Isabella's Trip to Build-a-Bear

Elisabeth, thanks to my father, has an entire collection of Build-a-Bear animals....clothing for every season included. Why would a reindeer need a bathing suit?? Anyway, Mom decided it was time to start Isabella's collection seeing that Dad has Elisabeth covered. The only thing about Isabella is that if she doesn't like something, she lets you know right away. We walked into the store and showed her the kitty cat. You can see her reaction from the pictures....and no, Nanny did not spring for summer or winter wear :)

More pictures of our holiday...

Here are pictures of Isabella eating spaghetti at Spaghetti Warehouse. It was about 7 pm at night and she was STARVING!!

Thanksgiving 2007

We made it safely to Syracuse last night and had a wonderful meal with my Mom and Dad today. It was quite difficult being without the mall but Mom and I are planning on being up at the crack of dawn to get our shopping done :) Elisabeth thoroughly enjoyed the apple pie and Isbabella attempted to help Nanny knit a sweater!

Kids and dogs

One of Isabella's favorite things to do is cuddle with our dogs. Unfortunately, 2 of them don't appreciate her affection. Maggie and Thomas, both Peke-a-Poos, were here long before the kids came. Blake, a Brussels Griffon, is much more tolerant :) As you can see from the picture, Maggie (the brown one) is growling. She is a female...need I say more???

New Look....

Big changes are happening around here...starting with my 'new look'. Do you like?? Also, I decided to password protect my blog for awhile in order to keep Isabella's story away from those that are questioning how she came to be with us. The entire Vietnam/American international adoption community is buzzing about the recent NOIDS (notice of intent to deny an adopted child's admittance into the US) and most are putting the blame on the agency AND the parents who chose the agency..without having a clue WHY the NOIDS were issued. We happened to have adopted through one of those agencies and although we remain supportive of them and sure of the legality of Isabella's adoption, I just don't want everyone reading her story and making accusations. Truthfully, those that are pointing fingers and being all high and mighty are really pissing me off. So, for now, only invited readers will have the opportunity to view my incredibly funny and informative blog :)

Laughter....

Last night while I was making dinner, Elisabeth and Isabella decided to strip down and dance. I had the immence joy of listening to this while I completed the very mundane job called 'cooking'.

HELP THE BABIES

There are 4 families who recently received NOIDS which, in essence, means the United States government will NOT give them VISAS which allows the babies to come home from Vientam. The reasons are unclear but has something to do with the orphanage side of things. No matter what the reason, though, these families are grieving and needing to begin their lives WITH their little ones. Please go to the following website, click on SAMPLE LETTER, print them out, and then mail them to the addresses indicated. This will only take a few minutes but will send out a HUGE message to the right people. THANK YOU

www.bringedenhome.com/

Cyber Boutique for World Child Orphanages

We are starting something new and fun on the World Child Vietnam Yahoo Group and because I can't send out the pictures to everyone that is a member, I need to use this blog to post the information for everyone!!! We will be selling quilts and other things made in Vietnam to raise money for the orphanages. Some of the money will be designated for the Tet fund since that is getting close but they are also getting ready to redo the floors at Bac Ninh for the HIV and baby rooms. WC needs to raise $6125 for that!! Either way, it goes for a good cause. I received one of these quilts, a wall hanging for Halloween, from a friend and it is beautifully done and very colorful:) Check out the attachments and check below for the pricing of each quilt. Please make your checks out to World Child Foundation and mail them to:

World Child

18627 Brookhurst Street #368

P.O. Box 9200

Fountain Valley, California 92708

All quilts and wood items are handmade!

The quilts are done by a cottage industry run by a family WC knows. JJH actually supplies a lot of the designs to them and then they make the quits, we buy them, sell them, and return the profits to the orphanages. The money in the first place goes to support mostly women in areas where otherwise they would not be able to work. Then the profits go to support the orphanages. And again, they area all hand done to a very high standard. The wooden boats are also hand made in VietNam. They are from the South and are all over the place there. It is a traditional handicraft in VietNam.

Saigon 2007 QUILT (4 available) $85.00 + $20.00 shipping/insurance
•Tabs can be used for hanging on the wall or they can be taken off the tabs to use as a throw or a baby quilt
•It is 47 inches by 51 inches

Mother Goose QUILT (4 available) $75.00 + $20.00 shipping/insurance
•Tabs can be used for hanging on the wall or they can be taken off the tabs to use as a throw or a baby quilt
•It is 43 inches by 47 inches

Sunbonnet Sue QUILT (2 available) $75.00 + $20.00 shipping/insurance
•Tabs can be used for hanging on the wall or they can be taken off the tabs to use as a throw or a baby quilt
•It is 47 inches by 47 inches

Boats (15 available) $15.00 + $10.00 shipping/insurance (same price for 2 boats)
•Come on a built-in-stand
•It is10 inches by 9.5inches

Barbie Girl Video

While in Vietnam, we would spend many nights down in the lounge of our hotel listening to a group of nightclub singers. When they would see us come in with Isabella, they would always sing "Barbie Girl". She was only 2 months old at the time but for some reason she LOVES it! Todd found the video on YouTube and she wants us to play it over and over....

Halloween 2007

Halloween this year was a hit!! The partying started at Elisabeth's school ... Elisabeth was a gothic vampiress and Isabella was a bumblebee. After dinner, we went trick-or-treating in the neighborhood...Elisabeth got dressed up again (we tried the fake blood dripping down her chin but she hated the taste) and Isabella was a unicorn (Elisabeth's outfit from when she was little). Isabella LOVED collecting candy and would continue to grab candy and put it in her pumpkin as long as the neighbor gave her access to the candy bowl. She got us some good candy, too!!! As you can see, the family will be on a sugar high for the next year!! Elisabeth suggested we just save it and hand it out next Halloween :)

Elisabeth's Trip to Seattle, WA and Longmont, CO

The traveler and her Nanny are back from their trip around the world :) They flew to Seattle and met my sister (who lives in Alaska) for a fun 4 days of shopping. Check out those legs and shoes!!! They then flew from Seattle to Longmont to see my 2 brothers, sister-in-law, and nephew and niece. It was Elisabeth's first time meeting Lucy and from what I hear, she was a huge help. Liam woke up the morning they left and couldn't understand where 'Bits' was....we will see you in 2 months, Liam!!! We love you and Lucy :)

They are now back in State College with us...but Elisabeth came with a sinus infection :( Right off the plane to the doctor's office. Luckily, Nanny was able to spend another day to look after the little monster and the sick one. Isabella, aka 'the little monster', LOVES kitty cats (we have 3 dogs) so Nanny took her to the pet store where she could 'meow' away!!

Isabella on the stairs....

We knew Isabella could go up the stairs but hadn't really taught her how to come down so last night I thought I would give her a little lesson and this is what she did!!! Little did we know, babysitter had been working on it :)

Surprise Party for Todd

My family is always surprising me with visits-even from as far away as Colorado!! Seeing that Todd just had his 40th birthday, I thought I would surprise HIM!!! His parents arrived from Florida in time for dinner on Thursday night, his brother (from Minnesota) showed up for breakfast on Friday morning, and his sister surprised him Friday afternoon from Chicago - all a complete surprise to him! And then, the reason they all came, he was completely shocked when he showed up at his own surprise party on Friday night!! We had a wonderful time :) Thankfully, though, it is over and I don't have to keep anymore secrets! Elisabeth is off traveling with my mom this week to Seattle, WA to spend time with my sister and then Longmont, CO to see my 2 brothers, sister-in-law, nephew, and new niece. This means that Princess Isabella is all mine - which equals NO mid-afternoon napping :( I miss you, Elisabeth!!

Apple Picking

We took time out of our very busy schedule to go to Syracuse for our yearly apple picking outing. Exactly 2 years ago, we were at the apple orchard when my parents lovingly offered to lend us the money to adopt Isabella. If you know me, I am a big one for celebrating almost anything in life :) And it usually includes food!! So...we celebrated with fresh apples, apple fritters, french fires, and a hot dog-oh, and a few glasses of apple cider.....all for breakfast:)

4 Generations

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile!! We have been so busy during the week and then last weekend, my mom and grandmother came for a visit. My grandmother is 91 years old, Mom is 60 (and seeing that she doesn't keep up with this blog, she won't even know I told the whole world!), I am 38, and the kids are 10 and 1. Pretty amazing to have 4 generations all together. Oh, and by the way, those are NOT my fingers sticking out of my grandmother's head...they belong to the 60 year old!