tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24157379069700886892024-02-19T03:17:55.213-08:00Our Journey to HannahThe Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-81819823194077175942009-06-22T18:21:00.000-07:002009-06-22T18:29:16.794-07:00Happy Father's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII9WN_6LN0u90lmhr8pOjSPRWj7vYgSjsBknwP8l4UBpVEezRDRP8PJ0_p6HGBl-j0hzT3m11zS4vmreAhYNs8JNDqWUaAnHoMGEf-RQRl04vMElL9CrXkJQnDFwzKgvVMwUnanWnkAE/s1600-h/DSC02501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII9WN_6LN0u90lmhr8pOjSPRWj7vYgSjsBknwP8l4UBpVEezRDRP8PJ0_p6HGBl-j0hzT3m11zS4vmreAhYNs8JNDqWUaAnHoMGEf-RQRl04vMElL9CrXkJQnDFwzKgvVMwUnanWnkAE/s320/DSC02501.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350328795882942594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpzOk_rWnRSJhW6DjJGhzkPBCoDEMsr3wRAQqC0owrvSEG-Ly7Ta5GRgyy3GWMF7I_hbZBr6BLfi5Q6FkOwMfcAtBoKr86l-6Llcp4CnbUTK704JMRaSxUzsTLddQUq2YaSWnwV_2SJ0/s1600-h/DSC02496.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpzOk_rWnRSJhW6DjJGhzkPBCoDEMsr3wRAQqC0owrvSEG-Ly7Ta5GRgyy3GWMF7I_hbZBr6BLfi5Q6FkOwMfcAtBoKr86l-6Llcp4CnbUTK704JMRaSxUzsTLddQUq2YaSWnwV_2SJ0/s320/DSC02496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350328636558873234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkDmMbUpfl8Gb54jMUIIs8GuIswZZ7fYNMBcaPXqnKu7H6s6GYFU6_ixfrt5UfN0mN5jXYQvhn6zt3KIkUak0s4gPAEXqB18GpvFafnCAuqJ_HQqs-AUUy2P7_Pa1HlinbDVqSWu4Wf8/s1600-h/DSC02491.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkDmMbUpfl8Gb54jMUIIs8GuIswZZ7fYNMBcaPXqnKu7H6s6GYFU6_ixfrt5UfN0mN5jXYQvhn6zt3KIkUak0s4gPAEXqB18GpvFafnCAuqJ_HQqs-AUUy2P7_Pa1HlinbDVqSWu4Wf8/s320/DSC02491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350328480204104194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB-tXDPW4GnDG7jS8labXlTpgujTCKKzr-fpd0ilm61dwDNTUOdC3mJorgL-1WoAFGAGXM7tAwmUgeAdWn3cBORARNb_TUinVC749GBPbYkHhNi-L8HZnPnkwRGeD69T6gSyAOhQ0nAU/s1600-h/DSC02488.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB-tXDPW4GnDG7jS8labXlTpgujTCKKzr-fpd0ilm61dwDNTUOdC3mJorgL-1WoAFGAGXM7tAwmUgeAdWn3cBORARNb_TUinVC749GBPbYkHhNi-L8HZnPnkwRGeD69T6gSyAOhQ0nAU/s320/DSC02488.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350328245392567554" /></a><br />Happy to report that a fun time was had by all the Dads at our place yesterday! Riley made ginger snaps for all of them and Hannah made a very cute book at preschool for Rob. Papa Walt grilled up some mean BBQ chicken and Rob got stung in the *** by a bee providing a wonderful comedic moment for all to treasure. Riley lost a tooth in the midst of it all. The Sciclunas joined in the fun and I must say it was a really great time!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-9164658784382700272009-05-13T12:43:00.000-07:002009-05-13T12:51:08.109-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzqm93F5DqcVnupB6XTJo5KE61DadK6HH4iOJzRQwq-UVy9piwsk3prYbtNok2cdv8aqy9acdLFNpewM7wELB0Ft_iSv0T5n4A4PDVkDf17YHCZsXypgxNiGhMpw97Kg5qPPeJc4P_Ow/s1600-h/DSC02224.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzqm93F5DqcVnupB6XTJo5KE61DadK6HH4iOJzRQwq-UVy9piwsk3prYbtNok2cdv8aqy9acdLFNpewM7wELB0Ft_iSv0T5n4A4PDVkDf17YHCZsXypgxNiGhMpw97Kg5qPPeJc4P_Ow/s320/DSC02224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335397779532851122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xBY5Hrpph5o8hWwzMu0wPND4E7EK4AQTjSaTjNWwvbQDkn3EQUV5JveTFG9kvah9lKLBvLSywLhrGJ_s2E2v5TL3Hs1gqSpENxxh9B9973T_fux2LUrS8j43z2_WBYJ1CMK_Mut8y0g/s1600-h/DSC02230.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xBY5Hrpph5o8hWwzMu0wPND4E7EK4AQTjSaTjNWwvbQDkn3EQUV5JveTFG9kvah9lKLBvLSywLhrGJ_s2E2v5TL3Hs1gqSpENxxh9B9973T_fux2LUrS8j43z2_WBYJ1CMK_Mut8y0g/s400/DSC02230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335397532749275762" /></a><br />Hey! My girls impressed me with some handmade presents(including my new necklace made by Hannah in preschool - see photo) and breakfast in bed all without the help of Daddy who's in Boston teching a show. Then, Riley, Grandma and I went to see "The Miracle Worker" and had a good cry followed by dinner at the Japanese hibachi joint. The flowers in front of Hannah in the picture were sent to me by my very thoughtful godson, Alexander. A very fine Mother's Day. I'm a lucky Mom.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-82932926184996636622009-04-23T19:19:00.003-07:002009-04-23T19:27:35.006-07:00Belated photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLIM5ZMqSq2GHJKuUT9qUyRTWZXP-zLPUDp0ecCY6Mva7V4zsdqIq1Xbombsjb0q37SqENb4A5KUWSzdpr00zdwuZbL8WRcu4lR4jrVYx75OXqYDM5SNLEPEC3zOyHD_dRX5yLMzOiNE/s1600-h/DSC02156.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLIM5ZMqSq2GHJKuUT9qUyRTWZXP-zLPUDp0ecCY6Mva7V4zsdqIq1Xbombsjb0q37SqENb4A5KUWSzdpr00zdwuZbL8WRcu4lR4jrVYx75OXqYDM5SNLEPEC3zOyHD_dRX5yLMzOiNE/s320/DSC02156.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328078458751965138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxuqb5fFtgg3sx5mDvnExW0xCtPQJhT39QkP_wCPTCaOV-qvJedA3wbQwnsPta9Zx6CEXC1R0lDAUPmuOPuWc4GLmOLc9iMo03RzK6APDTa_4Pg16hsYt-F1hLV-ZU0nFzy5bKCBHOsI/s1600-h/DSC02173.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxuqb5fFtgg3sx5mDvnExW0xCtPQJhT39QkP_wCPTCaOV-qvJedA3wbQwnsPta9Zx6CEXC1R0lDAUPmuOPuWc4GLmOLc9iMo03RzK6APDTa_4Pg16hsYt-F1hLV-ZU0nFzy5bKCBHOsI/s320/DSC02173.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328078128045160162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDCk9sHjjdRWXoQyX_oUSezzc6n6AM4wVvNyFGxDQlOrZf8JIUu8gBggPHsBeUIro79STFhKfcN8Yeqw2AREdi-PNDVMKWGi_HG1F9JiZ1KgGkUDaeKVjHhiU84Hvpg4GOC8cGSTay0Q/s1600-h/IMG_9757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDCk9sHjjdRWXoQyX_oUSezzc6n6AM4wVvNyFGxDQlOrZf8JIUu8gBggPHsBeUIro79STFhKfcN8Yeqw2AREdi-PNDVMKWGi_HG1F9JiZ1KgGkUDaeKVjHhiU84Hvpg4GOC8cGSTay0Q/s320/IMG_9757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328077843270705810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDBO2i9gZHAykqJ4kWdEKw_hmwibm-d5WKaMaajZuCzjvUectpUz2lAs9v5xB8FXBLlB50CwDYg535xV208b27AyOL8hvXNRR5Tixjemm1Iuu1SIuKYlLNRoQubk2nLSw0g79gNCFt4Q/s1600-h/DSC02197.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDBO2i9gZHAykqJ4kWdEKw_hmwibm-d5WKaMaajZuCzjvUectpUz2lAs9v5xB8FXBLlB50CwDYg535xV208b27AyOL8hvXNRR5Tixjemm1Iuu1SIuKYlLNRoQubk2nLSw0g79gNCFt4Q/s400/DSC02197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328077551123484818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIh16ItmBh3fwu-dQMtI_dYV0g25caDou-BOkUThtescoA7URvr4SohU3kfx7gEspNGI9wq4HF3xsBQG_jumZRuRZt8KZHBQ2fzKVYzicVNOfhb2v5R-bSvtdyFDZf-SLCUT4Z96Pfzo/s1600-h/DSC02194.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIh16ItmBh3fwu-dQMtI_dYV0g25caDou-BOkUThtescoA7URvr4SohU3kfx7gEspNGI9wq4HF3xsBQG_jumZRuRZt8KZHBQ2fzKVYzicVNOfhb2v5R-bSvtdyFDZf-SLCUT4Z96Pfzo/s320/DSC02194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328077341280469058" /></a><br />Found my camera! Happy Easter, Birthday, Spring everyone. Enjoy the pix!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-74862725339083878852009-04-21T20:23:00.000-07:002009-04-21T20:28:27.952-07:00Hannah's 1st day of school!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUmg2kFnQKLNgTbrvTKXRuF2ogLPHOA_OOYuJYmdaQJOH8AinLzMDHuCIVrUX753j3fkg7FTcuyqb8_h0bDp6Z_mywwo5Ub5ut1g2vTN6VabSVl8Lb6ML76Bb9rBpcperkhyphenhyphentzX74LGU/s1600-h/IMG_9769.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUmg2kFnQKLNgTbrvTKXRuF2ogLPHOA_OOYuJYmdaQJOH8AinLzMDHuCIVrUX753j3fkg7FTcuyqb8_h0bDp6Z_mywwo5Ub5ut1g2vTN6VabSVl8Lb6ML76Bb9rBpcperkhyphenhyphentzX74LGU/s400/IMG_9769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327352373122674642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsFYDMLoct1CBA5jQERzFX_dMW09yHP4HSevonBKAW20I2TJ05B8ziwEXhIQIJohX-j1vzTqDdOFCexQjq7IvJeRd-hFvlwV1wLZK_WDEbAS9ZY_ClIc6UImoAxF7kv4bDwICMsquo5g/s1600-h/IMG_9771.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsFYDMLoct1CBA5jQERzFX_dMW09yHP4HSevonBKAW20I2TJ05B8ziwEXhIQIJohX-j1vzTqDdOFCexQjq7IvJeRd-hFvlwV1wLZK_WDEbAS9ZY_ClIc6UImoAxF7kv4bDwICMsquo5g/s400/IMG_9771.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327352218316560610" /></a><br />Well, I was a nervous wreck, but Hannah did very well! No potty accidents and Miss Sally said that she was focused for most of the 3 hour stretch. (The last 45 minutes she was ready for Mommy). We're so proud of her and she really liked her new preschool and teachers! Hooray for Hannah!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-75726621543444229932009-04-19T18:25:00.000-07:002009-04-19T18:40:05.063-07:00Happy Birthday Riley and Happy Easter Everybody!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-498_X5KCCVhecane6btd_-Q8pdMOnvbDFzHQrpfNDZoe8hWZVI8Uxf4-rbUPcD2hw4k21lLYZqV9HMtVdH5aT3YZQgvrsNVkhRT-zE_O86cWSjCbmTxxmzfC-bWDwObadHGXs0P1as/s1600-h/IMG_9709.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-498_X5KCCVhecane6btd_-Q8pdMOnvbDFzHQrpfNDZoe8hWZVI8Uxf4-rbUPcD2hw4k21lLYZqV9HMtVdH5aT3YZQgvrsNVkhRT-zE_O86cWSjCbmTxxmzfC-bWDwObadHGXs0P1as/s320/IMG_9709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326582168600175106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RnKDq21dFSC84q8rBmldq-TXb5X9Gdo7vRoqimDk_X0_E0u5TclrrLtWT8PWq8Qjp_Cu_nqf1WAV8dnQX_46GFccfwT7obB2ztMbip4xNDAKr3AN7C01_ECiasmhymeybSAiq-tNk2A/s1600-h/IMG_9733.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RnKDq21dFSC84q8rBmldq-TXb5X9Gdo7vRoqimDk_X0_E0u5TclrrLtWT8PWq8Qjp_Cu_nqf1WAV8dnQX_46GFccfwT7obB2ztMbip4xNDAKr3AN7C01_ECiasmhymeybSAiq-tNk2A/s400/IMG_9733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326581379744891282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50HJpLYVxoMYJOKTQ6BQo1XN_IdhyphenhyphennmOto72j8GU9qCrD2T1oHCo0acHSMnmaLVn8qiatx58Zv_6NqPv9md_z-NwMnl5zaIO5d-NGFFDGOmwErFashgYte5CRkWpOri4r1p1hEBa-XiA/s1600-h/IMG_9739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50HJpLYVxoMYJOKTQ6BQo1XN_IdhyphenhyphennmOto72j8GU9qCrD2T1oHCo0acHSMnmaLVn8qiatx58Zv_6NqPv9md_z-NwMnl5zaIO5d-NGFFDGOmwErFashgYte5CRkWpOri4r1p1hEBa-XiA/s320/IMG_9739.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326581219295896434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrowT99vkfnCEoKvBPk125b8MiEVOFN0lxvVbVLca4COr3xysW3T6pmHwvhm_ILELkts1LvPklvI4LOJhOz6tYcU6PdPERFXY4hrG7d2EmoY9gU64jke0csqkMkghcSp2sl6I8fplkBxg/s1600-h/IMG_9726.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrowT99vkfnCEoKvBPk125b8MiEVOFN0lxvVbVLca4COr3xysW3T6pmHwvhm_ILELkts1LvPklvI4LOJhOz6tYcU6PdPERFXY4hrG7d2EmoY9gU64jke0csqkMkghcSp2sl6I8fplkBxg/s320/IMG_9726.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326580988799811394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufH8vBX09VtFZ3E3TzFez95pKZLmCO1C55pDowi1M4Z-Y7Q-FqndXxMa2bP2l0-hCTgPOtMV4r7uy65DCUmlFtPx5xY6UtI7Pgow2wFENr91QOd5-__hsAJ5y9Qn6dbcPuSM4MJF3VEM/s1600-h/IMG_9745.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufH8vBX09VtFZ3E3TzFez95pKZLmCO1C55pDowi1M4Z-Y7Q-FqndXxMa2bP2l0-hCTgPOtMV4r7uy65DCUmlFtPx5xY6UtI7Pgow2wFENr91QOd5-__hsAJ5y9Qn6dbcPuSM4MJF3VEM/s320/IMG_9745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326580672393593954" /></a><br />So, it finally happened to coincide - the Easter Bunny arrived on the morning of Riley's 8th Birthday! We had ALL the relatives over to celebrate and had a fantastic time. Egg Hunts, presents, lots of candy and desserts, it was fun. I have foolishly lost my camera in all the hubbub but I did borrow my wonderful friend Lisa's camera to get some shots of Riley's party with her friends yesterday. Her new zip line courtesy of her grandparents was a big hit and we could not have asked for more beautiful weather. We love the new house even more now that we can eat and relax on the deck outside! In other big news, Hannah will be starting preschool this Tuesday!!! I think that she is going to love it - she seemed very happy to be there when we visited and we're starting off slow with just 2 mornings a week. I cannot believe that BOTH my girls will be in school in a couple of days! How did that happen so fast?The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-86548284421659384842009-04-10T21:13:00.000-07:002009-04-10T21:24:32.006-07:00A milestone for Hannah<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTONFvwLX7A3h7CMI4gVyXwBxOdQtDKkowx2gzhwFPSuM_jLj_7lAomAIURnlODQWv0lpOR7Be9TUymrAX85JnRXkiADL8KzuQKxWkWB80JEV2WXJziwjxAtiPEBeCn9Q7ssZB-30Ztjg/s1600-h/DSC02648.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTONFvwLX7A3h7CMI4gVyXwBxOdQtDKkowx2gzhwFPSuM_jLj_7lAomAIURnlODQWv0lpOR7Be9TUymrAX85JnRXkiADL8KzuQKxWkWB80JEV2WXJziwjxAtiPEBeCn9Q7ssZB-30Ztjg/s400/DSC02648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323284778243184146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJIEuyUw8tzdM_olVLsk92q95ZlT6715TqRbQYj4Ku2JR66EO_DM58Km5e-xPw96ccm5HJacL8XjChBnOJdQdi0JNsIUQ2Gr0O_iErp3EeOU0mKsAB9wrbLqfk-spctF94kz52KT0c68/s1600-h/DSC02098.JPG"><span><span></span></span><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJIEuyUw8tzdM_olVLsk92q95ZlT6715TqRbQYj4Ku2JR66EO_DM58Km5e-xPw96ccm5HJacL8XjChBnOJdQdi0JNsIUQ2Gr0O_iErp3EeOU0mKsAB9wrbLqfk-spctF94kz52KT0c68/s400/DSC02098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323284038367880066" /></a><br />So, this is kind of a strange thing to keep track of, but today marks the first official day that Hannah has been with us longer than she has been in her orphanage. It makes us so happy to know that her time spent with her family now is longer than her time without us. It's been a glorious 19 months and as bizarre as it sounds, I really think that she has really blossomed into herself in the past few weeks! She is a true chatterbox, she has ditched the diapers and she shows so much unbridled affection that she fills my heart with love for her every day. We are so lucky to have her in our lives. We love you so much, Hannah En Ming.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-29328461805971972872009-03-30T18:15:00.000-07:002009-03-30T18:32:33.273-07:00Hallelujah, we have big girl underwear!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha87yqmH0mukg-dFBDaGHCgYaxzsc0mVUBohFQ68U9gqrt-_fulPKDV2EUT_hBg3Beij15N_LlR4DavIO0y5fyYKX7EWK-AT77qaqrIqJqI4CLJBQpqJ82qDEN1z9GKWpxUFQ898lPOpI/s1600-h/DSC02097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha87yqmH0mukg-dFBDaGHCgYaxzsc0mVUBohFQ68U9gqrt-_fulPKDV2EUT_hBg3Beij15N_LlR4DavIO0y5fyYKX7EWK-AT77qaqrIqJqI4CLJBQpqJ82qDEN1z9GKWpxUFQ898lPOpI/s400/DSC02097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319158498828631794" /></a><br />I have waited a verrrry long time to post this but after a whole week with only one accident, I can now officially declare my Hannah "potty-trained" and somewhat ready for preschool! Whew, that is a load off my mind. I can make no claim toward this achievement as Hannah made a sudden decision in the midst of a DOUBLE ear infection last week. Now, if it were me, I think I'd be a little more prone to wetting my pants if both of my ears were infected and I felt really cruddy but my Hannah continues to surprise and amaze! I do think that I will hold off on dropping her at school until summer but I am looking forward to some precious free time in 3 more months. We're all very impatient for warmer weather now that April is almost here but the gals had a blast hunting for eggs at Riley's friend Olivia's house yesterday even in the chilly rain. I am very excited for spring to arrive with our first Easter in the new house, soccer and playtime at the Tots Park! Oh - in other big news - Riley is getting orthodontic work done to prepare her upper jaw for future braces. She's taking it well considering the ban on gum, taffy and all sticky candy right before Easter. The best part is that it's all happening on the roof of her mouth, so her smile will look the same for now. Riley also got a no cavities report from the dentist today and an amazingly wonderful report card on Wednesday! Her teacher tells us that she's reading at a mid-third grade level and is doing so well that she's practically ready for 4th grade!! We are beyond proud of our kids this week. Life is good.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-46727733776714996902009-03-02T17:59:00.000-08:002009-03-02T18:17:41.244-08:00PARTY TIME!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqdcUxHF2reBibjdnDDNqtKTRSD0CqDNcRrNl5BnXfq7rNQUh7FVW-9IjMc4J1gePEv8NkxVHLIgubFIkmtvsRT1JmxI3bP6eEAmKysCrT42S9kBvrqw02zYwvpJ0b7ZCy050GkJSktA/s1600-h/DSC02034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqdcUxHF2reBibjdnDDNqtKTRSD0CqDNcRrNl5BnXfq7rNQUh7FVW-9IjMc4J1gePEv8NkxVHLIgubFIkmtvsRT1JmxI3bP6eEAmKysCrT42S9kBvrqw02zYwvpJ0b7ZCy050GkJSktA/s320/DSC02034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308779523481141474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SbfVeJALvSUO3nMbDILJU2G0d_F0RdNk96Y0HuYZa86D-5to-Vfq4xY3JMa2ruHdeOJQLf5U8bLVSflgWSv2Pl9IcPvmhFSVCmCaalsFOexNeI1qtMsvwI53oThq3ss-5gJ4zkor3Mk/s1600-h/DSC02033.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SbfVeJALvSUO3nMbDILJU2G0d_F0RdNk96Y0HuYZa86D-5to-Vfq4xY3JMa2ruHdeOJQLf5U8bLVSflgWSv2Pl9IcPvmhFSVCmCaalsFOexNeI1qtMsvwI53oThq3ss-5gJ4zkor3Mk/s320/DSC02033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308779354423117330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY45Mq1vbNRzQ3rtG-8TUwYmkNjcuhEszkPPPTN1QWJPL2gMKtrWxiu327X-a9rC90_4OBD7Ohyphenhyphen56KvJwYcKqLStCsFXma4g-25efbm64sxSTpKh6HOwF4Ns4dRSHrY4KDRKmAR3vwi4/s1600-h/DSC02035.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY45Mq1vbNRzQ3rtG-8TUwYmkNjcuhEszkPPPTN1QWJPL2gMKtrWxiu327X-a9rC90_4OBD7Ohyphenhyphen56KvJwYcKqLStCsFXma4g-25efbm64sxSTpKh6HOwF4Ns4dRSHrY4KDRKmAR3vwi4/s200/DSC02035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308779196664940978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHQm3nPL1YTGPIuJOtNjJgaxGi9-h5CnFeulpuxIFmTVr2Wso41nsNJgb7JE-RSw8I5-mhaBIDaNlha78UfwD-5Zm6a50V6RXMpeZq2AY3UEP7HOQEUsLe84bZktxLBE4rEb9JGEzy80/s1600-h/DSC02041.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHQm3nPL1YTGPIuJOtNjJgaxGi9-h5CnFeulpuxIFmTVr2Wso41nsNJgb7JE-RSw8I5-mhaBIDaNlha78UfwD-5Zm6a50V6RXMpeZq2AY3UEP7HOQEUsLe84bZktxLBE4rEb9JGEzy80/s200/DSC02041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308778996729793474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6ghRf52Um53Q_Itjds0jAXlOvrC1QEXwqZlqnDumPpYH8fhO3fGQpijjpCTATFLWyuUMlyxKwZr9mJ0k47GqFzqhCH2QXrJu1VKp5BPXPw1g5X847cu2sxlmdJIhgzAyvfQmyRMJQho/s1600-h/DSC02042.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6ghRf52Um53Q_Itjds0jAXlOvrC1QEXwqZlqnDumPpYH8fhO3fGQpijjpCTATFLWyuUMlyxKwZr9mJ0k47GqFzqhCH2QXrJu1VKp5BPXPw1g5X847cu2sxlmdJIhgzAyvfQmyRMJQho/s200/DSC02042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308778616387246562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUn4zzz_wyBl-xsoPilY9SL-_8zy3h0Wab__EoRkbTsb8rpi2ozMp5BlveR32EvWAeCSzlLjfZp4dO7cUpdj4j2eFiYefTn3LA8RX7qjLuuYozCwTRkUIQGV4MqSInIQBI_lP3v-pvOg/s1600-h/DSC02044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUn4zzz_wyBl-xsoPilY9SL-_8zy3h0Wab__EoRkbTsb8rpi2ozMp5BlveR32EvWAeCSzlLjfZp4dO7cUpdj4j2eFiYefTn3LA8RX7qjLuuYozCwTRkUIQGV4MqSInIQBI_lP3v-pvOg/s200/DSC02044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308778399918549282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vQK-m_6ap629EWcu5zX9N8TKovCRYb7vCmiOXrPwbQv492UgKHb5o5bElbDMH4XSJtot_YgPMBDxKRv5cIJV5LcESYJ8E8HXT_Brmxo3hGtWGkn71-nD41d6HdPIRlU4C4qVUTXNduw/s1600-h/DSC02047.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vQK-m_6ap629EWcu5zX9N8TKovCRYb7vCmiOXrPwbQv492UgKHb5o5bElbDMH4XSJtot_YgPMBDxKRv5cIJV5LcESYJ8E8HXT_Brmxo3hGtWGkn71-nD41d6HdPIRlU4C4qVUTXNduw/s200/DSC02047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308778174722038914" /></a><br />The new house has officially been broken in for parties and we certainly started things off with a bang. Hannah's 3rd Birthday Party was a great success and we hope to have many many more parties in our new home! All of the kids had a blast and it was really nice to have so much room to entertain for a change. Rob and I both marveled at how much easier the process was. Riley had so much fun that she has already sent out invitations for her birthday party in April! Everyone was beyond generous not only with housewarming gifts and presents for the birthday girl but also with helping to set up and clean up the food!! We can't thank you all enough! We've been waiting a long time to be able to throw the kind of party we've always wanted to and it's so satisfying to finally have done it. Here's to many more!!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-59453329177346342732009-02-24T07:10:00.000-08:002009-02-24T07:22:41.151-08:00Surprise!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDfyv-cS4AU7_1YQtXVxyeeWR6q1m5XTgqTELky_sogpYyIyl46z8CUO1KvMknWxJuFq25abOO5vGUq7zYuCwGGjT1_1w8VMAi4mL2U30c_e5Ty9-i02Qo0wss-Bhv8uRYSmVtt6zGpo/s1600-h/DSC01890.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDfyv-cS4AU7_1YQtXVxyeeWR6q1m5XTgqTELky_sogpYyIyl46z8CUO1KvMknWxJuFq25abOO5vGUq7zYuCwGGjT1_1w8VMAi4mL2U30c_e5Ty9-i02Qo0wss-Bhv8uRYSmVtt6zGpo/s320/DSC01890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306384265487927730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqQZmg953RQ1AN9viBPeO7fAxBJqbS1-wR0KxhwzUh2uUl6dUk4oY4KW4K9TGVtvuFY85y1kefs0uNYJ-ZERImQtEUTahX3jMNDnVIFR5p1D9znozshnxRqKAwhCY7EZsZPSu1mWHbAU/s1600-h/DSC01911.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqQZmg953RQ1AN9viBPeO7fAxBJqbS1-wR0KxhwzUh2uUl6dUk4oY4KW4K9TGVtvuFY85y1kefs0uNYJ-ZERImQtEUTahX3jMNDnVIFR5p1D9znozshnxRqKAwhCY7EZsZPSu1mWHbAU/s320/DSC01911.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306384084441503378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd6qCsuHWEiAlKqdAVrDNH_c7JLF0Qy4SyFj3IwsZa9DyJWXWceiF4gbMI8CohRugIBNfz0wJtOcVsPZqXMvSpXL2HBv8tkvUx1jZ1ePsUjMaMQaSlGLWkQLxJpRWn0lTP7cI1EsKrfY/s1600-h/DSC01907.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd6qCsuHWEiAlKqdAVrDNH_c7JLF0Qy4SyFj3IwsZa9DyJWXWceiF4gbMI8CohRugIBNfz0wJtOcVsPZqXMvSpXL2HBv8tkvUx1jZ1ePsUjMaMQaSlGLWkQLxJpRWn0lTP7cI1EsKrfY/s320/DSC01907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306383890553382530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_mrAas4HdO2Nm5BbtDA473Llx6NPxFB8IzOF_6UuGJZZn888TdqbrZN3uoVkpOJ_zxKk8Bqrns8dyP6EvqkzE-shQG3roCm7laMN2fUf7C8ynMjhDum6iaJAzB9swdF8FbPk3P7yGp4/s1600-h/DSC01949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_mrAas4HdO2Nm5BbtDA473Llx6NPxFB8IzOF_6UuGJZZn888TdqbrZN3uoVkpOJ_zxKk8Bqrns8dyP6EvqkzE-shQG3roCm7laMN2fUf7C8ynMjhDum6iaJAzB9swdF8FbPk3P7yGp4/s400/DSC01949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306383470108878050" /></a><br />Last weekend we drove to Vienna,VA for Aunt Renee's baby shower! We had a great time and are very excited that our new cousin will soon be here. Riley and Hannah particularly loved swimming in the hotel pool. Summer can't come soon enough. On the drive home, we stopped off in Wilmington,DE to have a reunion with Hannah's friends from China and their parents. Lily and Bella are getting so big and they all had fun playing and eating together. I'm so glad that we are able to get together with them every 6 months or so. Now, we're gearing up for the first big party at our new house this coming Saturday. Hannah's birthday celebration continues...The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-59946116290228506622009-02-13T04:05:00.000-08:002009-02-13T04:12:34.672-08:00Hannah can see!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i6KorxC_PazKtq_xQlRs-8AE3AEGX-4dG1viJt17d-ah66kfzZx8vRXlgDSWqo8NPNhB_RLXznphs61q_VO34vRUbIaVzr9vZhsd68_aWDUKtd36zNUMHLlFK8mYxRxZMDQy83KOvrE/s1600-h/DSC01862.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i6KorxC_PazKtq_xQlRs-8AE3AEGX-4dG1viJt17d-ah66kfzZx8vRXlgDSWqo8NPNhB_RLXznphs61q_VO34vRUbIaVzr9vZhsd68_aWDUKtd36zNUMHLlFK8mYxRxZMDQy83KOvrE/s320/DSC01862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302253571489538210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pKXDr54Jhg9gTewMrZTyG1oodJm5fITufBUXM8eA_v2pfhxkc_MHwsFyqo2Uap0E2914ppc4LYZIlXybtPVmY7i9S84QwJQU051ddHrhBqEEpL6lmZ_UzVdtp1v-IXAG10xTQoaWrSk/s1600-h/DSC01861.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pKXDr54Jhg9gTewMrZTyG1oodJm5fITufBUXM8eA_v2pfhxkc_MHwsFyqo2Uap0E2914ppc4LYZIlXybtPVmY7i9S84QwJQU051ddHrhBqEEpL6lmZ_UzVdtp1v-IXAG10xTQoaWrSk/s320/DSC01861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302253399612285122" /></a><br />Just as many of us have suspected, Hannah is near sighted like her Mommy. Yesterday, she received her first pair of eyeglasses and she loves them! They are Disney Princess "Snow White" glasses and they came with a little pink pocketbook. Hannah ate it all up. She can't wait to show Daddy tomorrow when he is finally home from England! I, for one, am so relieved that she can finally see the world around her and also, that her time in China will truly be a blur. :) Yea Hannah!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-52694651143334754022009-01-26T17:59:00.000-08:002009-01-26T18:13:53.316-08:00Happy 3rd Birthday Hannah/Happy Chinese New Year!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPcijNQn88jHzB90VEM3eHyOujRAJ4N7pxINW_jOqb6VNSV92cGEGZCs4m0g-yp1gkvgIkb7b4-y-zClvxjZW4MN6YSWQztl8DmjfWdKhcAHO1yppix-jQ4lFpPTdmE-ft2iyIoC8Z2w/s1600-h/DSC01765.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPcijNQn88jHzB90VEM3eHyOujRAJ4N7pxINW_jOqb6VNSV92cGEGZCs4m0g-yp1gkvgIkb7b4-y-zClvxjZW4MN6YSWQztl8DmjfWdKhcAHO1yppix-jQ4lFpPTdmE-ft2iyIoC8Z2w/s320/DSC01765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295790791034160338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OKBTp2ThBysMlGPFYICD2vZMROccIuMp0KSH-6KGigCgnum8KVaM0JaeegAf0jqNMg3k8rb8C6J1BQq-_rEYfuVhnGhTDKQgJn2x58VOHG6xLw4eCeQ996uoHMyFzNqURJzV5f_1-8k/s1600-h/DSC01780.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OKBTp2ThBysMlGPFYICD2vZMROccIuMp0KSH-6KGigCgnum8KVaM0JaeegAf0jqNMg3k8rb8C6J1BQq-_rEYfuVhnGhTDKQgJn2x58VOHG6xLw4eCeQ996uoHMyFzNqURJzV5f_1-8k/s320/DSC01780.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295790586003992978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8kwH1BsBD7ZDBqyf_O1Iwhom6JgHxblBNbRhyphenhyphenAPi1dWx784FZeZPIM1fm6cxvpsGhta1Z0kmrF-u1tyUdwE7A6BgtdwtUIEwPKj8vu6WQKL_WmakIEc6gmSl1A3mPIJSFuLDiXtFzVk/s1600-h/DSC01796.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8kwH1BsBD7ZDBqyf_O1Iwhom6JgHxblBNbRhyphenhyphenAPi1dWx784FZeZPIM1fm6cxvpsGhta1Z0kmrF-u1tyUdwE7A6BgtdwtUIEwPKj8vu6WQKL_WmakIEc6gmSl1A3mPIJSFuLDiXtFzVk/s320/DSC01796.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295790337099560466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkK7KGfB8veJu-5OPDnC5vZ1rl-Skc79SZDIUNr6VckQR9msgHqveNL5B7utY5LQwNO-G9qcViTMdYctp6K-arZQ3b626vWfdVk6CquiLVpmS8KhJ5kjrhIU5QO61f_4b-atC0YVQEolo/s1600-h/DSC01809.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkK7KGfB8veJu-5OPDnC5vZ1rl-Skc79SZDIUNr6VckQR9msgHqveNL5B7utY5LQwNO-G9qcViTMdYctp6K-arZQ3b626vWfdVk6CquiLVpmS8KhJ5kjrhIU5QO61f_4b-atC0YVQEolo/s320/DSC01809.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295789983438699506" /></a><br />What a very fun day was had today! Hannah lived it up at her very favorite place to be - Miss Stacey's music class, then on to chores with Mom made much more exciting than usual by the addition of the normally off-limits lollipop at the bank and Hannah's first ever "own cart"(kid sized) at Adam's Market. She's been yearning for to push that thing for a long while and now that she's 3, look out shoppers' ankles!! Here she comes. She did run pretty hard into a fur wearing older woman and the old animal activist in me was secretly pleased. On to pick up Chinese food in honor of the Year of the Ox and then home to see Daddy off to England. (Rob's working on another Scooby-Doo tour over there). A quick nap in the car and then some Dora TV time, of course. To top it all off, Grandma and Grandpa came over to partake in the Chinese food and brought with them the family fave- the Carvel ice cream cake. A perfect birthday, I'd say. Enjoy the pix. Happy birthday cutie banana.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-7227541272775721712009-01-25T04:51:00.000-08:002009-01-25T05:41:06.419-08:00THE NEW HOUSE!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGG77Yr_5nAp_foAEvxc3ut7rRQ9NOxBZoNnsvDpEh0lrvUXeC5vLI-bOqEcfkgZSsYZFRWmOKXcV6BU15hf3LdSiU8XcvlLkMCETZCXF14TPNhM5-5YW22hyphenhyphenYLfpdAaL4xnY_mC6ZgA/s1600-h/DSC01709.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGG77Yr_5nAp_foAEvxc3ut7rRQ9NOxBZoNnsvDpEh0lrvUXeC5vLI-bOqEcfkgZSsYZFRWmOKXcV6BU15hf3LdSiU8XcvlLkMCETZCXF14TPNhM5-5YW22hyphenhyphenYLfpdAaL4xnY_mC6ZgA/s200/DSC01709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295225387802073714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AJY3LNAnJLH0nQbzUYDg8wey-9Ef-szVdkcQQYoKodF5ZFrabx1SqLzCoB2XBV4G0w4hDn6gFITRekT-6r5Ka6ANQOUg3bdjIdoOeT-Ty_KHMMZbSzlrjNXsPWyvWGYFORH7LLnGb0c/s1600-h/DSC01751.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AJY3LNAnJLH0nQbzUYDg8wey-9Ef-szVdkcQQYoKodF5ZFrabx1SqLzCoB2XBV4G0w4hDn6gFITRekT-6r5Ka6ANQOUg3bdjIdoOeT-Ty_KHMMZbSzlrjNXsPWyvWGYFORH7LLnGb0c/s320/DSC01751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295225146250018050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQdgIHBwj0KmT-CiVw-uMvrxQJfL-7nhk7w7U0U7HVDcQtRfkoM1uuTBMOMIbQI3THkbU1wFyKaMTeCNYhx1iT4TTPkcnjbn6zpWtQtJ5daJPxwzyBsYMNOtJENp8xJBhokPdZrnZJ_w/s1600-h/DSC01730.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQdgIHBwj0KmT-CiVw-uMvrxQJfL-7nhk7w7U0U7HVDcQtRfkoM1uuTBMOMIbQI3THkbU1wFyKaMTeCNYhx1iT4TTPkcnjbn6zpWtQtJ5daJPxwzyBsYMNOtJENp8xJBhokPdZrnZJ_w/s320/DSC01730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295224911896829714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic-CK4GzUt61u3m08pkQiyawjmdsX99xaaA5_PB_UxOxzUaNHRD_WRqmg2rT_NAM3hX-s4b_NEdRdDo4dyi_I4gPLxZJNbUFqUp5isWJznbJOUT3q9pKKRR2EPu7V_BM4IhmCjgaqb74/s1600-h/DSC01702.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic-CK4GzUt61u3m08pkQiyawjmdsX99xaaA5_PB_UxOxzUaNHRD_WRqmg2rT_NAM3hX-s4b_NEdRdDo4dyi_I4gPLxZJNbUFqUp5isWJznbJOUT3q9pKKRR2EPu7V_BM4IhmCjgaqb74/s200/DSC01702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295224634098061298" /></a><br /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9gnIAEY9jJBwVjrWxqTeF2O1XoaMx3-f7bJOfN9g2iiC1S05cDtRNy3skypPXD_6AlpZSCqRzXwZy2kVg-HRy-71WcOAVcixGqz7rVIiKIYsYwZgi8cSP8v45YR4TewOELmfVPghQHo/s320/DSC01638.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295224196311636386" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8_wx2ZLmb078eBErucDqOYOgzOkMNWkq3l1yuhLUICLcF7i7MyyxInOJoLSG-8CBcfOqBtTpVEJWxyYb07A4b64rMTL99eUysC23QEqBiQlmeu8BEQcKv4KNY_lE1Vb160-r5vk49kI/s1600-h/DSC01574.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8_wx2ZLmb078eBErucDqOYOgzOkMNWkq3l1yuhLUICLcF7i7MyyxInOJoLSG-8CBcfOqBtTpVEJWxyYb07A4b64rMTL99eUysC23QEqBiQlmeu8BEQcKv4KNY_lE1Vb160-r5vk49kI/s320/DSC01574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295223910450703682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQCcFkLF5wFC4wo0eG064-j4WX9xJ04skBUZX0tFDuyK1lwEj5qBg1slsLOg55HUn4ta8NKkcTuiyQL7CQz9z01kYy7two1eTANkPAxrL6uSWuSXycNG8vh1t9b72r6cL-8_Oykk5hzE/s1600-h/DSC01557.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQCcFkLF5wFC4wo0eG064-j4WX9xJ04skBUZX0tFDuyK1lwEj5qBg1slsLOg55HUn4ta8NKkcTuiyQL7CQz9z01kYy7two1eTANkPAxrL6uSWuSXycNG8vh1t9b72r6cL-8_Oykk5hzE/s320/DSC01557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295222332511574082" /></a><br />Wow-<div>It's been a busy month and a half. We moved on my 40th birthday (not the day I had in mind but nice to get a big house as a present). The weather promptly decided to dump snow, snow and more snow on us, so my parents' housewarming gift of a snowblower could not have been more perfect! We managed to get a Christmas tree in time for the big day and enjoyed our first holiday in our new digs. We feel like the house is our new full time job (as I'm sure every new homeowner does) and spend every weekend at Home Depot one day/painting,unpacking,putting furniture together the other. It's great, though. The extra space seems ridiculously large - I'm loving it. More than that, the kids can jump, run and be loud without my constant worry that they're disturbing the neighbors. BIG RELIEF! We really are blessed to be here. My very favorite part of this new living space is the view we have out the back of it - it's truly spectacular especially at sunset. Oh and also I could not love the school bus picking Riley up more. I can ease into my day :) The time since we've moved in has flown and I cannot believe that Hannah's 3rd birthday is tomorrow! She is now in her "big girl bed"! (She finally realized that she could jump out of that crib). It is a happy new year.</div>The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-10594284098048655632008-12-09T19:11:00.000-08:002008-12-09T19:21:05.070-08:00THE BIG MOVE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hdjByckxRSVkmpUq2QYz494plVDn1WE23Nu78KEKSVNOtyR122M4vGWUk4Len7eKp6-DvSymAaRpUbFF7uZHX0z3z-rV9wCHTg_a0pmt_I2UOHzmf14Etq1HMiRlcdn0nSEQUH50-Hw/s1600-h/DSC01110.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hdjByckxRSVkmpUq2QYz494plVDn1WE23Nu78KEKSVNOtyR122M4vGWUk4Len7eKp6-DvSymAaRpUbFF7uZHX0z3z-rV9wCHTg_a0pmt_I2UOHzmf14Etq1HMiRlcdn0nSEQUH50-Hw/s200/DSC01110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277995929221824018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QRfPW3p47_BAOBlm-vCk2votEdMVTYndbNXfKEfJCTQ25u9J1kHGMDXqyy_4jc5wXy3clStBrLLR0VHKAs2ZGg2KUOg0kbmlmLVdB6vPSPXwPAZRHGUAilSmAQK7TxN41ET61TzLMzM/s1600-h/DSC01108.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QRfPW3p47_BAOBlm-vCk2votEdMVTYndbNXfKEfJCTQ25u9J1kHGMDXqyy_4jc5wXy3clStBrLLR0VHKAs2ZGg2KUOg0kbmlmLVdB6vPSPXwPAZRHGUAilSmAQK7TxN41ET61TzLMzM/s200/DSC01108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277995514102104978" /></a><br />Just a heads up to all our family and friends that we will be moving this weekend! (I've still got loads of time to shop for Christmas gifts, right?) Our new house is amazing and Riley is very excited to finally be able to ride the school bus every day. Boy, is she in for some disappointment. Her own room will more than make up for it. So, it looks like Santa Claus will be able to come down an actual chimney to give the girls their gifts this year and I can't think of a better 40th birthday present for me! Here's hoping Hannah will actually be able to sleep in her new room. She's always been fine when we've traveled and stayed in hotels, so I'm feeling optimistic. Keep your fingers crossed that the next 5 days go really smoothly! Enjoy some pix from when we first looked at the house back in September!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-46536570192417578892008-12-05T18:52:00.000-08:002008-12-05T18:56:14.398-08:0020 more days...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zFhrawck7ppPrKTBzDhEp7T3MIDEXyWmKN6TZ1MbIOoS-r5wvGkQnUAn8FeszeCyyTf68Jt2163Rkpb4idcZ5j9f9ONV9dNfPmnQMDeUUwPA7pS7F-G-D61kYq9rGqapIsdtzKUxONw/s1600-h/DSC01504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zFhrawck7ppPrKTBzDhEp7T3MIDEXyWmKN6TZ1MbIOoS-r5wvGkQnUAn8FeszeCyyTf68Jt2163Rkpb4idcZ5j9f9ONV9dNfPmnQMDeUUwPA7pS7F-G-D61kYq9rGqapIsdtzKUxONw/s400/DSC01504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276505340141715202" /></a><br />Santa Claus came to town tonight and the gals were jazzed!! They bundled up, walked down to the Hudson, got their hot chocolate, listened to Christmas carols and finally, after the tree was lit, the big fat red man arrived bearing candy canes. (Hannah's favorite part) I love the little village I live in so much on nights like tonight.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-63459191204638016612008-11-29T07:39:00.000-08:002008-11-29T07:59:49.304-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwAEWASbF-CMq6-xBm8USH0LcWJz7uN9sHW5ciQriJa4meJudWDnWsw2nKy29EPakpylSg5Bcqta9X49gwksaK9yoez0vOtvssPF-tTDQWmAPUsLfeYYFnTaUo72IqPpYg_UITe2Nd7g/s1600-h/DSC01492.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwAEWASbF-CMq6-xBm8USH0LcWJz7uN9sHW5ciQriJa4meJudWDnWsw2nKy29EPakpylSg5Bcqta9X49gwksaK9yoez0vOtvssPF-tTDQWmAPUsLfeYYFnTaUo72IqPpYg_UITe2Nd7g/s320/DSC01492.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274107938049535762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-R0h-MbdBcKsAEr-obQ88R4lfQ1K3Dhrtcayrg2vs4VB8EzyZyoK3Mt3jgKkvyMwYZDTtfUNy0upq27asmxlVFFLAG9PU9EsdmpfPZ5YVej4UpsOv0gVm7VIUxJz5DKAOD0U1vLg5CQ/s1600-h/DSC01494.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-R0h-MbdBcKsAEr-obQ88R4lfQ1K3Dhrtcayrg2vs4VB8EzyZyoK3Mt3jgKkvyMwYZDTtfUNy0upq27asmxlVFFLAG9PU9EsdmpfPZ5YVej4UpsOv0gVm7VIUxJz5DKAOD0U1vLg5CQ/s320/DSC01494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274107637431422386" /></a><br />Hope you all had a very happy Turkey Day!! We did- a nice day of rest amidst the chaos. We are moving into a new house before Christmas! So, we have bought a second car(the new house is not near the train station), picked up hundreds of cardboard boxes from friends who've recently moved and begun filling them, not to mention finally dealing with RE-adopting Hannah(it's a long story) and retreating Hannah with meds because an old parasitic friend from Dongguan is revisiting her intestinal tract! It's been a little hectic. Everyone is happy for the move, though. I may have to shop on Christmas Eve this year - unprecedented but necessary, I think. Enjoy the pix of the holiday. I may not be posting until the new year, so Merry Christmas too!!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-27485893177151210562008-11-03T17:35:00.000-08:002008-11-03T17:49:11.538-08:00Happy Halloween!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOVbjZZwuZzZq9LhWDOcsfeWzn05MvTKqbju3RY6Rh4W4fm_MYM739tcYylgAEMAI-71vz4VsxipR-iO0UgTZyhWfqTulH6IbK2yp5IgmXI9VOE0LCFT1LNRpZoE1t1Urng0_HRGD6ks/s1600-h/DSC01422.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOVbjZZwuZzZq9LhWDOcsfeWzn05MvTKqbju3RY6Rh4W4fm_MYM739tcYylgAEMAI-71vz4VsxipR-iO0UgTZyhWfqTulH6IbK2yp5IgmXI9VOE0LCFT1LNRpZoE1t1Urng0_HRGD6ks/s320/DSC01422.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264613329754621410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHtiEcT0CCBX0yiJBe4zGnO2GjwXLdV4c68Mb2xvch9cpikQDax7D9CQPKssPxvw1OCfoADBk5k9sA3WfP8Io36OwmFKKfAsr8XV3mAa-DMpBRV9QhCFd0wlQDexc5YadBQeoHvjcvqU/s1600-h/DSC01392.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHtiEcT0CCBX0yiJBe4zGnO2GjwXLdV4c68Mb2xvch9cpikQDax7D9CQPKssPxvw1OCfoADBk5k9sA3WfP8Io36OwmFKKfAsr8XV3mAa-DMpBRV9QhCFd0wlQDexc5YadBQeoHvjcvqU/s320/DSC01392.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264612959157571746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmuPynAnxVV8EO_nVokwgQHtRx_7JUSwza2z8B2Prm_UGsIyegKGBSYbwM1peVkDU1zSUBycCkQIZmLdDvd66SXsMz5WYsYyMgh3TqhGfwdyzofuVv6atyBuKe-jJpkAIr5O2UHp51n4/s1600-h/DSC01369.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmuPynAnxVV8EO_nVokwgQHtRx_7JUSwza2z8B2Prm_UGsIyegKGBSYbwM1peVkDU1zSUBycCkQIZmLdDvd66SXsMz5WYsYyMgh3TqhGfwdyzofuVv6atyBuKe-jJpkAIr5O2UHp51n4/s320/DSC01369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264612590340196050" /></a><br />Wow - what a whirlwind weekend!! The gals had a blast as a "fire devil" and a butterfly - marching in the Cold Spring Halloween Parade, trick-or-treating(Hannah says"trick or treat" clear as a bell because of the resulting candy) and partying with so many friends. Rob is currently away in sunny Florida working on the "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" tour but returns home this weekend. We're missing him big time. Lots of people are now coming to check out our condo but no sale yet. Looks like 2009 may be the year of the big move. I'm crossing my fingers that we're in the new house before Hannah turns 3. My personal favorite part of this year's Halloween was drinking egg creams and eating candy while watching "The Nightmare before Christmas" with Riley on Halloween night. Enjoy the pix!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-20424147432986965902008-10-06T19:41:00.000-07:002008-10-06T19:49:47.352-07:00Liberty enlightening the world<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eODw4qC0_MqedoDOQoMNsaq5yrKcrFGU_txj_Wkt5SpfxgkLw2Yp4f8bvdZyTBNBYHIdKl83UzMdq0cEIoQlphBC4V-YtxgLyePoXkNSThXDeCRDBOUCg5oBDRO-LSxjIAabp5R9sj4/s1600-h/DSC01222.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eODw4qC0_MqedoDOQoMNsaq5yrKcrFGU_txj_Wkt5SpfxgkLw2Yp4f8bvdZyTBNBYHIdKl83UzMdq0cEIoQlphBC4V-YtxgLyePoXkNSThXDeCRDBOUCg5oBDRO-LSxjIAabp5R9sj4/s320/DSC01222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254238592807985746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvNQJMfB9o6qofTWHhyOhs3W_OVAtl8LI4KO-vKWwyrc7vXy4yUYoBUmxYptpGRdoZoi_Adr-p7P4QhlCibSvw1LIsp0xBB_3WBXc6HEkCwopKeez9JL2um4_l6M9WcTpcqE-cLUmLeg/s1600-h/DSC01232.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvNQJMfB9o6qofTWHhyOhs3W_OVAtl8LI4KO-vKWwyrc7vXy4yUYoBUmxYptpGRdoZoi_Adr-p7P4QhlCibSvw1LIsp0xBB_3WBXc6HEkCwopKeez9JL2um4_l6M9WcTpcqE-cLUmLeg/s320/DSC01232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254238325802926418" /></a><br />We did one of those touristy things that you never do because you're from the place and visited Lady Liberty yesterday. Riley got really into it and being up close with a statue that large really is pretty amazing. Hannah preferred the wide open spaces of Ellis Island. Perhaps she can relate to the "immigrant experience" :) Got to admit that seeing the history of how open minded and welcoming our country has been to foreigners in the past gives me hope for its future.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-14500786849135940882008-09-20T17:48:00.000-07:002008-09-20T18:00:30.012-07:00You know fall's here when...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3E6It_tIiHvlsHDt-mjqg9RlN1qgxIIZQhJ8odJkrZl7KIlxWZztPZDpJLJJ7T6VyuNwpLkiknLkGcc1wqK-Ty68I8XCxmXZXQ6iULNHY3WtsbtQmodFQvmDBeIkRy5Tf6pDKFC6i5CQ/s1600-h/DSC01138.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3E6It_tIiHvlsHDt-mjqg9RlN1qgxIIZQhJ8odJkrZl7KIlxWZztPZDpJLJJ7T6VyuNwpLkiknLkGcc1wqK-Ty68I8XCxmXZXQ6iULNHY3WtsbtQmodFQvmDBeIkRy5Tf6pDKFC6i5CQ/s320/DSC01138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248273044396730354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUcHZtVPJkRu5m2eXcf_T4ER-NUpUb0jSxoxAg3TU7H9wMqCJXOWhhNA520qOrDE1SRYAQeBuDP61STgG5jeh5jwCAHW1tdyyA3bVXu47tWeKyw-SLrJLPfRKI87gytpV9gEbU03W5FY/s1600-h/DSC01139.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUcHZtVPJkRu5m2eXcf_T4ER-NUpUb0jSxoxAg3TU7H9wMqCJXOWhhNA520qOrDE1SRYAQeBuDP61STgG5jeh5jwCAHW1tdyyA3bVXu47tWeKyw-SLrJLPfRKI87gytpV9gEbU03W5FY/s320/DSC01139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248272655061060050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieJRhgjq3Rcap2ekHwq4p6U2IHiRTmFqfDpncm9dzlOfjEjzZEgekqACe7wiNQtBi57m-KR5aj30mWtCNEr_M0l1i79HFu0Ars7JnbAiRibkiBR7XQcemCX7Zg93k4oT5tqdqJVsPhWo/s1600-h/DSC01152.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieJRhgjq3Rcap2ekHwq4p6U2IHiRTmFqfDpncm9dzlOfjEjzZEgekqACe7wiNQtBi57m-KR5aj30mWtCNEr_M0l1i79HFu0Ars7JnbAiRibkiBR7XQcemCX7Zg93k4oT5tqdqJVsPhWo/s320/DSC01152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248272204324952370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOfIASamLvvAwy6TgrEgiRiVoSKdowEgESRX7A2miW8RwG9g_H6LZeiA_COjzhEJC7bpDcgngPIAD9KWpcgCVfqq6I798xiHQINEAdhOocuulskxo6bQsZsawTw6faTbMP7J9s_erezU/s1600-h/DSC01162.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOfIASamLvvAwy6TgrEgiRiVoSKdowEgESRX7A2miW8RwG9g_H6LZeiA_COjzhEJC7bpDcgngPIAD9KWpcgCVfqq6I798xiHQINEAdhOocuulskxo6bQsZsawTw6faTbMP7J9s_erezU/s320/DSC01162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248271871633742226" /></a><br />you go apple picking!! We did our annual trip - this time to a great orchard in Newburgh. I made sure to get lots of pictures of Milo and Hannah because about a year ago, we did the same thing, so I think I'll try to make it a tradition. The weather was incredibly beautiful and all of the kids had a great time. We are all happily settling in to the routines of school and work and I am<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> really</span> enjoying teaching dance again. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it. I'm so happy that autumn is finally here -my favorite season!!!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-50795052238013126182008-09-08T09:43:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:50:04.905-07:00One Year Ago Today...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNCVibyByNb1WHowDLFIiBPCNAweunUzotVxa6qkC3WQSD3gqylogCxincorVyNyqBAibZOjF1c70dq2fBw0Tn2_V77gMy-stpAXn1eGLyIt3uKirJSdqBpavNjzbr7RFC0Bhd72QdBM/s1600-h/DSC01061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNCVibyByNb1WHowDLFIiBPCNAweunUzotVxa6qkC3WQSD3gqylogCxincorVyNyqBAibZOjF1c70dq2fBw0Tn2_V77gMy-stpAXn1eGLyIt3uKirJSdqBpavNjzbr7RFC0Bhd72QdBM/s400/DSC01061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243693651144744610" /></a><br />We became a family of four. And it fits. All of the chairs at the table are taken. Riley has someone to play (and fight) with. We all laugh a lot more than we used to. Life is much more chaotic, but somehow just right. Hannah was the missing piece of our little puzzle. Thank you China for choosing the perfect child for our family. She is amazing.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-70644440209758006872008-09-05T19:41:00.000-07:002008-09-05T19:49:19.949-07:00First day of school!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJzG5_9zLjv8AkbGlsM3GOpFBYRX3WvFZdkzY_wlvQCSgsTnFF6zSEdanwJfnUpsdYpS-WXBvOSzFO1Zy-dIJ1GImnFJIGSeb_sq7JAnOWjbr8O5rFjhQBh9SZrYPHj8E_j5W3nZLgtQ/s1600-h/DSC01089.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJzG5_9zLjv8AkbGlsM3GOpFBYRX3WvFZdkzY_wlvQCSgsTnFF6zSEdanwJfnUpsdYpS-WXBvOSzFO1Zy-dIJ1GImnFJIGSeb_sq7JAnOWjbr8O5rFjhQBh9SZrYPHj8E_j5W3nZLgtQ/s320/DSC01089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242734920382165394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3x2UITEPNFFmDQSbRPR2C_RgQ0wSSRMtCkqsLXTdCSRl7pXay00Kg17smRvA6TxjJoc3gwvKKWMKvqpmHlyw40dCqHfA2FVi8JuZx2esV8fZoasmd-gD7iC7Xnw9VHPbWUsZ6hWEgyI/s1600-h/DSC01090.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3x2UITEPNFFmDQSbRPR2C_RgQ0wSSRMtCkqsLXTdCSRl7pXay00Kg17smRvA6TxjJoc3gwvKKWMKvqpmHlyw40dCqHfA2FVi8JuZx2esV8fZoasmd-gD7iC7Xnw9VHPbWUsZ6hWEgyI/s320/DSC01090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242734687479022002" /></a><br />OK, today was the 3rd day of school, but I can still blog, right? Riley has begun the 2nd grade and is off to a great start. I am so relieved to have more structure in the day and less sisters fighting in my living room. We'll see how happy I am once I get back to work next week. I have really enjoyed all the free time with the familia. I am, however, excited to get back into the studio and dance, though! Bye bye summer! Hard to believe we were still in China this time last year. So nice to be home with the WHOLE family walking her to school on the first day.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-70413924963412053862008-08-27T18:59:00.000-07:002008-08-27T19:11:54.651-07:00GOTCHA!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBazR_1XYTaiqpVGediBNmiA74zvNgpxN8rohlenSkMsbHSpxUcKFPp9PHrGqBlYU8mwwwdhlGWmyhXOS54l5_Cyq5JojuGbK-QN-H2LuQK14dpyIits20PW7aierCe9tSYDBfUzgrSM/s1600-h/DSC00869.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBazR_1XYTaiqpVGediBNmiA74zvNgpxN8rohlenSkMsbHSpxUcKFPp9PHrGqBlYU8mwwwdhlGWmyhXOS54l5_Cyq5JojuGbK-QN-H2LuQK14dpyIits20PW7aierCe9tSYDBfUzgrSM/s400/DSC00869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239384996296618290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO3GOeH8uOw4ndwZAtwDHdflcNYgM10zGQXNQ-7kduVPheZ7-S15JmTiUjWr5oS-efFIojzkVr8pdgCCaKx_ZptDOvI2gCtvBuAN3jB1oG66jl81v0MtUjxcq6NUoUvvXLLEJU7DzsNc/s1600-h/DSC02624.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO3GOeH8uOw4ndwZAtwDHdflcNYgM10zGQXNQ-7kduVPheZ7-S15JmTiUjWr5oS-efFIojzkVr8pdgCCaKx_ZptDOvI2gCtvBuAN3jB1oG66jl81v0MtUjxcq6NUoUvvXLLEJU7DzsNc/s400/DSC02624.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239384359956931762" /></a><br />It's a wonderful day in our house - the one year anniversary of Gotcha Day!! One year ago, Rob and I were in a crowded, hot Civil Affairs office in Guangzhou nervously waiting for them to bring in our new daughter. She was serious, pale, quiet and curious. She loved the box of raisins that we gave her once back at the White Swan hotel. She would not stand up and didn't make a sound. Wow, how things have changed!!! She is still curious and loves to eat but Hannah En Ming is silly, has a savage tan, is very funny, LOUD, and runs just about everywhere she goes. Today we just marveled at how far that she's come and fell in love with her for the 365th day in a row. Happy Gotcha Day Hannah!!! We love you so much!!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-57258438862695685552008-08-25T17:47:00.000-07:002008-08-25T17:52:40.739-07:001 Year since we boarded the plane to China!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfW_CCFEh0HcEmjZw24J0sklollkAqo4RF5ZSNnJh21ro5BG67OcmtgsrZsiN-UE26yn3pl7BVDztQ-LY24Flug23I8fBRl-BWV2Fg7ofkPPY7DhX2C1omS99qqgO5fsmpz3mcmq2BWk/s1600-h/DSC01001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfW_CCFEh0HcEmjZw24J0sklollkAqo4RF5ZSNnJh21ro5BG67OcmtgsrZsiN-UE26yn3pl7BVDztQ-LY24Flug23I8fBRl-BWV2Fg7ofkPPY7DhX2C1omS99qqgO5fsmpz3mcmq2BWk/s400/DSC01001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238622863411628146" /></a><br />Can you even believe that a whole year has passed since we got on the plane to meet our feisty toddler? Amazing! Now it feels like she has always been a part of the family and we can't imagine life without her. We just returned from a wonderful vacation in northern Vermont. We'll post some pix from that but for today just thought I'd post my fave one of the girls from last week. We love you Hannah and Riley! What a pair!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-91556053178894730032008-07-31T18:07:00.000-07:002008-07-31T18:17:24.972-07:00What a difference 11 months makes!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsZ9GmV86X_olWXy7uH1qijT1Mb-FpgA3J0dd0_p1dgmyTRRz60cwvtTDAVSI_r9KGN3B-ObymPpSTJnlXB6wp2O1hck7sHv8Ig8243Ru5Dv3zLM4avd-mTz48mbuLwhFewPTAVE76uA/s1600-h/DSC00809.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsZ9GmV86X_olWXy7uH1qijT1Mb-FpgA3J0dd0_p1dgmyTRRz60cwvtTDAVSI_r9KGN3B-ObymPpSTJnlXB6wp2O1hck7sHv8Ig8243Ru5Dv3zLM4avd-mTz48mbuLwhFewPTAVE76uA/s320/DSC00809.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229351504452434738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUjPnpuSFZ9lYx-99ieJL57VBlK_yM5s7CEBk6GkUnjCrPBGnUE7IDYsT7WtheYVKmxEk1skQ7anCJBONGRBu5TFNy0RIgDAMkIEEpbVP6jnfjz40FwWK51vNJf9URoxuU8tQeY8rJjQ/s1600-h/DSC03083.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUjPnpuSFZ9lYx-99ieJL57VBlK_yM5s7CEBk6GkUnjCrPBGnUE7IDYsT7WtheYVKmxEk1skQ7anCJBONGRBu5TFNy0RIgDAMkIEEpbVP6jnfjz40FwWK51vNJf9URoxuU8tQeY8rJjQ/s320/DSC03083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229351193722295106" /></a><br />Just wanted to post a couple of pictures that show how different Hannah and friends are now that they are with their "forever families". Lily and Bella are to Hannah's right in the famous "red couch" photo. The girls are all thriving now and it's wonderful and amazing to think about the journey that they've taken in the last year. We are all so blessed to have them in our lives. They are true survivors. It's so fantastic to see the light in their eyes that wasn't there when we met them. God is good.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-34868422413129129062008-07-26T20:03:00.000-07:002008-07-26T20:21:16.502-07:00Happy 1/2 Birthday, Hannah!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtYUMgNOcxx5pzgw0vVNSnWOCIHvimYSboi1OHsf6trwsHMDcQh7psr8q9wJSQ79_OavObNXVk7jXOwvV55SsXkt7BmwVpextCqV95l9zxrNHlQuuR9OIcMDO5Rmb0GEgCQRe2ITokZ8/s1600-h/DSC00732.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtYUMgNOcxx5pzgw0vVNSnWOCIHvimYSboi1OHsf6trwsHMDcQh7psr8q9wJSQ79_OavObNXVk7jXOwvV55SsXkt7BmwVpextCqV95l9zxrNHlQuuR9OIcMDO5Rmb0GEgCQRe2ITokZ8/s400/DSC00732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227528443541401810" /></a><br />Just wanted to do a quick post to wish Hannah a Happy 2 1/2 today! Yet another milestone is reached. She spent her day happily playing with a couple of her old pals from China who came up to visit! Lily and Bella played at the Tots Park, ate pizza, visited Chuang Yen Monastery and picniced by the Hudson River with all of us and Hannah really had a wonderful day! It was so great to spend time with our friends and get the girls together again. All of them have come so far since we brought them home. Just to update everyone - Hannah is trying hard to swim, chattering up a storm with lots of 2 word "sentences", still eats us out of house and home, loves to "sing" the ABC song and cracks us up daily. I can't believe that she is 2 1/2 already! Still seems like yesterday that I saw her face for the first time when she was just 16 months old and fell in love.The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2415737906970088689.post-53252180751856866722008-07-04T18:06:00.000-07:002008-07-04T18:25:08.758-07:00Happy Birthday Daddy, Aunt Chris and America!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCohm-Two5rFQ9VhOPnATG1-1iNBk_pD9Lo8mBo_UxD9taMpMj_FbekerIZZjCOalqSvV0jGIOYmobpyW1pRluQAQwfh5H1TiPeLCWBPemYlQ8Njypuw1UvwIq9dp7LES4edzYyJ5Qs4/s1600-h/DSC00593.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCohm-Two5rFQ9VhOPnATG1-1iNBk_pD9Lo8mBo_UxD9taMpMj_FbekerIZZjCOalqSvV0jGIOYmobpyW1pRluQAQwfh5H1TiPeLCWBPemYlQ8Njypuw1UvwIq9dp7LES4edzYyJ5Qs4/s400/DSC00593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219334674284595058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOhuWLF_MqZe16ZEy60E4p5utvMnQ7YiLPHxjFEON-Qrehpft3HErfDoVu8ks3flNi0JmQhPVwcHHBAdkjNHUff7oZpdtnvU49_2meN470cM_PFmjPejiPWRNxEK2bEPlUYJF7I_7Gpc/s1600-h/DSC00568.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOhuWLF_MqZe16ZEy60E4p5utvMnQ7YiLPHxjFEON-Qrehpft3HErfDoVu8ks3flNi0JmQhPVwcHHBAdkjNHUff7oZpdtnvU49_2meN470cM_PFmjPejiPWRNxEK2bEPlUYJF7I_7Gpc/s320/DSC00568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219334437930038578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTtkzwVfaC3PXqHLFszLi_y3B6V3cCmwjCJm_lD4eM0J9-SiXPIZsd02iZJeG5Noy_hi3qgZDMfQvOE2I4HjyVMBn-ouQQbg6keKKG00mxMmMU7EFIqnl5ReOtD1jbFHDveGGPK9zxdw/s1600-h/DSC00543.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTtkzwVfaC3PXqHLFszLi_y3B6V3cCmwjCJm_lD4eM0J9-SiXPIZsd02iZJeG5Noy_hi3qgZDMfQvOE2I4HjyVMBn-ouQQbg6keKKG00mxMmMU7EFIqnl5ReOtD1jbFHDveGGPK9zxdw/s320/DSC00543.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219333918581363826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIY1nXtxdJeD0QYNJ-HH673hutPI8e5CB0w7d8vlkniFxmUgOz1udgxFFC0_9e-VVoDuJQeq756CDTEnY4RXSdRPm8CxiwdTTeXWZJOn15Cu6wG_eTbLOnN4v_YE5iR19uJcn1a-3epw/s1600-h/DSC00447.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIY1nXtxdJeD0QYNJ-HH673hutPI8e5CB0w7d8vlkniFxmUgOz1udgxFFC0_9e-VVoDuJQeq756CDTEnY4RXSdRPm8CxiwdTTeXWZJOn15Cu6wG_eTbLOnN4v_YE5iR19uJcn1a-3epw/s400/DSC00447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219333557884045362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrKl5UxtUpphwAIW-iwNR-xx0CL9QIgfJWyGUQ-jLMPW99v5acZXkXrlWhR5gqyoxObXRjpmXpXgp0I6mU7gkg-GdroLb84bX0pZFKHhWejLSzCtkiwpFGdEadzlCL0zy-nqT_i2xrO4/s1600-h/DSC00555.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrKl5UxtUpphwAIW-iwNR-xx0CL9QIgfJWyGUQ-jLMPW99v5acZXkXrlWhR5gqyoxObXRjpmXpXgp0I6mU7gkg-GdroLb84bX0pZFKHhWejLSzCtkiwpFGdEadzlCL0zy-nqT_i2xrO4/s320/DSC00555.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219333198989441202" /></a><br />Well we had a very nice July 4th with a trip to Papa Walt and Robin's for a big triple birthday bash! Fun,fun fun with cousin Paige!!! Rob and Riley are out enjoying the fireworks as I write. We wanted Hannah to get some decent sleep, so I'm home enjoying some alone time. Now that Riley has her own blog, you know most of what we've been up to but I do have to say life is so different, in a good way, when you don't have to go to work! I am really loving all the time that I'm getting to spend with Riley especially. She is such an amazing kid and I'm so proud of the person that she is. We finally booked our vacation and the winner is Vermont! We're going to stay in Burlington for a week and bike, hike and tour the Ben & Jerry's factory for sure. I am very excited to get away from it all and go someplace cool in August. Riley is doing her "Snow White" thing for now and we had fun at the lake the other day. Hannah continues to crack us up and amaze us with all her new words. We are so lucky and blessed. Summer.....I love it! Happy Birthday Rob!!!!The Bissingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12560513022634165417noreply@blogger.com0