These pictures are not in order, but probably nobody cares about that except me so I'll just comment on each as usual.
Here's Eli driving the boat we took on the last day. The boat stopped at two tourist attractions but we (our family) did not get off the boat to see the first one because it was raining too hard.
We thought we would just wait it out and enjoy the peace and quiet under the roof of the second floor of the boat. It wasn't long when Eli informed us that he had to pee. Since we were on the second floor we weren't willing to go downstairs (where the squattie was) because then we would have to get wet by the rain, so I just led Eli to the edge of the boat and told him to pee off the edge into the water below. Just as he was almost done, however, a man on the first floor stuck his head out directly below us and was emptying a bucket of something into the water. Eli quite accidentally peed on the man's head and back! I yelled "Xiao xin! (watch out!)" but it was too late and I just whisked Eli out of sight and pulled up his pants. I did not find out if the man realized what had happened or not! And I was thankful for the rain!
Some beautiful misty views as we cruised along the river.
We were very happy to have two other kids along for the school trip. This made it all the more enjoyable for Eli and Dana. Here Dana is getting picked up by her friend James. She didn't mind at all.
On the third day we went to a place with beautiful trees, streams, waterfalls and many suspension bridges. I think this may have been my favourite place because of its natural beauty. It was a good reminder that not all of China is concrete, crowded or polluted.
Scott couldn't resist taking off his socks and shoes and wading in the stream. Well, the stream used to not be polluted!
I thought my dad would enjoy this sign, there are so many signs like this: not quite right, but the meaning is clear.
This one was taken on the top of Yellow Mountain on the second day of our travels. We were so blessed to have good weather because 200 days of the year it is raining on Yellow Mountain. So we were able to have good views and not get too cold.
We borrowed another backpack so we could safely stash both kids while on the mountain. Some spots were just plain too dangerous to let little slugs run around.
Sometimes on our hike atop Yellow Mountain we would find ourselves in a cloud. It really gave a "crouching tiger, hidden dragon" kind of feel to our time. Definitely needed my brother Albert around to do some bamboo grove ninja-leaping moves to complete the effect.
Dana wasn't always impressed that she had to stay in the backpack, but she coped by eventuallly napping.
Where we were (Anhui Province), is known for its strange pine trees. Here's a picture of one.
Esther, Eli and James climbed their own little mountain in a park on our first day of travels. These three loved to chase each other and race around. Scott and I owe it to them the fact that Eli went to bed quickly and slept soundly each night.
These big signs were each dedicated to a different person for specific virtues. The highlight here for Eli? Eating fresh sugar cane. So much lore and history was lost on me because when travelling with young kids my attention span and interests by necessity just end up matching theirs. So I wish I could tell you more about this place, but I was probably busy talking to Eli, or changing Dana when the guide was talking.
At this village, there were old-style houses of the wealthy that we could tour. Quite intricate and well-preserved carvings!
All the people on the edge of the lake are artists, mostly doing watercolour paintings. Seems like an ideal place to practice. 
Check out this man's artwork! It's too good to call it a "sketch" I think!We really enjoyed our trip and afterwards got to go to Nanjing to visit our friends there for three days and two nights. I was really excited to use the serviced apartment's washer (and dryer!) because Eli was in serious need of clean clothes!
Unfortunately our camera's batteries were all used up so we don't have any pictures of our time there but Eli really enjoyed playing with our friend: "Let's play ball Mr. David!" he would say, over and over again!
And of course, it's always good to come home isn't it? We feel pretty satisfied with ourselves, having survived 3 overnight trips on the train with 2 kids under 4, not too shabby!
