China: Part III

Can't find my Great Wall pictures! I'm sure they'll show up eventually. Meanwhile, here's Part III

Tongli

This place was so awesome. They call Suzhou the "Venice of the East" because of all these little water towns they have surrounding the city.

This guy was making hair combs out of some sort of animal bone...whatever that thing hanging over the side is.

And this guy totally stole the show. He was busting out song in Chinese intermittently trying to get us to buy his "ginger sugar." Looks like taffy to me. Kind of doubt it actually tasted like taffy.

Notice the exposed bum crack on this little dude...nice!

And another one.

Sweet baby Jackson

We took a ride on these gondola type boats. Beautiful weather, scenery; interesting scope. All around a very lovely time.

Views from our row around town...

If you paid this guy, he'd push his birds down to grab a fish. Kind of sad and interesting to see.

Trying to be Karate Kid.

People left notes all over this really cool paper store.

Poor Dale, patiently waiting with all the bags while we girls shopped the day away.

China: Part I

Get ready to scroll. Lots of pictures. Very little commentary.

Strolling around the streets of Shanghai...


There's a sweet baby Jackson in there somewhere...


Home of the first Communist party meeting--very important...

More streets of Shanghai and views of Pearl Tower. Soooo pretty!



Beijing:

The Forbidden City...









Outside entrance to Drum Tower...

This lady was not happy that her charming salesmanship did not result in my buying her plethora of tourist goods...

On our way up the very steep flight of stairs to the drum tower...

Inside the drum tower...
These drums were pretty awesome and would probably have been even more awesome if we had made it on time for the performance. Next time. Hazel looks like she's having fun, huh?


The Olympic Green...

Bird's Nest



Pretty much there are guards everywhere doing a whole lot of nothing--except smiling and waving when they catch you taking their picture!

Pictures of the Great Wall next!

Time for a new header?

Every time I go to change it, I can't bring myself to do it. Partly (let's be honest), because I'm lazy; partly (let's be even more brutally honest) because I looked a whole lot better then than I do now; and partly (here's the kicker) because all our gazes are pinned on Ellie who is SUCH a ray of sunshine in my life right now and without whom our home would be a whole lot more contentious. But, poor Hazel's going to wonder about her significance in the family! So, maybe by Christmas? Not making any promises.

Really I just wanted to add my thank yous to all y'all's blogs out there. I left my family for a ten day hiatus half way around the world and am humbled, knowing that an amazing husband and true friends made that possible. It meant so much for me to get to see my sister and her family (including their new addition to the family, baby Jackson) in their element and spend that time with them. So, Josh in case I haven't said this enough, thank you for holding down the fort, pulling through for Jonah's surprise star student of the week, getting the kids bathed here and there, speaking in church, getting in those last billable hours...all of that AND getting the morning dishes done. It's more than I manage. I love you 2 lbs. cot. Happy Thanksgiving!

Pictures of China to come (I really hope)!

Giveaway for Tonight!

I have 2 free tickets to tonight's Symphony of the Southwest concert (see previous post) for anyone interested and in the area. Let me know! Also, there's a promo price of $8 for students and their families. Just use the code YOUTH when purchasing tickets.