Hope this isn't a forecast of everyone's week!!! Watch out for Tuesday!



From this site...

Friday, July 11 - Vegas Day 3

Today was the first day of sessions. A very busy day - especially after taking nyquil and being jet lagged!!! I attended a session on the Genetics of Albinism. It was pretty basic genetics, but still informative. Confirmed something I thought - both parents have to be carriers for the same type of albinism to pass it along. S. went to a session on IDEIA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act). He said it was very informative but we haven't had much time to discuss them.

The kids went to their sessions as well and Grandma B was able to sit in on some sessions. We all went to the Albinism Research panel discussion. This was very interesting, but so much information. My brain was full!!!! I do know that some docs near DC are thinking of doing a research project beginning this fall. I hope the kids can participate. After lunch we went to a panel discussion called 'Ask the Doctors'. The most annoying thing were people who came in late and asked questions that had already been answered. If you want to research some Genetic Testing options, click here.

While the kids were with Grandma B., we attended The Visual System in Albinism and Space Camp. Apparently S is taking TA in 2 years - there is a week designed just for visually impaired children! The visual system was very interesting but hard to attend to since there were so many kids in there. I have a better understanding of their vision. But still need more input.

That night S and I went to see Cirque du Solei's LOVE It was AMAZING!!!! I recommend you go see it! The kids went to the AdventureDome at Circus Circus across the street from our hotel.





t-shirts made at the DC NOAH gathering... 'DC NOAH'

'Vegas, Baby!'

the Grand Canal at the Venetian. Gondola rides were $16 per person - we passed.

More of the canal. We did eat dinner here at Wolfgang Puck's Postrio. Excellent food! Great Sangria! Yum.



harrah's casino

everything is lit up at night

one of the ushers at LOVE

wonder what it costs to rent??? sure would be fun to drive!!!

There is a giveaway for a beautiful quilt here:

Old Red Barn Co.

The quilt is absolutely gorgeous!!!! You can enter between now and Tuesday, July 22.

TA had his 5 year check up today. He is
-- 45.5 inches tall (100% for Chinese and 90% for American)
-- 44.5 pounds (75% for American)

Poor baby had to get 4 shots: dTap, Varicella - again! VA requires it for kindergarten, HepA, and TB/ppd since he was born in China. He was given BCG in China for TB that will likely give a positive result so he has a chest x-ray in his future. We will use this to establish baselines.

Otherswise he is healthy and ready for kindergarten...where did my baby go????

Thursday, July 10 - Vegas Day 2.

Once we all arrived in Vegas and got settled in, we were exhausted!!! I was signed up to help with preparing registration materials. This was a fun place to connect with others from 2 years ago and meet new people. I was also asked to help with the silent auction. Little did I know the work that would be!!! And the fun!!! Jetlag and Nyquil hit so I went to bed soon after the kids while S and GmaB checked out the slots! (She won $100 on penny slots!)

We stayed at the Riviera Hotel on the north end of the strip. It isn't known for being child friendly, but it was fine for us. We had connecting rooms so it was nice to have such a large space. The Riviera is one of the oldest on the strip and is showing it's age in areas.

The old Riviera Sign - there is a glitzier one on the front of the hotel.


The Hilton is near the Riviera and hosts Barry Manilow and the StarTrek experience - neither of which we saw.



A tired EQ on the monorail.


We took the monorail. to MGM and ate at the Rainforest Cafe. Nothing like a margarita at 1030am. The kids were scared of the storms and animals, but TA did enjoy sitting on his favorite animal!



New York New York, Vegas - we didn't have time to go inside.


Meeting Red outside M&Ms World This was 4 stories of stuff related to the candy coated chocolates...Of course we bought some!! I stocked up in the crispy mint m&m's that I LOVE!!!! The kids picked out their favorites as well.



At NOAH's opening session...such cuties everywhere!

July 9, 2008
We're heading to Vegas, Baby!!! EQ and S were on one flight and TA and C were on another. Grandma B met us in Vegas.


Silly Doodlebug!


Loving the Airport Train!


Here he is in Vegas! He looks so small...

DC NOAH Gathering, Sunday, July 6

We try to get together a few times a year. Time we had Carol join us. She is a clown and great face painter. Carol offered us her services for free and the kids had a blast! We also decorated t-shirts for NOAH's national conference later that week. The kids played, the adults chatted and we ended with the 'Watermelon Man' cutting open a juicy red watermelon!!!













and if you rub your hands on your face, this is the result...

I am more of a frozen drink or 'koolaid' drink kinda gal, but this struck me as funny!

July 4th - a little late...

Living on a military base on the 4th of July is a celebration in itself! We went to the area where there were bands and concessions. the kids enjoyed cotton candy and later ice cream (we ate bbq before heading out!) We even met up with some friends - one of them being one of EQ's favorite people - Peanut Butter - the children's pastor from church. I couldn't try to get any photos of fireworks because as soon as they started EQ jumped on my lap and covered her ears. She watched the show, but it was too loud for her. TA on the other hand loved all the booms and was saying, "Oooo, Ahhh, cool!"

Catching up...

TA's birthday was July 1. On June 28, we had 15 3-5 year olds at the local bowling alley. It was great! All I had to do was bring a cake and ice cream. We had 4 lanes...3 with bumpers and 2 with ramps. The kids just wandered and bowled as they wanted. On TA's 'real' birthday we went to Silver Diner to eat. It happened to also be kids nite and Miss Donna brought him a HUGE piece of chocolate cake! Enjoy the photos...