THE FORBIDDEN CITY . . .

Sorry I haven't written in so long.  Like I said before, there's just been a lot going on.  Anyway, enough of the pity party.

We arrived in Beijing late Thursday night.  We all hit the sack as soon as we got there.  The next morning we woke up and went to lunch at McDonald's.  (I told you it was late when we got in, by the time we got moving, it was too late for breakfast)!   Anyway, I'm happy to report that a Big Mac and Fries, even though I SOOO didn't need them, taste the same as at home!

Anyway, that day we went to the Forbidden City.  A little background:

The Forbidden City was the Chinese Imperial Palace from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.  It was the home of the Emperor and his household for almost five centuries.  It was also the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government.  Built from 1406 to 1420 it consists of 980 buildings with 8707 bays of rooms and covers 720,000 square meters.  (Wikipedia)

This is a picture of the Ryan and the kids before we went in.  Aren't they cute?!

Jason standing in front of one of the buildings. 

I like this sundial.  Don't know why.  Just thought it was pretty cool.

Look at all the detail on the buildings.  This picture doesn't even do it justice.  But the detail on the work that was done here is absolutely amazing!  

This is the view from the outside.

Here is the Emperor's Throne.

Ryan and the kids in front of a dragon/turtle.

Andrew in front of some of the buildings.

Andrew and Jason in front of a tree.  If you look right above them, it looks like there's a ghost in the tree.  It was pretty creepy actually!

We thought this statue was pretty cool.

Sarah Beth.

IT'S ME . . .

So I haven't written much in awhile.  Last weekend we went to Beijing.  While we were there we didn't have internet access, so I wasn't able to get on and update anything.  Then, ever since we've been back I've been feeling kind of "blah" so I figured that wasn't a good time to write either.  

I still don't feel great, but I will post some stuff later.  I will tell you we had a GREAT time in Beijing, and we took 198 pictures over the weekend!  I'll post them as well as tell you about our trip later on. 

BEIJING . . .

The kids and I are leaving for Beijing tonight.  We're flying up to spend the weekend with Ryan.  Then we'll fly home on Sunday, and he has to fly somewhere else, and he'll be back on Monday.  I'm looking forward to going there.  We plan on seeing the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.  Our hotel is right by where they held the Olympics, so that will be cool to see as well.  I'll take lots of pictures and post them when we get back.  I hope you all have a great weekend.  I'll try to update you while we're gone, but if I can't you'll know it's because we're just too busy!

SARAH BETH . . .

Sarah is growing like a weed!  She's talking more and more everyday, although I have NO idea where she gets that from!  And she's not babbling all of the time like she used to.  She's actually talking in sentences and putting all kinds of words together.  The other night the boys were listening to music, and I guess she didn't want to listen to it anymore she said, "Guys, turn it off.  Turn it off guys!"  She'll say, "Guys, come and eat.  Guys, stop it!"  It's really funny.  I couldn't figure out where she got that from, then one day I was calling everyone to dinner, and I said, "Come on guys, it's time to eat."  So she repeated me.  And that's when I realized she was getting it from me.  Duh!

The other day she was playing with the food that the boys hadn't cleaned off the supper table yet.  I was in the kitchen and I wasn't really paying attention.  I just figured I'd have them bring everything else in when I was finished cleaning up what I already had.  So then I came out into the dining area to find Little Miss Priss picking up the noodles that were left on the plates and throwing up in the air and trying to catch them in her mouth.  THAT'S what happens when you have 2 older brothers!  So I looked at her and I found this:

 

And then there was this:

 

And last, but definitely not least:

 

I tried getting better pictures, but she wouldn't stay still, so this was the best I could do.  Anyway, it gives you a preview of our typical day to day life!

THANKS GRANDPA! ! !

We got a package from Grandpa today.  The boys were so excited.  We got Reese Peanut Butter Cups (my FAVORITE), mints, (of course, because Grandpa always gives them mints!), nuts, hot cocoa, and oatmeal.  Thanks so much.

It's the little things that mean so much and make us feel closer to home.  We love you Grandpa and we can't wait to see you at Christmas!