Greetings from Beijing

Greetings from Beijing, China! We wanted to start this blog so that we could keep family and friends updated on our crazy life half way across the world. We would love it if you would post comments on our blog or email us. We are so excited about our new adventure, but want to hear from everyone back home.

Right now, it is 9 am on Friday Morning, which is 7 pm on Thursday evening back home (and Kaleb is thoroughly enjoying a crazy Chinese pirate movie). Needless to say, our bodies are a bit messed up from the time change! Our trip over here was long, but fortunately uneventful. We flew to Los Angeles, had a short layover there, and then continued on for our never ending 14 hour flight to Hong Kong. It actually wasn't too bad...since we left L.A. at 1 in the morning, and flew all through the night, Kaleb and Barrett fell asleep instantly and slept all through the night.

After arriving in Hong Kong, we were so lucky as to have a 10 HOUR layover before going on to Beijing. I thought it would be torture, but little did I know, the Hong Kong airport was like a huge mall! So, it wasn't too bad...we entertained ourselves with card games, kid's playlands, tv areas, stories, and of course, Chinese cuisine (Burger King). Ok, so we felt a bit foolish eating our first Chinese meal at Burger King, but it was the cheapest. I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunity to eat dog, squid, eel, and whatever else is eaten here.

Our last flight to Beijing from Hong Kong was 2 1/2 hours. When we arrived in Beijing, the people from Abroad China (internship program) picked us up with two cars because we had so much luggage (poor people probably aren't used to whole families coming over). But anyway, they were wonderful with putting us up in our hotel and giving us tips and a backpack full of necessary items (treats, maps, cell phone, and of course, toilet paper....apparently we have to take our own t.p. with us everywhere we go). Today, they are taking us to check out apartments.

So, stay tuned for further updates. Our trip has been pretty uneventful so far, but I'm sure we'll have some good stories for you! Here are some pictures from our first day in China (Hong Kong airport. Until next time, Zai Jian (since Paul is the only one who will understand that, it means good bye).

Kaleb and me passing the time playing cards at the airport

Kaleb and Barrett on the playland in the airport

When we arrived, it was only 8 pm here, but the boys were still on Utah/Arizona time, and were so tired. This is Kaleb in the hotel lounge.

I just took this looking out of our hotel window. This is our first view of Beijing at five a.m.!