Checking out TEDA and TANGGU

Griffin and Cameron were up by 5:30 playing.  The rest of them were up after 8:00.  We were out the door to explore TEDA around 10:15.

Pancake time.

Watching some youtube videos.

Cousins but great friends too.

First stop was the cold food warehouse.  Oh the looks on their faces when we pulled in.  Too funny. We bought some things and then Cameron wanted to take them into the freezer section out back.  It's dark and kind of frightening.  After we walked out Kelly looked at me and said "How did you find this place?"  Her and Scott were both surprised I would shop somewhere like that.

Yes, I shop here.

Grace was diggin' it.

Weird store but at least they have things we like.

Next stop was the hardware store.  They thought it was funny that we could buy a toilet, a giant wrench, or groceries all in one spot.  We checked that place out and then left.

Not sure any Chinese men could use this wrench.
It was huge.

Next we went to the veggie market in Tanggu (Tang go or Tan Jew is what Scott and Kelly said). We first bought some fruit and ran that back to the van.  We then ventured to the back of the market. They checked out all the funky animal parts to buy along the way.  Some cooked some raw.  We stopped by my chicken lady so they could see where I buy chicken.  They may have been frightened. Next we went back to the seafood part.  We walked around looking at fish, crab, shrimp, etc.  Luckily it didn't smell bad and no one puked.  Grace was only worried about her $60 flip flops getting wet.  I told her to walk carefully.  Everyone made it out ok.

Some housing in Tanggu.

Grace and my fruit ladies stand.

Next stop was back to TEDA to Nick's mart.  It's a western grocery store but they didn't see anything they needed.  We bought a Mountain Dew for Grace because she was dying of thirst.  She didn't think it tasted the same as at home.

We ran home to go to the bathroom and drop off what we had purchased so far.  Back in the van and off to the mall.  We ate at Papa Johns.  We had a cheese pizza and a meat pizza. Cameron went to grab another piece of cheese but I told him to leave it for Griffin.  Griffin looked at us and said "Griffin need big lunch now to survive tonight".  We all almost peed.  He is so funny.  He is a little harder to find food for but he has done great so far.

Enjoying a taste from the U.S.

We went through H&M to see of there were any clothes we couldn't live without.  There wasn't. Grace did see one shirt that said " I never liked you anyways".  She's still wishing she would have gotten it.  We walked across the street to get a picture of a statue.  It was just one of many in China that are naked.

They said I was on top and Todd was on the side.
Yeah right.

In the van Griffin held up his arms to show Cameron his armpit hair.  Cameron checked it out and then said in a weird voice "Can I touch it?"  Oh man we all almost peed again. I bet we have a lot of these funny moments the next two weeks.

Off to Decathlon...the sporting goods store.  The kids had a ball playing with all the different gear. Grace slammed dunked a basketball but forgot the net was tied up so it didn't work out so well.  Her face was so red it was hilarious.  They then all found a tent to camp out in.  Grace found a cot to lay on.  I asked her if she realized how many Chinese people had laid on that.  She couldn't stop giggling after that.  When we got home and told Todd he reminded her of how many crotchless kids have also sat on the cot.  She was grossed out.

Hoops anyone?

Working their legs.

Grace found a tent.

Griffin found a bigger tent.

Cameron found the mansion of tents.

No, their aren't germs on the cot.

We headed home.  Hung out, cleaned fruit, got ready to go out for dinner, and Kelly had her inaugural Tsingdao Beer.  She gave it a thumbs up.

Griffin met Alfredo.  They instantly became the 3 Amigos.

LOVE having my brother and his family visiting.

Ileana and the kids came up at 6:20 and then we walked over to Ashanti for dinner.  The Spooner's met us there but they had to eat before us because it was too late for their kids.  John took the kids home and Megan stayed with us.  We had a nice dinner.  Anthony wanted to give us a little liquid encouragement for karaoke so he brought a round of shots out.  Problem was they sat a shot down in front of Grace.  The look on her face was hilarious.  Don't worry...I took one for the team and drank it for her.  Awesome Aunts do those kinds of things.

LOVE these people.
Fredy, Megan, Me, Grace, Griffin, Alejandro, Cameron, Alfredo,
Marcela, Ileana, Kelly, Scott, and Todd.

Cheers.

We took the kids back to our place. We then jumped in cabs and went to KTV which is karaoke.  We got our room and went shopping with our  little grocery cart in the snack and drink section.  We had a cart full of beer, water, and a sprite for Grace.  Up to the 8th floor and our own, personal room.  For the next hour we sang and danced.  I'm pretty sure the Ronnebeck's thought we were crazy. Even Todd sang a song or two.  Good times.

The guys getting drinks.  Silly Fredy.

What's in your cart?

Great minds at work...Megan, Scott, Todd, and Fredy with the
help from a Chinese worker.

Having fun.

Megan singing and Ileana dancing.

Grace was a little embarrassed.

Hands...reaching out...touching me...touching you.

Moves like Jagger.

Back in cabs and back home.  Carrasco's gathered their children and headed home.  We hung out for a few minutes then everyone was off to bed.  A fun night out in TEDA.