Time for a little Vacation in the Snow!

On Dec. 27th to the 31st, we decided to go upstate with some friends, to do some snowmobiling. It was fun. Peter's friends Macie and Jen was there, and they had a real fun time playing. We did family trips on the snowmobile, and all the kiddos did a great job as a passenger. Here are some pics.................... the temp was about 32-ish, but there was plenty of snow to go snowmobiling.

Mommy, Daddy, and Peter...........

Peter getting ready to go vooom, vooom..............
No cars/Snowmobiles coming, I can cross the street.

Merry Christmas from our House to Yours!

Today was a busy day, but Peter enjoyed waking up in the morning to see gifts for him from Ho Ho Ho. After we opened our gifts, we went to Grandma's house, and then we visited a few more family member's house for Christmas. We ended at Margaret's sister's house for Christmas Dinner. It was a long day, and Peter fell asleep before we even made it home. Here are few pics of our Christmas...........
Christmas Morning...........Santa was extra nice this year.

Peter loved opening this gift, and Daddy liked putting it together.

FELIZ NAVIDAD FROM GUATEMALA

Hi All,

the pics you all been waiting for.................Christmas pics of Anna Maria.........

Ho Ho Ho............. is coming to town

Well, the holiday tradition officially begun on Margaret's side of the family, but I guess one would think so - as big as her family is.

Saturday Dec. 22, we went to Peter's Aunt and Uncle's house for Christmas Dinner. Peter didn't take a long enough nap, so he was not a happy camper. But after awhile, he finally joined in and played with his cousins.

Sunday Dec. 23rd, we went to Peter's Aunt and Uncle's house for Christmas Dinner. Santa appeared and handed out gifts. Peter was happy to see Santa to tell him what he wanted for Christmas, and it's the same things...........Batman!, Superman, and Jet plane, and Anna. Peter wants a toy Jet plane, but he also knows he has to take the jet plane to pick up Anna. Peter had fun playing with his cousins.

Monday Dec. 23rd, Mommy and Daddy had Margaret's family over for Christmas Eve Dinner, and gifts. Peter didn't take a nap today, because we had visitors throughout the day and Peter "didn't want to miss anything". But Peter managed to catch his "2nd wind" and had fun playing with his cousins. This year we continued with the Guatemala Tradition and lit sparklers before opening gifts. In Guatemala at midnight, they light fire works, before opening the gifts. Since fire works are illegal in New York, we decided to just use sparklers instead. Everyone had fun outside lighting the sparklers. The we went inside to open gifts and had ice cream sundaes and root beer floats for dessert. Once everyone left, Peter fell fast to sleep with his Ho Ho pajamas on.

Peter enjoying his Ice Cream!

Everyone outside, lighting sparklers.

Peter being an Elf with his Ho Ho pajamas on.

Another Tradition that Margaret, Pam, and Julie started was two years ago during our first adoption. On Christmas Eve at 6pm (eastern time) we had a toast to make a toast for our children - those who we adopted and those of us who are in "the process" of adopting, and our other children - that complete our families. This year Margaret invited her friends (Martina, Barbara, Pam, Vicki, Laurie, Melissa, Marcie, & Emma) who are also adopting with Edwin this year. This is a tradition that we will continue to each year. Feliz Navidad!

Peter's New Room - "Big Boy Room"

Well, a few weeks ago, we wrote to tell you we were building a wall to make the "dining room" into Peter's room. Well, the room is finally done, and Peter just loves it.

On Thursday Dec. 18th, Peter's two aunts and uncles came to help put up the wallpaper and border (they have had plenty of experience doing it, so we figured we would ask them to help us). Thanks Anthony, Carol, Joann, & Les for putting up the wallpaper and border. I know you guys enjoyed the dinner Margaret cooked, since we had no leftovers to speak of.

On Saturday Dec. 20th, Peter's Aunt, Uncle, and Aunt from Daddy's side of the family came over to celebrate Christmas. Aunt Karen did a "room makeover" and made up the bed, and put up the curtains, and lamp to finish the room. Uncle Micheal helped Daddy put together the Craftsman tool boxes, that will be used as dressers. Thanks you guys so much, Peter's room looks great!

Once the room was done, it looked Fabulous. Below are the pics. Peter slept in his bed, and loved it and slept until 9am. When he woke up Daddy asked him if he slept good in his new bed, and Peter said yeah!

We called Anna's Foster Mom

This evening, we called Anna's foster mom to see how she was doing and if she needed anything. Because Margaret is going to visit her on Jan 2nd. Carolina (foster mother) said that Anna didn't need anything. Anna is doing very well. She is eating and sleeping very good. She is drinking about 6-8 ounces at each feeding. Anna is due to go back to the Doctors on Dec. 26, so after that we'll know more about her measurements. While on the phone Carolina invited Margaret and Peter to her house so they can see where Anna is living the first part of her life. Margaret explained to Carolina that it might not be possible, since Kerry wasn't coming along on this trip, maybe when Kerry is here too - then we'll be able to do it. Carolina said that she is taking plenty of pics for us. Margaret told Carolina that she knows that she is taking good care of Anna, and she is not worried. Carolina was very happy to know that we were coming to visit.

wow, I can't believe in about 8 days, we'll be going to Guatemala to see our Daughter.

Please continue to pray and send your wishes, that Anna Maria gets out of PGN, so that she can come home soon.

thanks for your continued support.

Got New Pics of Anna Maria - she's about 5 months old in the Pics

Here are the pics of Anna. Jacqueline, did the "scrapbook" effect on the pics. Anna is soo soo cute, I can't wait to see her again.

Visit Trip to See Anna

well, it is all set. In two weeks Peter and mommy will be going to Guatemala to see Anna Maria. We will not be in Guatemala alone, Barbara (Rochester email pal) who is also adopting a baby boy with the same lawyer will be going too. We will have the same layover in Atlanta, so we'll be flying together to Guatemala. The following day, Pam (from Maryland - email pal) who is also adopting a little boy with the same lawyer, will be in Guatemala also visiting her baby. It'll be nice to finally meet the woman I email all the time, and see our babies also.

While we are there, they celebrate Kings Day on January 6th, and we sort of invited ourselves to the celebration that our lawyer gives in his neighborhood. That will be fun to see and participate in.

While in Guatemala, Margaret will be updating the blog, with new pics and info.

Have a wonderful holiday.
And thank you for your continued support, please continue to pray, so Anna gets out of PGN so she can come home.

Making Chocolate houses for the Holidays

Today Peter's cousins invited him to come over and make Chocolate Candy Houses. Most of Peter's cousins were there for this fun event. Peter enjoyed eating/trying the different candies that were put out on the table to use to decorate the houses. With a little help from Mommy Peter did a great job in decorating his house. Luckily, Peter didn't eat that much candy while decorating the house, because he fell right to sleep on the way home.

Peter putting sprinkles on his house, he is such the cook!

Gotta get more "Snow" on the house!

Breakfast with Santa

Today, we went to have breakfast with Santa with a few of Peter's cousins, aunts, and uncles. It was fun. We went to the Riverhead Aquarium. Santa arrived and all the kids got to see Santa to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Peter was soo cute. Aunt Nancy was trying to take a pic of Peter with Santa, but Peter was too busy telling Santa what he wanted for Christmas - he wasn't ready to look at the camera. Along with the jet plane that Peter wanted, he also wanted Anna. Santa looked at grandma, with a "look" not know what/who Anna is? So grandma explained it to Santa. Afterwards, we walked around the aquarium to see the different fish and displays. Peter favorite part at the Aquarium is the sting rays, and he manages to do a good job in getting himself wet.

After having breakfast with Santa, we came home and decorated the tree. While mommy was putting the ornaments on the tree - Peter was taking the ones he liked off, so he can play with them. This year is going to be cute with Peter. Last year, we had to worry about the dog and cat with the tree, this year, we have to worry about Peter with the tree.

Peter is so excited about Ho Ho Ho, he knows that Santa is going to bring him gifts. And every time he sees Santa he ask for the same things. Guess Santa is going to have the elfs make the 3 times Peter wants for Christmas.

The Date is set, in 21 days - Margaret & Peter will be seeing Anna!!!!

The date is set, in 21 days Margaret and Peter will be going to see Anna Maria. Margaret booked the flights last night, and we are leaving on Jan. 2, 2008 and returning Jan. 8th. Who knows, maybe this visit trip will turn into a pick up trip...........POSITIVELY THINKING OF CAUSE............ We were hoping to have enough frequent flyer miles, but we didn't - so Margaret booked the flights. Hopefully the next time we'll be able to fly with our frequent flyer miles. Margaret called Howard (General Manager) from the Vista Real (formerly known as the Quinta Real) and he gave us a really good deal on a suite. When we were there in August visiting, Margaret spoke to Howard a couple of times, not knowing who he was until the end of the trip. Howard gave Margaret his contact info. and told her that when we plan on visiting again, to give him a call and he would give us the best rates he can, and he did. Margaret's "email Pal" Barbara from Rochester (also using the same lawyer to adopt her son) will be going too, and our flights have the same lay over in Atlanta, so we will be flying to Guatemala together. It is soo exciting to be going to see Anna Maria. We are trying to get Pam (she too is using the same lawyer to adopt her baby) to come with us, but she is trying to figure out how to do it with work and all. So hopefully it'll be the three of us in Guatemala at the same time. Hmmm, I think I better get packing, so that is done too. Let me add that to the list of "things to do"..............

Also, just to keep you updated. The grandfather clause that has been in limbo for so long, was voted on yesterday and yes - there is a grandfather clause for the adoptions in process, but come January 30th, if we are not done with our adoption then our lawyer will have to do some paperwork to register us to complete the adoptions. If you want to know the details, please visit the sites on the right margin.

A week of Holiday Events -

Hi All,

We had a busy week with different holiday events. It started off with having dinner with family, for Margaret's mom's Birthday. Peter had so much fun playing with his cousins, he was sound asleep in the car before we even got home. For those of you who don't know, when you talk about having dinner with Margaret's side of the family - just the immediate family (brothers and sisters) is a lot. Margaret has 16 brothers and sisters, yes - that is not a typo. Margaret has 8 sisters and 8 brothers, none are adopted, or step - they all have the same mom and dad. So yes, having dinner with the family or even part of the family is a lot.

On December 5th, it was St. Nicholas Night, so Peter and his mom put their shoes out for St. Nick. It's a Dutch tradition where you put your shoes out on your front porch, for St. Nick to put gifts in. Peter was so excited about doing this, he wanted to put all his shoes out on the front patio. The next morning we woke up, and Peter was reminded about St. Nick, and he ran to the front door, he's face lit up when he saw the presents on the front porch near his shoes. Peter's mom brought the gifts in, so Peter can open them. Peter must of been a very good boy, for St. Nick to bring these gifts.

(Peter opening his gifts from St. Nicholas)

On Friday Dec. 7th, we went into the New York City to see the "Tree" and all the holiday decorations. Peter's dad (Kerry) had work to do in the city so we all drove in together. Peter was a trooper in the cold weather with all the walking we did. On the way into the city Margaret's brother (Joel) called, and long story short - Margaret and Peter went to the "American Girl Doll" store to get a doll and accessories that Santa needed to put under Joel's Tree this year for his daughter. Margaret has never been to this store, and WOW, it is huge. We got there just in time, because as we were leaving the line was around the building/corner. Originally Margaret was going to try and meet up with another woman who was adopting with the same lawyer, but that didn't work out as planned - sorry Laurie, maybe next time. We managed to get out of the "American Girl Doll" store, jus in time and Peter was great in the store. And yes, Margaret's brother Joel owes her big time, but don't worry next year I am sure Anna will be needing a doll from this place and "uncle Joel" will have to drive in and get it. Once out of the store, Peter decided to walk from the "American Girl Doll" Store (50th street) to 28th Street. Lets just say, it took a long time to walk that distance, since Peter didn't exactly have his running shoes on. When we got to 31st Street, we were at the corner waiting to cross and Peter just had to wave to this couple that was in a big black truck. The crosswalk light turned for us to walk, but Peter didn't want to cross just yet, he kept on waving to the people in the black truck and they kept on waving back. It was cute, and the people in the truck couldn't believe that Peter stood there and just kept on waving. Then finally the "big black truck" had the green light to go, and as they drove away, they continued to wave to Peter. Yes, Peter definitely has the politician wave down pat. Once we got back to 28th Street we called up Kerry (Peter's dad) to see if he was done with work yet, and he wasn't. So we went to the Madison Square Park, Peter had fun running around. The squirrels in this park were very friendly, almost tooo friendly. If it wasn't for the fact that I picked Peter up, I bet the squirrels would have crawled right up Peter's legs. Kerry finally got done with work, so we walked around NYC and had lunch and then caught up with Margaret's niece and went to go see the tree and we went by Margaret's niece's husband's job to say hi to him, since he had to work late. Peter loved to see all the lights in the city, and he loved the M & M store, probably because that is his favorite candy. After seeing all the sights and the cool toy stores in New York City, we said our good byes to Margaret's niece and headed home. It was a long day and a lot of walking. Peter was great the entire day, so when we were at FAO toy store, mommy just had to give in and get him a toy.

(Peter looking at the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, New York City)

On Saturday Dec. 8th, we had a Christmas Party to go to. This party was given by Local Union 25 for all its employees' children. Margaret use to go when she was little, and always had fun at the party. The kids had a fun time, it's not the same as when Margaret was little, but the kids enjoyed themselves and they got to see Santa Claus. Peter's Grandma enjoys this time, because all (most) of her grandchildren and great grandchildren attend this event.


On Saturday Dec. 8th, we had dinner with two other families who also adopted from FTIA (Pam's & Melissa's family). We had dinner at an Italian Restaurant in Huntington, it was great food and it was family style. Next year, we are going to post it on the FTIA yahoo group, so others can join us for dinner for the holidays.


On Sunday Dec. 9th, we went out East (Eastern Long Island) to cut down our Christmas Tree. After about thirty minutes of looking, we decided to cut the first tree Margaret picked. LOL. It's a beautiful blue spruce. After cutting down the tree, we met Margaret's niece & nephew and their family for brunch. It was a perfect day, we managed to get home before the nasty wet sleet/rain came. We put the tree in the living room, but we didn't decorate it yet, that will be next weekend's project. We still have to decide if we want Peter to help decorate, or do it while he is sleeping. Because it will become a tradition on whether decorating the tree is a family activity or does Santa's Elves come and decorate the tree. :) Peter has already trimmed the tree, by breaking off some branches, he likes the way it smells.

(Peter picking out his Christmas tree)

(Peter waiting for Hot Chocolate, after cutting down the tree.)

Peter is getting into the Christmas holiday. He is soo cute, when he hears Christmas songs playing, he looks for Santa. When he hears bells ringing, he points out that he hears the bells. During the evening when we are out, if we see a house decorated for the holidays, Peter wants to see "more, more, more". This Christmas is going to be fun with Peter.



Sunday December 9th - "Light the Night" took place in our hometown. It's Bay Shore Holiday Tradition in creating a community of light. It was pretty cool to see the streets lit up with votive candles in white paper bags. It was chilly out, but the rain held off until later on in the night. Peter decided that he wanted to walk around the neighborhood to see all the candles/lights. Peter just loves to walk.

(Light the Night")

Since Christmas is just about 12 days away, we are rushing to get everything ready. Peter's room is still be worked on, we are waiting for the wallpaper and border to arrive, so we can put that up. Peter's aunt and uncle bought all the bed linens for his "Nascar" room. Mommy and Daddy still has wrapping to do, and to get this house back in order since the living room and Peter's room are done being painted. Daddy and mommy also has to go grocery shopping for Christmas eve, because we celebrate Christmas eve with Margaret's side of the family. Daddy enjoys cooking for this holiday, and mommy hates cleaning up after daddy cooks, because he is not the neatest cook in town. And lets not forget about mommy trying to finish making the Christmas cards, yes - Margaret knows that she is nuts, to think she would have time to do this - but no sense complaining - they'll look really cute once done. :)

New pics of Anna Maria

Hi All,

Today we received new pics of Anna, and as you can tell by the picture above, she is screaming to get out of PGN! These pics were taken Dec. 1, 2007 - about 4 1/2 months old. She is such a cutie pie! We can't wait until she is home!