TengWang Pavillion - Tuesday

Hello to everyone back home.  This is Mike.  Tuesday was our first sightseeing trip out with Magnus.  Come to think of it, Monday was probably his first trip out anywhere in his life other than to the hospital.  The morning started with another delicious breakfast.  Our little human vacuum cleaner ate as much, if not more than his Daddy!  It was another cloudy/rainy day.  Chance to be partly Sunny on Wednesday though.   

After breakfast, we were off to the races in the speed wagon. 

Our driver got us safely to the TengWang Pavillion which is rated one of the three most beautiful Pavillions in all of China.  It is on the Western side of the city along the Gan River.  Let me just say, it did not disappoint.  The Pavillion was built originally in the 7th Century, but was destroyed 27 times over the years.  The current version was rebuilt in 1989.  The most amazing part is that it is built with zero nails. The pieces of wood are puzzled together to build the structure.  It is 9 floors, but almost 23 stories.  We climbed to the top floor and then worked our way down. Each floor was more magnificent than the next.  We were truly in awe.  Mr. Mags did quite well in my opinion.  He wanted to be held by Dana the whole time, but was quite content.  She occasionally tried to put him down, but that wasn't going to happen.

During Magnus' nap I took the girls swimming.  It was a good opportunity for them work off some energy.  Shower caps required here...even Daddy's big head fits in one!  

Magnus continued to open up more and more throughout the day.  His little personality that he had been hiding behind those sad eyes the first few days, was opening up to show us he's quite spunky.  He really does love the girls and laughs whenever they run or do something funny.  He started walking around a bit more on Tuesday which is great because on Sunday and Monday he really didn't want to stand at all.  He is so attached to his Mama.  He looks into her eyes so lovingly. He has so much trust in her already. It is a beautiful thing to watch.

Chinese "Culturizing" Duff Family of Six