Some 2007 Highlights

One of the BIG highlights was traveling to China to pick up Xian Fan Grace Bird!

We stopped in Beijing on the way to Climb the Great Wall. . .

Using a Cell phone in China was almost as easy as it is in the U.S.!

(Just don't do it during a thunderstorm on the Great Wall -

What is Kris doing? It's raining...Yikes!)

Tiananmen Square

We wanted a picture of the many soldiers in Tiananmen Square, but were scared to take their pictures - we got this one while 'pretending to take a picture of Kris. There were soldiers everywhere - and sidewalk sellers 'begging' to sell us anything from Chairman Mao watches to fans to I can't remember what else. The number of people in the square was amazing. There were many school groups and children - some flying kites. I can't remember the number of million people they said could fit in Tiananmen Square, but with the Chinese people, I can believe they could squish in A LOT! I don't know if they believe in 'private space' - I was hugged by many street vendors - Nida said about one lady, "Mom, she was practically KISSING you!" It's too bad the country of China isn't closer to the United States - they are a beautiful and friendly people - I think they could teach us a lot about doing with less and giving more.

At the minority village in Kunming.

One of the NON-Highlights of China - A squatty-potty! This is a very clean one compared to many that we saw. I didn't take this picture - I didn't have time since I was holding my breath and didn't want to pass out in one of them! If you go, take your own t.p., hand sanitizer, and maybe something to wipe your shoes on when you leave. Also, be prepared for squatting in a stall open to the public - doors seemed to be optional.

One of the biggest highlights of ALL: Walking up the sidewalk into our own home after the 30 hour trip home from Guang Zhou (Canton). (7/25/07 - Lasted for TWO days in a row! We watched the sun come up for the second time somewhere over the Pacific.)

Getting Xian to warm up to Sam - She loved it when he kissed her doll!

Josh turned 21!!! (8/26/07)

Visitors

The Ames family came for a visit and Mikalyn celebrated her 11th birthday with us. (9/19/07)

Idaho Falls Temple:

Sealing Day - and also Kris and Alicia's 22nd Wedding Anniversary! (9/20/07)

After trying to find a family picture of ALL SEVEN of us together, all I could find were pictures taken the day we took Xian to the temple. I guess it's time to schedule an appointment at the photographers. (Picture days have made so many HAPPY memories in the past! ;) But we'll paste our cheezy grins on and hopefully get something worth printing before Christmas.

Grandma and Granddad Winterton

Anna Liisa, Mikalyn, Max, Lianne and Aaron Ames

Friends Alema and Raquel Chan Boon (from Samoa and New Zealand -

who currently go to BYU-Hawaii) came for a visit during the County Fair in August.

Alema was a missionary in Salmon a few years ago.

Our tiny little topiary tree, the only thing that really fits in our little living room,

has now been decorated (and undecorated).

Xian thinks it's "Pretty!" and loves the ornaments.