Day 1- Beijing, China

We're here!  The plane trip wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.  They fed us lots, the kids enjoyed their own touch-screen tvs on the headrest in front of them, and we even got some zzzz's.

After a great breakfast, we were off to a day of adventure!  The weather couldn't have been more perfect, thank you Lord!    First stop was Tiananmen Square.   This week, The Chinese celebrate a festival, sort of a huge holiday/vacation for them.  Thus, the place was absolutely PACKED!  We stepped aside out of the crowds to snap a photo in front of some pretty amazing flower gardens. 

      Next was The Forbidden City.    Alison, our awesome tour guide, navigated through the mess of the crowd with ease and took her time explaining some of the rich culture and history. 

Most of us really enjoyed the stories and information she shared.   Audrey did well until she just couldn't help it anymore.  She did what she does at home when there is information-overload and lack of sleep:

The girls had their very first "squatty potty" sighting which strangly may have been one of the highlights of their day.    Being the true Westerners that we are, we patiently waited for the 1 "normal" potty they had, armed with our own tissues and hand santitizer.   Ahhh, fun times.

Then we were off to lunch and a drive out to the Great Wall.    May I suggest NEVER looking out the window when they are driving you around this place.  These people make Nascar look like a leisurely stroll in the park!  I've never heard so many honking horns (most of the time it was OUR driver!!) and I know for a fact that several people on foot or on moped easily should have be crippled or dead after we passed by.  I lost track at about 35 near hit-and-runs.  All of this with NO seatbelts, people!!   The wild thing is that I never once saw an accident.   A true mystery, if you ask me.   

Ok, so back to the Great Wall.    There was an "easy" climb and a "hard" climb. You would think that after very little sleep that we'd just take the relaxing route.  Nope.  Not The Rice Family.  Afterall, it didn't look *that* bad!

Yes.  We climbed to the top of THAT up to the first big tower.   After what quite possibly may have been 2 mild heart attacks, we made it!  I might not ever be able to walk without a limp, but how often do you have this incredible opportunity?! 

To celebrate Liam's 3rd birthday (which just happens to be TODAY!!!)  in a special way, we thought we'd share it with the world as best as we could.   So, first, we got this photo:

However, as cool as it was with the steps behind us and all, it was a little too obvious the dude behind us was having way too much fun.  So,  we opted for another "family only" shot: 

The way down was terrifying for a girl who is completely scared of heights.  We all held on for dear life and eventually made it down.  I can't tell you how many times I actually considered sitting down on the steps and sliding all the way down on my tushie.

Well, we just chomped down a quick pizza, one of the girls is already passed out,  and it's taken all of my energy to stay up this late.  (not even 7:30pm yet!  HA!)    So, it's off to bed so that we can be up super early again tomorrow to hop another plane over to Henan, the province where my sweet Liam is waiting on us.