Hong Kong

There aren't pictures right now from Wednesday, but some will be coming once I upload pics from my phone. We packed up, did some shopping, and checked out at 2:30. A quick stop at the consulate to pick up Tessa's package for immigration, and we were on our way. We were at the train station by 4, and left on the train by 5pm. We ended up in a completely illegal taxi, but made it to our hotel by 8pm. We are at the JW Marriott, and it is gorgeous! It's just as nice, if not nicer than the one in Beijing.

Check out the view from our window. Not too bad!

This morning we walked through Hong Kong Park on our way to the Peak tram. This is by far the funniest picture from the day. Although it doesn't look like it here, Tessa loved riding on Eric's back.
We could see our destination through the trees.
We passed a pond on the way.




Her brow furrows when she is concentrating.




We had an early lunch snack at Bubba Gump's, and she loved Eric's blueberry smoothie!

There were footprints pointing different directions. We were only 12,979 kilometers from New York:-)



This little girl loves to give kisses. And this picture melts my heart a million times over. I've waited over half my life for this!

(She's learned to kiss, wave bye, and high five in the week and a half we've had her!)




You can see where we ate, it's the restaurant under the viewing deck.
The red neon sign is Bubba Gump's.

Pictures not making the photo album.
She was over having her picture taken!
Time to go back down.
We went back to Hong Kong park and found the playground. This slide was awesome, and Tessa LOVED it. She is scared of nothing!
We don't think she'd been in a swing before. She laughed hysterically, and couldn't stop. When she sees the playset in her back yard, she is gonna flip.

There was also an aviary in the park. Which was quite cool in the middle of the city.

You can see Tessa trying to climb off Eric's shoulders to get to the birds!
She usually covers his eyes:-)



She enjoyed a nice stroll home. Stopping at every fountain, and anything else of interest. She knew nap time was coming, so she took her time.
Touching every fence post.
We enjoyed these statues in front of a nearby hotel.


Tessa took a nice long nap, and I got all caught up on blogging. I'm getting ready to shut down the computer and pack it away. We have to get up at 5am to get ready, packed, and eat breakfast- then leave by 7am for the airport. We should be checked in by 8 am for our 11am flight. Can't wait to see our boys tomorrow!!!

We wake up to start our travels at what will be 4pm Thursday evening for everyone back home. Please pray for smooth and safe travels!

Goodnight from across the world, for the last time!!!!!!!

GZ Day 3

Our third day in GZ was awesome! The sun was out, and the weather was starting to warm up. We finally got to take off our jackets! We decided to walk over to Shamian Island on our own, and just meet our guide at the medical clinic there for our 2:45 TB test check. It was an easy and interesting walk over, through the pet market, and then the food market. The Chinese people are very resourceful. They eat every part of every animal. And I'm not exaggerating. You just truly wouldn't even begin to believe the thing for sale. So we got to the island, and wandered around. We found Lucy's and the playground! Mommy did some shopping, then we went to our medical appointment.

Tessa loved the playground and slide. Girly is gonna flip out when she finds out there is a playset in her back yard.

Unbelievably cute outfit by Mudpie. Love this brand! Thanks B for telling me about it!
The playground.
The infamous Lucy's which has a variety of American food on the menu, and delicious burgers. It was the only time I had American food. I've LOVED the Chinese food here, and haven't been to McDonald's, KFC, or Pizza Hut. Isn't that crazy? They have those on every corner.
It was a beautiful day to sit outside.
The park on the island was full of people exercising, playing ball, dancing, and singing. The Chinese people are very active! These four men were playing something that looked like what I call hackey-sack.
This lady was leading a group of people singing. It was beautiful. They all packed up their books and chairs and left when they finished. Very interesting.
Views around the island.
School children.
Brides!!! They were everywhere! They come here for pictures before their weddings, so they can show the pictures at the wedding receptions.

This one loves to ride on her Daddy's shoulders.
Statues are everywhere on the island, and around our hotel in GZ. One night Tessa and I were walking around our hotel, and a girl asked to take a picture with me and Tessa in front of a statue. We were quite popular! (Eric said someone was taking a picture of me at the zoo while I was taking a picture of an animal. Didn't know I was on exhibit too!)

Famous statue that most Chinese adoptive families have a picture with.
Note the clothes change after a diaper blowout. Girly can blow out a diaper in a minute!
Aaannndddd...she's done!

Grumpy camera face.



There is a Starbucks on the island. Eric said this was the best 50 yuan he spent in all of China! He was so stinkin' happy!!!!!!!


Protesting holding Daddy's hand. She hates being told what to do.
You can see she lost that battle.


The church on the island- it's Christian. Catholic diocese I think.

We met our guide at the health clinic, and Tessa's TB test was negative. PRAISE the Lord!

Then we headed to Six Banyan Temple.

More pics to come....