditional crazy faces!

Ben at home

Ben is actually quite a big help in the kitchen--right, Michelle?!

 We're glad to know that Michelle and Josh are continuing the Magic Carpet Ride tradition!
 

Ben loves wearing grown-up shoes--Grandma's in this case.

Ben enjoys bedtime stories with Mom and Dad.  Afterwards they softly sing Primary songs and have prayer.

Water color painting with Grandpa Scott

Josh, Michelle, and Ben came up for an afternoon water color session with Grandpa Scott.

Ben gets in on the action.

Looking good!

Jazz Game

Grandpa invited us to watch another Jazz game in the Zion's Bank box.

Ben is intent on the game

Emily and Sam with Grandpa

Bruce, Craig, Mary Lee, Michelle, Josh and Ben

New Years 2013 with Provo Cooks

We started the year off with a bang--or was it Wham! into those bowling pins at the Wasatch lanes near Grandpa Scott's house.

The first of several big scores for Michelle.

Mary Lee enjoys the sweet, but unfamiliar taste of success.

Josh hits another strike!

A familiar sight on the score board when Dad was up.

The scoreboard says it all--Josh watch out for Michelle!

Michelle and Josh made sure we were well-stocked with games and goodies for New Year's Eve.

Ben helped deal...

and shuffle

It was a great way to start off 2013!