Some random shots of our kids and the such....

Hi from Mai Dan Lao!



Racing with Daddy...



Running...



Riding the double decker bus through town...

Climbing Up the Mountain

Hudson and I took Saturday and climbed up a mountain that overlooks the lake south of our city. And by overlooks, I mean drops 1500 feet almost straight down into the water. Hudson loved climbing on the rocks and I enjoyed fresh air and time with my oldest boy. Our city is at about 6000 feet above sea level and we climbed to the top of the mountain at just under 8000. Not bad for a five year old. Or a 31 year old. At the top, it got cold with some cloud cover and the wind whipping through us at 30 mph. Here's some shots of the ascent...

Hudson leads the way.




A break at 7600 feet. Our city is over Hud's shoulder.




The dropoff.




Hudson on top of the world! (or just 21,000 feet below it)




Coming down from the top.

Special Christmas Dinner

For our special Christmas dinner, we went to PIZZA HUT! The kids were a little more familiar with how to eat this than the dumplings down below.



Two larges for the 5 of us.




Micah enjoying his meal.




Hudson going at it.




HG with some stretchy cheese.




After dinner in front of the south gate to the old city.

It was a wonderful Christmas and a lot of fun in general. We got our pizza fill and the kids got plenty of toys to make up for the ones they left behind in the States.

Christmas in China

Here are some shots from Christmas Day here in China. There was no power when we first woke up, but then it came on a couple of hours later and we had tons of fun opening gifts.


Micah with some Legos...



Hudson on his scooter...



Sissy with her minority doll...



The kids with a ginger bread house they made. It was delicious!

Dumplings...

Here are the kids during their first encounter with chopsticks and dumplings...

WE MADE IT!!!!

Well, we are here in the good ol'PRC. The plane flights were long and tiring, but we made it with the only casualty being Micah's shoes left in LAX. The kids did great and we are glad to be settling into our home here. We have been here about 2 weeks, but just now got internet access in our apartment. We have met many new friends here and are getting excited about what lies ahead. Here are some pics from the trip here...Micah showing off his stickers on the flight from Beijing...HG and Hud on the same flight...The kids in LAX at 2 am GA time...

DEPARTURE DATE SET!

Well, the day has finally arrived. We have bought tickets for Dec. 3! We are very excited and are looking forward to this new and exciting chapter of our lives. Our visas are back and we are packing fools! Thanks to everyone for remembering us during this time. Happy Thanksgiving!