Can't really describe our day.

Eric's Dad Vic died unexpectedly  this morning.  I'm incredibly sad for Eric.  Our first instinct was to head home but after much debate of options we decided to carry on.  There isn't anything we can do at home.  There are no plans for a service just yet.

It's bizarre to be on a family holiday, trying to have fun and make memories when feeling so overwhelmed with sadness.  Our thoughts are with you Linda/Mom.

We're about three/four hours away from Anaheim.  Lots of time to get to our hotel and head into Disneyland tomorrow. 

Jia does not travel well.  I can't say that enough.  She has lots of high moments but for the bigger part of the day she is  unsettled,  asking the same questions over and over again.  All of us begging her to be quiet.  Begging her to watch  a dvd.  She doesn't seem too interested in movies right now.

To end this post about this very long and weird day, when we stopped at a rest stop in Mondeta we saw the biggest spider EVER.  Eric was looking in the garbage for a pop can to put beside it to show the size but all he found was a cigarette butt.  You can imagine the hillarity surrounding the photo shoot.

Oh and a very dear FCC cyber friend had her five year old son die this morning (heart).  My heart is breaking for her.  Mary my thoughts and tears are with you.

Crunch

We're moving in slow motion today.  Missed ferry, wait at the border,  hours of gridlock.  5km an hour through all of Seattle.  Stopped for a pee break, got back on the i5 and promptly got hit by another car.  Double arg.  Got the guys insurance info.  Had this happen 20 years ago and it was a major hassle dealing with arbitrators going between insurance agencies from both countries.  No one was hurt or scared.  Other guy was coming off a 33 hour shift and didn't see us.  His car looks worse than ours.   Small consolation.

We just stopped for dinner at a Wendys in Yakima.  Back on the road, traffic is much lighter, full moon is out and we'll go until Eric is tired.

After the traffic nightmare of today I won't be much help with relieving Eric of any driving.  Just passed another accident, mini van creamed by a semi.  Feeling lucky our incident was so minor.

Oh, and little missy just is not a great traveler.  Very whiney.   Wants to go home.  Hot then cold then hot again.  Fingers crossed she'll settle once we find a hotel.

On our way.

We missed the ferry by 3 cars.  Spent two hours in the car waiting for the next one.  Nutella saved the day :').

Obligatory ferry pictures.

Still no news!

I can't fathom why it is so hard to get an update.  Still no travel dates.  I did talk to the agency yesterday and let them know Jia would now be coming with us and requested the Gloria hotel in Nanchang.  Also let them know we'd be in the USA for a bit. 

Mom and Dad were willing to keep Jia but we feel Jia isn't quite ready for that big of a seperation.  Also, it will be so great for Luk to have her there. The only extra cost for her is the flights.  To take Lili and Fei would double our in China costs.

We're all packed for Disney.  Leaving in the morning.  I'm not as fond of road trips as the rest of my family.   So although I'm excited about the trip I get into the car with some fear too.

The closet project killed some time and helped keep me sane while we wait for news of Luk.

Jia loved playing in the piles I kept making ;)

I've been using my phone for photos and using a blogger app.  Hoping this will be all I need for China.  Finally figured out how to add more than one photo.

Guess where we are?!

Doesn't get much more exciting than this!

Thanksgiving

So much to be thankful for today.

We're all packed for Disneyland.  Closets are all cleaned and sorted.  I've gathered every thing I think we might need for China and Luk's room is done.

It's a gorgeous warm sunny day, we're at a park meeting friends for a walk and play.  It's all good.