Terren and Koda. Sistahs.

Dad limped into November on crutches…only to take a nauseating kick in the groin delivered by voters in the Midwest. Three things came to our rescue: 1) Justin's friend and coworker Wrenn, who tapped into her inner Mama Bear and told him and his bosses that he was in no position to be back at work on crutches -- which led to 8 weeks of sick leave (instead of 8 days); 2) Khanh and Auston visit and take care of our handicapped, stressed-out family in the most loving way possible, and 3) A two-week trip to Taiwan with Popo and Yeye-- leaving the US the day after the presidential election. Timing was perfect. 

The girls stated they did not want to leave Taiwan, neither did Dad or Mom for a number of good reasons. Thanks, Po Po and Ye Ye, for planning and funding our first family across-the-ocean trip. It was the best! Here are some highlights:

• The food: 17 million kinds of crispy/fried dough, sweet dessert ice, kiki's, sweet rice in different colors, savory/sweet, dumplings, thousands of awesome veggies, $100 Sheraton Hotel private room meal vs. $2 street-food meal
• Baby Boss, where the girls could be their own bosses while "working"
• Taipei 101, super tall 101-story building with a damper baby and a really fast elevator
• Checking out Mom's family history: gravesite of Mom's grandparents and great-grandparents, Po Po and Ye Ye's childhood homes, where they grew up 4 houses apart, and the pool where Popo swam to become the Taiwan backstroke champion
• Visiting Gu Po's convent for passionfruit and aiyu jelly, bonding over zantangles, playing piano, and hangin' with the nuns
• Family bicycling on the waterfront and Terren biking all five of us uphill!
• Hai Di Lao Thanksgiving dinner with dancing noodle and mask-changing dudes
• Lighting our family lantern in the mountain woods
• The Zoo and gondola ride with the Tea House restaurant
• Hiking the hills and streets of JiuFeng
• Shopping mall stampedes
• The lights and crowds and merriment at night
• Dad sleeping more than he's ever slept in 30 years!

For the first time ever, we enjoyed a 2nd Thanksgiving dinner thanks to crossing the international date line on our flight home; it was takeout pizza!