We made it to China!  It wasn't the easiest trip.....we learned the night before we were to leave that our very first flight, out of Evansville, was delayed....which, in turn, would make us miss our second flight to Seattle to catch a flight to Beijing!  SO......Delta got us on a flight that would leave out of Louisville, KY, initially.  

Roger drove us to Louisville and we made it to Beijing at about 12:30 a.m. on Friday.  We were very tired by the time we arrived here....but we're here, safe and sound!

This morning, we climbed the Great Wall.  I found out real quick how out of shape I am!  I was huffing and puffing and stopping every 25 steps or so!  Gracie didn't remember being at the Wall when she was 5 years old on our adoption trip to Taozi, so this was like the first time for her....which is the reason why we're here in the first place....so she could experience it!  Otherwise, we probably would have skipped this portion of the trip.

After lunch, we visited the famous Summer Palace, and a tea tasting room!  We all enjoyed the tea tasting a lot.  

We are so excited to meet Benjamin on Monday.  We found out his nickname is "datou" which means "big head" in Chinese!  I don't think we'll be calling him that....that's just not nice!  

The information we were given about him also tells me that he likes to play games on cell phones....and that he is upset when he can't get what he wants.   But, he can be cheered up by talks.   Now.....doesn't that sound like a typical 6 year old boy to you?!?  Unfortunately, I don't let the kids play games on my cell phone!  Good thing I brought a kindle for him to play with!

The family we traveled here with, and will meet up with in Guangzhou a week later, are adopting a little girl of 18 months.  They have their 2 year old son with them.  He's a cutie....  We came within a centimeter, it seemed, from t-boning a vehicle today.  We all went flying toward the front of our van! Fortunately, the little guy in our group, and his mom, slammed into the back of the drivers seat. Nobody was hurt.....it was a blessing!  Those of you who've been here before, know what the traffic is like....and that lines on the streets are just a suggestion!

Tomorrow, Forbidden City.  

Peace!

Judy and Gracie

Gracie about to climb the wall.

Locks are hung on a cable on the wall...why?  I think it has something to do with sealing your love for someone.  Anybody know for sure?

Yeah, I climbed it too!

We went to this tower!

Marble boat at the Summer Palace

Our little tea-tasting party!