Build a Bear

Today, we got to travel to Evansville to have two recalls and a lot of lights checked out on our truck. What was supposed to be an hour or two, turned into 4. Thank goodness we had them drop us off at the zoo!

Our extended warranty covered all but a deductible, so that is good! We spent 4 hours at the Evansville zoo, which is a long time in hills with mom pushing a stroller, but better than a waiting room at a dealership!

I did not bring a camera because I wasn't even thinking about taking pictures....just getting the truck fixed. BUT, we had a great time and finished with a visit to Build-a-Bear. Jaxon made a monkey named Monkey Butt and Audrie made a purple kitty named Meow.

Monkey Butt is Meow's Prince!

We picked up new nightlights on the way home (as this was to be Audrie's first night back in her room!)

Gifts and Misc.

Jaxon and Audrie dressed for their first church service!




Jaxon enjoying his new computer from mom and dad (we needed it... he loved Audrie's and it was a never ending fight) Audrie enjoying not sharing hers.


Jaxon sporting his backpack from the Hamptons!




Audrie and Jaxon making and decorating brownie pops (kit given by Pat Graves)!

New bikes...

We made a trip to Olney to check in with my peeps and get new bikes for the kids! Audrie picked a nice purple and black one and Jaxon got an Orange one with a handle that steers the bike for him!

Grandma Sharon and Papa Jerry came over for a visit, we went out to eat for their anniversary, and then went to Audrie's "flipping class!"

Cousins!!!

Jaxon got to meet his cousins (and Aunts and Uncles and minus Autumn and Dalton) the weekend after we got home! He had a great time with both sets! Thanks Aunts and Uncles for bringing everyone to visit!

Catching up....

So, I know I started slacking on the blog the last few days of our stay, so I will catch up today from my home...which is awesomely awesome!

These blog updates are coming to you one handed as I hold my purple angel while she watches her favorite movie, Tangled.

YAYA

Pleasant Goat and the Bad Bad Wolf is a cartoon that is very popular in China. The creators have teamed up with Disney in Hong Kong and are allowing Disney to show the cartoon and use the characters.

At Guangzhou (our last stop before currency changes), there were goats that dance and sing the theme song. I still had a few Yuan left, and so I bought them for the kids. Jerry was upset because the boxes were huge and we had to carry them on the plane at this point....BUT!

When we got home, Jerry unpacked the animals and put in the batteries... what an awesome surprise. Jaxon was singing with them, the kids were dancing and had a great time.... ALL DAY!

Grandma Sharon, Papa Jerry, and Grandma Evelyn

This afternoon, we had three very special visitors! Grandma Sharon, Papa Jerry, and Grandma Evelyn came for a visit!

Audrie got a new school bus, new pjs, a new sweatshirt. Jaxon got a castle with a ball launcher, a new outfit, puzzle, and clothes!

Grandma and Paga

We were very excited to land at St. Louis and be quickly greeted by Grandma and Paga! We did catch an earlier flight than scheduled, so we got in at 6 pm vs...10 pm! YAY! Audrie was surprised by a new Punzel doll (in a wedding dress) and a Flynn Rider doll and Jaxon got a new cars Flinn McMissile and Mickey Mouse.... among other things that Grandma and Paga appeared with:-)

Here are some pics of the kids with Grandma and Paga once we got home!

Handsome Dude

Here is Jaxon in his sweater that he had on when we got him! What a handsome lil guy!

Packing up.....

Kids are bathed, almost all the luggage is packed. We are ready to head out in the morning. Prayers welcome for safety and peace in travels! I will try to update when we get settled at home!

Last visit to the Executive Lounge

Enjoying our last meal in the Executive Lounge before we leave early in the am!

Yuexiu Park

Today, we spent a few hours in the Yuexiu park near our hotel (Really just under the ground to cross the street, then around the corner)!

We checked out the coy pond, saw a children's play area and pool, saw an "amusement park" in the park, visited the statue of five rams, and enjoyed watching women exercise while the retired men played their version of hackey sac.

Later, we returned to the island to exchange Audrie's purple dress for a little larger size, and ate noodles at Lucy's...yes, we wanted another iced tea. Picture is Audrie in her purple dress with one of the bouncey ball/hackey sacs.



Well, we were supposed to meet Eva at 430 to get the final package and passport/visa, but we couldn't find a cab. We finally got one...shared with a nice lady from Chicago area. We were just about 30 minutes late!

My Sister's Brush

He already knows when he is doing something that Audrie is not going to be happy with...check out this smile when he gets ahold of her brush!

Consulate visit

Today, we visited the consulate, took the oath on behalf of Jaxon, and finalized all paperwork to pick up the visa tomorrow!

Laura....

Yes, they are the two cutest kids leaving the country. Well, maybe it was a way to start the conversation that they wanted to have. It would be an awkward conversation! So many smiles, people are so nice! Except when they don't think you have enough clothes on the kids! They yell at you for that! We got yelled at in the hotel elevator because Jaxon did not have a coat on. We were inside for pitty sakes!

Jaxon is eating all the time! He does not stop! Now the flow from the other end is not so quick, but coming! We are pruning it up! He is sitting in a high chair to help support and give him an eating area. Audrie has been also becuase she does not want to be left out.

Today we took the oath at the consulate. It is going to be an easy going day, and thinking about ordering some KFC tonight for supper! I feel like Chicken tonight.... like chicken tonight!

Pics from the island visit

Just a couple of pictures from our visit to Shaiman Island.

Notes + today

Sarah/Kathy/Sharon - thanks for the FB messages! We look forward to meeting you!

Today is Sunday, day of rest, so we took a cab to Shaiman Island. We did a little shopping, although some of the shops have closed down, and ones that are there have downsized a lot. It has hit them hard for the White Swan to be closed. Jordan (a shopkeeper we met last time) has downsized and said fiscal on the island is bad.

We ate at Lucy's for lunch and kids enjoyed fried rice, Jerry had Malaysian rice, and I had lettuce wraps with Thai spicy minced meat! Oh yea...the best part is that we had Jumbo Iced Teas! Our favorite!

Now we are relaxing in the hotel!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

I Scream, You Scream...

We all scream for Ice Scream!

Whatcha Wanna Eat?

One of Audrie's favorite questions is, "whatcha wanna eat?" We were at the park on the 4th floor here at the tel (hotel) and Audrie said... Mommy whatcha wanna eat? I said blueberries. She said, Three? I said, Sure! She said..... Do you want a Diet Tickle with that?

Diet Tickle.... so Cute! So, from now on...Jerry and I will be drinking Diet Tickle.

Fw: Baiyan Gardens/Mountain

Today, we toured a park and gardens at the Baiyan Mountain! The gardens were beautiful! We had a lot of locals saying things to us (like at the park), but this time we had a guide to translate...so we did not have to just smile and nod.

The comments were so sweet. One couple asked why our kids looked Chinese. Eva explained that we adopted them. They said we were very kind. A group of ladies were talking about how pretty our kids are. (They are right:-)) It was very interesting to hear what they were saying. You always wonder how the locals feel about Americans adopting the kids. It seems that they appreciate it! One couple told Eva they always wanted to adopt, but couldn't.

We rode the cable car to the top of Baiyan Mountain. What beautiful views!

When we returned, we completed some paperwork with Eva, then went to Macau for Lunch.

Macau is a Chinese restaurant around the block from our hotel. I had questioned whether to go because on our walk I had encountered "the back door". Anyone that has worked in a restaurant can testify that this could very well make or break a dining experience. Anyway, Eva said it is delicious, so we went and tried it....and I did not gag in the back of my throat like I anticipated. It was wonderful! We had Curry Shrimp, Spicy Shrimp, Noodles, Green Beans and Minced Meat, and Jax/Audrie shared some Congee as well! All of that for a family of 4 for under $40. And, we had take out to bring back to the room! It was A LOT of food! I didn't take my camera, but wish I did.

I will post one more set of pics!

Baiyan Gardens/Mountain, cont.

A picture from the cable car, and one of the rose gardens!

There were friendship gardens (where statues had been given from other countries), there were statues of characters - ie Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Hello Kitty, Pokeman, and Snoopy, there was a greenhouse with beautiful Orchids, Cacti, and other plants from many countries, waterfalls, mountain views, rocks, and beautiful flowers.

Last set from Safari Park

 Last but not least, Pandas! And, Mama and Jaxon with a Monkey! The monkey tried to steal my map from my pocket!

Safari Park Pics

More pictures....

Sorry... I can't stop! Here is the brown bear and a white tiger!