A small political post for the season...

I have been so completely frustrated with the media bias during the election cycle, not following the basic definition of journalism: "Writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation", that I decided to make a small political comment on our blog...

When I visited Baghdad in the summer of 1990 (3 weeks before Saddam invaded Kuwait), it was very clear that Saddam was one sick dude, as all dictators are. However, I've never been a huge fan of the war in Iraq. With that said, the main stream media seems to be so completely invested in our defeat in Iraq that they are ignoring the amazing progress that has been made in the past 2 years because of the surge. Click on the headline below to read the whole article.

Winning Isn't News

By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Monday, July 07, 2008 4:20 PM PT

Iraq: What would happen if the U.S. won a war but the media didn't tell the American public? Apparently, we have to rely on a British newspaper for the news that we've defeated the last remnants of al-Qaida in Iraq.

Fun times ....

Lea, Mia and Brianna taking a bath together after a long playdate. All the girls LOVE the water!

Almost bedtime at Lea's house ... except Brianna went back home to sleep for the night

Another night for our Snow Angel (in her fave outfit)

Bri trying to give some gifts from Argentina to Amee (and not keep the purse to herself!)

Happy Birthday Tio Victor!

Tio Victor turned 29 this past Sunday and his wife Suzana threw an awesome surprise pizza party for him. Lots of people showed up and he was TOTALLY surprised! It was lots of fun!

All the kids getting ready to help Tio Victor blow all 29 candles

Tia Suzana made an AMAZING Croatian chocolate cake that everyone enjoyed

But what we're the most excited, outside of the blessing of a new year for Victor, is how God is blessing Victor and Suzana and, in turn, what an INCREDIBLE blessing they are to us on a daily basis. We thank God for their friendship every day!

Halloween Alternatives

Not even our little owl this year likes Halloween very much! Tonight we invited some of our friends to an alternative "Halloween" celebration with our church family. We're looking forward to making crafts, healthy snacks and listening to fun Bible stories. Other friends chose other creative ways to reach out to the community in a Christ-centered way tonight.

Trina Schaetz wrote an article in Christian Parenting Today's 2001-OCT issue. She suggests other alternative celebrations at Halloween:

	Mystery bowling: The family plays a regular game of bowling, but using unusual stances: bowl backwards, bowl with your weak hand, etc. Losers have to add a silly hat, wig, etc. to their costume.
	Family film festival: The family makes a home movie using a theme like a cowboy story or a science fiction tale.
	Nature walk: A family walk through a wilderness area, looking for the most beautiful leaf, the smoothest rock, the most interesting stick, etc.
	Neighborly needs: Have your family volunteer to perform a chore for the neighbors, such as: "cleaning windows, raking leaves, or washing cars together."
	Host a pumpkin carving party: Invite friends and neighbors to carve pumpkins, each with a single letter from a short Bible verse: e.g. "Jesus is Lord." Then arrange the pumpkins to spell out the phrase in your front yard. 3 From http://www.religioustolerance.org/hallo_ev4.htm

Brianna's New CD

Ammee & Ampee found a CD with Brianna's name incorporated and sung in each song. Brianna absolutely LOVES the CD and its the first thing she wants to listen to when she goes to Ammee's house!

Have fun watching her reaction to hearing her name in the songs! She keeps pointing to herself saying, "Brianna! Es ella!" (Brianna, it's her).

Last but not least!

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1. Yes, we actually slept on the trip. Brianna also thinks when she sleeps =)
2. Bri eating homemade pizza again, for Vespers with Uncle Rony and Auntie Sandra
3. Chilling with Uncle Chris while watching "Boz"
4. Delicious Sabbath lunch with the whole family
5. Play date and very yummy dinner with the whole Simi clan
6. Agustina Simi and Brianna
7. Typical morning in downtown Buenos Aires, a dog walker with many pups
8. Master chef Rony baked an amazing chocolate cake
9. Fun arcade games with Abus in Buenos Aires

More memories of our unbelievable Argentina trip

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1. Bri and Abu Ivon, the generational genes that love ice-cream!
2. Two years later! A picture at the spot where Rony and Sandra got married and Brianna was the flower girl!
3. Best friends sharing dinner
4. Playing with "Loqui," the gorgeous Siberian puppy of Jenniss & Christian's big Siberian Zafir
5. Dinner with dear friends (whole family not pictured) who are also recipients of the "Pierson Scholarship Fund" that helps about 40+ kids receive solid Christian education at a small Adventist Academy in Argentina
6. Playdate with Jenniss' niece and nephew. Briana and the twins had so much fun! They even went bowling together (well, with all the parents in tow!)
7. Bri and Abu Ivon sharing lunch
8. Connecting again with Marlene and beautiful baby Gina
9. After 10 years Carolina and Bibi saw each other again! We all went on a double date a couple days ago in LA. Having her friendship back has been one of the most treasured blessings to Bibi.

More memories of our Argentina trip

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1. Bibi at about 4 months of pregnancy
2. Our little streaker at bath time with Auntie Jenniss
3. Auntie Sandra and Bri exploring bugs and spiders in the garden
4. Playing games with Uncle Rony
5. Being Miss Volunteer for many activities at Sabbath School. We were blessed to attend and participate in amazing SS programs!
6. Outside church keeping her Bible close to heart
7. Getting fancy haircuts at a renowned Roberto Giordano Salon
8. With Sandra at their new Buenos Aires apartment
9. Giving Abu Ivon a big bouquet of roses for Mother's Day (Oct. 19th)

Memories of Argentina 2008

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1. Brianna and Bibi with Great Grandma Galante
2. All the Galante relatives getting together for pizza and having a great time in Buenos Aires
3. Brianna attending Cintia's 3rd birthday party. Brianna and Cintia were budies and next door neighbors for two and a half weeks
4. Our family, Jenniss (Bibi's best friend) and her husband Christian enjoying a great dinner and concert in Federacion, Entre Rios, home of the warm water pools
5. Our most beautiful flower posing in Federacion
6. The AMAZING warm water pools of Chacari, Entre Rios. A sun-tastic play day for all!
7. Brianna eating a banana at Great Grammie's house
8. Homemade pizza by Auntie Sandra and Uncle Rony on Friday night, an Adventist tradition
9. The beautiful apartments we stayed at over the weekend while enjoying the warm water pools in Federacion.

We're all back safe & sound!!!

Yesterday we got back from an AMAZING four weeks in Argentina. Bibi is now four months along in the pregnancy and showing it! Brianna had big growth and speech development spurts in Argentina and Daddy couldn't believe how big and talkative she got in just four weeks! Here (from left to right), Daniel, Rony, Ivon, Bibi & baby, Brianna and Sandra.

Our princess THRIVED in the Argentine culture and formed amazing bonds with the people most precious to us down there. She was quick to make new friends (kids and adults), very friendly to everyone and very engaging emotionally and physically. Everyone got LOTS of spontaneous hugs and kisses from her. Here, Uncle Rony, the happy recipient of a big kiss ...

Celebrating Mother's Day (Oct. 19th) with a fancy dinner and dessert. Daniel treated all the moms in the family to a very special occasion and we all enjoyed it!

Auntie Sandra NEVER got tired of playing, jumping, dancing, singing, cooking and watching animals in Great Grandma's garden with Brianna. They really had a GREAT time together!