The weather in Shanghai has been gentle to us as we returned to the big city. The weather is much cooler than it has been during the past few weeks. We are very grateful!!! Abi and I actually walked to lunch today and did not melt! The air has been clear and we have been able to see the 4th bridge that Tim discovered this summer. The bad weather in Taiwan has been good for the air in Shanghai.

It is a little weird being back in "the big city". I really enjoyed sitting on our patio, cutting flowers for the house, and using the BBQ. All things that we can not do in the city. One thing we did notice while in Vancouver.....taxis do not come to our driveway. It seemed weird after we have gotten used to very accessible transportation we have in the city. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa loaning Abi a car she was able to have the freedom of the road while we were there. We realized how much we depend on the transportation options available to us in Shanghai.

We are still amused by the number of people that walk around Shanghai in their pajamas....the ladies even wear their high heals with their PJs. It is just too funny to see this and the hot weather seems to increase the number of PJ sightings.

Here are some more pictures from our time in the US...

Laura's birthday....The Pool Cake!

Abi's friend Laura had a birthday while we were home. The "Pool Cake" is sort of a tradition in the Merrett family. My friend Norma made this cake for Laura's sister when she was about five years old. Laura liked the cake so much (and was a bit envious of her sisters cake) she asked for the same cake for her birthday...and for her next birthday and for her next birthday and for many birthdays since then. This year Laura turned 17 and guess what???? She wanted the pool cake again. The pool cake idea came from a magazine picture and Norma recreated it many many times. However.....over the years many of the special pieces of the cake...like the little people... and have disappeared. So...this years cake was a "version" of the original and Norma and Laura told us that is was not as beautiful as past cakes. We thought it looked great all the same!!!!! And.....yes the center of the pool is blue jello!!!!

Abi and Laura after the birthday dinner!

The girls went shopping in downtown Portland for the day in the "Grandma Mobile" and met us at the restaurant for dinner....which was Chinese food!!!

Laura's gift from her parents was a cooking class in Portland. Abi got to join her for the class and they had a great time...

The Class kitchen

The birthday Girl