Out like a light! I forgot to tuck in my chins.

The grandmas and kids.

Tradition continues

Locks are put here by visitors for good luck

Lauren on the wall, we rested here while others went up higher.

Look close, Sue and Lia sitting down on the steps

The girls and I, Go Leafs Go!

The wall in all its glory!

Us enjoying the birthday cake!

My birthday cake! It says happy birthday in chinese we think. It may say here is your cake you idiot but we are not sure. Margrace?


Hi, what a way to spend your birthday, on the great wall! We set out today and stopped at the jade factory. Deb, I was able to bargin here this time. We bought a family hapines ball. It is 4 round balls one inside the other but carved out of a single section of jade. Really cool. We also purchased a jade rooster for Lauren and Monkey for Lia as this was the symbol for the year they were born. Apparebtly number 1 quality the guy said over and over again. We then arrived at the great wall. This part of the wall is very tourist centred but it gives you the idea on the magnitude of this structure. One has to see it in person to fully appreciate the beauty and sense of history in the story it tells. It was very bust as October 1st is a week longholiday in China commemorating the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. The only other major holiday is Chinese New Year. The last time we were here they wasn't too much action but today it was very busy.

I found a chairman mao watch but she wanted 50 yuan for it! I said 30 for 2 and she just turned away disgusted. I thought for sure she would stop me as I walked away but she didn't. I guess I pissed her off. I will get one at the Silk Market tomorow and one for Weeden too I guess.

Lia and Sue walked up to the 2nd guard tower. No small feat as the steps are very uneven and steep to say the least. I hung out at the 1st tower and siad about a thousand knee hows to the people who starred at me. Then a spanish crew of new parents arrived and took the heat for awhile. My mom went up to the 4th tower and apparently in an act of vandalism wrote her name on the wall with some guys pens who was dong the same thing. She has clearly given up on adhereing to any sort of law and order mentality while over here adding vandalism to her growing list of crimes!

Tomorow is a free day so we will head out to the silk market. Apparently it has the same stuff the pearl market has and is a half hour walk so thats what we are doing. I have a list of what people are asking us to get and time and load restrictions willing will get what we can. I need 2 Chairman Mao watches, oakley's, rolex, jacket, Olympic stuff of all kinds and the list goes on.

Lauren is a typical 2 year old with us now. She is into everything. All our stuff is up on anything over 3 feet high now out of reach. She is very outgoing and energetic. She has started to attach to us very nicley but will still cry when I walk away which makes the buffet hard to get to. I was able to examine her mouth more a few days ago and her pallet doesn't look bad. There is a section that is a bit out but once we are home Dr G will work his magic and set us up at Sick Kids for some appointments. Her communication is coming along quite well too. She know what she wants and points it out to us. She understands alot of what we say and ask her to do. I think there was a fair bit of english spoken at hope haven while she was there. Today she sang what sounds like happy birthday when we sang it and old mac donald as well. She had the e i e i O down pat!

Lia is the best big sister. When Lauren crys Lia gives her her very special puppy that Aunt Cheryl gave her to help calm her down. This is a big step for Lia. She even shared her food with her!

All in all things are going well. The days are too busy sometimes but we get done what we need to and then its Bath and bed for us all. Keep the comments coming, we love to read them.

Ken Sue Lia and Lauren.