Halfway Home

We are halfway through this summer adventure and the fun hasn't stopped. We have made the tour around Texas as seen in the previous post, visited family, friends, and fellowships almost everyday since we have been home in the states. While in the states, we have been busy getting all our things in order.

First we had to check out this website to ensure that it would be up and running when we return to China. (Currently blogger, Facebook, and other media forms are blocked in China limited our ability to update these sites.) So if you have not already, please send your email address to us as that will be the best form of contact during the next year in China.

Second, we continue to stockpile the items we want to bring back with us to China. Some of the items purchased so far include: a Skype adapter to use a really phone with Skype, a kiddie toilet to begin potty training the first kid, measuring cups and spoons, potato masher, and we are currently looking for a good pastry knife.

Third, we checked into the doctor appointments that we must get done each summer. These include the optometrist for contacts, prenatal visits for Baby #2, and a trip to the health department to get the latest vaccinations for Kanyon.

Fourth, we are planning more events to make the most of our time here raising awareness for what we do in China. It has been a blast sharing the stories from the past year and we look forward to many more stories during the year to come.

Finally, we continue to hit up the restaurants grabbing all the good American food we live without in China. Added to the list recently: Murray's Deli, Rudy's Texas BBQ, Cracker Barrel, Carino's Italian food, Fuddrucker's, and Fazoli's. We haven't yet been to Chick-fil-a or Sonic, two must haves before we return.

Hope your summer is as great as ours. We have loved visiting each one of you and look forward to visiting everyone else soon.

Road Tripping

After two weeks in Texas, we have pretty much seen the whole state. Check out where our summer road trip has taken us so far. And I wouldn't be surprised if we make another circle before the summer is over!

Round and Round

Since coming home to Gramma's house, the Kanyon has been constantly playing with this toy. He has mastered pushing the train around the track, but gets upset each time it gets derailed. He waves his hands in the air waiting for someone to come to the rescue and put the train back on the tracks.

In other news, we returned from our Tour de Texas after visiting San Angelo, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Wichita Falls before heading home with parents for some rest before we head out again. We enjoyed seeing friends and family through the state are are looking forward to seeing you too!

Hometown Special Food

Hometown special food (n): Chinglish translation referring to great home cooking or other unique food one can only find in your hometown.

While living in China for a year, there are just some foods that we can't quite make! So we really look forward to returning this summer to eat some great "hometown special food." Food we've eaten so far:

Logan's Steakhouse steak and baked potato immediately after landing
Grilled Steak in GC
Grilled Hamburgers in GC
Taco Villa
Hotdogs with homemade chili in GC
BBQ Brisket, potato salad, beans, and peaches at Halfmann's General Store in GC
Grilled Beef Fajitas in GC
Homemade guacamole and salsa in GC
Beef tacos and cheese enchilada's at Gil's Mexican Food in San Angelo, TX
Lemon roasted chicken and veggies at a friends' house in Austin, TX
Fried catfish and popcorn shrimp at Catfish Parlour in Austin, TX
"As big as your face" beef fajita burrito at Chuy's Mexican food in Austin, TX

And I'm sure there are many more great places and foods we'll be sure to eat as we travel around the state visiting friends and family.