Kaitlyn's going to live!

We got to share in the 1 - year banquet festivities for Kaitlyn Jane Krauss. Grandma Jane explained everything for two hours, only part of which involved the "why?" of the event. Apparently the first birthday is a big deal in China due to high infant mortality rates. Everyone assumes, though, if you make it to One, you're set. Way to go Kaitlyn!

The event began with everyone trying to pick up three stacked peanuts with their chopsticks:

Leeroy's a show-off. : )

Then we ate strange foods:

Mike Ingham even ate the strange food's eyeball:



Kaitlyn didn't eat strange food, but she's cute:



Then we ate more food. (Sorry about the chewing picture, Loretta.)

And Grandma Jane explained everything from holiday tradition to toasting to how to eat rice. It was awesome.

Then we opened presents. Aunty Grace got Kaitlyn a very tactile book. Grandpa Mike, as shown below, is appalled at "Dad's" scruffy face.

Then Uncle Timmy made funny faces and took pictures:

It was fun.