Feel the burn!

We got up this morning and met our group in the lobby to leave around 8:00 am to go tour the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City.  It was such a cool outting.  I think I liked hiking the wall the best, even though our legs were burning by the time we got down again.

It was another long exhausting day, but this long day was much more fun than yesterday's long day.  We got to hang out with our group more, and really had fun getting to know everyone.  One family is from Austin, another from Kansas, Minneapolis and Michigan.  We passed pictures around of our children (all girls) that we will be picking up in 2 days (!!!) and just loved seeing their precious little faces and hearing the stories of each.  Tomorrow, we all go our separate ways into the provinces where our kids are, but we will all meet up again in 5 days.  I can't wait to see all of the girls together!

Our group

 Right before we started the climb

It was SO incredibly steep and the stairs were all different heights.  We all made sure to grab the handrail for sure!

We didn't go all the way up, just about half way

My 3 dudes in one of the towers

Griff resting his bones

 Brannen climbed up in the tower

 Scott and Griff making their way down

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this boy. Dang!  Look at that tail he's got going on!

A bunch of locks you could add to the wall as a sign of commitment to your significant other.  One little Chinese lady said in broken English "just another way they try to get your money".  HAHAHA!!!!

My 3 dudes in another tower

Brannen posing like one of the statues

Before leaving the wall, I ran to the restroom to open the door and find this.... a squatty potty.  Ummm.... no thanks.  I waited in line for the one 'normal' potty :)

Right before lunch we got to learn a little about the different types of jade and see some of the pieces they had made.  This pirate ship was a hit with all the boys, and really was impressive

The boys learning all there is to know about jade

Like every good tour, they drop you off in the store so you can buy stuff.  

I didn't, but man did I have to work hard at telling the sales staff "No!" 

They were intense.... or at least the one that was trailing us was!

Lunch was pretty good!  It was more like "American" Chinese food.

The boys really had a good time with their new friends. 

 Griff was sad that we all are going to have to split up for a while.

Tiananman Square.  We couldn't get any closer because 

their congress was in session, so we just took a quick pic and 

walked on down to the Forbidden City.

Lots to take pictures of, but after a while, it all looked the same

and it felt like we were never going to get out of that place!

One of the many HUGE doors

For whatever reason, a lot of the Chinese were taking pictures of us.  I know welook different, but we can't be the only Americans they've seen.  This little boy came up to us and said "Hi".  His mom wanted a picture with Griffin (Griffin's second request to have his picture taken with someone today).  However.... right before  this picture, this cute little boy peed all over the walk in back of us.  Apparently it's pretty common practice (ewww!!!).  His mom was even helping him!  haha!! All of us

crazy Americans couldn't help but stare in disbelief.

Some of the detail on one of the roofs

I'm pretty sure Brannen was not supposed to climb all over this ancient building

but Scott didn't seem too concerned.  I told him to get down, but not before  I got a picture! :)

Tomorrow we meet our group at 5:30 a.m. to head to the airport so we can all get to the province our girls are in.  Dang that's early!  However, it's one more step to getting Harper!