{China #10} Safari Park

We are settling into a good breakfast routine now.  Emerson will sit on a high chair without a fuss (which is huge improvement!) and try most of the foods we give her.

We were able to skype with Aubs and Abram this morning.  It was good to see them and for them to see Emerson, too.

By mid-morning, we met with our driver and picked up the other family (who are staying at a different hotel) and headed to the Safari Park.  For those who have never been there, but are planning to travel to China for an adoption….this is a must see (if at all possible).  It’s a bit pricey, but WORTH IT!   We counted 8 panda bears, fed the giraffes, could feed the elephants, could pet a koala bear, counted 20-25 giraffes, lots of tigers, 18 white tigers….the list goes on and on! (some of those cost extra $ of course)  We were there for 4 hours and didn’t even see half the park.

{Emerson exclaiming over the animals}

{Chase feeding the Giraffes}

{Emerson feeding the Giraffes - she wanted to!}

{Emerson giggling while watching the animals}

{Feeding the Hippos}

{Rhinos}

{One of the many Pandas}

{Snow Tigers}

Emerson loved it, as she pointed and chattered away when we saw the different animals.  Chase seemed to enjoy it too.  And of course, Jeff and I were VERY impressed, even if it was our 2^nd time there!  Emerson did very well, letting Jeff hold her while we were there.  It helped that she was distracted by the animals.

{Emerson letting Daddy hold her}

It took awhile to get back to our hotel (traffic was crazy), so Emerson napped on the way back. Once we were back, we were tired and decided to order pizza (yes, I know….oh so healthy, again!).  This time we had some plastic silverware to cut up Emerson’s pizza, so it didn’t make such a huge mess.  Can I say how nice it is that she will eat most foods?!?!  It makes meal time that much less complicated!!! 

Tonight we headed down to the hotel courtyard and roamed around for a bit.  They also have a small play area for kids.  We met another family who were adopting a little girl and brought there 13 year old son along with them.  It’s amazing how fast you can connect with another family when adoption is a common ground for both of us!

After baths (Emerson did a little bit better), we decided to watch a family favorite, the Apple Dumpling Gang.  All 4 of us sat on the bed, and watched and giggled.  Emerson “fed” off of Chase’s giggles and before we knew it, she was “wound up tighter than a spring”!  She giggled, flashed HUGE smiles at Jeff, would throw herself backwards on the bed and wiggle and giggle! Oh my, was she ever a character!  We had a FUN time and before we knew it, it was time for bed.  Thankfully they both fell asleep quickly tonight (I think they were exhausted from our Safari adventures).

{Emerson laughing while watching Apple Dumpling Gang}

Once again, THANK YOU for your continuing prayers for Emerson to trust Jeff and I.  We are amazed to see how much progress we have made in just one week and pray that it will continue.

-Jeff, Chelby, Chase & Emerson