Check out the Fancy footwork on these girls! I have to say I've laughed pretty hard watching this video. Max and Sonja love to watch it, especially Max.

You may have noticed Sonja was one of the smallest ones there. The group consists of 3, 4, and some 5 year olds. I think they all did a good job. Sonja started off a little slow but seemed to finish strong at the very end. I can't help but laugh at Sonja's funny little wiggle. I think they just need a little time to warm up. I think it would be scary to some children seeing all of those people looking at you and the REALLY loud music, along with other distractors. I felt so bad for that one little girl who was petrified being on stage, cried and ran off. I'm just surprized that there wasn't more like her. I think ALL of them did well, even the little one that ran off. It takes guts just to walk onto the stage and they ALL did that beautifully!

Chicken Dance

Sonja, her cousin Luci, and their friends perform the chicken dance during our local community winter festival!

Happy Easter and happy dancing!

Happy Easter to all!

I know, I know it's a little late but we still hope it was happy!

Our Easter was a good one. The Easter bunny must have thought Sonja and Max were pretty good kids because he brought them some treats.

We had a family dinner here with Dan's Mom and Dad, Dan's brother Dean and sister in law Becky and their two cutie pies. My Mother, sister Vicky and my sweetie pie niece Ana, along with Vicky's boyfriend Billy and his son Chase , joined Dan, Sonja, Max and myself for some traditional Easter fare. The kids played in the toy room while the adults enjoyed some conversation. It was a nice day!

This past Thursday, Dan and I went to do a walk-through of our new fifth wheel camper. The guy who did the walk-through (Ernie) did an excellent job explaining all of the working systems, features and highlights, although we don't know everything about it, we have a good base knowledge. He must have spent a few hours with us.

We noticed a few minor things that needed to be repaired, which isn't uncommon due to tranport, installation etc. I also wanted to change the light between the couch and table which was black powder-coated stationary fixture to a brass swivel-arm light. Also being replaced are the duel ceiling fixtures and undercabinet lights, with brass fixtures.
They also installed the hitch on Dan's truck.
Dan thinks we should be able to bring it home in a week or two if the weather cooperates. Below is Dan inside our new camper. We had perma-grin for the day.

Dan took this picture of me with my big cheesey smile.

Goofing around before bedtime is daddy time. Piggy-back, shoulder rides, and wrestling are Dan's specialties! Thank God Daddy has a good back! If he keeps this up much longer that might not be the case! Both Sonja and Max weigh the same (30#'s!) according to our home scale. Max seems like he weighs five pounds more than Sonja though.

Max and Sonja's Easter baskets. The Easter bunny also hid a ton of Easter eggs all over. He even hid them on some wall fixtures!!! He's a crazy bunny!!!

Max playing while waiting for Easter dinner.

Sonja posing for the camera Easter Sunday. I think cheesey smiles run in the family!

Sonja built this tower the day after Easter. She was soooo proud of herself. To place the blocks and other items higher up, she would get into the highchair and ever so delicately place the item on the stack. I think she did a pretty good job seeing she's only 3 years old. Good job Sonja!!

Max recently has become quite fond of doing "raspberries". I'm not a fan of having kids do raspberries. Raspberries, in my book, are right up there with sticking out tongues, not polite or pleasant. Sonja said G ma does it! Hmmm.... I wonder if that's true? I wonder if that's where Sonja got the "Maxie did it" phrase when she does something wrong or naughty?.....hmmmm.......

Until next time.....

Yahoo!!!!!!

Mommy's little helpers!

The kids have recently taken a great interest in doing dishes. They love playing in the water but usually end up getting more on the floor, themselves and around the sink, than what remains IN the sink!

In the first picture, Sonja wanted me to take a picture of her cleaning out the jar with the bottle brush. So I did and here it is. She'll be so happy to see it on the blog.

Out of our two children, Max is the best helper as far as picking up, although Sonja is getting MUCH better. During Max's speech therapy, they use play therapy. The speech pathologist uses puzzles, games and other toys. Max just can't wait to put whatever toy they are using away. I think both of the kids have a little OC thingy (obsessive compulsive) when it come to certain things.

Oh..... and the biggest news is......

We received word yesterday that our camper came in Monday night, YEAH!

Dan also brought his new truck home almost two weeks ago, BUT with a couple of dings on the way home.

Here's the sad, sad story....

Dan got a call from his dealership that his truck was in, so he made plans to do the paperwork and bring it home. He called me that afternoon and said he'd see me when he got home with truck! He was so happy and excited!

Well, his usual arrival time came and I knew he'd be walking through the door at any minute. It was about a half hour after his usual time and he walked through the door... with a big scowl and very quiet... I knew something was DEFINITELY wrong.

I waited for him to tell me what was going on and after taking his coat off, he said "I had an accident on the way home with the new truck". My heart sank for him as I knew he was more mad at himself than anything. I asked him if he was O.K. and he said he was, but the truck was damaged.

I asked him what happened.

He told me that while he was driving home, he was rounding a curve in the road as another car, going in the opposite direction, passed him. A large piece of ice came off the roof of the other vehicle and hit the front of the truck. It happened so fast, Dan didn't have time to react. Dan said he knew the minute he heard it hit, it wasn't going to be good, as it made the worst sound.

I'm just glad he's O.K.

What's the damage? Cracked front grill and both radiators need to be replaced, along with a couple of minor things. The cost $1400 buckaroos! The guy at the dealership that did the estimate said Dan was lucky it didn't damage the paint because that would have been a lot more trying to match the paint etc. We are currently waiting for the insurance company to approve the estimate etc. Here's a picture of some of the damage.

Speaking of insurance companies, some of the brokers are pretty much useless....eg.

(Insurance Guy)- "Ah... Gee Danny, I don't know whether to put this claim under comp or accident?"

(Dan)- "Well, You're our broker. I'm looking to you for guidance."

(Insurance Guy)- Yah....Yah...Don't worry. I'll take car of it."

(Dan)- So... can you tell me what you're going to do?"

(Insurance Guy)- Ah... I THINK (oh brother) I'll put it under comp."k

(Dan)- Is that what this accident is covered under?"

(Insurance Guy)- Yah... I THINK so (ya know that's just trouble)

(Dan)- "You're not sure?"

(Insurance Guy)- Danny (paaaleeease), maybe you should call XYZ insurance.

(Dan)- "I thought that's what I pay you guys for?"

(Insurance Guy)- Aaaaa.....

(Dan)- "Never mind.... I'll call XYZ myself."

(Insurance Guy)- O.K.

Needless to say, we'll soon be changing insurance brokers!

As for the camper......We are all so excited....well....maybe not Max (if he is, he hides it well). Every time we ride by a local dealership on the outskirts of town, Sonja says "Mommy (or Daddy), There's some campers just like ours!"

I've been purchasing needed items for the camper such as tableware, linen, rugs, first aid items, R.V. accessories etc. Man.... it adds up fast!

We'll be going down to get the paperwork done, get the hitch installed, do a walk through and specify the upgrades we want. We won't be bringing it home right away due not wanting the winter road grime and salt getting on it. We'd like to reduce that as much as possible. Also they can install the upgrades while we wait for the weather to improve.

Can't wait.....

Until next time...

Happy Birthday Aunt Becky!

A "Happy Birthday" to Aunt Becky (March 17th)


Oh.....

If you're wondering why the post below has the word Chinese spelled wrong, It's not me, it's the person who posted the video to Youtube. Just so ya know!

Tibet monks protest againist Chinise rulers チベットの抗議デモ隊に乱射

Riots in Max's, and his friend Tru's, home province of Gansu. A dark time for all in China and Tibet.

China cracks down on Tibetan Buddists In Lhasa. Protests erupt throughout China

Not too much to report on the homefront but much going on in the world, especially in Sonja and Max's country of birth.


There is new and disturbing news from China...

It's all so very sad....

I understand if China cracks down on Islamic terrorists that threaten the people of China and the world, but I cannot understand why China demands the Tibetan's forsake their culture, religion and way of life.

Tibetan's only want self determination, which is not a crime.


By TINI TRAN BEIJING (AP) — Protests led by Buddhist monks against Chinese rule in Tibet turned violent Friday, bathing Lhasa in smoke from tear gas, bonfires and burned shops, and posing a challenge to China on whether its image can withstand a harsh crackdown ahead of the Beijing Olympics.At least 10 people died in the rioting, state media reported.From exile in India, the Dalai Lama appealed to China not to use force to end the largest, most sustained demonstrations in nearly two decades against Beijing's 57-year rule in Tibet. China's government in Tibet accused the Dalai Lama's supporters of inciting the unrest and imposed a curfew, ordering people to stay indoors.Eyewitness accounts and photos posted on the Internet portrayed a chaotic scene in Lhasa, the provincial capital, with crowds hurling rocks at security forces, hotels and restaurants. The U.S. Embassy said Americans had reported gunfire.Reports of deaths varied and could not be independently confirmed.China's official Xinhua News Agency said 10 people — including two hotel employees and two shop owners — were burned to death, but no foreigners were hurt.But at a demonstration outside the United Nations in New York, Psurbu Tsering of the Tibetan Association of New York and New Jersey said its members received phone calls from Tibet claiming 70 people had been killed and 1,000 arrested.In some of the strongest words yet from officials, regional Tibet government head Champa Phunstok warned Saturday that the authorities will respond forcefully."We did not open fire, however we will deal harshly with these criminals who are carrying out activities to split the nation," he told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing, China's annual legislative session.Shops were set on fire Friday along two main streets surrounding the Jokhang temple, Tibet's most sacred shrine and the heart of Lhasa's old city, sending out thick clouds of smoke. Young men set fire to a Chinese flag and a huge bonfire burned in a street. Armed police in riot gear backed by armored vehicles blocked intersections, said a Tibetan guide.The violence, which came on the fifth day of sporadic and largely peaceful protests, poses difficulties for a communist leadership that has looked to the Aug. 8-24 Olympics as a way to recast China as a friendly, modern power. Too rough a crackdown could put that at risk while balking could embolden protesters, costing Beijing authority in often restive Tibet."China is afraid of letting this protest mount. On the other hand, the world's eyes are upon China in advance of the Olympics. If they're too heavy-handed, it could cause them a lot of problems," said Jamie Metzl of the New York-based Asia Society. "It's an open question as to how much China thinks it can afford a major crisis in advance of the Summer Olympics."On Saturday, Xinhua said Lhasa had "reverted to calm at the wee hours" and electricity and phone service, which had been cut for parts of Friday, was being restored.Witnesses said police were patrolling the streets but things appeared peaceful. Shops were closed but government staff were required to work, said a woman who answered the telephone at the Lhasa Hotel."There's no conflict today. The streets look pretty quiet," said the woman who refused to give her name for fear of retribution.On Friday, in an ominous turn for Beijing, the street protests broadened. Photographs taken by camera phone and provided by the Indian branch of Students for a Free Tibet showed hundreds of Tibetans marching through Xiahe, a Tibetan town in the western province of Gansu. Robed monks displayed the banned Tibetan national flag.In Lhasa, the protests that had largely been confined to monks spilled over to ordinary Tibetans, who vented pent-up anger at Chinese and their businesses. Guests and employees at the Lhasa Dong Cuo International Youth Hostel huddled in the lobby, away from windows being smashed by protesters."Monks and very young men down to the age of 15-16 are smashing the Chinese shops, kicking in doors and windows, setting the shops on fire and beating the Chinese in the vicinity," the Danish daily Politiken quoted an unidentified witness as saying.The exiled Dalai Lama, whom most Tibetans consider their spiritual leader, said China should stop using force in Tibet, saying he is "deeply concerned.""I therefore appeal to the Chinese leadership to stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people. I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence," he said in a statement released in Dharmsala, India, seat of the government-in-exile.Actor Richard Gere, a Buddhist who has spoken out for Tibetan independence since 1978, said he was not surprised by the uprising."You can't repress the people to the extent that Tibetans have been repressed for the last six decades now and not expect that at some point that it will explode," he told The Associated Press.As in Myanmar, where Buddhist monks led pro-democracy protests in September, Buddhism permeates every aspect of Tibetan life.Over the centuries, Tibet was at times part of China's dynastic empires. Communist forces invaded the region in 1950, to reclaim the Himalayan region and seize the commanding heights overlooking rival India. Pressured to cede more power to the communists, the Dalai Lama fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising.The latest unrest began Monday, the anniversary of the 1959 rebellion, when 300 monks from one monastery demanded the release of other monks detained last fall. But political demands soon came to the fore. Other monks and ordinary Tibetans demanded independence and unfurled the Tibetan flag. Arrests ensued, leading to more protests.Friday's violence apparently was triggered after police moved in to stop a group of protesting monks. Crowds then grew, and when police showed up in larger numbers, protesters attacked police cars and shops."It was chaos everywhere. I could see fires, smoke, cars and motorcycles burning," said the Tibetan guide, who asked not to be identified for fear of government retaliation.Xinhua issued terse reports in English only, saying people had been hospitalized with injuries and vehicles and shops burned. Hospitals contacted in Lhasa said they were ordered not to release any information.The Tibet government called the riot an act of sabotage that was "organized, premeditated and masterminded by the Dalai clique," according to Xinhua.The unrest came as Tibet, long China's poorest province, has wracked up stunning growth, in part fueled by hefty investment and subsidies from Beijing meant to alleviate resentment among Tibetans. Still, Tibetans have complained that the economic benefits have mainly enriched Chinese, many of them newcomers, leaving Tibetans feeling more marginalized.China, which has invested billions of dollars in Olympics preparations, has staked its national prestige on the games. Five months before the games begin, it had expected to bask in international praise. Instead, the protests are attracting the kind of international attention China doesn't want.The White House urged China to "respect Tibetan culture," while the U.S. ambassador to China urged senior Chinese officials to use restraint in dealing with the protesters, according to State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack."Beijing needs to respect Tibetan culture. ... We regret the tensions between the ethnic groups and Beijing," said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe. President Bush "has said consistently that Beijing needs to have a dialogue with the Dalai Lama."European Union leaders also appealed to China to show calm in Tibet, but released a statement condemning China's handling of the protests so far.Other Tibet watchers are less certain that international scrutiny will hold back China's hand if it feels threatened."Chinese leaders are not afraid of using force when they feel it's necessary. I don't think they'll be shy because there's now been violence on the demonstrators' side. I feel they think this gives them the green light to use a strong response," said Robbie Barnett, a Tibetan studies expert at Columbia University.U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour issued a statement expressing concern "about escalating tensions."International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declined to comment on the protests. But speaking generally about China, Rogge said the human rights issues were not the focus of his group. "We are not an activist organization."Tibet has been a focal point for protests by activists and international supporters ahead of the start of the Olympic torch relay, scheduled to come through China in May. Beijing plans for the torch to be carried to the top of Mount Everest, and closed its side of the mountain to climbers in a bid to prevent activists from disrupting the relay.The timing of the Olympics has been a key factor for pro-independence advocates, said Kate Saunders, with the International Campaign for Tibet."There's an awareness in Tibet of the international spotlight on China and of the way that groups outside and individuals from different organizations are actively using the global spotlight to press for change in China," she said.Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Ashwini Bhatia in Dharmsala, India contributed to this story.

One can only hope that someday soon the Tibetan's will have peace.

China News

While we were in China adopting Sonja, there was an incident that made Dan and I uneasy. We were getting into the elevator from our hotel room floor and another "gentleman" got into the elevator and was videorecording doing so, pointed his videocam at us and onto Sonja, who was in her stroller, only a couple of feet away from us! He particularly focused on Dan and myself. The man spoke a foreign language (not Chinese, or English and appeared to be from the middle east) and did so while recording us (which BTW we were just standing there, exciting stuff huh?). He was dressed in a nice but casual suit and was well groomed. I felt VERY uneasy and couldn't wait to get out of the elevator. When the elevator finally arrived at the ground floor, the man got out and proceeded to record us along with the exits, escalators, staff of the hotel, not your typical things to video record as a tourist. He was just, plain and simple, acting all weirdo and it just creeped us out! Well, after watching him briefly we continued on our way to the diningroom to eat, a little freaked out, but still hungry. I went up to get Sonja and myself some food while Dan sat at the table minding her. On my return to the table, Dan quietly told me to "look, there's that guy again". He said that he (the video man) had been watching him (Dan ) and Sonja. I don't remember if Dan said he (the weirdo dude) was recording him. I looked to see that the man was now sitting with two other men, one of which appeared to be Chinese. Dan went to get some food for himself and we quickly ate and left. We never saw the man after that but we still talk about that day and still think that man was up to no good.
Fast forward.....

Today I was watching the news (no surprise, the news junkie that I am ;-) and saw this on the news;
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,336250,00.html

I know that no one is immune from the terrorists but they better watch themselves if China gets their dander up. Looks like they will be doing some "kickin' butt and takin' names" according to the report. Wouldn't want to be them (the terrorists)!
I would love to see an American/Chinese alliance as far as hunting down terrorists. There wouldn't be a single terrorist left.

Rewind back.....

On our arrival home with Sonja, I was troubled by this incident and was concerned because our brother and sister-in-law were supposed to be traveling soon ( in little more than a month) to adopt their second beautiful little girl. I was afraid for their safety. I was also concerned for our friends....no....more like family members who are Chinese and we are bonded to for life. After consulting with family and friends I decided maybe I should say something to someone. I would never be able to live with myself if something were to happen to our family members, or anyone for that matter, and I could have prevented it. So I did. Two days after I reported it to officials there was a travel advisory for Americans traveling to China, in particular Guangzhou and Beijing. The travel advisory said that Americans should keep a low profile etc etc. Coincidence? Who knows......

We returned in 2007 to adopt our son and felt very safe there. On arrival in Guangzhou, on the second leg of our son's adoption journey, we stayed at a hotel across the street from the hotel where the above incident during Sonja's adoption took place. We casually asked about the hotel, and in a round about way "was wondering why we didn't stay there". We were told the hotel was not accepting adoptive families due to construction at the hotel for the babies health and safety.
We always felt we were in excellent hands while in China BOTH times. Our facilitator, along with his assistant were military trained (Jack being a one time member of the Chinese special forces) and are THE BEST! They are our "Chinese family" and we love them dearly.

I hope whoever did this gets punished fully but not until after they find out who their associates are, and are interrogated for every shred of information. This, I believe the Chinese will do.
Unfortunely, when our government tries to protect it's citizens and to do so, have to resort to interrigation tactics that some do not approve of, the bleeding hearts cry "Oh they are torturing the poor terrorists!" Oh Please....why don't they feel for the people these terrorists victimized, tortured and killed?!? The terrorists don't care if they kill babies, elderly, infirm or other defenseless and innocent beings. They will stop at nothing.

I think it's about time we wake up and smell the coffee.

The "Poop Rewards" and the "worry stone"

Sonja is fully potty trained.....Yahoo!!

Thank goodness for "Poop Rewards". Aside from Sonja, I give half the credit of potty training Sonja to the "Poop Rewards.

I know... I know... you're asking "What is the "Poop Rewards" Tina?" Well... let me tell you.... It's a tried and true way to basically bribe....er... I mean... reward for good behavior. We used stickers and the much loved M&M's. I'm sure her dentist isn't going to be too pleased about it but hey...you gotta do what you gotta do right?

As for Max, he's totally lost interest in it. He's taken on a new interest, which Dan has coined the phrase, "his very own "worry_stone"! I'm not sure how to say it in a delicate way, so let's just say he keeps it with him all the time, it's perminately attached to his body and he keeps it in his pants. Yup..... you guessed it!

I try to put him on the potty at the appropriate times and as soon as the pants come off, everything goes down hill from there. You'd think he was up against Bobby Fischer in a championship game of chess by the look on his face!
I sometimes worry that this "worry_stone" behavior will become permanent. I think all parents worry to some degree when a child does something that is socially unacceptable in the adult world (picking your nose and/or bum, bullying behavior etc...) that it will develop into some kind of habit or obsession.
Let's just hope that he grows tired of this fasination with the "worry_stone" and moves onto something else.... like potty training!

Until next time.....

Happy Birthday Deano!!!!

YIPPEEEE!!!!!!

We received some happy news today!

The dealership where we purchased our fifth wheel camper called to inform us that our camper is "on the line" and we should expect it to arrive (at the dealership) the Friday after next!!! I'm sooooo excited!! You can see it at http://keystone-mountaineer.com/index.html
Our model is the 345 DBQ



I've already made reservations for Memorial Day weekend. We are going to keep it at the dealership until the weather improves to reduce the amount of salt and road grime on it's maiden trip home. We will do some "camping" in our driveway just for fun and to test the various systems to ensure everything is up and functioning.



It's also suggested that you do a "driveway camp out" session to make sure you have everything needed for a relaxing and enjoyable real camping trip. On a camping group Dan and I belong to, they say to stock your RV with everything you think you'll need, then have a driveway camp out. The object of the driveway camp out is to camp exclusively in your driveway without having to go into your house for anything. If you need to go into the house for something it's o.k., better off close to home instead of miles away! I know the kids will LOVE it (as will this kid too!).



Dan also received good news yesterday. His truck is also on it's way! We weren't really in the market for a new truck, as we just purchased the one we currently have last fall. Our present truck, although it's a super duty, would be at the top end of it's pulling capacity with our camper. Dan didn't want to take any chances having the family in it while pulling an 11,000+ lb camper behind us. The new truck will easily pull the camper and anything we may want to load in it.



We've always been, shall we say, frugal with our money. We are savers instead of spenders. Not really a bad thing, but since having the children in our lives, we decided this would be an exciting and fun learning experience for them and us too, and well worth the money spent.



As a child, my family camped all season long from before Memorial day until they kicked us out of the campgrounds in early fall. They are some of my best memories as a child. My sister and I, along with some other friends that also camped all season, knew the campgrounds like the back of our hands. We knew the grounds better than the campground employees! We had trails all throughout the woods. At one place there was this little creek that we would go and get crayfish and then use them for bass bait. Man... the bass LOVE them! At that same campground, there was an old abandoned Victorian home which it seemed like the occupants left in a hurry. There was furniture, dishes, clothing and many other things including hand carved duck decoys. We would go in and pretend we lived there, played "house" and sat by the unlit fireplace. It was a beautiful home and thinking back now, it's a shame it was just left to sit alone, uninhabited. My parents told us it was probably bought out by the state for the land.

I learned many things during those years like, how to make a fire with tiny twigs and dried grass, you can't fish through a little hole in the dock and expect to pull in a large fish and how quickly hours pass when lying on the ground looking for shapes in the clouds. My hope is that Max and Sonja will have wonderful memories to look back on someday too. We made many friends and went to many locations. My parents would camp at campgrounds close enough to travel to work everyday but far enough away for it it be an extended vacation for them. We always made our yearly trip to Lake George for two weeks too. I also want to do the same thing with our family if possible. Those memories really were some of the best memories of my childhood.

We are planning a trip to maybe Cape Cod, Maine or another place on the east coast. I would love to go to Cape Cod again and bring the kids to Provincetown to go whale watching. It's so beautiful and seeing the enormous whales pass by and watch them breech is breathtaking. I know they would love it. I can hear them now, making whale sounds they learned from watching Dora the Explorer! We'll see where the road takes us! If anyone has a favorite spot on the east coast that the kids would enjoy, drop us a line and tell us about it!
Ta Ta for now ;-)
P.S. I just want to say thank you to those of you who sent words of encouragement, wonderful thoughts and prayers our way! We love you!!!