Hello everyone, Our trip of a lifetime is winding down.  We are anxious at this point to get home, but have made a unique lifetime connection with 6 other families, our adoption agency (FOI: Bob and Yulin), as well as our guides:Vivian and Faye. What an amazing overall experience we have had.  We will be coming home late Thursday night just in time to celebrate Christmas with our families. Our most amazing Christmas wish has finally been answered, we are so lucky!!
Today after breakfast we all loaded onto the bus to head to the Silk factory and the Pearl markets. I had a blast shopping and bartering with the vendors and scored many great treasures!! Doug opted out of the shopping and instead went for a walk with Rachael to" The Temple of Heaven" which was in a beautiful city park close by the Shopping markets.  Tonite we had our good-bye/birthday party for all of the children as our facilitator Yulin is heading home tomorrow.  It was a delicious meal. We were treated to Peking Duck and many other delicious dishes as well as a majic show and birthday cake.  A great time was had by all.  We dressed Rachael in her new red silk dress.  She looked gorgeous.  We are so looking forward to introducing her to our families and friends.  Tomorrow is our last tour day before our group starts breaking up and going their seperate ways.  We are going to Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City.  I may sneak a little more shopping in in the afternoon.