We go to Jin Lee Street to celebrate the new year

The New year is celebrated here with lots of fireworks and festivals. Our driver took us to Jin Lee street to see some of it. It was very crowded, but interesting to see how the chinese celebrate. They had many lanterns made to bring Goodluck. I took pictures so you can see the lanterns. This year is the year of the cow/bull. They say that this means it will be a really good year or a really bad year. As we went through the walking area, one part was really quite sad. This part was the temple. They had incense burning and three statues of leaders of China who people prayed to for goodluck and good fortune for the coming year. I think they were followers of Buddha. We ate lunch there and walked in the park where they had music, food, and lots of stuff for sale. The girls loved the corn on the cob!!!

Fireworks on Chinese New year!!

Chinese New Year here started Jan 26 and it lasts for 2 weeks. Apparently they shoot off fireworks on the actual new year eve and it continues for 2 weeks with the biggest day being the New Year day and the last day of the new years day (15 days later). Since we did not make it for New Year's Day, our friends bought some fireworks to shoot off with us. Here is a picture of Chris carrying the fireworks in our stroller. It was too big to carry. The Chinese really know how to put on a show and now the 4th of July will never be the same. The whole week they have been shooting off these huge fireworks just on the side of the road. Here is a video of the ones we shot off. There will be more on the last day of the new year. Enjoy!!

We ride the Elephants in Thailand

One of the things to do in Thailand is to ride an elephant. It was my top priority to experience since we may never get the opportunity to do again. So we signed on to see the monkey show as well as ride the elephants. It was fun, but a little hot. They actually did a shorter excursion because Cohen got a little to hot. We also got to see an baby elephant play music. It was quite fun. Below is a picture and video. Enjoy. Also go to our web gallery to see all our pictures!!

We meet a friend at the pool in Thailand

Everyday we had breakfast outside and it was nice to feel the breeze and the nice warm weather. Today, the girls went to the pool and loved it because it had a kid area. They also met a little girl from Australia and immediately became instant friends. They had so much fun that it became a regular event and we even had dinner with them the last night we were there. Here is a picture of her and the girls. Her name is Madeline. Her family was very sweet and welcoming with our big rowdy crew!!

Cohen turns 4 months!!

During our vacation in Thailand, Cohen turned 4 months. It is amazing how much he has grown and is growing everyday. Just before we left he had his 4 month shots at a clinic here in Chengdu. All the shots were imported. So I hope he is okay! He now can also turn over on his tummy and loves to smile as well as giggle. We are truly blessed with wonderful children. Cohen has been such a blessing to our lives even in the midst of our move to China and all the craziness we have encountered.

We went to Thailand!!

For the Chinese New year, we decided to get away since everything in China seems to shut down! We chose Thailand since it was close and reasonably priced. We even got to fly business class because they were offering a special deal!! The girls even had to of their good friends on the plane. The family has 2 girls and a boy just like us. They are a really sweet family and are from America as well. Our hotel was right on the beach. The first day we went to the beach. Here is a picture of the kids at the beach.

Avery's Chinese song "Counting Ducks"

For chinese week, the girls had a performance for their parents. That day they also made chinese crafts and homemade dumplings. I asked Avery and Rylan if they could help me make dumplings. They said they would try!! The performance was fun to watch, but I had no idea what they were saying. Each grade put on a performance. The older kids did a skit about Romeo and Juliet. It was quite entertaining, but it was all in chinese. Here is some video of Avery. Her song is about ducks. I asked her what she is saying and she says she is not sure!

The girls have Chinese Day

Since we live in China, we are about to celebrate the Chinese new year. Her school is doing something everyday this week to celebrate their holiday. So today the girls dressed in their chinese best. Above is the picture of the girls getting ready for the day. Tommorrow, they will make chinese crafts, make dumplings, and have a show for the adults as well as lunch. I will be sure to take a lot of pictures!! I hope the girls cann teach me to make dumplings!! Also the picture, Rylan is holding is one Avery made for her sister when she got hurt! Rylan really likes it.

Avery loves to draw

Avery loves to draw and this week she wanted to draw the pictures of her with her sister and brother. I hope you like.

Rylan goes to the hospital

As some people know, Rylan has had a little harder adjustment then our older daughter. To make it even harder she recently was petting our friends dog and the dog snapped at her resulting in a cut just above her eyebrow. She was okay. I think more emotionally scarred than physically. Everything was going well until this past Sunday when she fell in her bedroom and busted her chin resulting in 6 stitches. It took us a long time to locate our doctor since it was off hours but we were able to with the help of our good friends, The Samuel's. Our driver came to pick Chris and Rylan up to meet the doctor at the hospital. Daddy and the doctor said Rylan did great. Daddy reminded Rylan of the movie we had just seen called "The Tale of Despereaux" were the mouse was brave and honorable and Rylan could be just like that and that she was. After the stitches Daddy said it was time to go home, but Rylan said no and that she wanted to go to the candy store. Daddy said tomorrow they would go since it was already 11:00 pm.

We go to Lou Dai Village

Here is Avery and I in front of a dragon!!

This past weekend we went to a little village in the hills of Chengdu. It was called Lou Dai. They had lots of food, shops, and people. We had a good time except it was cold. Here is a picture of Chris and the kids eating the yummy food! We also had fun seeing the architecture. We had to take a picture of all the meat they sale out on the street. Sometimes it is raw and sometimes is cooked. To see more of our pictures, please go to our photo gallery.