view from the peak..

More fun from Hong Kong...Was thinking about my Dad while we enjoyed these views and what it may have looked like when he flew into here in 1954 while in the Navy... Probably a few more skyscrapers than in the 50s...

We took the Peak Tram all the way to the top of Victoria Peak.  Can you tell that Aaron is nervous??  He was the first one down from the scenic point.  

view from the other side of the mountain to
the South China Sea, smog everywhere:(...

Birthday girl

Happy Birthday!  We did the tram tour on Meili's bday, not sure she

understood it was her bday or the present thing, but 

this girl figured out quick how to open gifts...

Hong Kong Disneyland, then, Home, Sweet Home!

Enjoyed a true unique cultural experience for Meili's birthday at Hong Kong Disneyland...A much smaller version of Orlando but just as magical!

Awesome parade...my
favorite part of the day

too cute

never thought I would see this day...

At least it's not too crowded, lol

Princess float.  Pretty sure this is the first pic I have
ever taken in Disney of the Princesses, Haha...

Toy Story land

Night market in Hong Kong

last night before heading home

Late night welcoming committee from our wonderful
neighbors and friends:) and freezer full of meals for  weeks.
A wonderful surprise, thanks everyone!!

my room:)

my house!

My bed!!  I'll NOT like to go to sleep here later and cry :(
but right now it's great!!

Long journey home...

So glad to be back in the US with the comforts of home...We are all jetlagged and bleary eyed but glad to be back, there is no place like HOME....Thanks to everyone for the happy homecoming, calls, texts, meals, goodies, and mail packages.. 

So thankful for all of our family and friends:) xo! Goodnight from home....

Made it to Hong Kong tonight...

So we are settled in the hotel in Hong Kong.  Feels like we a giant step closer to home with the more western culture here...

Moonlight over Hong Kong and the view
 from our hotel

Goodnight!

 The last couple of days in Ghuangzhou were warm in weather and busy in activities with the Consulate appointment, shopping, and sightseeing.  We liked our hotel and it was nice to connect with the three other adoptive families who were staying at The Garden Hotel, also.

Little Miss striking a pose in our hotel room.
We were lucky to get an "apartment" with
some extra room for us tall Americans.

Ni Hao!!  (hello)!!

Lunch - Meili eats her veges first.
Wonder how long that will last...

In the hotel lobby ready for the US Consulate Appointment
with our new, precious friend,  Ashlyn.

Visa Approved for Meili!  Congrats Brace Family!

Looking around town and LOVE this bakery called
 "Surprise Me." 

Everything we tried in the last few days was  delicious,
Andrew was a huge fan of the dough twists...

Andrew, Meili and I walked to a park and rented
a paddle boat to cruise around this pond

Meili waiting for the van to Hong Kong,
she's loving the iPad...

Has been a wonderful journey thus far but we all missing our home, our friends, our family, and our Bandit.  Hong Kong is an amazing place and so much more western than our last few destinations in China.  Had the best dinner tonight than in the last 10 days or so. Risotto, pasta, seafood bisque, we all were able to order our favorites at the hotel restaurant.  We are all looking forward to seeing some sights in Hong Kong in the next few days and hitting Hong Kong Disneyland.  Then....HOME!!  

Happy Birthday Andrew!

Enjoyed a great dinner at a Thai Restaurant "Banana Leaf" nearby the hotel to celebrate Andrew's 12th birthday..

Happy Birthday dinner

They got Andrew up to dance:)

More pics from Andrew's birthday tonight...He had great time and the food was really good.  Service was not so good, but the entertainment made up for it

Earlier today we toured Shamian Island....First walked through a open market area where the Chinese go to buy pets and ingredients for natural medicine.

Dried frogs, not sure what this cures

Chip and Dale

Mice make a fine pet?

All kinds of fish for sale

Brace Family on Shamian Island, China

live scorpions - no thanks!!   We brought our own meds...

Dad and Meili shopping in Guangzhou

 Yesterday we went to have Meili's government medical exam at the hospital in Guangzhou...This wine vending machine was in the lobby...later we would understand why wine would need to be readily available:) The medical exam was a loud, disorganized, haphazard, and flat crazy scene...

Vending machine in the Lobby of Hospital

A crowded scene at the hospital...lots of
Americans adopting kids from China..

Just when we thought it could not get any crazier, the fire alarm went off!  Our guide said it is just a test so we all try to ignore the blaring siren and proceed with the physical.  Yikes.

Height and weight registered here.  Our girl is right on
track at about 36.5 pounds.

waiting for the next adventure exam room,
Meili did great...my heart was pounding.

Everyone is tired tonight but Andrew had a great day.  Thanks everyone for the emails and texts!!  And thank you all for the comments on the blog, makes me smile and think of home.   Love from China tonight...