Photo dump

This is going to be random. But keep tracking with me people. . .

Starting out in the States. I just had to share a picture I finally found when I unearthed my camera cord during the great unpacking process.

Debating how all these bags are going to fit. And this was only our checked luggage. Needless to say, it didn't all fit in the back. There were bags everywhere.

Then through the week-long battle with jet lag. We were victorious in the end, but it got ugly before it got better.

In our family when our kids are older, it will not be tub pictures that we will threaten to show their dates or potential spouse. Oh no, it will be the photos of them in the midst of jet lag. Cause, baby, there are some terrific ones! Josh is mid-sentence pleading with me to lay on the couch. Mind you, it was only 6PM. Look at those poor, tired eyes. Jet lag is a monster. This my friends is the reason we come back only once a year!
**sorry for the iffy quality, took this one with my phone.**

After only a week back we went with some friends to 莫干山 Moganshan, an area in some (smaller) mountains about a 3 hour drive from Suzhou. It was absolutely gorgeous. At times, we had to stop and wonder if we were in China. I love seeing more trees (or bamboo as the case may be) than people in a given day. Which is not usually the case in my life.

We stumbled across this mountain stream-fed reservoir. Would highly recommend Moganshan -- it was absolutely beautiful.

After off-roading on some not-really-drivable-roads with tons of passengers, we have new respect for the BUICK van. This is not just your city van. 

Quintessential China experience -- Tori and her friend are watching the 奶奶 "grandma" at the guest house where we stayed kill the chicken that will be our dinner. And for most of this they were up close and personal. T later described it for me: "She cut on the neck and it bled everywhere. Then she put it in hot water and pulled out all the feathers!"
What a life we lead.