Last Full Day in Beijing!

Chhinese Acrobat Show

This morning we ate an early group breakfast then we loaded the bus to head to
Tiannamen Square and The Forbidden City.  It was a very long day because there
was tonnes of walking and it was cold.  The history behind both of these places
is very cool.  Tiannamen Square is massive.  It can hold 1/2 a million people at 
one time.  The Forbidden City went on and on forever.  It too is huge.  There
are over 9300 rooms in the Palace.  We went through court yard after court yard. 
After touring through both places we loaded back on our bus to return to the
hotel.  Doug and I were hungry so we decided to join the O'Grady's for lunch at
our favorite restaurant across the street.  After lunch we all headed up to our
rooms.  At three Pam and I went shopping.  We both had some last minute items to
pick up. After our power shopping experience we headed back to the hotel as we
were supposed to meet at 5 pm to pick up our babies paperwork.  At 6 o'clock,
Doug Rachael and I, the Eeles family, Jennifer and Kenna Brandt and Randy Burtis
headed out to the Chinese Acrobatic Show.  It was outstanding. When we returned
to the hotel we bathed a very wound up Rachael, gave her a bottle and put her to
bed.  She is soundly sleeping now.  We are excited about returning home.  There
are so many things from home that we both miss and are looking forward to. 
Tomorrow morning consists of packing, and organizing things.  Our luggage needs
to be down  in the lobby by 12:30 pm tomorrow.  We are travelling home Air
Canada Flight 1119 via Toronto.  We are supposed to arrive at 11:45 pm on the
23rd.  We are coming home as a family and are hearts are both overflowing with
love for our new daughter.  Rachael is amazing, resilient, alert and bright
eyed.  We are totally in love with Rachael and are quite certain that it will
not be long before everyone connected to our families also falls in love with
her.  We will be laying quite low initially when we get home as we will need to
establish a routine and get over the jet lag.  The jet lag coming here took 3-4
days until we felt somewhat normal.  It is supposed to be way worse on our way
back.  Mom or Deanne I was wondering if one of you would help us out the night
of the 23rd after we arrive.  If not thats okay too.  Looking forward to seeing
everyone and sharing our trip stories. Tomorrow will be a little emotional as
our group breaks up to go their seperate ways. Doug and I and  Rachael  
willforever have a connection to the six other families.  We will miss seeing
all of Rachael's little buddies.  Bye Alex, Grace, Emori, Tya, Julia, and Joni. 
All of you will forever be a part of us.  We look forward to sharing pics with
our group members.  Thank goodness we had David Eeles on our trip, he takes
awesome pics!!