So close I can taste it . . .

or maybe that is just some of the chicken from supper stuck between my teeth. Either way, it is great!

We only have one full day left in China and although it has been a great trip, we are really, really ready to be home and see Maks. Apparently Maks is climbing the walls himself, but that was another post.

Today Todd Larson and I had to go down to the U.S. Consulate with our guide Cordeliato fill out a form. Tonya and I managed to leave the notarized copy of ours at home and bring the blank one, while Todd made a mistake on his and had to redo it. Normally just the guides go down and turn in the paperwork, while the families stay at the hotel so the Consulate can call if they need any information. In addition to the Cordelia, there were a couple other adoption guides for other agencies down there at the same time turning in their families' paperwork - and we counted at least 15 other packets being turned in, in addition to the 3 that Cordelia had to turn in. Todd and I were the only ones down there to redo any paperwork. Cordelia must have been proud - 2/3 of her families screwed stuff up while every other agencies were batting a thousand. It was very simple process and the lady at the Consulate acted like we were not the only ones to have to redo that form. It is so nice when other people try to make you not look so stupid. (No offense Todd.)

Other than that, we just walked around and did some (more) shopping today. I think we are about done now. There is one shop where we have bought most of our stuff, and man are they going to be sad to see us go. They had a new Lexis parked out in front of their shop today with a big sign that said "Thank you Kevin and Tonya" but we weren't sure if it was talking about us or not.

Natalee is still doing great. I have never met a child (or adult for that matter) that likes to sneeze as much as Natalee. No matter what mood she is in, when she sneezes she is nothing but smiles.

This afternoon we did our tradition photos at the White Swan. Our travel group dressed all the newly adopted children up in Chinese outfits and took a picture on the red couch at the White Swan Hotel. As you can see in the photos, Natalee was not too pleased about us having to wake her up after a 5 minute nap. Maybe we should have taken some pepper with us for the picture to make her sneeze a few times? We had a group dinner tonight at a great Chinese restaurant. Tomorrow we have to go to the US Consulate and get Natalee's entry visa and then we are done except for the packing!

Getting ready for the big picture at the White Swan in my pretty new dress.

Nothing but smiles, can't wait for that picture.

Wow, what a difference a few minutes can make.

Ok, back to happy.

Staredown at the White Swan Corral! (Natalee and Alanna Larson having their first organized play time - or not so organized given who their parents are.) (Again, no offense Todd.) (Or Wendi)

Natalee trying to climb inside the camera.