All Aboard!

Our second trip to the Polar Express was a huge success! Every other year, we visit Ted's family for Thanksgiving, so we plan to go on the Polar Express every other year until the kids outgrow it.

As we drove up the canyon to the train station, I was silently remembering 2 years ago when we did this for the first time. Two years ago, we didn't yet have Isabela home. The train ride was fun, but part of our family was missing. I remember it being a bit chaotic with a 2 and a 4 year old, so I had no idea what to expect this year with a 2, 4, and 6 year old! Two years ago, we had just gotten out of PGN and while I was excited, I was also filled with angst as our Guatemalan lawyer was on a 3 week vacation in the US. This meant that the steps after PGN would be delayed and Isabela would NOT be home for Christmas. I tried to focus on the positive, but I could only focus on 1 thing, and that was when Isabela would be home. I know many of you remember the turmultuous state Guatemalan adoptions where in at that time and being out of PGN did not give me the peace of mind that I thought it would. So, despite all of this, 2 years ago, we had a wonderful trip on the Polar Express, but 2 years ago, I was already planning for the trip we would take again 2 years later. So, here we are, complete as a family, taking our ride on the Polar Express!

FFF - No Faces

If you want to play along, visit Hannah's really cool blog here:

We all love him!

Diego that is! We all love him and love to cheer for him. Diego has had a lot of success in sports so far. This football season was just another testament to that (it's his second season...he's 6). He ran for ~20 touchdowns in 7 games. He earned the name lightening Diego after the first game and 4 touchdowns. Here he is finishing up the season.

A couple of guys on his tail, but they didn't catch him. TOUCHDOWN!


His fans and their snacks!


Diego's team name was the Ravens, so I ordered a Ravens Cheerleading outfit off of Ebay for $5.99. It was a huge hit!


Here he is with his trophy. I love how Isabela is saying "cheese" in the background. Yes, this is just before the infamous photo shoot. :-)


And then one of his biggest fans gives him a huge, huge hug. She loves him sooo much!



Now we are on to basketball. It is Diego's 1st year in basketball and he's doing great! His first game out, he scored 4 baskets. It's hilarious when he does score, he doesn't celebrate, he turns around and walks down the court (usually he's sprinting). It's kind of like he's embarrassed at all the cheering. He even told me one day that he gets a funny feeling in his tummy when he shoots the ball. I think it's soooo cute that he's nervous.


Just before game time


The YMCA has a great basketball program. The refs are high school volunteers, the back of their shirts say "professional role model". They take the first 10 minutes of every game to teach something about basketball to the kids.


Getting ready for tip-off


Diego taking a shot! Ooops, a little blurry.


Sprinting down the court...ooops, a lot blurry!


A little more action


Some strategy


I just love how seriously he's guarding this kid. I don't think he ever let him touch the ball.



I love going to my kids sporting events. I am their biggest fan!

Dominic and Isabela are in gymnastics, I'll get some pictures posted of them soon!