George and Ruth Family

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-30T05:01:00.002-05:00

We set up our Christmas Tree early. We thought it the perfect backdrop for our Thanksgiving meal. We are happily in love with being married to each other. It's wonderful to have a companion for life. We are grateful for our time in Beijing. We are grateful for our love, our marriage and all of our children.

After our quiet dinner for two, we helped the Branch President Rici Johnson and his wife Dee, along with the Relief Society President Mary Latimer and her husband Kyle cook Thanksgiving Saturday meal for all the Young Single Adults that live in our branch. I think we fed about 47 people. It's fun to hear all of the different reasons that the YSA's have for being in Beijing.

Yuanming Yuan

2011-10-07T00:01:00.002-04:00

October 5, 2005

For our National Day holiday we toured the Old Summer Palace, Yuanming Yuan or the Garden of Perfect Brightness. Built by the Quing Qianlong emperor in the mid-18th century the gardens included many halls, and temples. In one corner of the gardens the emperor commissioned Jesuits at his court to design and build a set of European-style buildings. During the Second Opium War in 1860 the British and French troops burnt all the traditional Chinese halls and temples. Later the European-style buildings were pulled down, and the stones used by locals for building purposes.

Chinese tourists using the ruins for a portrait backdrop.

Notice the swastika in the pattern of the wall.

The swastika is both a Buddhist and Hindu symbol.

The European maze was recreated with a stone wall.

Graceful fragments of marble.

Longqing (Dragon) Gorge

2011-10-06T00:58:00.004-04:00

July 2011

We spent the day with our friends the Jackson's and Hoskin's at Dragon Gorge. The scenery was spectacular. Mountains in general are a favorite of ours because the majesty of the God of Creation is reflected in their lofty peaks. But mountains with a lake was a special treat. The whimsical nature of the Chinese is shown by the escalator climbing up the mountain covered in the colorful skin of a dragon whose mouth gaped open to entice visitors inside.

Ruth and George.

Notice the the dragons entwined on the lamppost and the foot bridge.

Joe & Katie Hoskin with Kaia, Kendyl, Ben Jackson and Ruth

Sidney Hoskin Bungee-jumping (or rather being pushed)

Ruth and the mystical peacock

Peacock is associated benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and knowledge.

And the Relatives Came to Stay

2011-06-23T05:44:00.003-04:00

George's cousin Bonnie Sorensen and her daughter Vanessa heard we were in China and came to visit. The stay with us for 2 weeks. They spent their days seeing all the wonderful sights in Beijing. We were able to spend Fridays and Saturday touring with them.

The Great Wall

Eastern Qing Tombs

Panjiayuan "Dirt" Market

Tibet

2011-06-23T05:28:00.002-04:00

Tibet is a Semi-autonomous Region of China. We first learned about Tibet from a television program about Lhasa and prayer wheels. We were intrigued and George began to make plans to visit. In order to vacation in Tibet you must first receive permission from the Chinese government to enter Tibet. George worked with China Cultural Center Tours and we were approve for a 9 day visit.

Lhasa

2011-06-22T10:28:00.003-04:00

Our first stop in Tibet was Lhasa. We were pick up at the airport by our tour guide Tsewang (his English name is Shawn). It was a great comfort to have a tour guide. We managed touring Europe on our own because even though we did not speak the various languages there was commonality between the languages and the written alphabet is the same. With the help of maps we could we could get ourselves from one place to another. There is no common ground between English and Chinese or English and Tibetan. We were grateful to have an English speaking Tibetan guide.

This is the Potala Palace. The first Potala Palace was built in the 7th century but was destroyed by fire in a thunderstorm. This Potala Palace was built on the same spot by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. Each successive Dalai Lama has added to or renovated this palace. Tibet used to be a theocracy. The present Dalai Lama escaped from here to India in 1959. Since that time the palace has become both a vast museum and a memorial of Tibet's rich and devoutly religious culture. Many of the past Dalai Lama have their stupa's here.

Sera Monastery

Potala Palace

Many Tibetans walk with prayer beads in the left hand or a prayer wheel in their right hand. We were impressed with the continual devotion and attention to daily prayer and worship.

The drive to Gyantse

2011-06-22T09:53:00.004-04:00

We left Lhasa in the morning and drove to Gyantse. We made several stops along the way. We enjoyed the scenery. Tibet is unique in all the world. The climate is harsh, the terrain barren, the people resilient. It has challenge our outlook on what is truly important in life.

One way the locals make money is to hire out their animals for photo shoots. Ruth is posing with a yak, a most clever, versatile, dependable beast.

Daily life seems a burden, yet the women is willing to carry her burden. Maybe it's her love of family, or her love of the land that gives her serenity and the will to keep moving.

This is Yamdrok Yutso Lake. Our guide provided a boxed lunch for us which we ate near the shore of the lake. We never seen any quite as beautiful as this lake.

Lunch was quite tasty. There was a shepherd out with his sheep who noticed us munching away. We he noticed that we were cleaning up, he ran over and the driver gave him the uneaten sandwiches and fruit.

Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse

2011-06-22T09:01:00.010-04:00

Before leaving for Shigatse we visited the Pelkhor Chode temple complex. Monks and Tibetans were going about their normal routine. There are cars on the street, but most people seem to be walking. The city seem quaint with many wearing traditional dress that goes back centuries.

This is the Kumbum. It is in the shape of a mandala. Actually it is a 3-dimensional mandala. Mandala are a sacred diagram of the universe. They are both simple and complex. Most mandala are painted on silk.

We asked the Monk if we could take picture of his

apprentice tending the yak-butter lamp.

Pelkor Chode Monastery

The drive from Shigatse to Tingri

2011-06-22T03:23:00.003-04:00

Tibetan landscape is beautiful

We feel like we have gone centuries back in time. Farming in Tibet is a family and community responsibility. Everyone works together.

Children everywhere are cute, even when dirty.

In addition to prayer wheels and prayer flags you can buy colorful paper with prayers written on them. You throw them high into the sky confetti style. A celebration of the spiritual. Joyfully we have a Father in Heaven who answers prayers.

Mount Everest Base Camp

2011-06-22T02:38:00.003-04:00

We are so very excited! We have entered the heart of Mount Everest Nature Reserve. The highest spot on earth. Everest or Chomolungma is 29,029 feet or 8,848 meters high. The air is noticeable thin. Our tour guide has an emergency supply of oxygen but we won't need it.

Spectacular! Awesome! Amazing Grandeur!

Mountains are Temples.

Ruth & George

True Love!

George wishes he could climb on up.

Travel from Everest Base Camp to Shigatse and then Lhasa

2011-06-22T02:15:00.004-04:00

We back in the jeep heading for Shigatse where we will stay the night. The following day we will drive back to Lhasa. Traveling by car is a marvelous way to see the county. We continue to be amazed by the glorious yak. Yaks can do everything.

The country side is barren yet villages are nestled near the foothills and crops are painstakingly nourished.

Another yoke of yak working in the hot springtime.

Pristine.

We are stretching our legs while our driver has a break.

Lhasa

2011-06-22T01:19:00.003-04:00

The Norbulingka was once the summer palace for the Dalai Lamas. Now it is a pleasant park and memorial containing several palaces of different Dalai Lamas each with chapels, throne rooms, meditation rooms and halls. Thangkas and bright murals are everywhere. The grounds are filled with magnificent ancient trees.

Norbulingka was founded by the 7th Dalai Lama in 1755. In 1959 the last Dalai Lama escaped from this palace disguised as a Tibetan soldier and made his way to India.

Prayer wheels captured Georges imagination. One of the reason's we came to Tibet was to see the prayer wheels. Prayer Wheels come in many sizes and contain written sutras. As you circumambulate around the monastery or stupa you spin the wheels and your prayers are rocketed up to heaven.

We bought and help box up a prayer wheel for each of our children.

A Star of David and a Swastika encircled together? How ironic is that? We wonder what the symbols mean to Tibetans.

Our Tibetan trip exceeded all of our expectation. We have been enriched by the unique traditions, lifestyle, creativity, culture, devotion and faith we have seen.

Chengdu, China

2011-04-13T07:08:00.004-04:00

Patrick and Nicole Woo invited us to join with them for a weekend trip to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. Chengdu is about a 2-1/2 hour flight south of Beijing. Our major reason for the trip was to see some Panda bears! We also saw the Grand Buddha at Leshan, the Qingyanggong Taoist Temple, and ate dinner on Ancient Street.

The lobby of the Sofitel Hotel where we stayed.

Leshan Grand Buddha

2011-04-13T04:55:00.008-04:00

Friday after lunch we hired a taxi to take us to Le Shan to see the Great or Grand Buddha. It was about a 2 hour trip. This Buddha grandly measures 230 feet high. He is carved into the sandstone cliff over looking the river. Actually this part of the river is a convergence of three rivers and is apparently considered dangerous because in 713 AD monks thought to safeguard passing boats by creating this Great Buddha. The project wasn't completed until 803 AD. In devotion to deity it is comparable to the cathedrals of Europe.

Patrick, Nicole and Ruth at the beginning of the path to the temple.

The Chinese have a whimsical nature. This carving of a dragon has its head and claws emerging out of the face of the cliff, its body snakes along the path and then disappears into the mountain side. How fun is that? Is the dragon reaching out to grab unsuspecting travelers? Perhaps Ruth?

A tiger is also defending the approach to the Grand Buddha. We can't resist petting the pretty little thing.

This fat monk reminds us of the Happy Buddha.

Maybe a little extra weight isn't so bad?

The burning of incense and the lighting of

candles is a continual part of worship at all temples.

China is rich in luxurious foliage.

Ruth and Nicole at the top of the Buddha preparing for the decent downwards.

There is a narrow set of steps down to the toes of Buddha that is built against the side of the mountain. The staircase has nine turns from the top to the bottom.

Can you see the monk in a yellow robe climbing up the steps?

Ruth on a path along the river.

His noes measures 18 feet.

His ears are 23 feet.

His shoulders span 92 feet.

Looking up from Buddha's toes.

Standing at the feet of Buddha.

A view of Grand Buddha from the river.

Panda Breeding Center

2011-04-13T00:06:00.016-04:00

Pandamonium!

We are so excited to see the Giant Panda's! We got up early so that we could be first in line. The wild panda population is thought to be around 1,200. Much effort is made to learn about panda, to breed them, and nurture them to adulthood. Also, there are some 120 panda's in zoos around the world. In Chengdu there is a panda research park and breeding center where panda specialist study the life cycle of panda's. The park is beautiful place, plenty of walkways, flowers, trees, and a lake. We stayed for hours and hours.

Our friends Nicole and Patrick Woo invited us to join with them for this trip. Patrick can speak and read Chinese, a most valuable benefit to our friendship especially in restaurants that didn't have pictures of their food for us to look at when ordering.
From time to time the path we walked on would lead through a bamboo tunnel. Bamboo is growing everywhere at the park, only the panda's living here don't seem to want to eat this bamboo, they will only eat bamboo grown at a higher altitude. These panda's are so loved that bamboo is trucked in daily from a distance of more than two hours away.

Nicole and Ruth venture off of the path for a picture.

This is a happy day, a perfect day.

Everyone in the park is happy. Panda's just make you want to smile and take pictures. They are a cute, lovable, content, and sometimes playful animal.

Opp's, this was suppose to be a picture of Nicole holding a baby panda. (I do not know how to erase pictures so you'll just have to enjoy this picture twice)

Aside from a few zoos world wide Sichuan Province in Southwest China is the only place to find pandas. At the breeding center only 20 people a day can hold a panda. (at least that is what our tour guide said.) The nursery tried to tell us that we couldn't hold the panda on this day, but Nicole persisted and got our name on the list. We had to pay 1,000 RMB each for this opportunity. We were happy to pay knowing that they money went to the center for the care of the pandas. Ruth is now one of a small percentage of people to hold a panda bear.

Once in awhile there would be a plaque in English telling the story of one of the panda's. This panda, Qi Zhen or Seven Stitches also had a movie made of her story. Panda's weigh only 3 1/2 ounces when they are born--compare that to the mother's weight of 440 pounds and you can see that it is a miracle when one of these tiny infants survives to childhood.

The park has several playgrounds for the young cubs to spend their days. The keepers will rotate the cubs around the different play yards so that they do not get bored. The cubs are playful. They seem to enjoy the companionship. In the wild adult panda are occasionally seen in family groups, but mostly they live a solitary life in clearly defined territories.

Telling secrets in a tree.

The rough-and-tumble of childhood.

Learning to climb up and over.

This is how pandas climb trees looking for the perfect spot for a nap.

Pandas spend 10 hours a day sleeping, 12 hours a day eating bamboo, leaving only 2 hours for exercise. From what we observed that exercise time is spent in walking over to the pile of bamboo for more to eat.

Looking for the perfect spot to nap.

Pandas have a happy talent for being comfortable and content.

Did we mention that this is a happy day? We feel truly blessed and grateful for life and love. God's creations are vast and amazing, a testimony of His goodness and glory.

Qingyanggong Taoist Temple

2011-04-12T06:29:00.005-04:00

Qingyanggong or Qingyang Gong means Green Goat and is the largest Taoist temple in Chengdu. Qingyanggong was built in the ninth century with the typical Chinese roof tops slopping upward and plenty of whimsical detailed embellishments on walls, stairs, and balustrades.

Both of these dragons seem to be grinning at each other.

George and Ruth were born in the year of the goat. It is said that the goat is alway ready to block trouble and toss it away with a flick of his horns.

The grounds are well-planned and well-tended with the most extraordinary trees.

March 2011

2011-04-12T06:18:00.002-04:00

The strap on Ruth's favorite pair of brown walking shoes broke so we stopped by a street vendor who had a sign saying he could make copies of keys and repair shoes. He had a portable sewing machine that could stitch leather.

For our 34th wedding anniversary we bought a Jade Dragon Boat.

Sunday Dinner with the YSA's

The Great Wall in February

2011-04-12T06:08:00.005-04:00

Jane Kennedy, the best friend of Tamara James our next-door neighbor in Raleigh came to stay with us a couple of days in February. Jane wanted to see the Great Wall. It was a beautiful blue sky day, cold but not freezing.

The light dusting of snow on the Great Wall is exactly what George wanted to see.

Chinese New Year

2011-02-04T01:46:00.002-05:00

On Thursday we went to Dong Yue Temple Fair. As part of the New Year Celebration people go to the Temples. While there they can buy incense to light as an offering while they pray. Many vendors come and sell their wares. We bought a large Whirly-ma-jig (our name for it). It has many pinwheels that spin around with the wind. Each pinwheels has a little drum attached with 2 drum sticks for each drum. When the pinwheel spins the drum sticks beat the drum. It's a pinwheel and a noise maker. How fun is that?

For an 'old-time' experience you could grind some grain.

There were dancers, acrobatics, and jugglers performing for the crowds

One night we went to the Sanlitun Village for dinner.

Festive lights are everywhere.

On the Eve before New Years Day Fireworks were the thing to do. Beginning at 7:00 pm and lasting till after midnight fireworks were lunched from almost every corner. Completely amazing. We began by watching the fireworks on the street outside of our apartment. After awhile we moved indoors. The booms, bangs, pops, sizzles and flashes of light made sleep impossible, fortunately we had a great view from our window and enjoyed the evening immensely.

Harbin, China

2011-02-01T01:03:00.005-05:00

We signed up for a China Culture Center tour group to Harbin, China. Harbin is in north China bordering Siberia, Russia. The Siberian cold winter winds blow over Harbin causing temperatures to plummet. The temperature during our stay were -15 to -25 or colder. Given the cold, we were thinking that Harbin would be a small town. We were surprised to find Harbin a city of 5 million.

Each Chinese New Year people will buy "money" and burn in in small outdoor fires. The ashes will take the money to the spirit world of their ancestors, allowing the ancestors to buy the things they required for the coming year, or to "bribe" the officials as needed.

A vendor "catching" a fish out of his fish tank.

Apparently, when it comes to fish, the fresher the better.

A side street in Harbin.

We ate lunch at a sea food restaurant. They had live seals and a large turtle tank for visitors to admire. We came during the seal's snack time.

A Warning Sign by the Seal tank.

Winter Swimming & Diving Show

2011-01-31T23:37:00.004-05:00

Polar Bear Swim...Anyone?

Each season a swimming pool is cut out of the frozen Songhuajiang river. The ice is a couple of feet thick making a nice cold cement-like edge to the pool. Twenty or so men and women, sturdy of mind and body, ventured out into the -15 degree weather, clad in swimming attire to demonstrate the best way to enjoy swimming.

The Champions Walk Out Into the Cold

Ready, Set, Dive

Notice the icicles covering the hand grip.

Swimmers doing their part to improving US & Russian relationships.

A slide made out of ice.

Snow Sculpture Expo

2011-01-31T23:21:00.003-05:00

This years theme was "Italy" to celebrate 40 years of good relationship between China and Italy. Artist from around the world come to create these massively beautiful sculpture from manufactured snow.

A couple of Couples

George and Ruth in front of a pair of swans.

Chinese Dragon

Mary blessings shine downward.

A winter-land museum.

Ice Lantern Festival

2011-01-31T23:02:00.004-05:00

This year the theme for the Ice Lantern Festival was "Fairy-Land". Most of the displays were castle with soring towers. Every castle was made of ice with internal LED lights that would change colors every few seconds. These castle were 4 and 5 stories high with ice steps you could walk up. Some of the steps had a ice chute next to the stairs. You could climb up the steps and slide down the chute. Enchanting. Charming. Delightful. Fun. And very, very cold. George borrowed Alaskan snow-mobile clothing & boots from a ward member, toasty, toasty warm. Ruth wore 3 pairs of long underwear under her clothes, plus a wool sweater and a knee length down coat, plus a balaclava, hat and scarf, 4 pairs of socks and Mugg boots and super warm winter gloves topped by snow mittens, almost toasty.

We chose to see some of the festival in a horse drawn carriage.

Suddenly, Ruth found herself holding a white fox.

Very cute, snuggly and warm, but why would anyone think Ruth

wanted to snuggle with a fox? Still, it is a fun memory.

A walk way lit with Chinese lanterns. Romantic.

A close-up of the castle columns

This picture give you a feel of how big these ice castles were.

There were 3 full flights of stairs to climb up to the base of the castle.

Siberian Tiger Park

2011-01-31T22:46:00.003-05:00

In the Siberian Tiger Park there are hundreds of beautiful and powerful animals. Tourist would ride on a bus. We were allowed to open the windows only because all of the windows had bars on them. The bus drove through much of the park where the tigers could roam 'freely'. In addition to tigers, the park had a couple of "Ligers". Following the bus trip there was a pedestrian park where visitor could walk along a path and visit tigers that were kept in a cage. These tigers were enormous. It was an interesting experience, especially during feeding time.

White Siberian Tiger

Shangri-La Hotel

2011-01-31T22:29:00.003-05:00

After visiting the tigers it was 'free-time' and our tour group broke up and went our separate ways, each group visiting a different site. We chose to visit the penguins, white whales, polar bears, seals and Arctic wolves and foxes at "Polarland". The tour group met at the Ice Bar of the Hotel Shangri-La. The walls, chairs and tables were made of ice.

Ruth lounging in an armchair

Down the long ice-way. There are dinning rooms along this

corridor. Each room has a large round table with 12 dinning chairs.

Warming up with a nice Hot Chocolate!

Holiday Fun

2011-01-12T02:17:00.008-05:00

We ended 2010 joyfully. We are missing George but are pleased that he is willing to serve the Lord as a missionary in Spain. We spent a happy hour talking with him on Christmas Day. Our family is getting bigger and bigger. All 10 grandchildren and their parents spent the holiday's with us in Raleigh.

Our Christmas with Chinese Characteristics!

Anthony cooking us a curry dinner.

Marshmallow Wars.

Tristen and Bella at Frankie's.

High Five Tristen.

Parasol Kate.

Happy Birthday to Chauncey.

Making sugar cookies to eat when watching the BYU football game.

Just for fun James attached a video recorder to a bunch of helium balloons to record our family from the sky. At the same time we were launching rockets. You can see the rocket flying higher than the balloon camera.

Rocket Stompers.

James attaching the camera to the balloons.

December 27

2011-01-12T02:02:00.005-05:00

We missed Elizabeth's family on Christmas Day because Timothy had to work, but the very next day their family drove from Boston down to Raleigh. We were worried about the winter storm but they didn't see much snow until they reached North Carolina. Monday morning all of the children were ready to play in the snow!

James, Gillian, Chauncey, Kate, Eleanor, and Bella.

Eleanor and Gillian.

Jackson and Kate.

Kate, Gillian, Eleanor, Bella Chauncey and Jackson all wearing the panda and bunny hats we brought from Beijing.

Bella Bunny.

December 26

2011-01-12T01:45:00.002-05:00

Sunday morning we woke up to at least 6 inches of snow. Church was canceled, but by afternoon the roads were clear enough that we were able to travel to the Church for the baptism of our first grandson. It was a beautiful ceremony.

Chauncey and Chauncey.

December 25

2011-01-12T01:39:00.004-05:00

For a Christmas present George invites our children and grandchildren to "do a good deed" for someone in need and to share the story with him. Ruth invites the children and grandchildren to give her the gift of something "learned by heart". This year we received many wonderful gifts!

Chauncey the Younger and his mother Melanie memorized all 13 of the Articles of Faith.

December 24

2011-01-12T00:20:00.008-05:00

Christmas Eve has long been Ruth's favorite. This year our Christmas celebration had Chinese characteristics. We began with an enormous dinner with everyone's favorite take-out Chinese dish.

The children were delighted with the idea of eating with chopsticks.

Following dinner we dressed the children as their chosen character from the Christmas Story.

Together we read from the New Testament and sang Christmas Hymns.

Together we remembered angels, shepherds, and the Holy Family on that blessed night so long ago. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, a fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy, is a sign and sure promise that He will come again on that great millennial day.

The giving of the Grandmother gift. What else? New pajamas, symbolizing the importance of being clean on the inside as well as on the outside.

Carrying on the Chinese theme.

Chauncey and Melanie. Chauncey the Younger, Jackson, Kate, Bella, and baby Max.

Anthony, Heidi and Tristen.

James, Charity and Isaac.

Allison and Michael

The West Boys!.

Tristen, Isaac, and Max.

Bella.

Aunt Melanie surprised all of the children with a Pillow Pet to snuggle with as the fell asleep waiting for the magic of Christmas Day.

Max with his puppy pillow and his monkey.

December 11

2011-01-11T23:43:00.003-05:00

Originally we planed to fly to Raleigh on December 22 for Christmas and our grandson's baptism. Suddenly, George had a Lenovo meeting in Raleigh on December 13. Quickly we changed our flight to December 11 and spent an extra week visiting with family and preparing for Christmas. What fun!

December 9

2011-01-11T23:33:00.002-05:00

I hosted our Branch Relief Society Christmas party at my house. We drank hot chocolate, ate Christmas cookies, talked about the strength of positive family traditions and shared memories and testimony of personal family traditions that centered on Jesus Christ and family unity.

Vanice, Mary and Aubrey

Katie

The Great Wall at Mutianyu

2010-12-07T02:41:00.004-05:00

Mark and Jamie Schengelburger were in Shanghai with Mark's work and they popped up to Beijing for a visit. The first thing on their list of things to see was the Great Wall. We went to Mutianyu. It was an unseasonably warm, glorious blue-sky day. The best part of this section of the wall is that you can ride a cable-car up to the wall, walk on the wall as long as you want and then ride an Alpine slide back down the mountain.

Mark was busy taking pictures and missed getting on before the door shut, consequently he rode up in a separate car.

We never tire of seeing the wall snake along the mountain.
We are grateful that China opened her boarders so that we can join with tourist from around the world in appreciation of thie great monument.

Meet Paper Xander. Mark and Jamie's son wanted a picture of himself on the Great Wall of China so they brought Paper Xander to the wall.

Easy up and easy down. Mutianyu makes mountain climbing way easy.

YSA Thanksgiving Dinner

2010-11-29T04:21:00.005-05:00

Thanksgiving is a time for family feasting. When we couldn't be with our children and grand children for this favorite holiday we invited the Young Single Adults (YSA's) from church to have turkey and all of the trimmings. The YSA's were from various parts of the World, China, Taiwan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Hong Kong and the USA.

Isaac brought Cold Stone ice cream cake for our dessert. Yummy, cold and delicious.

The group minus Isaac who is taking the picture. After dinner we went Caroling to the Hoskin family who live across the way. Fun. Then we got stuck in the elevator. Even more fun.

YSA Great Wall Hike

2010-11-29T01:17:00.009-05:00

George has wanted to hike in the mountains surrounding Beijing for a year. When the YSA's planed a hike along the great wall we signed up to go.

This sign warned us that this section of the wall had not been restored. I found it interesting that the sign says "....not open to the public". But the sign was right in front of the toll gate where you bought tickets to enter the area! We decided the sign was there to limit their liability. If we were to fall it would be our very own fault!

The climb up to the wall was difficult for Ruth, for everyone else it was a piece of cake. Good.

Once we reached the wall the climb began to be more interesting. The stairs were irregular in height and depth. In several places the stair had crumbled away leaving us to scramble up rubble.

Sometimes the depth of the stair was so narrow that you needed to hold on with your hands to prevent yourself from tumbling backwards.

Ruth rested as much as she wanted. It was a beautiful day and the scenery inspired contemplation.

Watch out for falling rocks.

A man walking with a load of wood upon his back.

Datong, Shanxi Province, China

2010-10-27T02:04:00.014-04:00

We were invited to join with Tiemei's team for a weekend trip to Datong in Shanxi Province. This area is home to several UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites. Ruth was invited to join in the fun so that George could have a 'bus buddy'. As you can see Tiemei's team is mostly young women. They are all young (ave age is 26), and full of life. It made the trip more enjoyable watching them have such a great time together. Traffic was dismal! The supposed 5 hour trip took closer to 8 hours to complete.

A Most beloved elephant--just because.

Our first stop was at Yungang Grottoes. There are over 1,100 caves with some 50,000 sculptures of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. These statutes have been around for 1,500 years, and many of them show their age, but all of them are beautiful. The grottoes were Ruth's weekend favorite. She feels that these monuments to Buddha are comparable with the cathedrals of Europe in showing man's devotion to and yearning for something greater than self.

Our next stop was a group of Buddhist temples known as Xuankong or the Hanging Monastery. The 'hanging' temple was George's weekend favorite. He admires the engineering creativity and dogged perseverance it must have taken to build this monastery. The story goes that this canyon area was a vital line of communication and the temple here was very convenient for passing pilgrims. But the Hunhe River would flood whenever there was a storm. The people wanted the temple to be safe from flooding so they built it half way up the mountain on the sheer face of the cliff.

It appears that several wooden pillars are holding up the 40 rooms of this monastery, but we were assured that the pillars are just there for effect and that the removal of a pillar or two would not lessen the structural integrity of the monastery. The two main structures are resting on rock. It seems that first a number of caves had been dug out of the cliff wall and that the major portion of the rooms were built inside these caves with a smaller portion hanging over the edge of the mountain.

Still, it was unsettling to see some of the wooden pillars being kept level by additional wooden strips. But, nevertheless we climbed up the many stairs and journeyed through the bell and drum towers, looked in on the various temple shrines, and climbed up to the upper temples as well. Looking down was troubling and somewhat dizzying but interesting and fun.

We both enjoy the little detailed embellishments of Chinese architecture. What could be more fun than a dragon bell holder?

Or a dragon rainspout with a bell around his neck?

Or a Chinese Cheshire Cat?

It seemed like a contradiction to us, but apparently Chinese Opera can be preformed at the same time people are lighting incense and prayer candles and praying.

The Great White Dagoba

The many forms of prayer offerings.

This is a marvelous tree!

It's branches are growing straight up towards God. It is what a Bodhi tree should look like. If not a Bodhi tree then it should at least be a prayer-tree symbolizing how our prayers travel upwards towards heaven. Actually, our thoughts and actions should also reflect that upwards motion.

Chinese temples are built on a hill or a mountain. There will be many small temples leading ever upwards towards the main temple which is on the highest spot.

Ruth is reading an article on Temple Motifs in Jewish Mysticism where the author (William Hamblin) was saying that "the heavens were conceived of as a vast palatial temple-complex, composed of a series of concentric courts, halls, chambers, and shrines. The heavens are enclosed by a wall which was built of white marble (or crystal)" This seemed like a perfect description of a Chinese Buddhist temple.

The Wutai Mountain is one of the four major Buddhist Mountains in China.

We have seen one, we have three more to see.

The trip to Datong took eight hours the trip home took 12. Nightmare! There were hundreds of huge trucks (maybe coal trucks) traveling on a tiny two lane country mountain road. Our driver was inventive if not down right dangerous in his driving. Notice that he is making a third lane right in the middle of a long line of trucks going both directions. Scary! We tried not to think about it and just be grateful for the forward movement bringing us closer to home.

YSA

2010-10-07T03:18:00.004-04:00

George and Ruth team teach Gospel Doctrine to the Young Single Adults of the Beijing First Branch. One Sunday this flag was on the wall of our Sunday school room. During the week this same room is used as a boardroom--we wondered what the meeting agenda was?

Xiangshan Park (Fragrant Hills)

2010-10-07T00:42:00.005-04:00

The first week of October is a vacation week in China. George needed to work some of the time because so much of his work involves people outside of China. Since George didn't need to work all of the time, we were able to spend time seeing the sights in Beijing. We spent a morning at Fragrant Hills. This is a vast park with several hiking trails linking various pagodas, pavilions, towers, gardens, halls, and temples.

We entered in at the North Gate . Ruth is standing by a bell tower built with

traditional Chinese architecture with blue and green tiles decorating the red walls and roof.

Ruth by an incense alter.

One of the many gates marking entry into a different area.

We only visited one temple, the Biyun temple. To get to the Biyun temple we climbed up many stairs. This view is looking down the mountain from the top of the temple platform.
This view show the first climb up to the main platform. The second set of stairs is off to the sides.

George in front of one of the pagoda's

There are 5 pagoda's. These are refered to as "The Pagodas of Buddha's Worrior Attendants".

If you look closely you can see the cable car going along the top of the mountain.

Cable Cars

At the top of the mountain there was a place to buy red ribbons. People would write a prayer on the ribbon and then tie the ribbon onto trees or banisters along the pathway.

The Summer Palace

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The Summer Palace is a Qing dynasty imperial retreat from the stiling heat of the Forbidden City. On the north side of Kunming Lake is Longevity Hill with more than 30 grouping of houses, hall, pavilion, gates and walkways. We enjoyed reading the names: Hall of Happiness and Longevity, Tower of Fine Sunsets; Pavilion of Harmonizing with the Lake, Glowing Clouds and Holy Archway, Hall of listening to oriels are just a few examples.

Ruth in front of the Seventeen Arch Bridge with 544 carved lions topping each of the balusters. Each lion is suppose to be different but the differences were so subtle

we quickly tired of looking for them.

George in front of the steep Xiuyi bridge linking the mainland to the Causeway.

Ruth in front of the famous Marble Boat built by Empress Dowager Cixi.

The Long Corridor

This Corridor lined the whole north side of the lake. I imagine it was built for protection from the sun or the rain as people walked from here to there. For something to ponder or by way of entertainment over 14,000 scenic paintings decorate the walkway.

The Summer Palace is famous for it's yellow roofs. We are looking down from the Tower of Buddhist Incense. The dots on the lake are paddle boats.

On one may this is the Tower of Buddhist Incense in the tour book they called it the Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha.

Longevity Hill is the backdrop for this picture.

We really like bells and this is a most beautiful set. This is part of the Grand Theater of Garden of Virtue and Harmony. There is a Grand Stage where performers would perform.

September in Shanghai

2010-09-27T07:54:00.005-04:00

In September we spent an enjoyable week in Shanghai. The building were spectacular! We spent a night walking around the Pudong side of the river looking at the lights which made the city seem magical. We ate dinner outside on a terrace, the temperature was perfect and look up at the skyline, memorable. Some of our highlights were: the expo, JinMao Tower, and the Jing'an Temple. George needed to do some Lenovo work everyday so Ruth had plenty of time to read and relax.

Maglev Train

Shanghai has a 'magnetically levitated' train that George was excited to see and ride.

We enjoyed the comfort of 1st class.

This train can travel up to a maximum speed of 450 kilometers per hour. As you can see, when we took this picture we were going 431 km/hour. It was a very smooth ride and quiet ride.

2010-09-27T07:21:00.004-04:00

Shanghai Expo 2010

We were very excited to go to a World Expo. There are so many people in Asia that between 400,000 and 600.000 people visited the Shanghai Expo every day. We spent one day and two evenings at the expo. The architecture was amazingly creative. China did an excellent job of crowd management and the Asian people--all half million of them--were polite and happy. We did see an occasional Westerner, but not many.

The China Pavilion.

There were so many people wanting to see the inside of the China pavilion that they gave out tickets for a certain time beginning at 9:00 am. The official we asked said that the tickets were gone every morning by 9:05 am. We decided not to try and see the inside of this pavilion.

Honk Kong and Macao (bunny rabbit) pavilions

Saudia Arabia

Spain! We stood in this line to see something of the country where George is serving his mission. Fortunately the line moved quickly.

Swiss Pavilion

Poland Pavilion

Looking out from the Luxembourg pavilion to the UK pavilion that looks like a dandy-lion.

Mexico

UAE (United Arab E...)

The Netherlands Pavilion

One of our favorite pavilions with little houses built up in Dr. Suess fashion.

Rainbow arch

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Shanghai World Finance Center

The second tallest building in the world.

The observation deck has a glass floor.

Looking down on the street below.

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JinMao Tower

This building is built in a pagoda-like fashion.

Looking down the 33-story atrium.

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Jing'an Temple and Jing'an Park

While in Shanghai we spent a day visiting Temples. My favorite was the Jing'an Temple or The temple of Tranquility.It was beautifully restored. It was so clean that it positively gleamed. Ironically, in the 1930's it was the wealthiest Buddhist temple headed by an abbot who was a gangster with White Russian bodyguards.

Gold gleamed everywhere.

Incense is always burning in the Incense Alter.

Thee golden lions atop a pillar.

Elephant's where everywhere which made my

think of and miss my very own elephant girl.

Two golden elephant on the roof.

Four elephants on a pedestal.

An example of the beautiful woodwork.

We bought this bell as a souvenir.

This is the actual bell at the temple.

This ladder is made of bamboo. It looks dangerous to me.

People everywhere carve their names on trees.

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Yu Gardens:

After spending a frustrating hour trying to find the Yu garden we were pleasantly rewarded by peaceful, beautiful garden of the Ning-dynasty. The garden has walls that divide it into 6 scenic areas.We spent a serene morning wandering around this maze like garden.

The garden wall is topped by dragons. The body of several

dragons snake along the wall and dragon heads pop up

every once in awhile. Very fanciful and fun.

Chinese lanterns come in many shapes.

This is the rockery. It is meant

to imitate the peaks and caves of southern China.

Star River Apartment in Beijing

2010-09-06T04:38:00.008-04:00

Well, we have been in Beijing for 1 year now. Amazing how time flies. Our Beijing Apartment lease was up on Aug 31st. Our apartment was purchased by a wealthy Chinese person, that wants to hold the property for investment (yes, they have real estate speculation in China as well.....Capitalism is marching onward!!). Anyway, this guy has so much money, that he does not want to lease the apartment, but leave it vacant. So we had to find a few apartment. We found a very nice place called Star River. It is a large complex. Several large buildings, central courtyards with meandering walkways with various waterscapes, and a very scenic, albeit small, golf course. Anyway, the apartment is larger a little fancier than our other place. The following are a few pictures of the new place.

Pelicans along the side of the outdoor swimming pool.

George in a gazebo in the courtyard.

Ruth next to a waterfall fountain.

This is the view outside from our 8th floor front window. It overlooks the center courtyard. There are plenty of trees and pebble lined walkways. There is a small playground for children and a beautiful outdoor pool.

This is our front room.

Our Xian Warrior, Chinese Apothecary Chest and Mu Shu Dragon

belong to us, the rest of the furniture belongs to the apartment owner.

The dining room looking into the front room.

Looking into the dining room towards the back window.

The kitchen is a little room to the left.

Every room has air conditioning except the kitchen! Strange.

This little sitting room is part of the master bedroom.

It is the perfect place for Ruth to read her novels.

Ruth spends most of her time in the study.

This is the computer desk...

and this is Ruth's study desk. Ruth enjoys this little room.

When George works from home he likes to work at the little

table in the little sun room off the living room by the window.

Best of all we have an extra room for exercise.

Our bedroom.

The quilt was made by Luann! It is a beautiful reminder of home.

Chengde Mountain Resort and Puningsi Temple

2010-08-10T04:31:00.013-04:00

George and Ruth took a Saturday trip to Chengde, China with our friends Rici and Dee Johnson. Chengde is about 3 hours north of where we live in Beijing. It was a beautiful day and it was great to get out of the city and spend some time in the mountains. Chengde Resort was a summer retreat for the Qing Emperors. There several Chinese palaces and at least 8 temples nestled among the trees.

Emperor Xaunzong, in court dress.

Ruth being help to dress as an Emperoress.

George donning the clothes of an Emperor

Ruth and George in court dress.

Stealing a kiss when no-one is looking?

These are Buddhist Prayer Wheels. Buddhist believers rotate each wheel clockwise while reciting a specific verse of scripture. This is one way to accumulate merit. There is writing on each column so possibly you don't always need to recite the scripture because the act of rotating the wheel symbolic sends the prayer up to heaven.

A bird on top of a rabbit on top of a monkey on top of an Elephant.

Is this the Chinese version of Bremen Town Musicians?

Rici, George and Ruth at an incense alter.

This band played music every time someone knelt to pray.

Little Buddha statues line the walls of the 2 story temple.

Guanyin bodhisattva of 1,000 arms and 1,000 eyes.

She is a goddess of mercy and compassion.

This lock symbolizes happiness and long life.

They could also symbolize eternal love.

Thousands of locks were locked onto the hand rail

leading up the path to the top of the hill above the temple.

Decorative sculptures of immortals and small animal are on the ridges of the roof tops. They all seem to go in the same order on each building. They are thing like dragons, phoenix, lion, unicorn. There always seems to be an immortal riding on a phoenix leading the parade.

Flying Golden Dragons top this temple.

We enjoyed looking at the mountain view as we drove to Chengde

June with Chauncey and Melanie in Raleigh

2010-08-09T04:22:00.004-04:00

Birthday Party:

Kate's birthday is July 21 and Jackson's birthday is

August 16 so they had a combined birthday party

at the swimming pool. Kate had a 'Belle' birthday cake

from Beauty and the Beast. Jackson birthday cake

was Yoda from Starwars. It was great fun!

Chauncey eating cake.

Kate is a little swimmer.

Kate getting ready to open all of her presents!

2010-08-09T04:19:00.002-04:00

A Visit to Dr. West:

Chauncey, Dad and Mom outside of Chauncey's Dental Office.

Dr. West arranged to have our teeth cleaned

and he, himself examined our teeth.

2010-08-09T04:11:00.003-04:00

Birthday Presents from Grandma:

Since Grandma and Grandpa would miss most

of their grandchildren's birthdays they brought birthday

presents from China for all of the children. We gave the children

individual ice cream cookie 'birthday cakes'. We lit

candles and sang Happy Birthday a million times.

Kate, Bella, Jackson, and Chauncey blew out their candles.

Then it was time for presents!

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Max Christopher West:

Mom & Grandma helping dress baby Max

for his big day. July 18 is the naming and blessing day.

Cuter than cute!

Nothing brings more Joy than family.

Grandpa and Grandma with #10

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Swimming Pool Fun:

Bella on and ice cream break.

On the way to the swimming pool.

2010-08-09T03:53:00.002-04:00

Bowling:

Jackson has the bowling ball.

Jackson lines up the shot and lets the ball go.

Jackson's not quite happy with the results.

A Wilde Fourth of July

2010-08-09T03:35:00.003-04:00

4th of July Barbecue:

James and Isaac, Anthony and Tristin.

Our son's have son's of their own.

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4th of July Parade:

Wilde Family

Hannah holding Tristin.

2010-08-09T03:29:00.004-04:00

5k Run:

"Look at Me! We're Winning!"

Michael, Charity, James, Dad, Anthony, Heidi, Isaac, and Allison

show their ability to endure.

2010-08-09T03:21:00.004-04:00

Wilde Family Talent Show:

Heidi, Allison and Charity singing "Chirp, Chirp, Chirp" from1776.

Allison, Anthony and James singing "Il est Ne" in French.

Great Grandpa Wilde reading The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.

Three generations of Wilde's celebrating the Fourth of July.

2010-08-09T03:16:00.003-04:00

Stadium of Fire:

This years star performer was Carrie Underwood.

Carrie Underwood was great but we come for the Fire Works!

2010-08-09T03:11:00.003-04:00

Purple Turtle:

Super-Isaac eating sweet potato fries.

Onion rings, cheesy fries, sweet potato fries and milk shakes.

The perfect ending to our annual Wilde Water Fight.

2010-08-09T03:03:00.005-04:00

Annual Water Play:

Allison applauds as "Super-Isaac" joins in the fun.

Take that--Michael.

James trying to entice Charity out of the 'safe-zone'.

She'd rather munch on carrots than get wet.

Grandpa with 'Super-Isaac'

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Utah Valley Symphony:

Franklin, Kathleen and Ruth.

A concert of patriotic music in the outdoor theater

at Sundance.

2010-08-09T02:44:00.004-04:00

Logan:

George and Ruth enjoyed a day in Logan.

We at lunch at Maddox's, visited the cemetery,

bought candy at the Bluebird and

spent an hour on the Temple grounds reading.

Poppy Fields:

Marvin Jensen (George's favorite missionary companion)

telling George a humorous story.

George and Ruth, forever in love.

2010-08-09T02:27:00.005-04:00

Bike Trip:

George enjoying a bike ride along the

Jordon River Parkway

Franklin enjoying the view of Utah lake.

"110 In The Shade"

Martha and Ruth at the Hale Center Theater.

Audra McDonald, winner of 4 Tony awards and several Emmy nominations stared in this Hale Center production of 110 in the Shade. An enjoyable and amazing performance. Will Swenson and Marvin Payne were also a part of the cast.

2010-08-09T01:24:00.003-04:00

James' Job:

James & Mom at the door to Big Brainz

James sitting at his desk.

West Family Reunion

2010-08-06T06:07:00.007-04:00

Saturday Activities:

Water-gun fight.

Run Michael Run!

Going on the "big hike" up Hobble Creek Canyon.

Dad getting ready to "show us how the piggies eat"

Making Sa'mores out of Jumbo marshmallows.

We also enjoyed water balloons, Frisbee, marshmallow guns, golfing, 5k run, and a wonderful silent auction and raffle with many of the gifts made by Mary (Ralph's daughter)

2010-08-06T05:37:00.003-04:00

Friday night dinner at Franklin & Kathleen's home.

June: Moving from Norfolk, VA to Stoughton, MA

2010-08-06T01:24:00.004-04:00

Timothy graduated from medical school and accepted a residency up in the Boston area. On June 18 we drove from Raleigh up to Norfolk to help with the move. On Friday we helped finish loading the truck. On Saturday we began the long trek up to Massachusetts. Timothy drove the truck, George drove one of the Toyota's and Ruth, Elizabeth, James, Gillian and Eleanor drove the other Toyota up to Stoughton. It was a long, arduous trip but we all survived nicely.

This is Tim and Buff's new home.

Friendly's: A West Family Favorite

2010-08-06T01:13:00.002-04:00

With no food in the house dinning out is a must!

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Backyard Fun:

Gillian

Eleanor

James

At a nearby playground:

Eleanor climbing up.

James testing his strength on the monkey-bars.

2010-08-05T01:17:00.005-04:00

Eleanor, James and Gillian in their new China clothes.

Taking advantage of an empty room and an air mattress.

James is having too much fun.
Look! Gillian can have fun too!

June: Quick Trip to Raliegh

2010-08-05T00:53:00.005-04:00

Grandchildren are marvelously fun!

Chauncey, Jackson and Kate eating strawberries in their new

summertime China pajamas that we bought in Beijing.

So very cute!

Yonghe Lamasery

2010-08-02T07:26:00.005-04:00

Yonghe Lamasery has 7 courtyards and six major halls. We like the upwardslant of the roof and the small animals on the corner edge of the roof.

"A Prayer Wheel "

Buddhist believers will rotate the column in clockwise and with each rotation they will recite a scripture. In this way they can be purified and accumulate merit.

A copper lion.

Spring in Beijing

2010-08-02T06:21:00.004-04:00

Spring is beautiful. We love flowers.

Ruth is in the courtyard of our apartment building.

Beihai Park

2010-05-14T01:27:00.002-04:00

Beihai Park is near the Forbidden City. It is a classical Imperial garden with a history of about 1000 years. We spent about 3 hours walking around and only saw a few of the monuments. It was a beautiful, but cloudy day. Family were enjoying the park and boating on the lake. Beijing is very family friendly.

George at the Nine-Dragon Screen.
Ruth at Zhizhu Dian--The Hall of Wisdom.

White Dagoba, originally built in 1651.

Hong Kong April 2010

2010-05-05T05:20:00.013-04:00

We are in Hong Kong! Wow! We stayed at the Regent Hotel on Hong Kong Island. This is Time Square Mall near our Hotel, it has 11 floors. We thought the escalators worth a picture. You can't tell, but I'm one of the people going down the escalator. The bottom floor was an entrance to the MTR (subway/metro) and just before you get to the MTR there was an incredible bakery with amazing pastries. Truthfully, we bought pastries everyday.
Following our airplane trip and settling in our hotel, we made our way up to Victory Peak via the Peak Tram. We took a 2 mile walk around the top of the peak enjoying nature and various outlook points overlooking the bay and the impressive Hong Kong skyline.

This is an anvil-shaped mall that the tour books call ugly. Ugly or not the tip top allowed a great view of the Hong Kong skyline. We at dinner at Cafe Deco with a window view.

Sunday we walked to Church. I was worried we wouln't find it because here in Beijing our branch meets on the 4th floor of a perfectly normal looking building. We were surprised to see that this building looks very much like any Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting house anywhere in the States, only several stories higher. A most pleasing detail is that the chapels have stained glass windows.

Monday we went to "Monkey Mountain", a park that has a huge population of monkeys roaming wherever mokeys want to roam. We walked along Wilson's trail. The trees were impressive..........

The monkeys were more impressive! Monkeys everywhere, on the stairs, in the trees, following us along the trail. One monkey hissed at me...I was intimidated.

These two monkeys have been swimming in a pool. Seriously, monkeys are a barrel of fun. Or is it a barrel of laughs? There was a tree branch over hanging a pool of water. The monkeys would climb up into the tree, walk along the branch, sit there until they were ready and then jump into the water, swim across the pool, get out, run around to the tree, climb up, jump off, swim to the side, get out, run, climb, jump, swim....... what fun!

Swimming Monkey

On Sundays (this picture is out of order) the Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers enjoy their day off by having an all day picnic occupying every bit of public space they can. These women are lunching on an above ground covered walkway. There was a cold wind blowing so some of them constructed walls for windbreaks out of cardboard boxes.

Tuesday was Temple Day. The Hong Kong Temple is on the Kaloon side of Hong Kong which is attached to main land China. It is a beautiful space. Peaceful. Joyful. Full of hope and great promises.

Temple

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Even though the Temple garden was small, it was peaceful and serene. The grounds are 'set apart' from the clamoring chaos of day to day life.

Hong Kong is full of exotic sights.

Each night at 8:00 pm there is a lazar light show. On Tuesday we took the Star Ferry over to the Kowloon side and watched the show.

Wednesday we took a ferry over to Macau. This is the Ruinas de Sao Paulo. The front facade and part of the floor are all that remain. It was a Jesuit-designed Catheral and the largest Christian

Monument in the East.

Thursday we rode a cable car up to the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha

The cable car had a glass floor so we could see the view from all sides.

More than 260 steps

Daddy's Lenovo Team

A Monk carrying a stone on his head....

Presentation is everything!

2010-03-29T08:49:00.017-04:00

Sometimes you just can't help spending money.

Notice the new additon to our family. His name is Mu Shu.

He makes us laugh. We couldn't go home without him.

We bought him at Panjiayaun Dirt Market

This is to pretty to eat!

Oliver & Grace at their German-Korean wedding reception in Beijing, China
You've heard how hot it can get in Beijing.....

Picture taken at the 798 Art District
Can you identify the 'song bird' in the cage?
One of the drums from the Olympic opening ceremony.
Picture taken at the Birds Nest.
The Birds Nest

Winter Playland inside the Birds Nest

Qiamen Street Marker

Chinese New Year

Chaoyang Park-across the street from our apartment

Outside the Ming Tomb's

Do you like the table Allison?

The Drum Tower in Beijing

Daddy's Christmas Present

A new addition to our family.

400 lb Terracotta Warrior from Qing Tombs

In Xi'an

Christmas Light at Solana Shopping Mall

Allison's Wedding

2009-12-12T18:59:00.022-05:00

Allison and Michael were married in the Provo Temple on Nov 21st. We had lots of family and friends. It was a perfect "Stress Free" wedding. Allison was beautiful and radiant as a new bride should be. She and Michael are well suited together, and we're pleased to have Michael join our family! The Reception at Franklin and Kathleen's home was perfect....we could not have asked for more! Thanks to all who helped out and made the wedding such a positive, memorable experience! Five down and one to go........

Allison and Michael - Provo Temple just moments after they were married!

Melanie and Buffy doing Allison's Hair for the wedding (It was great!)

Allison and Michael just after their vows; (Someone's happy!......)

Chauncey and Bella waiting at the temple.......(a very nippy morning!)

Mother and Daughter outside the Temple.

The Immediate Family at the wedding

Mom, Dad and the newlyweds.

Allison, Amy and Heather Barker

Allison and her Sister

Allison and Michael behind the Provo Temple

It was a "Brisk Day" in Provo. Gloves and coat came in handy....

Allison and Michael at Franklin and Kathleen's home.

Sunset in the back yard!

The West Gang....less AJ, Heidi and Tristen.

My brother Charles took some Great pictures! A&M are holding a picture that he had taken earlier in the day behind the Provo Temple. It was a great shot!

The happy couple!

Tim and a "zonked" Eleanor!

Table decorations and "Chinese Finger Torture" tubes....

Carolyn blushes just like her mother!...

Tim passes Eleanor off to Buffy.......Wedding favors from China "Double Happiness" boxes for weddings

Chinese Good Fortune knots for the guests

Chauncey, reminiscing about his wedding day!

"...this is nothing!...you wait and see my wedding day!....

The children listening intently to Franklin's sword fighting lecture.

Practicing the fine art of Wedding Swordplay!...Well it did keep the kids occupied!

Allison and her namesake Allison....

The famous "behind the back" move.....

The porcelain face of Bella......

.....one for me!

Allison getting some sword play with her cousin!

A quite moment after the guests have left......

Franklin and Kathleen's home & the chinese laterns we brought from Beijing

Cutting the Wedding Pie!.....and a little sugar on the side....

The traditional wedding bubbles (more fun for the kids then throwing rice!)

I don't know, I think she might be asleep......

Humfrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall pose........

November in Provo

2009-12-12T02:24:00.010-05:00

We spend two and a half weeks in Provo. We had Allison's wedding on the Nov 21s, and then we stayed for Thanksgiving. We had a very enjoyable time. The wedding was stress free and a lot of fun. We so appreciate everyone's help with the Wedding (Franklin & Kathleen for letting us use their house, Denise and family for helping with the food set up, etc.....lots of family help. Thanks!). We had several fun dinners and "Daddy Doughnut" nights that we great family get together. Now Ruth and I are back in "Solitude" in Beijing. What a change vs having Thanksgiving dinner with 60 family members at Jeff's house! But as I mentioned in my earlier post, we have a better understanding of "Crowds" now that we live in Beijing!

Michael, Allison and baby Isaac at one of Allisons Bridal Showers

George and Allison at the Provo Temple taking out their endowments

The family tieing a quilt for Michael and Allison.

Baby Isaac, or "number 8" as we like to call him.......

Eleanor George, waiting for me to go away....("...is he gone yet?")

Ruth and baby Trisen George (or #9 if you are counting!)

Family Dinner get together at our home in Provo

The Traditional Wilde Thanksgiving on Friday

Daddy Doughnut night at our home in Provo

Wilde Thanksgiving Dinner

Mom and AJ giving baby Tristen a bath.....

Ruth and our Driver in China, Liu Shi Fu (who had just given

us a present to give to Allison for her wedding)

Heidi and Charity at Thanksgiving Dinner with Franklin & Kathleen

Gigi....also waiting for Grandpa to go away (...."is he still there?")

James and Allison practiving for the The "Big Game"

The Big Game in progress on Thanksgiving Day

Baby Isaac....a real cutie!

Allison and Michael - Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day

The family on Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day Dinner

The "Kid Table" on Thanksgiving day

October in Beijing

2009-12-11T23:55:00.005-05:00

October came and went quickly. It was enjoyable for us to participate in the Chinese "Mid Autumn Festival" and their National Day (Oct 1st). We went down to Tian'anmen square during the Holiday....just us and about 1M+ other folks. You get a different perspective of a what a "Crowd" is when you are here in China. It was a memorable experience! We had our first snow fall on Oct 31st. It was fun.

Ruth in Front of the Chinese National Performing Arts Center ("The Egg")

Ruth buying Chinese Tinkets for the Allison's Wedding

Ruth outside of the Entrance to the Forbidden City (National Day)

George inside of the National Performaing Arts Centre

Surise over Chaoyang Park...looking out of our Front Room Window

Ruth buying Tin Mechanical Toys at the Panjiang Market

Nov 1st Snowfall

Our Apartment Courtyard in the snow...

Ruth in Chaoyang Park

George in Chaoyang Park

September in Beijing!

2009-10-03T09:30:00.022-04:00

Ni Hoa from Beijing! We arrived in China on Sept 2nd. We've had a very easy transition so far (lots of "Hand Holding" from the relocation firm....so no issues yet!). We have a very nice apartment in a very nice area in downtown Beijing. We haven't met all 20 million people in Beijing yet....but the ones we've met have been really nice. The people here are generally very happy.....which in turn keeps our own spirits up. My work at Lenovo is okay. I don't interact much with my Chinese colleagues yet....so we sit and "smile" a lot at each other! That will change in a few weeks when I get into my busy Annual Plan cycle. Language will be a challenge, but no failure of expectations here. I have a driver to help us get around (nice ex-pat package!). He is a really nice man (Liu Shi Fu). He does not speak any English, so we do a lot of hand signals....and use the "point and grunt" method of communication. For now, we pretty much just travel a few places......work, shopping and church....so he has those areas down. Very different life....but we are enjoying ourselves. Here are a few pictures of what we've done so far:

This is a "Hot Pot" lunch that I had with some of my Work Collegues. When I look at this picture, I think of the old game "Which does not be belong and why?" (Oh...could be Man vs Women; Old vs Young, Hair vs Shiney, American vs Chinese,....etc, etc. etc.....)

This a view from our front window of the fireworks show in the park for the60th Aniversary Celebration of the founding of Peoples Republic of China (Oct 1st)
The two English speaking branches of the church in Beijing have an annual weekend trip to the Great Wall. We had a great time. We stayed in a smal "Court yard" type Inn attached to the Great Wall. The Great Wall is Facinating to me....how it snakes acoss the mountain tops. We had a great weekend hiking along the wall and the surrounding mountains. The picture below is a view of our Inn (you can see a section of the Great Wall on the far mountain side).

Ruthie and I on the Great Wall

View of the GW from one side of the "Pass" to the other Side

Our room in the Inn was just behind the Willow tree.

View of the Great Wall from the Top of the Mountain (VERY Steep Hike)

View of the Trail to the Top of the Mountain

Ruth and I Just before Sacrament meeting on Sunday

Traditional Chinese Maze at the Inn

Ruth and George at the Beijing Botanical Gardens. One of my co-workers invited us to go with her finance. It is hard to see, but the Dragon is made out of flowers. Quite the sight.

George and Ruth at the Botanical Gardens

We're now expert Orchid growers! (At least it has not died in the last 3 weeks!)

Ruthie, hiding behind the fountains in our courtyard

Ruthie in the park across the street from our Apartment

Ruthie in the park, with our apartment in the back ground.