Goodbye 2012… Welcome 2013!!!!

Hard to believe we will be in China two years in February. This year ending in a few hours has been filled with lots of good things, challenges, trials, tests and through it all – blessings all around. We said goodbye to Nicholas (the little boy we fostered for a few brief months – his adopted mother picked him up and he is now in the US. We are very happy to get updates on his progress from his mother), we made new friends, continued to get more familiar with older ones and said good-bye to a some that returned home from their assignments. Had a health scare that cleared up after a lengthy hospital stay, family visited in May and we were thrilled to host them. We visited Ireland, Hong Kong and Vietnam. We also ventured into more local areas around Suzhou and visited Beijing and the most important tourist sites around it including the Great Wall. We ended the year by traveling to the US to attend our youngest daughters graduation and spend Christmas with our two daughters. Great ending for sure.

Instead of posting pictures from the last couple of weeks, I decided to review pictures from the last twelve months and post a couple from each month that did not make it to this blog.

We wish all our family, friends and blog visitors an amazing 2013. May it bring you many blessing and may your wishes be centered around making you and those around you better in every possible way.

Sweet Nicholas; the good news is that he is doing very well. His mother sends us frequent updates and we are happy to hear that we are officially uncle Carlos and aunt Bethe to him. We will visit him when we get back, you can bet on that.

Even in the winter Suzhou gardens are beautiful. I am waiting for snow to visit and take some pictures with the cold white stuff around these great places. Hopefully we will get some before we leave in March.

Cold did not deter this couple from venturing out and do some shopping. Happy couple, very much the look you see young people have all around Suzhou. They look happy, friendly and smart to me.

Tai Chi – by far the most popular type of exercise I see mature people do. Early morning the parks have a large number of people doing their Tai Chi for the most part in large groups, but you do see individuals such as this gentleman doing it by himself.

The local market butcher. Always smiling and ready to provide you with freshly butchered meat. I know it does not look as clean as what we are used to in the west, but it seems to work for the local very well. This picture was taken in early spring so the cuts looked good to me.

We had a great time with my sister (left), two daughters (middle and second from the left), cousin and his wife during their visit in May. We were happy to show them around and also happy to see how much they liked everything they saw. They were also very impressed with the local food; now that was a bit unusual, but I am with them on that.

While touring around Ping Jiang Lu with the family we came across this local family. They were having a great time and were happy to pose and smile for the camera.

One of our neighbors decided to buy a very nice car — A 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider…WOW! The look and sound it makes is just amazing. A picture will be all I can afford. Lots of money around here.

A groom looks on as his bride takes some individual wedding pictures. This area is very popular with wedding photographers/couples; there is always a large number of couples taking their engagement and wedding pictures in this area (Moon Harbor – Suzhou).

Had several photo sessions with some friends. Here we have Adam with his son Jenson.

A different view of Jenson while being held by his dad.

During one of our visits to Tiger Hill, we saw a very nice performance, but could not find out what they were celebrating or portraying. This is one of the few times I really wish I could speak Chinese. Regardless, the performance was very colorful and very well choreographed.

Sunday at the park with grandfather. Grandfather is giving the young one some fishing lessons; really like the attentive look the boy has. Great memories for him I am sure.

Meet Miriam, another session I had with a little one. Love the look she has on this one.

My last shoot of the year. How can you not like this smile? Meet Amelia, she was such a flirt.

Well, that is it for 2012 – once again thank you for visiting and leaving comments.
Wishing you a Happy New Year
Carlos & Bethe

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