and Part 2

After returning home from Dali where we had sunsets like this (a view from our hotel) we had a few days back at home, where we also celebrated July 4. Some friends had planned a small gathering/fireworks show, and Kevin and my dad had a great time setting off fireworks.

Trinity wouldn't go near the sparklers, and she and I stayed at home and listened to the fireworks from afar while the others went. But seriously, my dad and Kevin had a super time. What is it about males (of any age) and fire?!

Right before my mom and dad had to fly home, we set out for the big city (since that's also where the airport happens to be!) A friend had told us to check out the zoo, and we're glad we did. It's called a "safari park" because much of the zoo is seen via a tram that takes you through a path where animals are roaming free and uncaged. These guys below WERE caged, but you could feed them. For a fee, you could feed just about any of the animals at the zoo. They even had bottles to feed the fish. That just didn't seem right!

And really, where except Asia can you pay $1.50 and get to hold a tiger cub? Papa Jim couldn't pass up the opportunity. He asked Trinity if she wanted to hold a tiger and she said, "OK!"

Grace figured that since baby sister could get close, it must be alright.

But when we got to the big cats, we saw some serious warnings. :)

And yet, for a mere $2 you could feed them.

So that's what we did.

They were adept at jumping up to catch that raw meat.

We've seen some bad Chinglish here, but this one is, well, interesting. Somehow the "beasts of prey" exhibit sign got translated into the "Breast of Prayer Animal Region."

More folks feeding the wild "breasts of prayer."

We decided the giant pandas have quite the good life. All they do is sleep and eat! Other highlights from Granna and Papa Jim's trip:

• watching Mom join in the minority dancing outside our apartment one evening
• listening to Trinity say "Papa Jiiiiiiiim"
• Mom and Dad watching the girls so Kevin and I could go out on dates
• Mom, ever the teacher, giving Grace a reading lesson
• riding on a boat in the rain, and enjoying the local amusement park together

Mom and Dad, thank you for coming and blessing us, for lugging all kinds of stuff over from America, and for loving on us so well. We love you!

Granna and Papa Jim's visit, Part 1

My parents made the trek across the Pacific to see us again! Hooray! We had a great visit, and I think my mom and dad enjoyed visiting a new (read: cooler!) part of the mainland. The fun thing was we went to a few places which were new to us, as well. My dad was a trooper; on day 2 after arriving he got to be jostled in a car on dirt/rocky roads for several hours. He said it's the best cure for jet lag! I took so many pictures that I decided I'd break this up into two posts. (Photo overload to follow...you've been warned!) Of course we had to visit Old Town and take them to our favorite restaurant there. where we have also recently discovered bumper boats!

love this pic

A few days later we made our way to Dali, my new favorite place on the mainland. It was gorgeous! Here we are aboard a cable car. Please notice the broken plexi-glass behind my firstborn. "This did not bless my heart" as Kristen would say. But, knowing that our lives are in the Lord's hands (and noticing thankfully that Europeans built this contraption) we boarded the cable car up the mountain. Oohing and aahing ensued.

Mom and Dad loved it. I think Grace and I were the only ones not really comfortable with the heights we soared.

This is called, "fake it till you feel it." I was still a bundle of nerves.

But getting to the top was worth it. This picture below makes me want to sing, "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music..." 1. because of the beauty and 2. because my mother introduced Grace to the Sound of Music on this trip. Grace is completely enthralled with the von Trapps now, so much so that we've had to google them and read all about their lives. It's been enlightening. We thought Aunt Kimberly would be so happy to know Grace loves the movie now!! (And that Kevin hasn't groaned at all about it!)

Kevin found some monster-sized checkers pieces to push around...

The girls wanted to take a little boat ride. It calmed them down a bit from the local paparazzi trying to photograph their every move.

This path would not really fly in the US, what with the lack of safety rails next to the waterfall, but we don't let safety schmafety get in our way here.

My big girl in the mountains...

The next day we boarded some cozy little boats

to watch these cormorant bird go fishing.

Got one!!

Our guide offered to let us hold the birds, so of course we had to give it a try.

They were heavier than they looked!

It is an odd feeling to have a bird on your head.

but we liked it. (Well, all except the girls who wouldn't go near the big scary birds!!)

I thought Grace looked quite the part of the tourist.

Part 2 tomorrow...