Thursday, September 17, 2009

First week in China... Again

Jay here with "this week in China"....We enjoyed a wonderful virtual fireside meeting via telephone with all the USA saints in China, close to 200. What a great meeting and so spiritual. Elder Dallin Oaks, our governing general authority, and his wife,gave wonderful talks as did several other members here in China. We, as the Jinan Twig off the Beijing branch gathered to listen together in our apartment.... Then we had Taco Soup, chips and tossed salad made and served by Dana.


Canada called us on SKYPE. She is so cool. We recommend that you have one clock in your home to tell CHINA TIME. That is what we did for USA, so we know what time it is there when we want to call. Call us some time.

REMODELLING: Some other photos are included for you to see our new decks which were remodelled and improved while we were gone for the summer, and our I CAN SPEAK ENGLISH t-shirt placed on our fur blanket which we cannot take to the US...Yup, it is Chinese Wolf Dog Fur! Google it!





STUDENTS: Our English Classes are so fun and these students seem to like them. They really want to learn English from us...at least how to listen, understand and speak English.

Monday, September 14, 2009

We are back in China

Hi it is Dana, we are back in China and It really is great to be back. We have a great twig for church. Dad was made the twigs group leader. Twigs is what our our church group is called.

When we got home we found everything like we left it, but they finished off our deck. It use to be dirty and dirt flew through the open deck slats. While we were gone they tiled it over the slats and now we have a deck that looks really nice.

Here is what the deck used to look like. Just the slats to the outside world.



Here is the deck tiled, so now it is enclosed and very nice.


My red kitchen was just as I left it. I was going to buy red salt and pepper shakers and red measuring cups, but never made it to the kitchen store. It was "thank your teacher day" today and one of my students from last year brought me by some flowers for the occasion. They are on the dinning room table.



Here is our living room

I teach classes Tuesday 8-10, 2-4. Wed. 8-10, 2-4, Thursday 8-10 and 2-4. I have 5 Freshmen classes and 1 graduate class (doctors). We both have off Fri. Sat. Sun. Which will give us a chance to do a little more traveling.

One of my really great student is getting married on the 24th in Qingdao. It is on the coast, we have been their twice and really love it,. We will leave on the after noon of the 23 and then spend the whole day at the wedding. It will interesting, because they are Christians and we really haven't been involved with Chinese that are strong believers in Christ. This young mans is such a great person.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

THELIN FAMILY REUNION 2009


Abby and Canada at the campfire doing skits :)

Abby and Canada had such a great time together the whole reunion, they are the sweetest age and nicest little cousins!
They sure go fast on those 4 wheelers

KAren with the baby, Mom and all the sisters
REUNIONS: THELIN

The Thelin Reunion was held at the THELIN HOMESTEAD this past week. Everyone came and enjoyed the fun and fellowship of the family, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews.

First atthe Thelin Reunion where these photos show what happened and what fun we had. It was great to renew friendships and acquaintances. Activities and food were excellent. James Thelin bo ught and did all the food this year and what grand and delicious meals we all enjoyed. He is such a good cook. We so appreciate him and all those who pitched in to help him prepare and serve such fine food an outdoor kitchen, under a blue sky in a forest setting. THANK YOU JAMES.

Dennis on the three Wheel: Four Wheelers, Three Wheelers, motorbikes and other toys were available for all. Everyone had their time on the toys. Dennis Thelin II, loved the little red three wheeler and logged a lot of hours.

Zac on a Pink Four Wheelers: Even two year old Zac Thelin, went on a drive with his cousin Jerusha Thelin in the pink four wheeler. They drove quickly down the road and right into a tree. What a great video clip Karen took. He will get better next year, when he turns three, I suppose.
FOUR WHEELIN: Everyone loved riding the two Kawasaki 220 cc four wheelers and the Honda 70 Three Wheeler, around the forest track. The Chinese motorbike was ridden quietly around too. No one abused this privilege. Good Job everyone.

WATERFRONT: The waterfront was so fun for everyone, especially the little kids and Jason. Walk the log anyone? The sand at the river beach was a highlight for the kids. Dana had it flown in just before the reunion.

FOOD FIGHT: After dinner, a spaghetti food fight occurred down by the waterfront, as planned, and everyone enjoyed a messy time.

CHINESE MARKET: We held a Chinese Auction where all the grandkids were issued a large quantity of play money such as: 5, 10, 20 50, and 100 Chinese Yuan bills. Then they went from station to station bartering and finally buying the items their grandparents had purchased and brought back from China until all their money was gone or all the items were sold. These were very nice items and the bidding was ferocious. This was one of the favorite reunion activities for the kids.

CANOE RIDES: Many took the opportunity to take a canoe trip down the slow moving Buffalo River. This trip took about 40 minutes and gave the feeling of beauty, freedom and nature.

RACCOONS: We saw a combination of several animals as well as reaped the antics of the raccoons creeping into camp and stealing people shoes (mostly leather shoes) and hiding them in the forest. We had to go on sort of a treasure hunt through the forest to find them. We could never determine which raccoon was the thief, because they all wore masks. Much to our dismay, one especially bold raccoon pooped in our outdoor kitchen.

WILD LIFE: All in all, Jay and Dana and others saw Bald and American Eagles, an Osprey, Woodpeckers, ducks, Canada Geese,
(3 bucks) Deer, a single Doe Deer, a brown mink, a Coyote, and several Buffalo in Yellowstone.

STODDARD FAMILY REUNION: Followng the Thelin reunion, the Stoddard Family Reunion took the reins, and it was just great. Their songs around the campfire displayed such talent. They sing together as a family often, you can just tell. It was great to have Dana’s Aunt Fern there with her children and grandchildren. They enjoyed the camp and the tents. Some even went down the zip line. Some stayed in a nice cabin at ponds lodge.






Cousins Jacquelin, Dennis, Boston, Jerica, and Jenedy

Dennis and Zach (Josh's Boys)

Water and the sandy beach



Grandpa and Jennedy





James did stunting with all the girls at Jasons Cabin

Tanner and Maddi at Malibus birthday at Rob and Tricias cabin