Exploring Kunming--March 24, 2009

Ellie-Kate had a great first night with us! After falling asleep around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, she slept soundly through the night until around 5:20 a.m. I thought that she was going to get up for the day, but she drifted back to sleep until 7 a.m. What a great sleeper!! After breakfast, we visited the Golden Temple and then came back to the hotel. Ellie napped for a couple of hours while I worked on our travel journal, Emmy did her math and spelling, Roger went off in search of a stroller, and Britti and Chelsea went shopping in the small stores around the lake. (Our hotel is right beside a beautiful park with a lovely lake and unique shopping opportunities.) We had a very relaxing afternoon. The girls were able to bond more with Ellie, and Chelsea and Emmy had a bit of time to work on school assignments. We completed our day by going to Salvador's-- a locally-owned restaurant that was very much like Casa (our favorite restaurant in Athens). Ellie enjoyed her first taste of Mexican food and then her first bath with us, and all of the girls fell asleep around 8:30 p.m.

Although we're enjoying our time in Kunming, especially learning about Ellie-Kate's home province, we have to admit that we're looking forward to going home. (We won't be making fun of the folks on Survivor again for being home sick after a few weeks on the island!) Besides, Ellie is such a cool, sweet, and smart little girl, and we can't wait to introduce her to everyone. Although we can't call and communicate with all of our friends and family personally right now, please know that we're thinking about you. Please continue to pray for our safety here and in the air on Friday and next Wednesday and for everything to go smoothly with paperwork here in the province on Friday and for more paperwork to be completed in Guangzhou next Monday and Tuesday. We'll post more pictures tomorrow. (Britti already fell asleep, and she's the computer wiz!) More soon-- Christie