Sunday, August 5, 2018

Glorious Food!

I know most of you are thinking that this is what we get to eat here in China. . .


Live scorpions on a stick, or octopus or


star fish, extra large centipede, sea horse, squirrel, snake, bugs or tarantulas. 


Then there is, choose your favorite frog for lunch.


If you can name what is on the stick, then it is yours!


Lane's work meals.





Favorite dumpling place, within walking distance from our place, lovely!  The boys' favorite is "pizza" dumplings, packed with cheese, pineapple and ham.  Yum!



This is our street produce market.  Every Wednesday and Saturday mornings we head out to the street and stock up!



Egg plant


Typical haul, and all for around $15 to $20.


Pineapple tastes so much better when they cut it for you in a really cool design.


Back in the days when we had an Ayi, this would be a typical meal she would make for us.


But truth be told we still eat pizza and hamburgers!



Although we don't look too closely at the Chinese version of a hamburger!!!












Sunday, July 29, 2018

Birthday Party


This little one turned four this summer!
My how time flies! He is happy go lucky, the best door greater and a wonderful host to our guests.  He claims many "best friends" and keeps a smile on our faces! 





He loved all his gifts, except the bike.  He immediately pushed it to the side and said that he would fall.  It didn't help that it doesn't have training wheels.  But he has already been out on it with parental help.



Making his birthday wish.

Since his birthday we have "played" many birthday parties.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Everyday Life

Life has gotten away from me. . .at least the time to blog has.  Although sketchy internet connection has played a major part in my delinquency of not posting sooner.  

This post highlights some of our everyday comings and goings, some of which are regular tasks and others a one-time activity.  In no particular order. . .


We were blessed to have two pianos for a time.  One in tune and one out of tune.  The grand piano is one we have had for nine years and loved dearly.  Unfortunately Beijing has not been good for the wood.  We found a piano studio that will try to restore it well enough to resell.  I have to admit it was hard to say goodbye, even with regaining space in my livingroom.


Not sure anything needs to be said about this yummy delight.


Tis the season for goodbyes and hellos.  Many families are on their way out, which means quite a few goodbye lunches.  Meeting amazing people is inspiring, but learning to adjust to so much movement takes a little getting use to.  I am quickly learning how to "jump with both feet in" and give your all no matter how long the duration ends up being.



How cool is this!  Lane and I have a high school friend whose family also lives in China!!!  They came to see the sites of Beijing and play or rather eat with us a few times.  Hopefully we'll be seeing them again and soon.


The annual 5K race the boys run.  Originally postponed due to bad air or pollution they finally squeaked it in.  The boys did well.






Grahm was able to join a friend for his baseball practice and game.  He totally loved it.


Doppelgänger day at school with best friend.


Drake woke up one Sunday morning and came to tell me his tooth hurt.  Turns out he somehow banged it on the bed making it extremely loose.  He asked me to glue it back, I told him milk was glue and to leave it alone.  Monday morning it was still very loose so he just pulled it out.  Great.



Mao's personal train.


A couple of Daddy boy field trips while Mom made a quick trip to the States.


Playground Drake visits just about daily.


One day I got a text from Lane asking me if I would like him to bring home some Peking Duck.  Since I love Peking Duck I became very excited and told him, "absolutely"!  Turns out it was the carcass with about a tablespoon of meat still on it.  Talk about disappointment!!


We are now the proud owners of two "new" scooters.  We cram three of us on each one and head off to church or the next adventure.  We can still hear people we pass saying, "Si ge" which is four.  "Yes, we have four boys", I reply.


Saturday, June 16, 2018

Duncan's Swimming


Hi this is Duncan.

 In this blog entry, I will be showing you some of my swimming adventures. 

 Here I am getting ready to dive into the pool, to show my cool skills.

 Me diving in beautifuly into the pool either doing a dive or a belly flop.

  Posing for a picture with a little flag of my school in the background.

Being awarded my medal with my friend Amedeo for third place in the relay.

 Getting ready with my cool green cap all the way over in lane #1 for the fast kids for the IM. 
 Practicing for the amazing swim meet in style.

 Sitting and ready for the relay race with my buddies.

Swimming my IM.

Caving In!

Once again we were asked to be professionally photographed.  This time it was as "foreigners" spelunking in a cave close to Beijing.  How could we say no to a free adventure?  We already have our pictures taken.  Unfortunately Guy had finals and Duncan was sick so they missed out on the fun.

Photos below are from the professional photographer.






Drake was a bit interesting to take along, although he had the added benefit of not having to duck often.








We ate lunch in the "big room".  A self heating rice meal, yum!  We experienced the cave for real by turning off all headlamps and quietly sitting to see and listen to cave life.  Our tour guide found a cave worm, very white and very cool!