Jarod's 3rd Birthday Party

We had a great time at Jarod's 3rd birthday party today. We went to a place that has very large bounce houses and they are inside! Even adults can go in...and we did!

Mommy and daughter getting ready to play!



Phuong and Grace in one of the big bouncers.







Phuong played some ping-pong while I followed Grace around and played. It was a great time.



Daddy and Grace on the big slide. WWWWEEEE!



Phuong went down the big slide too! WWWWEEEE!



Grace played in the "kids" area as well.



Grace loves to dance. We have never met such a young child that likes to dance as much as Grace. Almost any music or singing will get her going.



Once Grace got going, she loved playing on the bouncers. She loved the little slide as well because she could down by her self.



Just another adorable pose!

A week with the Grandparents

This past week my parents came to visit Grace for the first time. They have seen her in photos, video and of course, this blog :) But this is the first time they get to meet face to face!
My parents are staying at a hotel since my dad is allergic to the cats but we pick them up everyday and go different places around the area that are not only "kid friendly" but are also interesting and fun for them.

I picked my parents up on Saturday evening, took them to the hotel and then to our house to see Grace. All things considered, Grace and her grandparents (Pap pap and Grandma) got along fine. Especially after Pap Pap gave her cookie!

We went to different places during the week including, in no particular order: the LA Zoo, , our local mall, the Queen Mary (only my parents went while Phuong, Grace and I went to the Aquarium of the Pacific), Santa Monica Pier, The Grove and farmers market, just to name a few. Needless to say we were all tired by the end of each day. But what a nice visit.

Here are some photos and video of Pap Pap and Grandma's visit:

Grace gets a present from Pap Pap and Grandma!









Mommy and Grace at Santa Monica Pier:



We went to Long Beach, CA. The grandparents went to the Queen Mary and Phuong, Grace and I went to The Aquarium of the Pacific. The Queen Mary might have been to scary and boring for Grace. Maybe when she is older.



The family in front of the Queen Mary.



Grace had a great time at the aquarium! Here is Mommy pointing out some fish to Grace.






The aquarium made for some interesting lighting. Here is Grace looking at some jellyfish.






She really enjoyed the seals from the moment she saw them.











This was a great area of the aquarium for Grace just to run around. It was easy to watch her and fun for her to have some "freedom."



A very big crabby!




At one point, Grace got bored in her stroller and decided to see what her fingers could find :)



"I'm ready for my close-up..."




Mommy and Grace enjoying a walk.



We were waiting for the shark feeding show so we took a rest at some tables. Grace wanted a snack so we gave her some goldfish crackers. There were a lot of pigeons around so we decided to feed them as well. We tossed some crackers onm the table and the pigeons got VERY close!




Grace "dancing" with the pigeons.



Scuba man!



Mommy and Grace at The Grove Farmers Market.



A Pap Pap, granddaughter moment.



Phuong and Mom enjoying making cookies.

More Photos of Amazing Grace!

Grace is changing every day. She has become more and more aware of things around her and knows what things are called even though she can not verbalize them yet.
One example is that when we put her down for bed she must have her blanket, but before we give it to her we tell her to lay down...and she does with a big smile!
She will even play hide and seek. Phuong or I will hide and call for Grace, then she will look for us. When she finds us she squeals and "runs" the other way.

Here are some photos we have taken during October:

Grace at the park.
This is the second time we brought Grace to this park since bringing her home in April.



She loves the swings! Just look at that smile :)



First time down the slide by her self...sort of.



Grandma Kedzie brought a great gift for Grace all the way from Australia.



Our cats feel left out most of the time so I had to add a photo of them here as well.



Grace is ready to join me at Martial Arts! As you can see she fits right in...my bag.



Grace is in to playing with all sorts of things. Here she took the orange juice container and hid behind a chair. Caught you!




All of us decided to be Charlie Brown this year!

Grace Dancing!

Grace loves to dance. She dances to just about all music but she seems to like Peter Gabriel...

Annual pumpkin carving night

For the past 4 years we have held a simple pumpkin carving night at our house and every year we send out a special fun invitation. Here is this year invite. I will post photos of the evening later.

Who's the fairest of them all?

Playing at the park

It's nice to have a park we can walk to. We took Grace there to play and run around for a while. Also a good opportunity to take some photos!