Loads of Fun

 No joke-this is our load of laundry after returning home from our trip to Li jiang where we had loads of fun!

 Our family attended a conference about a 45 minute plane ride away. Even though childcare was promised (and they were wonderful), I didn't let that trick my expectations. I guessed I would be spending most of the time in the hotel room with at least one sick kid, maybe all of them. So I brought some books and my cross stitch along :) and expected some good bonding time with the kids. 

All 7 of us staying in one hotel room with 2 beds turned out suitable. But I was right. The childcare didn't take kids under one, Viv adamantly decided she wanted mom after day one, Hadassah got some sort of stomach bug and threw up all over the room (while I was out with the moms!) and also for the next couple days, Caedmon turned green and ended up missing the toilet and hitting the main room and entire bathroom the following day. That's why walks like this were so nice :). 

 "Your kids aren't wearing enough clothes!" I guess China is China.

 Li jiang is so beautiful. There is a clear moving stream throughout the entire city. This is one of the spots made for doing laundry in the stream.

 "Huh." Thoughts from both Lily and this man.

 Trying to sway a child in her direction with the root of a vegetable she has been pruning. 

 All my years living in China, I don't think I've ever run across an actual fire station before.

 Li jiang is split up. There is an old town and a new town. The old town is made up of cobblestone streets and walls. It is just beautiful. However, it is not one bit stroller friendly.

 the copper stand vendor with a golden smile

 two babies on the bus with many similarities and differences 

 "Huh." -All of us.

 My friend Jenni and I decided we are going to buy some land at the bottom of these mountains to move our families to. :)

 Maybe we should have said, "Hadassah, don't look at the camera!"

 Cade, Viv, Lil, Zane & Callie

 There were vendors of many kinds as well as animal owners making some money in the town circle.

 "Does it bite?"

 The minority dress through out the city is unique and beautiful.

 the water wheel at the center of town

 Was this the same guy who made five bucks from us yesterday?

 Ginger Candy- so 'spicy' it brought tears

 Run Away Groom

 This beautiful bride was handing out candy on her special day.

 Cowboy Cade and Oxen Herder Austin

Don't let the cup fool you. These guys are tough.

 Night Life

 An Actual Silversmith

 "I have the power!"

 Boys Night Out

 These are the amazing child care workers who are professional actors and musicians all the way from Hollywood!

 taking a snooze after a long week

 Josh asked this guy to smile. The picture with him smiling looks even more morbid!

 Not exactly what I had in mind when you asked if I wanted barbecue. 

hats and scarfs everywhere!

 Vet Vera glad to be home!

 Hadassah's partly finished parrot. I think the order she colors things in is cute.

 Cade and Lil making a french toast breakfast!

 sitting up baby

 Lily presented me with this gift after bedtime one night. The card said "Thank you for being my teacher!" That will keep me going for another couple months :).

 Our friends Brooke and Aaron (Nate's parents) made us a yummy "southern meal" of pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans and cobbler! What a treat to the taste buds. 

 Sometimes in the a. m. as I am teaching school, things get a little too quite. This is the time I usually find a tube of toothpaste squeezed out on the floor or a whole role of tp in the toilet. I was touched to find this moment instead. Just reading mom!

Josh and Caedmon's longest war- 4!

(Those scissors are kid ones :)

Lily making Skillet Fiesta as I was doing the dishes. Life is so much more fun with helpers.

 Happy Birthday Caedmon! He turned six on February 13th. These are some lego men from the siblings. Lily wrapped them all by herself.

 I asked Cade what he wanted to do for his b-day- anything. He quickly chose to spend the day with his best buddy Nate and to have a sleep over! Here are these muscle men.

 I can't think of a better gift than a bucket of legos!

 It's not a party without dad's famous birthday brownies!

 a super fast race car from mom and dad

  life by the tracks

just waiting for the train