Still Alive

Yes, I am still among the living.  For those of you who were afraid that I may have met my demise, worry not.  What I have done is become lazy and uninspired.  The cold weather and lack of sunshine combined with living out of a suitcase for almost nine weeks has left me without ambition.  What I have been doing is taking baths.  One almost everyday.  Long, hot baths in Mom and Dad's awesome soaker tub.  It's relaxing and I have nothing better to do besides play the Wii we got for Christmas, which I am doing too much.  Nick twists my rubber arm and gets me into the games but soon I will have to start wii-stricting the amount of time we spend on the thing.  It's fun but my neck is sore.  Anyway, since it has been exactly a month since my last post, I thought I had better write something today.

Florida was heavenly!  I had an awesome three weeks of shopping, amusmement parks, shopping, swimming, Christmas, shopping, hockey and, you guessed it - shopping!  The only day I didn't go somewhere was Christmas Day and it wasn't because I was lacking in desire or a place to go (LOTS of places are open on December25th, including most of the parks) but I thought I should spend at least one full day hanging out with Tim, the kids and everyone else.

Rather than bore you with a bunch of jabber I will let the pictures tell the story.  In short, Ryan is fascinated with roller coasters, Tim enjoys the parks and relaxing in the hot tub, Nick LOVES the idea of living in the same house as his older cousins and I, not surprisingly, long for any activity that involves travel or being on the go, including shopping.

The first place we stayed at in Terre Verde Resort.

Terre Verde Pool

Went to Disney and Nick just wanted to play in the arcade.

Morning visitors coming to breakfast.

Legoland

Tree made entirely of Lego

All Lego

A Lego version of New York City.  It, and the other cities, were incredible.

Lego NASA

Performers at Seaworld

This is Sheikra.  I went on this roller coaster but I'm not in this picture.  I do know the two crazy guys in the front row on the right.

Busch Gardens' Ice Show Performers

Pet show at Busch Gardens.  Great show with animals that have been adopted from humane societies.

Our Christmas Tree

Our Christmas Pool and Hot Tub!

The town of Celebration where it "snows" every hour in the evening on the days leading up to Christmas.

Andy and Dale prepared a Christmas Scavenger Hunt for the kids while we were in Celeberation.  It was a blast!

This is the Qipao (traditional Chinese dress) that Sue the Seamstress made for Julia using just a picture and her measurements.  It was perfect!

Of course Ginny had to have one, too!

Nanny and Julia in their Chinese outfits.



Christmas Day in the pool!



Daytona Beach on Boxing Day.  The wind was a little chilly!

Some crazy guy kite surfing.

Our only group photo was taken at Busch Gardens after a downpour.

Grover roller coaster - I got to go on this one three times!

The Montreal Canadiens were playing in Tampa so we got tickets and had a great time at the game.  Loads of Canadians and Canadiens fans there.

Ryan's first NHL game.  Doesn't he look enthused?

This was a really fun evening!

Supper at Outback - yummm!

We spent our last couple of days in Tampa at a hotel.  It turned cold on the day we arrived so we spent some time by the fire.

So, we leave to go back to China on Wednesday.  Lots of people are asking me if I am happy to be going back and I tell them that I was ready to go about two and a half weeks ago.  I miss China and everyone there, especially Tim, who returned the day after we got back from Florida.  It's been nice to see everyone but we are ready to settle back into life there.  Our tough life with Tien Ye, Ayi and of course Lena, whom I miss terribly.  We arrive in Shenyang on Friday at lunch time and I had Tim book her to come at 3pm to give me a massage.  Am I spoiled?  Maybe a little.

Last weekend Darlene and Carl had a little supper for us so we could get to see a few people that we hadn't had a chance to visit with.  I took the opportunity to dress up a little and wore one of my new Chinese tops and the hooker boots I bought in Florida.  Well, I thought they were hooker boots.  Turns out though that real deal goes up much higher on the leg.  I will have to see what I can find in China.  Not that I'm looking into starting work when I get back...

Loyal readers Krista and Aunt Viv.  You two are awesome!

I don't know that I will get a chance to write again before we leave.  I will be busy packing, playing the wii and taking more baths.  It's going to be a long trip.  Six suitcases, five airports, four countries, three travellers, two days (almost) and no partridge in a pear tree because Christmas is over.  The festivities now are for Chinese New Year and we are missing them because I failed to check the calendar thoroughly.  Bu hao, Jan!  Oh well, there is always next year.  So, I think that is it.  Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

PS - Sorry if the pictures are a little out of order.  Hey, I'm doing good to get them on at all!