Inside the White Picket Fence

11.08.2008

Ni Hoa- Hello from Guangzhou China

Ni Hoa

Hello from Malia in China

She is packed, and I literally mean she is packed herself and ready to go home.

Our guide is teaching us different words in Chinese. I am not retaining many of them ! But is fun to hear the language. China is amazing. It is amazing to see the difference in our cultures. The food they eat is different ! hehehehe.... Spencer and I had fried Octopus for breakfast the other day. They had fried frog legs, but we can get them in the states...

More photos to share.

Leaving Nanchang China

Boarding the plane for Guangzhou China, Malia's first plane ride.

Do I look a little frightened? Tis ok Daddy has me.

Malia enjoying her plane ride

Saying 'Good-bye' to the land of her birth.

This one is for Grandpa. Notice she has chosen Coke !

Rice paddies in Guangzhou China

Grocery shopping. No baby food in this store. Can you read Chinese?

Rick waiting on everyone to get done grocery shopping. Malia zonked out. She was tired.

Spencer and some of his pals.

11.05.2008

Hello again from Nanchang China

Malia Jo Lu Mahan

Below are new photos.
Laundry day in Nanchang. People here do not use dryers. Cost too much.

Women saying Goodbye to Malia. The older women would stop and smile and say Goodbye

People shopping in Wal Mart

Shopping at the pottery shop! What fun this was. Sorry Tom, there was just too much pretty stuff to leave here!

We visited the City park after some pottery shopping

A typical shop. They are mostly a hole in a wall place with little to sell

Normal transportation for the people. It is easier to buy a car than to get a drivers license. Most people either walk or ride bikes

People playing Mai Jong in the park. They wanted their pictures taken

11.03.2008

Nanchang, China

Unreal...............

It is amazing how poor the people all are. They live in such poor conditions. Malia is so fortunate to be leaving this and have the opportunities available to her in the United States. Below are some photos of the area in and around Nanchang, China in the area of our hotel. If we go into the countryside, I will post photos. The buildings are in disrepair. The roofs are sad, there is laundry hanging out everywhere. I am so thankful that Malia will be living in the United States. It makes me sad to think that these people have to live like this.

Now on a brighter note. Malia is doing so well. She is funny. She really likes her Daddy. She had a bath last night. It was an adventure. She wasnt very cooperative. She will learn to like a bath. We are sure she has been left alone in her crib a lot. She is so cute. I cant wait to hold her. She like Spencer! She is adapting well to Rick and Jen. Below are some photos of our Little China Doll. The first one is of Jen and Malia. The second one is when she officially became Rick and Jens baby. Look at the expression on her face. It was so cute. She wouldnt leave the paper alone so Rick could sign it. We were all laughing. Oh by the way she is a thumb sucker!!!!!

11.02.2008

Nanchang, China

We have Malia Jo Lu and are having a blast. She is watching us, watch her. She has adjusted well so far, and is eating very well. She had a good night last night with Rick and Jen. Grandma's are really having fun looking at the beautiful baby girl. She is a Daddy's girl so far.

Here are a few photos for everyone to enjoy.

Malia Jo Lu Mahan

We have our new addition to our family. We went to the Gotcha Ceremony at 3 pm today (Sunday our time), and got her. Peggy and I saw her in the hallway before they brought her into the room. It was a very moving experience. She is a very lucky little girl to be able to have parents that will bring her up in the USA.

She was a little sad at first, but she quickly adjusted from that. She went on her first family trip to do some more paperwork with Mom, Dad and Spencer. They were going to get their first official family picture taken too.

But ! ! ........... I have the first photo of them all together. We are so excited to finally have her. Rick and Jen havent stopped smiling. Neither have Peggy and I.

Here is the photo of the Mahan's with their new daughter Malia Jo Lu Mahan.

10.31.2008

Its Arrival at China Time

We have arrived in China after a long 25 hours of either in the air or waiting in the airports. The longest leg of the journey was 14 hours trapped in a flying tin can!!!!!!!!!!! We ate supper at 3 AM ! We had a little snack of a Chicken salad sandwich later, and before we left the plane we were served breakfast. This was all on the Asiana Airlines. We once again was back on them again for our flight from Seoul, S. Korea to Beijing, China. What do they do, but serve us another meal. Now by this time, I am sick of eating. They kept taking my water bottle from me, but keep trying to push food into my body. Enough already. We all got a little bit of sleep on our 14 hour air plane ride. If that is what you want to call it. I watched 3 movies in route. In fact I watched Nims Island 3x's. Spencer didn't get much sleep. He finally crashed and slept in the Korean airport. Our person (Becky) from CHI met us at the Beijing airport. She informed us that the airport had been remodeled and was in the shape of a dragon. She was very pleasant and very helpful. We are all resting as much as we can. Time adjustment is a little tricky. We have been sleeping when we are usually awake and awake when we normally are sleeping. And this eating thing really has me all mixed up. Tomorrow we will be seeing the Great Wall, Tiennenman Square, The Forbidden City, The Water Cube, and the Birds Nest. How cool is that? I am so glad the kids asked Peggy and I to go with them. This is such an adventure.