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9.07.2013

one step closer

Friday.  We woke up in Changsha to another rainy day.  

Sigh.

Frustrating to be within walking distance of a HUGE and beautiful park and not be able to take advantage of it.

We said zai jian to Hannah, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and returned to our rooms to repack our bags.

The kids played a little and we checked the window to see if it was still raining.  It was.

The kids watched TV a little and we checked the window to see if it was still raining.  It was.

The kids started to get a little stir crazy and we checked the window to see if it was still raining.  It was.

So we hit the elevators and began hotel hall olympics again.  Cheetah run on the 8th floor, hopping on the 7th floor, skipping on the 6th floor...you get the idea.  We also stopped to watch badminton and tennis for a while.  No one was on the badminton court, but tennis was in full swing...


The entertainment value in two middle age men playing tennis bought us about six minutes.

Then it was time to move on.

Down to the lobby we headed to get a picture on the bridge they loved to cross all week long.


Walking the bridge got us about four more minutes before the boys ~ and their youngest sister ~ thought it would be a good idea to start running...

Desperate to stretch our legs a little, we headed outside.  It may have been misting heavily, but thankfully it wasn't raining.  And despite the looks we got walking around in short sleeves without jackets...or maybe we got the looks because we had five kids parading with us...we enjoyed a walk around the big city block.


Little one spent some time snuggled in Daddy's arms.


and the boys had the chance to create their own games ~ don't step on the cracks, walk sideways in the squares, jump onto the holes in the pavement ~ as we went along.


We also revisited the alleyway where we had eaten the previous two nights.  Loved seeing all the produce for sale on carts.


And this was our little restaurant...not much on the outside, but man was it good!


Couldn't resist getting a quick shot of my beautiful girls!


Following our walk the kids took a quick rest and then it was time to meet Amy to catch our ride to the airport.  Hated to say goodbye to her...she was a wonderful guide!


Somehow we managed to never eat lunch (we were totally incapable without you Hannah) and I was thankful for the bottomless snack bag we had accumulated over the week with several stops at the supermarket.  We had plenty for ourselves and enough to share with our friends from the week.



Just as the late afternoon jollies were kicking in it was finally time to board the plane.  I had the boys in one segment of three, mom and Kathy sat with DQ, and Ian had our eldest and youngest.  Overall the flight was okay...save the tantrum Natalie started to throw when Ian refused to allow her to kick the seat in front of her and the fact that we were delayed an hour once seated, even served our "dinner snack" on the plane before takeoff...

By 7:30 we were getting off the plane in Guangzhou...one step closer to home.


Natalie was wheeling her little suitcase like she'd done it all her life.  She's something, I'm telling you.  Nothing happens that escapes her notice.


And not only can she wheel it down the hallway, but she's got the escalator down pat.


And now we're at our "home sweet home" for the next few days.  Being back at the Garden is comfortable now...we know where we like to eat and we know that afternoons can be spent by the pool.  We're going to soak up this time here as a family...

6 comments:

Shannon said...

Sorry for the rainy days but so excited to see Natalie adjusting so well! And even more excited to see you are one step closer to home! We miss you guys! Enjoy your time in Guangzhou!

Laurie said...

LOVE Natalie's face on the elevator. Priceless!

Our Journey to China said...

Love all the smiles and adventurous spirit with Natalie, she is fitting in just right! :) God is so good. So glad you are at the Garden, familiar territory and almost home. :)

Traci said...

Glad you made it to Guangzhou safely! We can't wait to see you!

likeschocolate said...

Yeah! Almost home!

Janet and Kevin said...

Cute post. I love the looks on your children's faces as they sit at the badminton court. They look like they are thinking, "Really! Is this all we are going to do!" Too funny!

Will have to get your thoughts on where to eat when we go to GZ. We have always stayed at the White Swan, so anywhere else is foreign to us. Enjoy your time in GZ. We always felt it was a "mini vacation" compared to be in province.

janet and gang