Today started a little too early. Elise was up at 4 am but luckily Drew slept til 6:45 am. Not too bad considering both kids went down early the night before due to short naps.
The more time we spend with Drew, the more we see his personality. He's a happy little guy who really likes to eat. As he eats more, he gets happier. Initially we were trying to follow the diet and schedule provided to us. Based on various rejections of the Chinese food that he supposedly ate regularly, we have been introducing him to more American foods. This morning, he did well with waffle plus syrup (1/4 Belgian waffle) and 1 slice of passion fruit. We've learned he doesn't like potatoes or fruit flavored yogurt. Rejects the fruit pieces - literally takes them out of his mouth. He's a plain yogurt guy. We continue to learn!
He likes to look at himself in the mirrored hotel elevators.
He enjoyed his bath this morning.
Today our special activity was a trip to the countryside to see a Chinese village. We rode in a mini-bus. Elise can't get over not being in a car seat or wearing a seat belt. Here she is all buckled in:
It was about a 1/2 hour ride. Here are pictures before they both fell asleep.
On the way there, we heard what sounded like fire crackers. It was - we were driving in the middle of a 'bridal caravan' - multiple cars decorated with people throwing fire crackers out of them.
When we arrived at the village, we walked a large loop in and out of it. Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best due to the cold and rain. Luckily I haven't been "yelled at" by local women by the way our kids are dressed. Essentially they dress their kids in the equivalent of snow suits. Our kids are wearing only jackets or coats - not to the bundled up standard of the Chinese children. Elise was still sleepy from the car ride so Derek carried her.
Walking along the muddy small road into the village. A motorcycle cart passed us.
In front of one of the nicest houses. Note shoes hanging on outside, on wall.
We saw this pig in his pen as we walked.
Not sure if this is the pig in transit via a motorcycle pulled cart. We were afraid it was a one-way trip for him.
Here's the name of the village:
Photo in front of limestone mountain.
We had to take this picture of the basketball court. Seemed a little out of place. Note the location of this goal right next to the lake behind. We joked about how good you'd get at shooting the basketball because if you missed, it was literally game over.
This is the group shot of the Holt families on this trip in Nanning. One family is from South Carolina
and the other is from Oregon. 
Drew is chillin' in the stroller. We walked past women washing clothes in the lake.
People were working in these meticulous fields.
We finished walking through the village including an open air market. Glen said people go daily to the market for fresh meat and vegetables. As we were exiting we saw some chickens and ducks in cages near the road. Thinking this stand was not a mobile pet location.
When we returned to the hotel, we had a very hungry boy. Little guy likes his whopper junior (torn in VERY little pieces). Elise was happy with her nuggets. We really look forward to returning home to eat our regular nutritious food vs. fast food. We are already tired of not being able to eat raw vegetables (no salad) and fruit (only can eat melons that are cut).
This is picture in front of a display in our hotel's lobby. Very pretty. Gearing up for Chinese New Year's celebration.
The more we spend time with him, the more his personality comes out. Today had very little crying. Finally stopped crying during diaper change. He is more willing to play with the toys on the floor in our hotel room - vs initially wanting to be held the entire time. He babbles a lot. He is VERY ticklish. He's very observant and inquisitive.
We ate again in the lounge tonight. Here's a shot of him eating his favorite (at least for now): FRIED RICE! He ate a full bowl, 3 slices of papaya, a tuna-fish finger sandwich.
Here's the crew relaxing at nighttime watching Chinese cartoons on the TV. Derek rubbed his head. Drew then started rubbing his head and laughing. He cracks us up.
He's still not a fan of going to sleep....but again, he'll get used to it.
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