The portable cabin, complete with a closet!

Greg offered us a present we couldn't pass up. We were in the market for a tent for a family camping trip, and he kindly offered to buy one for us. He did a lot of searching and finally decided on a Coleman tent. But when we went to purchase it, we were bummed to find it sold out. We got a rain check but searched for more options. We found one that was the same size and a little cheaper, so we gave it a shot. The tent was nice and big, but we found out quickly why it was cheaper. Of course the day after we purchased it was our camping trip and we found out the problems at the campsite. It mostly was a quality tent (it survived a torrential downpour of a thunderstorm in the middle of the night), but it was obvious it wasn't going to last long. We returned it and decided to check for the Coleman again. This time we didn't strike out. Having learned our lesson, we put it up in the yard to make sure it was okay, and boy it is amazing how much better quality it is for only $20 more! The tent is a behemoth, complete with a small closet and claims to sleep 8 - it was big enough for the kids to run circles around each other! Not sure I would want to put it up in the dark or during a rainstorm, but once it is up, it will be a great tent. Thanks so much, Greg.

Here are Sam and Hadley in the tent. Sam is standing in the closet. I didn't have time to put the rain guard on, especially once the kids got in!

Here is Sam having fun chasing Hadley (she just ran out of view when I took the picture). The kids loved it!

Independence Day Balloon Fest

Every year in Provo on the days around July 4th, there is a balloon fest. We finally, on our fourth summer here, took the early wake-up call and made it to see the balloons. It made for an early morning for all, but it was well worth it. We were able to go right onto the field where the balloons were preparing for launch. Because of the weather, the balloons started early so we got there just as most of them were finishing filling up with hot air. The one that looked most like a flag rose off the ground about 3 stories, we all said the Pledge of Allegiance, and then they were off. It was pretty cool to watch them head up while standing right next to them. The balloons were supposed to come back and drop bean bags on a target and pop helium balloons, but the winds weren't really in their favor so only a couple made it back. Here are too many pictures to show you what it was like.

Getting ready for lift off.

Wow, look at that!

Mommy, Look!

A little closer and still just as amazed.

We went with our friends, the Malones minus Jamie who was in Virginia starting his new job. Sam missed out on the picture because he was riding on my shoulders.

Drink of Coca-Cola for Smokey?

And they are off as the sun rises over the mountains.

The Coca-Cola balloon was quite the spectacle. We got there right before it stood upright. We were excited to see it fly, only to find out it was just for show. Can anyone say "Lame Sauce!" Actually it was still really cool and the kids thought it was great, especially when it almost fell on us when they were putting it away.

These were two of the three balloons that made it back to the field to drop their bean bags. The kids of course loved the pig, but then again who wouldn't!

If we are in Provo next summer, we will be heading back to see the balloons.

After the balloons we went to watch the Provo Parade. It was pretty fun although too long (almost a quarter mile in between parade entries) and no candy, toys, etc. And we sat about 30 feet off the road because it was too packed to be any closer. But it was fun. And Sam was digging the bands. He was grooving to them in his own little world. Check it out!

Too much fun! He has moves that would make his Aunt proud!

Jazz and Blues

I am sitting on a hill in Pryor Lake listening to Jonny Lang play his guitar. It is an amazing concert, and he can really play. The best part is its free. I did ask a few friends to come but they were all busy. However, I just couldn't pass up this opportunity to see him play. I watched one of his concerts 10 years ago and this is just as good if not better.

FROM Brieanne!

Just arrived in Wuhan after spending the last couple of days in Beijing. I have so many stories and such little time. From waking up on a sleeper car in the train with a chinese woman saying over a loud speaker "good morning. a new day has begun....." to dancing barefoot on the great wall of china (it is NOT at all over-rated....i freaking loved that thing and wanted to camp on it and run up the steep stairs and dance on it everyday--it was gorgeous and massive and you could sense the massiveness and grandosity of the freaking thing--it is a miracle anyone could build something like that back then.......). Um, the humidity here is unprecedented. If you can picture walking into a sauna (where they keep the doors closed and you are meant to be naked and stay in the sauna for ten minutes or so), that is what it feels like. Only there is no escaping it (well, my room is air conditioned so i guess that is escape).

I have to go shower now and get ready for the opening banquet (dinner). I'll try to keep you updated though. This is just an incredible experience so far and I feel so privileged to be able to participate. Never thought I'd have the opportunity to come to an Asian country and it is reshaping my lens on the world....it seems to continuously expand (my frame of reference/lens on the world-- though the world itself seems to expand in population as well....ha).

Love you!!!!