Stuffed!!

In the morning we left for a full day of touring. We started Tiannamen Square which led us to the Forbidden City. Beijing is so rich in history. It was incredible to actually stand in the square and to learn about how the Emperors and their families and staff lived. We did, however freeze. Dwayne had fun with the vendors--people who hound you to buy their stuff--and ended up buying a lovely souvenir that you can see him wearing in the picture. A few others in our group decided that was a great idea as the windchill was probably around 18 degrees.

We left the Forbidden City and were able to tour a Hutong neighborhood. A Hutong is basically a traditional neighborhood connected by alleyways. There are very few Hutongs in Beijing anymore as it is becoming so modern. We were taken on this tour in a Rickshaw. It was a pretty touristy thing to do, but we were able to meet a man of one of the families who still lives in one of the homes, we got to sit in his house and learn a little about how their houses are set up and why. Again, steeped in tradition and culture.

After our looooong day in the cold, we went to an Chinese Acrobatics show, lots of bouncing and gravity defying. Fighting the urge to drop, we decided to brave the local neighborhood and have supper at a restaurant down the street. Thanks to one of the new dads-to- be, we enjoyed a gigantic, really authentic meal. 9 of us overate for 338 yuan--if you do that math, you'll realize that's around $5 per person. It was very delicious,especially the duck. Pretty sure we will be eating there tomorrow, again.

We have a wonderful travel group of families and many of them will be getting their kids on Sunday, a few are staying here in Beijing for the rest of the week because their kids are from here. It's still a little surreal to many of us. One of the families is from SD, a few are from TN, also represented are WI, GA, IN and PA, and of course, IL.

When you are sleeping Sunday night, we will be meeting our daughter in Wuhan, Monday afternoon.
 
Shannon & Austin,
Are you guys ready for a little sister?  We meet her Monday Afternoon and will try to skype you before you leave for school Monday morning.  If we don't get through then, we will try after you get home from school.  Hope you are doing great!!  Love you and miss you guys.
 
Mom & Dad