Wednesday

Mornings start early in China.   We began with an invigorating 18 degree, 6:45 am walk to the 7-11 for breakfast.   Nothing like trying to hurry and dodge traffic all the while trying not to step on a patch of ice and fall!  

Our guide picked us up at 8:15 in the hotel lobby.   Our first stop was the civil affairs office to finish up paperwork.  Here we received the adoption decrees, making Claire an official Strickland!  

Next stop was the notary office where we applied for Claire's new birth certificate. 

Then off to lunch!   Our guide took us to a great Chinese restaurant....Abby is really enjoying getting to eat so much authentic Chinese food!    The prices are amazing as well.....Will's lunch in the picture cost $2.56!

Our final stop was the police department where we applied for Claire's passport and did her passport photo.  This is the last piece of adoption paperwork that we need to do here in Beijing.   

It was a long day and pretty boring for the kids.   Tomorrow will be more fun as they are all looking forward to climbing the Great Wall!