Days 1, 2 and 3

This is Heather's first post....not sure what Troy has written!  We showed up at the airport at 2:00 since our flight was leaving at 4pm and went to our airline (Hainan) only to find out there was NO ONE in line!  We found out the flight was LEAVING at 2pm...we freaked.  God was in control however and the flight was delayed by 45 minutes....just enough time for us to RUN and make the flight.  Poor Chloe was crying (actually, I was too).  We are staying in a nice hotel in Beijing in kind of a funky part of town.  The traffic here is OUT OF THIS WORLD.  The number of people living in one city is mind boggling henceforth it is a very dirty city.  Marissa's favorite part so far is the big breakfast buffet we have gotten each morning:)  She is sad we are leaving tomorrow for Sadie's province and therefore leaving our breakfast buffet.  The girls have been GREAT!  Real troopers.  We went to the Great Wall yesterday....it was very hot but we climbed up a huge amount of steps and they did great!  These steps were so weird because one step would be a few inches tall and the next would be over 3 feet tall!  It really tripped you up!  It was an amazing experience.  The girls and I checked out a Beijing supermarket....the stench was overwhelming and once again the number of people in one location was over the top.  We had NO idea what we were buying but tried to buy a few snacks.  We went to a fun acrobatic show the girls really liked.  Troy's MAC power cord busted so he decided we would locate a Beijing MAC store so he could buy a new one....he was on a definite mission.  Marissa took her first taxi ride and thought that was 'a hoot'.  She told me Mimi taught her that word.  We went to Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden City today.  I was wishing they would have forbidden me to go to the Forbidden City.  It was SOOOOOOOOOO hot!  The girls and I were dying!  I have never seen so many people in one location in my life.  The girls have been like rock stars wherever we go.  People keep asking if they can get their picture taken with them.  Chloe FREAKED out the first time but is now getting used to it.  Marissa just keeps smiling for the pictures:)  The Chinese guide today told me....your daughters so lovely.  It's hilarious.  In our group there are 2 other little girls the same ages as our girls....very fun for them since we are with these people most of the trip.  The girls are trying to squeeze homework in when they can.  We get Sadie tomorrow at noon!!!  Which would be 9pm Sunday night your time!  We have a 2 and a half our flight to her province and will be traveling with 2 other families from our group.  One last funny thing, we were buying a couple of souvenir books outside of the Forbidden City and later when we looked at the change the woman gave us back, it was Russian money!  She totally scammed us!  At least it was only for about $8 US!