I went to a basic podcast class yesterday. It was really amazing. I hope to get on the ball and post more to this blog.

Happy Chinese New Years

Dallas Michael Draper

My new grandson!
http://mikeandkris.blogspot.com/

Fancy Nancy Party

Melissa put the slide show on my blog and I am hoping that I don't mess it up while telling about the party. On my birthday, which was a Saturday, Daryl took me to breakfast. When we got home, Melissa, Kristin, Jen, and many of my friends (Megen, Melanie, Stephanie, Karalee, Dixie) were at my house and surprised me. It was so fun to see them all. I love the book "Fancy Nancy" and my grandsons humor me and allow me read it to them. They girls gave me a Fancy Nancy party, complete with tiara, boas, napkin holders, fancy dishes, and tea. It was a wonderful surprise - thanks all!

Aren't they handsome!

Santa

My cute China boys on Santa's lap. They are staying home for Christmas this year. We did see Kathleen the first part of December when she came for her brother's wedding. She enjoyed the flight by herself! Kathleen's mom is spending Christmas with them.

China #2

The end of September, first of October, Daryl and I went to China. We had a great time. Daryl was up at 5 am every morning and went for a 2 hour bike ride. He came home and then took Liam to school on his bike. There are not many people out that time of day and so he said he could ride most anywhere. There are groups of older people doing exercises and dances or yoga. Jeff and Kathleen were on vacation the first week we were there and we took advantage of the bikes and bike carriers and went on a lot of bike rides. Daryl found a Walmart - it isn't ANYTHING like our Walmart - especially the meat department! We did some sightseeing and shopping.


This is Liam's school. This is a temple in a Chinese garden.


This is Century Park and the city is getting ready for the World Expo to be held there in 2010. It is a very nice park that has a stream of water running down both sides with tons of flowers.

One of the fun things we did was our visit to the planning and zoning building. Now, I know this doesn't sound like much fun, but they had an amazing scale model of the city of Shanghai including the new buildings, especially those for the Expo. Daryl could have spent days there.

We found a few shopping malls that are ten stories high with BMW's, Rolls Royce's, Mercedes Benz, etc. There are many many people at each station in the malls waiting to help you.

We were there for 2 1/2 weeks and can't wait to go back for another visit.