Pictures!

Garrison shows off Oreos while modeling his swimcap (required at the Dolton pool).

We went to McDonalds and Simon discovered condiments.  He likes them better than food and would eat them with a spoon if we let him, so instead he dips, licks, and dips again.

Tarro Root and Banana Pies at McDonalds.  They were great!

Michael was scared of the dog.  It was a statue.  Let's see how things go with Smokey at home. :(

Posing outside the orphanage.

Michael's friends made a blessing picture to give to him.

I had the honor of giving Biao a gift from his parents.  What a treat to watch him open a gift which included pictures of his family!  As an added bonus, Biao is the child that we sponsor as a family!!!  We have been able to meet two of our sponsored children from ICC.

This is Michael's teacher.
We both wept as she said good-bye to him and I thanked her for educating him.

Kyla points out Simon's old bed.

One of Michael's nannies.
She had a very difficult time saying good-bye to him.
See the pictures on the wall in the back?  They are huge pictures of Michael!  They made them for his going away party and left them up so they would remember him.

Michael lays in his bed for the last time.

Garrison wanted to try too.

I respect and adore these women.
Kyla and Anna both work at ICC and are doing amazing kingdom work there.  I wish I could have talked with them all day.

A family picture in front of the orphanage.

Then we went out for dinner.
The director is sitting next to Anna, then the bus driver, then the health services director, then our guide Stacy.

My boys!  Riding to Martyr's Park.

There is a beautiful temple like building at the top of these stairs.  It was so hot and steamy at 9:30 already that you cant even see it in the picture.

Oh Yeah!  I'm on a ride!
(Totally not worth the cost.)

Bumper boats

Oh yeah, I'm on a ride!
(Totally worth the cost.)
Michael let me drive until this picture is over.  Right now he is plotting to see how he can get me out of the seat.  He did really great driving.

Please McDonalds!
Please bring this to America!
Pineapple juice with vanilla soft serve on top.
Then again, maybe don't bring this to the U.S.

Michael and I shared the pineapple amazing drink.
I didn't get much to drink.

My boys at the park entrance.

Simon choosing what he wants off of the menu.
He looks at every picture and either nods yes, or shakes his head no while waving his hand in front of his face.
So adorable!

This is one of his favorites.
Steamed egg with fish eggs on top.

The restaurant gave free ice cream.
We didn't miss this opportunity.
Watermelon ice cream sounds better than it tastes.

Playing with bubbles in the hallway.

Garrison, Michael and I went to the grocery store while Gary and Simon made a Lego Star Wars thing.
We brought it for Michael to work on it with Gary, but Michael could concentrate for about 23 seconds.
That is not long enough to build a Lego thing.

One of our favorite suppers with a friend I've had for five years and never met.
Karen works for ICC and was Simon's nurse while he was there.
She told us lots of information about Simon.
What a gift!
Plus, she is really cool, she took us on the bus, and she's a believer!
Blessed by her.

The group before we say good-bye.

Waiting to cross the street.
It's so hot that he just needs to rest before going.

A quick selfie with our guide Stacy before we get on the train.

Our hotel is right next to the "pet market" street.
Our boys were beyond excited.
We were at these turtles for at least 10 minutes.

Michael checks out the baby ducks with our guide Lily.

Live scorpions for sale.
Live scorpions.
No thanks.

This restaurant has about 20 tanks with live seafood in them just ready to be cooked and served.
Not only was this so much fun to look at, but it was a chance to get out of the heat.

When we went to get Simon, he was initially afraid of this dog.
By the end of the week, he could sit on it.
We just had to get another picture of him on it. :)

They boys try to use these umbrellas to block to sun and keep cool