Wordless Wednesday: Breathtakingly Beautiful

Our 4th of July: They are HERE!

I'm just going to say this now, not sure how much I'll be blogging these next few weeks but I will try my best because I know that I'll want to look back on this time. My mom and Kiah arrive on Thursday evening and I was there, waiting for them at the airport. My flight to Beijing was a little delayed but thankfully I was still there with plenty of time to change terminals, grab a Starbucks, and was ready and waiting with a smiling face. 

After a good night of sleep, we started our 4th of July out nice and early by meeting up with our tour guide at 8 a.m. Our first stop was Tienanmen Square and Forbidden City. 

Tienanmen Square is behind that busy road behind us.

Kiah and her buddy, Mao.

We are really here!

On the Great Wall of China! It was so hot but thankfully there was a breeze up in mountains which helped a lot. There were so many people! We went to the Badaling section of the Great Wall which is the most popular. Surprisingly, I had never been to this section of the wall! It was fun because since this was my fifth visit to the Great Wall, I'm glad I was able to experience something new.

So thankful to this beautiful country for giving me my precious sister.

My beautiful sister.

My last trip to the Great Wall for a while.

Love, love, love having my Mom here. Hard to believe after talking about this for so long, they are here!

It was a fun day and wonderful memories were made. After finally arriving back at our hotel at 6 p.m. we had dinner and went to bed, exhausted.

The next day we were meeting up with my high school social studies teacher and his wife, who are in Beijing for the summer. Then it was off to Guangzhou!

Throwback Thursday: {Beijing ~ April 2014}: Great Wall

I just can't get over how gorgeous and breathtaking the Great Wall really is. This was my fourth trip there (my fifth will be next week!) and it always amazes me. It is always fun to experience it will new people, makes each trip different and special. The day Laura and I went, it was raining on the way there and it drizzled the first hour on the Great Wall (we were there fore three hours). Thankfully it cleared up!

This is my, "I'm leaving China very soon" face.

And this is my... ummm.... yeah, not really sure. 

What can I say, I am sad to leave (really, I am).

Throwback Thursday: {Beijing ~ April 2014}: Forbidden City

So remember that time like two months ago when Laura and I went to Beijing for a few days? And I said that I would post pictures "next week?" Well folks, I guess it's "next week!" Ok, not really.... I'm really two months late but better late than never, right? Isn't that how the saying goes? 

Anyways, I decided that since I'll be back in Beijing in a few weeks with my mom and sister, it's about time that I post pictures from my LAST trip. So without more to say.... here are pictures from our day at Forbidden City!

Sunday Snapshot: Hutong

When Laura and I were in Beijing a few weeks ago, we stayed in a hostel in the hutong area. A hutong is a narrow street or ally-way. This is very common in northern China, especially Beijing, and there are homes in these areas. They are becoming less and less as apartment living are becoming more common. Our hostel was located right in the middle of them and it was such a cool area! 

Here are a few pictures from the area where we stayed for four nights. 

Linking up with Ni Hao Ya'll

Beijing: Wangfujing Street

Better late than never right? I'm finally getting around to our Wangfujing Street post. So Wangfujing Street is a famous street in Beijing. It's known for it's umm.... interesting snacks. No, we didn't try any but Thad found it rather amusing when he saw someone eating a starfish on a stick!

Seahorse or scorpion?

Or..... a bug? Or two.

There is fruit too which is really good.

Thad with his "new friend" working on his bartering skills.

Thaddeus is really under the weather today. Started feeling yucky yesterday afternoon and really not good today. He's been in bed most of the day, what a day to spend New Year's right? Won't you please keep him in your prayers? He is really bummed since he wants to be over playing with the kids so he is only in China for a short time but instead home sleeping.