handsful

We had a FANTASTIC time at the annual Autumn Moon Festival with our FCC (Families with Children from China) group.  This year, we met at the beach and the weather was perfect.  If you want some info on what this festival is all about, do a search on the blog for “Autumn Moon Festival”…I explained it last year.  Call me lazy. 

Our day started with everyone having a picnic.  The extra guy in the picture is Payton and Ethan’s friend Corey.  He was over playing so we brought him along.  The more the merrier and all. 

Next up, games.  There was a craft area (which our kids avoided), egg races, sack races, and Moon Pie race.  I’m wondering what China would think of that last one…how American (and Southern) can you get than Moon Pies??

Daddy helps Lainey with her first sack race.

Now she gets help from big sis!  (Lainey’s burn blister broke open that morning, so her hand is wrapped to protect it)

Having fun!  I’ll be honest, I’m usually not a huge fan of the beach.  Hot sun, sticky sun screen, fair skin, and sand just don’t equal tons of fun.  But, being at the beach in the evening is the BEST. 

This picture makes me see the future…Lainey’s protection squad. 

Lainey and Angel practice a little football.  L isn’t exactly precise, but Angel was very patient with her attempts!

Lainey wanted to stay right at the water’s edge the whole time…she loved it when the water ran over her feet, but held tightly to my hand.  If she had had a bathing suit on, she would have been IN that water. 

As the sun was setting, the whole group came together for a tug of war.  Yes, Randy is right in with those kids.  He was fair, though, and helped each side win a few times!

Lainey wasn’t sure why she was pulling that rope, but she loved doing it!

Taking advantage of a nice back drop :)

We tried to light a beautiful lantern, but the wind was blowing hard and toward land instead of the ocean.  So, we just hung out for the rest of the night, and enjoyed gazing at that autumn moon.  

By the light…