Tsai Family of the Parklands

On a warm summer evening, friends old and young were privileged to gather at the home of the parents of Caleb Wertz, one of our distinguished Montgomery Branch missionaries. In fact, all who came were our esteemed missionaries or members or friends. A total of 47 (in honor of 1847) Branch alumni and friends came to mingle and to have fun. Besides sampling the variety of food, some attendees chose to cool off in the pool, enjoy the nice playground, engage in a friendly game of volleyball, jump on the trampoline, or just relax on the cozy hammock. Caleb manned the grill and also welcomed all of the guests and asked me to offer a blessing on the food. The eating then commenced, and the socialization intensified. Steve and Betty Anderson hosted the Newlywed game with the four newest couples: Caleb & Sara Wertz, Dylan & Amanda Landeen, John & Emily Lim, and Emerald & Kyle Woodward. Steve acted as the eloquent host and explained the rules of the game. Betty was...

We arose at 6am to climb to the Y. We drove to the Y Trailhead and walked up. Joshua and I hiked up to the top. I fulfilled a dream I have had all my life, to climb the Y. And now at 50, I did it for the first time in my life. A few days later, I made it to the top with Megan.

On a beautiful summer evening, we drove up to the Alta Ski Resort.  Breathing in the clean crisp air, our daughter asked her photographer to take our family pictures.  Amidst the backdrop of pine trees and majestic mountains, we posed as a whole family and smaller groups.  It was fun to dress in coordinated fashion and to be with our family.  When we finished, the setting sun provided a beautiful feeling of completeness and awe. All photos are due to Maggie Ni.

It was decided on the spur of the moment that we would attend the Pioneer Day commemoration at Pioneer Park in Provo. We stood in line for almost an hour for the pony ride, but it was well worth it for Blake to ride his pony for six whole circles or revolutions. Blake then climbed onto his favorite firetruck and finally triumphantly pulled the cord to ring the bell. Most kids rang the bell a couple of times. Blake must have rang it for at least ten times. He loved his firetruck so much that I had to pull him off from the truck, so the next children to get on. The firetruck is 99 years today and was the first motorized firetruck in the Provo fire station. Megan was busy with her cousins running all over the park, searching for lost treasures in the scavenger hunt. Blake climbed all over the playground and slid down the slides. He was not afraid in the least bit to traverse the horizontal ladder-like jungle gym. Finally, we ended up watching folks saw pieces of a log w...

Although we were rained out for the Independence Day fireworks (Gaithersburg fireworks were canceled this year due to rain), we were gladdened by visitors from out of town. Elijah Gerber-Kai brought his parents and younger siblings with him to the East Coast this weekend. Although they missed out on the Gaithersburg fireworks, we were able to catch up with them at IHOP for breakfast on the Fourth of July. The whole Pascual family +1 came over from Taiwan and Utah for their family reunion this month.  We were able to catch up with them twice in our home. We were also lucky to see the Wangs from Philadelphia.  No pictures.

In search of a much needed break, we left our beautiful home and headed for a different scenery with an artificial but comfortable hotel, an unreal beach and oceanfront, and a hot spa.  We relaxed at a Courtyard Hotel with no breakfast but had a microwave and refrigerator.  The hot spa was even more relaxing.  Finally, the walk to the beach, wading in the cool waters, and of course making sand castles made the trip all the worthwhile.

The annual recital at the Sunrise Nursing Home featured ten of Li-Fang's piano students.  In addition, it premiered the Montgomery Branch choir singing the Chinese song "Charity Never Faileth" and a violin duet by Elder Yang and Sister Liou.

This year, Megan participated in the 4th Year High Adventure of Girls Camp.

Megan and I took Grandma to visit the Spy Museum.  We had lots of fun riding the Metro Subway to and from the museum.  Inside the museum, we spent hours combing through the labyrinth in attempting to accomplish our spy missions.  After the visit, Grandma treated us to Papa John's pizza.

Our family first inductee into the National Chinese Honor Society dramatically materialized this week.  While in the her freshman year, Megan was inducted into the National Chinese Honor Society along with 10 classmates.  Holding their candles, they recited their pledge in Chinese.  Congratulations, Megan, on this very prestigious award.

After many years of hard work, Li-Fang graduated from Montgomery College with a music degree.  Great job well done!

Megan participated in the Spring Harp Recital.  Here she is with her teacher.

I participated in the Haihua Celebration by singing in the Washington DC Men's Choir.  13 choirs in total were represented.