Temple of Heaven

First stop: Temple of Heaven

We loved seeing the bright colored tiles and the weather was enjoyable.
We didn't miss the humidity of Guangzhou

Isaac is the dramatic one

We spent a while at the temple and I didn't pack enough water so . . .
Desperate times call for desperate measures:
Orange Fanta (aka orange surgar syrup)
Why is Orange Fanta everywhere in the developing world?

Daniel's new look.

The green roof tiles each had a carved dragon -
they were an instant favorite.

Beijing

We finally made it to Beijing!

Here's what we saw at local park

Accordion lessons

Crazy dancing with rackets and balls

More music

and more dancing.

Books

Oliver and his basket of books.
A mess I don't mind cleaning-up

Another Party

Our apartment complex had a back to school party, Chinese style.
Oliver wasn't too thrilled about preschoolers running circles around him

but Daniel wouldn't stop for a picture,

and neither would Isaac.

It a fun night that lasted only 30 minutes - the party ended when the rains began.

First Haircut

While I was taking a nap Marc and Oliver disappeared.

This is what they were doing.

I didn't want Oliver to get a haircut but Marc thought he needed one.
I lost.

Back to School Party

To celebrate the new school year, we had our own back to school party!
Can you tell Oliver loves Watermelon!

Can you tell the boys made this cheese pizza with only a little help from me.

Can you tell I live in China and make all my own decorations.

The night ended with a movie and popcorn

With the cushions on the floor (like usual)

and the popcorn out of the bowl (like usual)

Another monkey?

Isaac has started Preschool!
(He's in the monkey's class 3 hours each morning)

We decided to put him in an English class this year

This is the same class Daniel attended so Isaac adjusted within minutes.

He loves every minute of this preschool - Just Like Daniel did.
I only wish we could lived here long enough for Oliver to be a "monkey" too.

Off to School

Daniel received a new book -

And now he's off to school,

He attends a private school called
American International School of Guangzhou

We stopped by a local bakery after his first day.
Nothing like a chocolate pastry to celebrate this rite of passage.

Oliver - a little wet from this after school party.

Isaac also joined the fun,
He had his turn the following week

More of Dallas

Fun times at the Children's museum

Peter's finding some bones -
notice how he is about to loose the brush.
I witnessed a few battles over that brush.

The giant nose

Fire!
]

Learning to milk a fake cow -

We were only in Dallas a few days but we loved it -
Can't wait to visit you guys again.

We return to Guangzhou from Dallas.
First to San Francisco, then to Tokyo, then to Guangzhou.
It was a long journey home - and it only took us a week to get over jet lag:)

Longhorns

Following our party in DC, we headed to Texas.
In Dallas the party continue: The cousins ran wild,
we ate real Mexican food, and most importantly,
we met the newest addition, Gene.

Isaac doesn't know what to think about these longhorns.

Olive with Oliver

A Dallas sunset

The newest Evanson

The District

After our visit to Utah, Idaho, and Colorado, we were able to fly to DC.
We had so much fun that I failed to get any pictures - No pictures of Kimberly's garden, of our party at the Qualters, or of Katie's Pie. And last but certainly not the least, we didn't get any photos of the toilet papering job at the Degns. Until next time :)

These are the only pictures of our fun filled weekend -
The Palmer's new Bow Flex?

Thank you Kimberly, Palmers and Qualters for the lodging and the parties!

Boating

A trip home would not be complete without some boating.

The boys enjoyed steering the boat with grandpa and

they even swam in the green waters of Utah lake.

Olympic Park

Fun times with the Cooks!

With the cousins from Boston, we visited the Olympic park

where the ski jumping was held during the Winter Olympics.

During the summer, visitors can toboggan down a slide near the ski jumps
We were able to go down with Isaac and Daniel while Oliver watched.
They also have a Zip line where Marc and I raced to the bottom -
He won and almost got whip-lash from stopping.

Marc and Daniel enjoying the ride up.

During of our stay at the Cook's house,

we participated in a large group date.
Grandpa Steve watched the boys and

this is what we saw when we returned.
I'm glad someone enjoyed the movie