Christmas

Santa came! These are the gifts under the tree. Special wrapping, special tree! It was really wonderful because it was all about giving and finding fun things for each other. We try to have it be this way every year, but not being at home made it much easier.The girls are stuffed animal enthusiasts, and Storey knew that Paige wanted a big stuffed bear. She found this animal in Chengdu on Tibet street and carried it on the plane and everywhere to "surprise" Paige on Christmas morning. Big hugs all around.

Bejeweled Paige who didn't bother to get out of bed for the Christmas festivities! We had Christmas in their room as it was the largest room and the one with the best view of the river and mountains. By the way, it was the most glorious day we had on the entire trip. Actually warm and blue skies.
Tanner wondering what to do with a gift that had real wrapping paper on it!
Ridley opening a gift from Paige that he had asked her to buy for me! She thought he was the better recipient for this jade carved pen holder.


We had our very own Christmas elves!

A group shot on this gorgeous day.

Merry Christmas from the Pearson's.

Merry Christmas from the Walter's.

Storey and Tanner checking out the latest DS game amidst the ravages of opened gifts.
We took a walk down the road from our hotel and found beautiful vegetable gardens everywhere and
home made charcoal ovens. Pits or little caverns are built into the hillside with ventilation on top and sticks of wood are put in, cooking very, very slowly, we think for days, and they come out as the home made charcoal we saw earlier. There was a gentleman tending his stove and we tried to ask questions but didn't get very far.
The front of the Li River Retreat as we collect to go rent bikes on this perfect day.

We biked down to town and after we parked the bikes we came across this musician sawing on about 3 strings. I couldn't resist.
David and Laurel, Christmas day, 2008, Yangshuo, China.

For those Ketchum-ites out there, Paige is standing next to a Board Bin sticker on the window of a cafe on West Street, downtown Yangshuo. Fun to see a bit of home.
Mmmmmm. Warm chocolate cake on Christmas day. What could be better?
We returned to the hotel for some games up on the rooftop, surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the world.
David still working on Christmas day while we played. Ridley was downstairs, also working!

Paige trying to convince the Apples to Apples judge of the moment that hers was definitely the winning choice!
We biked back into town for a Christmas dinner served at a local restaurant, Seventh Heaven. (Is that right, Tanner?) Their sister restaurant of the night before was Cloud Nine. While the kids ordered turkey and potatoes and beans (a rare find in these parts, and still not quite cooked the same) Ridley and David were still on a hot pot roll and had them bring it over from Cloud Nine. It was definitely the dish of choice! Two little girls came by each table with stockings filled with gifts for each person to choose a gift from. One of the sweetest Christmases ever! The Chinese were trying so hard to help us celebrate our holiday.
Back on the bikes and a wild night ride back up the hill to the hotel. No lights anywhere, just Ridley's indispensible flashlights to help guide the way.

Everyone made it back safe and sound and rejoiced in a lovely, never to be forgotten, Christmas in Yangshuo, China. Our friends and families in America were just starting to wake up to their Christmas days.