Cracking Myself Up

I decided to read our blog from the beginning tonight (College football games were not on TV & the kids went to bed early because they go back to school on Monday). I came to the August 21 post & just started laughing--first to myself & then out loud. I posted that we were close to being DTC (having our dossier in China). That was over 4 months ago & still we are not DTC. Anyways, I just thought I would share how "optimistic" I was back in August! (say that with my Texan accent!) We are not even close now! Hopefully, by the beginning of March we will be DTC!!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Hard to believe that another year has gone by. Where did the time go? This time last year, we were not even thinking about adding to our family. Amazing how much our lives have changed in the last year. We can not wait to see what 2009 has in store for our family.
I thought we(the Vinyards) should make resolutions this year! Nothing deep or major. Just for fun! (I'm ignoring the "what" & the "oh mans" !)
Here they are:
Jennifer--Learn how to use chopsticks. I'm awful at using them. I automatically give up & reach/ask for the fork. (If anyone has helpful ideas on achieving this, please comment.)

Ashlyn--Wants to help people that do not have a home. Help them have a bed, food, stay healthy, get a job and buy clothes and toys. (Ash is 5 years old. She came up with this on her own.)

PJ--Compete in 3 Triathlons and try to knock off 10 minutes off my time. (Good one PJ!)

Philip--Get "pro" status on Wii Sports Boxing. (Philip is already really good at it.)

Happy New Year to everyone!

The Alamo (& other stuff)

We went to the Alamo today (obviously!!). Philip really enjoyed it! It was crowded from the Alamo Bowl game last night. We also rode on one of the Riverwalk boats. All of us had a great time but we are ready to be home!

Kids in front of a cannon at the Alamo. It was an 18 pounder!! (that is what PJ just told me!)

Philip looks like his grandpa here. Grandpa Philip that is. (Philip is named after him & his daddy & also a great-grand father.) He is studying the Alamo map.

I took this picture. It turned out not too bad.

The kids on the Riverwalk today.

Philip hanging out in the pool this afternoon.

Ashlyn being the "super-star"! Great picture PJ!

"Sea World is Awesome"

Ashlyn pretty much summed up Sea World in her post--it was AWESOME! All of us had a great time. From petting the dolphins to eating lunch with Shamu to getting completely soaked--it was a blast. We sat in the "splash zone" during the Shamu exhibit. We thought we might get misted or a few drops on us. Oh my goodness--we were so wet when we left! A great time.

Philip and Ashlyn realized today that they are very afraid of birds! Just like their mom. One of them wanted to go into a bird cage & feed them nectar. Philip freaked out when he first got in & spilled all of his nectar (which was probably a good thing). Then a bird stopped on Ashlyn's head & she just started bawling. This sweet little man helped her out of the cage. In the meantime, PJ was covered in birds (which was so disgusting). One thing good--nobody had bird poop on them! Tomorrow we are heading to the Alamo & riding on a riverwalk boat.

Ashlyn's Vacation Post

Today we went to Sea World. Shamu splashed us! We were soaked. Shamu is HUGE. Shamu did cool tricks at our lunch. The standing on the nose trick was really cool! Shamu was really cute. I bought a stuffed Shamu & named it "Dippy"! When Philip & I went into the parrot cage with Daddy, one of the parrots flew on my head and scared me! I'm afraid of birds now. I tried to touch a dolphin but could not. I did not want to feed them the fish because I did not want to touch the fish. They are slimy!
Going to the Alamo tomorrow.

Philip's Vacation Post

Austin is a fun city. We started out by walking to the Bell Tower. (I took that picture) And wow was it hot and humid. Then we went to the co-op & got tons of Texas Longhorn stuff. After that we went to the largest fountain. We ate lunch & played hide and seek.

Then we went to the Capital building and explored the building for a hour. We went up and down 119 steps. From the bottom we looked up into the dome and saw an eight foot across star but it looked like an inch from down there.

Later Daddy & I went to the Bob Bullock Museum. We had a great time. We saw a replica of the statue that is on top of the capital building. Then we learned all about the battle of the Alamo. The museum floor was decorated to match each theme. Then we walked through the ranching section. It's floor looked like dirt and had cow and hoof prints on it.

On the way out, we went to a Cabela's store. We all went in. In the store, we saw HUGE trophy game taxidermy jobs. The largest one I counted was 19 points. Then Mommy and Ashlyn went back out to the car. Daddy bought me a clip light then we left.

Off to SeaWorld tomorrow.

Christmas Pictures

This is just a bunch of random Christmas pictures!

My Parents & Me

My mom, Aunt Val, Uncle Joel, GG & me

My cute little niece Ava & me

The A-Team (Ash & Ava)--Ava loves both of the kids!

Philip & my Dad--during their Christmas jam session

PJ's cousin Cole Vinyard, PJ's Granny Winnie Vinyard & PJ

Austin Trip

This was the view from our hotel room. We thought it was AWESOME! This was the kids first time on campus. We walked to the Bell Tower, shopped at the Co-op, had a picnic by one of PJ's favorite fountains, toured the Capital (another 1st for the kids) and then PJ & Philip went to the Texas Museum. Ashlyn needed a 2 hour "rest"!
I was trying to be DK (a really great photographer!!). I need a lot of practice!

PJ always loved this fountain. It is right by the football stadium. We used to catch our bus right here back in the day!

Kids being silly! Hook'em Horns.

We are going to Sea World tomorrow. Our lunch date is Shamu! I think the kids are going to try & get on to post something special tonight.

No Go

We pulled up to the Application Support Center (fingerprint place) this afternoon & quickly realized they were closed. Which is probably why we received the 2nd fingerprint appointment. PJ & I were/are really bummed about not being able to get them today. Especially since PJ talked with the National Benefits Center earlier this week & they said "always go to the first appointment." PJ said the end result is still the same (Hope!). And he is right. But I still feel like we will be delayed at least 2 more weeks with our approval from USCIS (average is already at 90 days).
We tried to cheer ourselves up by finding the closest Sonic for a coke! You gotta love Texas--always one around the corner no matter what town you are in!
Bright news--we arrived in Austin at least 2 hours before we planned--so the kids thought that was GREAT! Our view from our room is awesome. Well if you like the University of Texas.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone! Our family had a wonderful Christmas--with several celebrations. We are headed out after Christmas for our fingerprint appointments & then a family trip to Austin & San Antonio. PJ & I think it could possibly be our last family vacation without Hope. You never know! We are praying that we get to keep our fingerprint appointment this week.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

ps I'm not sure what the kids are doing in the picture? I think Ashlyn said "Do a pose!". That is her usual "pose". Philip looks like he is someone from his Wii Star Wars game?? They are in their new jammies.