Busy days.

Well it has been a super busy thirteen days. My feet hurt and I am looking forward to seeing the snow. I have had an amazing time here in Vietnam. We are with a couple from Quebec who also adopted a baby boy from the same orphanage we adopted Isaac from. They named him Victor. The nounou's told us that they were "friends" and spent a lot of time together at the orphanage. Victor is only seven days younger then Isaac. Hopefully we will be able to keep the "friendship" alive. It will be nice for both boys to have eachother as a connection to their past

This women is selling coconut drinks. The street vendors begin work at 6:30am and work till dark. They carry the baskets across their shoulders. Most women I have seen selling this way are very old.

Next is a picture from Ben Thanh market. It is the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City and it is super busy. The ailes are only about two feet wide and there are hundreds and hundreds of vendors who are constantly in your face. It gets pretty annoying after you have said "No" a hundred times but they follow you around shoving their stuff in your face. It is also about a million degrees in there. After carrying a baby around for about an hour I had pretty much had it with the market experience.

Food vendors just outside Ben Thanh market. The fruit here is the best I have ever tasted.

This is our Vietnam Adoption Rep., Loan. She is absolutely wonderful and just adores Isaac...the feelings are mutual between the two of them. In the picture Loan and Isaac are standing infront of a Womens Pagoda. All the budda's inside this temple are female.
Isaac and me at a beach in Vung Tau. Behind us is the South China Sea...how cool is that!


I honestly have to say I am going to miss Vietman. It has been such a great experience but I am getting tired and I really miss my babies back in Canada. The paperwork is going smoothly and we are still hoping to be home by the end of this coming week. Thanks to everyone who has kept us in your prayers for a safe trip.....so far so good.

Till next time......Kellie & Isaac

An upadate from home.........

Hey Everyone, It's Mike. I'm putting up a post to let everyone know that the internet connections are down in the area that Kellie and my Mom are staying. The last I heard it may be down for a few days so Kellie may not be able to update the blog. I've spoken to her most days and everything is going really well. They're having a great time taking in all the sights and doing a bunch of shopping. They went to the South China Sea today for a swim and have went on some kind of a tour into the mountains. They also went for a long ride on a hydrofoil. Everything with Isaac seems to be going as well as can be hoped for and the paperwork associated with the adoption is going smoothly.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas. The kids and I are keeping busy and having lots of fun. We had a great Christmas and Santa was pretty good to the two of them. Avery got a new "big girl bike" and a bunch of toy snakes and reptiles (that's her thing). Cam got a bunch of Ghost Tracking stuff and books about ghosts.
I'll try to update as info comes in to me unless Kellie is able to.

Beautiful boy!!!!

Hi everyone! We are doing great. Vietnam is amazing and were having the best time. Isaac is coming along so well its hard to believe.

The visa applications were sent off yesterday and we are hoping to have them back by mid next week. Once we have the visa we can go on the cancellation list for an earlier fight home. As much as I miss my babies (very, very much) I think I am going to have a difficult time leaving this country....Isaac's country. It is so beautiful here and the people are amazing.

Merry Christmas Everybody!!!!

Well its Christmas Day and its sunny and 30 degrees outside. I still can't believe I am here. The streets are crazy busy with people. Considering only 7% of the population is Christian here almost everyone celebrates Christmas. It is kind of like our New Years Eve. People go out with friends and party and have good times. All the streets and the shops are all decorated for the season in garland, wreaths, snowflake, santa clause and anything else you can think of and everywhere you go people are wishing us Merry Chrismas. The people here are very friendly.

Isaac is doing great. He loves to be held and I think is attaching very well. He is getting stronger by the minute. I can't wait to get him home to meet his big brother and big sister. I feel very blessed that I have such an amazing husband and wonderful kids waiting for Isaac and I to come home.

I hope everyone has a terrific day. Christmas day is almost over here and it is soon time for bed.

Good night Cam and Avery,
Sleep tight,
Dream about bed bugs tonight.

Isaac discovers his voice!

I have tried to add a video. I hope it works.
Isaac playing

Its hotter than hell in this country.

Sorry I have not posted but it is very difficult to get connections here. I keep trying but sometimes it works, other times no luck so bare with me.

Isaac is doing great. He has really come around to us and is making good eye contact. He is cooing and laughing. When we first picked him up from the orphanage he held his arms and legs tight into his body in the fetal position and I was a little concerned about it. He would not let you pull his arms straight or open his hands. It was very sad. He is now playing patty-cake and kicking his legs. Its amazing what a little stimulation can do.

Here is the first picture that was taken of Isaac the moment I walked through the orphanage door. It's a little blurry since I was shaking like crazy. He is held by the head nounou.


Isaac laying on the orphanage floor. How perfect is he?
Isaac and mommy moments after meeting each other.

Although the orphanage was very clean is was a very sad sight. All the babies were either in hammocks or laying on straw mats in cribs. They just lay there. All their heads are flat from not being moved around. And they all smelled of pee. The diapers were rags tied around their waist with a piece of string. The good thing about it though (because I need to think of the good) was most of the children had families waiting for them or would soon be eligible for adoption. Just before we arrived the was a baby girl just 3 hours old abandoned at the orphanage. She must not have been more then 4lbs. Sooo tiny.

I will try to post again as soon as I can.

Gotcha Day!!

Hi to everyone from Vietnam! After a 34 hour journey we made it here safe and sound...although I don't think my butt cheeks will never recover. So sorry I haven't posted earlier. We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday (Thursday) at 10:30am (10:30 pm Wednesday for you folks) and got to the hotel by 2pm. The traffic is mental here. Thousand of people on motorcycles and they are everywhere. There are apparently no rules of the road in Vietnam. Anyway I tried to post yesterday by nana's laptop blew up so that was a no go and I was just too tired to go looking for an Internet cafe. I was in bed sound asleep by 6pm. Our guide from the adoption agency said that we wouldn't be getting the babies till Monday so I went to bed knowing that I had three whole days to rest up for the big day. Well at 7am this morning (Friday) she called us and said she would be picking us up in 1 hour to go get the babies. I thought I was going to be sick with excitement!!!!!!

It was a five hour drive from hell to Tra Vinh, the province where Isaac is from. We arrived at the orphanage and were allowed an fifteen minute visit with the babies before heading off the the Ministry of Justice to sign the paperwork. When I walked in the door of the orphanage Isaac's nounou was holding him and the was so little. I couldn't believe how tiny he was...and beautiful. He has the biggest black eyes that you could just fall into. The nounou gave him too me and I thought my knees were going to give out. He snuggled right into my neck, kind of like he was just waiting for the moment he could do that. It was a perfect moment.

Well I would love to go on and on but I am completely exhausted beyond belief so I will have to save the rest till tomorrow. I will do my best to add some pictures too...if I can figure it out on this computer.

Till then.....Kellie & Isaac

Well here I go!

Well I'm off to the other side of the world tomorrow. My bags are packed and I am ready to go and meet my new son. I'm feeling very jittery right now as I can't believe after all that we have worked for and been through for the adoption the time has finally come. In a couple of days time I will be in Vietnam WITH ISAAC. I do have to admit though that I am not looking forward to having to say good-bye to Mike, Cameron and Avery at the airport. My heart is breaking just thinking about it.
Thanks to everyone who has followed our journey thus far and for all the support you have given us. Please continue to keep Isaac, Nana and myself in your prayers for safe travels.
I will try to post as often as I can.

Funny man Cam!

The school had a Recognition Assembly today where they awarded students for things like honesty, integrity, stuff like that. Cameron was given two awards, one from his homeroom teacher and one from the french teacher, both for his sense of humour. Yes, HUMOUR. Both teachers said that everyday Cameron was sure to put a smile on their face and bring a laugh to the classroom. Cameron then got up in front of the whole school and told a joke.

What is a dogs favourite dessert?

Pupcakes.

Change of plans....again.

Well I am still here. Got a call yesterday afternoon saying that the paperwork has not been received so I could go ahead but wait about seven days in Vietnam till I can get Isaac or postpone the flight which is what I decided to do. We are now scheduled to leave December 18th, returning January 11. To be honest I feel much better about the new date. I was sooo stressed last week because of the missing documents that I couldn't even get excited about the trip. Now I don't need to worry about that and can focus on meeting my new son.

On another note..

We celebrated Christmas with my Mom and Grandma on the 7th. It was a lot of fun and the kids got spoiled.

Avery with her new dog Chestnut.

Mary, Fiona, Cameron and Avery.....cousins.

And then we had our Christmas on the 9th (since I was supposed to be leaving on the 11th)

Cam got a new snowboard. He was very excited. We went out that afternoon so he could try it out. It amazes me how kids can get on those things without any fear and just go. By his second run down the hill he had the thing figured out.

Avery got a very sweet new pair of cowboy boots, a hair streaking kit that turns your hair blue and pink and a remote control snake...yes you read right...a remote control snake.

We had a good time. It was kind of nice celebrating Christmas before Christmas and at least I was able to enjoy watching them open gifts since I am going to miss Santa.

Change of plans.

Well it looks like I jinxed myself and I spoke too soon. Our travel date has been changed (tentatively) to leave on December 11th and return on January 2nd. Yes I will be there for the holidays and yes I know it sucks. On the positive side, Mike and the kids don't return to work/school till Jan 7th so it give us almost a week together as a "family of five". It will give Mike and the kids time to get to know Isaac and for Issac and myself to get over jet lag before all the routines start up again.
On another note...The director of our adoption agency is in Vietnam as we speak and she saw Isaac yesterday. She says he is beautiful, healthy, bright and active which was wonderful news for us to hear. We can't wait to finally meet him!

WE GOT A TRAVEL DATE!!!!!!!!!!!

December 6th is the big day! We leave Toronto at 10:30pm, have a stop over in Alaska (how cool is that!) and Hong Kong. We will be returning on December 23rd just before midnight WITH ISAAC. Wooohooo!!!! We are so excited that Isaac's first Christmas will be with us. We have been blessed that things have gone so well for us with his adoption (Oh, I hope I didn't say that too soon). Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels.

Christmas is coming!

There was a Hometown Christmas downtown this past weekend and the kids got to meet the "real" Santa. There were also real reindeer, hay rides, carollers, lights and the best part of all (according to Cam)... free hot dogs.

AVERY IS 6 TODAY!!!!!!!

Free Glitter Graphics

We love you soooo much baby girl!

New pictures of Isaac!!!!

These pictures were taken yesterday, Nov 5/07.

The days are becoming harder and longer as we are still waiting for a travel date. We are still hoping to have him home for Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Happy Halloween!!!!!

Meet Captian Jack Sparrow and Emily the Corpse Bride.

Too Scaaaary!!!!!!!!!!

A bigger, healthier looking Isaac!

We received new pictures of Isaac that were taken on October 21. It looks like he has gained a bit of weight and is doing well (I think it has to do with all the prayers being said for him by his great Aunt Brenda).

No news on a travel date yet. We are still hoping to have him home for Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Hey Beautiful Day. Hey Beautiful Day.

Headed back to Cyprus Lake yesterday for some family fun and what a beautiful day it was. I can't beleive we are nearing the end of October and still wearing t-shirts...not that I am complaining. We took some terrific pictures. Take a look.

Cam hangin' off a cliff.

]
Avery just being....Avery!


Me and my Beau. (Avery took this picture. Pretty good eh?)



That's our eldest baby Rielly jumping off a cliff after a stick. He reverts back to his puppy days anytime he is around water. Poor guy is paying for all his fun today though.

The time has FINALLY come!!!!!!!!

We would like to introduce everyone to our newest addition.....



Isaac Minh Hoang
Born June 5, 2007. (He's a Gemini just like his mom)
As of October 1st he weighed 11lbs.

As you can probably guess we are absolutely thrilled with Isaac. He is 100% more perfect then we could have ever hoped for. Thanks to everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

To Isaac......Hold on tight baby boy. We'll be there soon to bring you home, hopefully in time to see Santa.

Karate Cam

Cameron has been asked to join a team within his karate club to represent his dojo at tournaments. He was one of a small number of yellow belts picked for the team. Cameron's sensei said that he is very dedicated and feels that he would do a good job representing the club. This also means that he is required to attend an extra class every week. Cam is pretty serious about his karate and is very excited that sensei pick him for the team. We are VERY proud of our karate kid!!!!!!!!!

On another happy note...

Cameron was named "EINSTEIN of the week" at school for reading a book well above his grade level. Again, we are so very proud of him!

Our First Family Canoe Trip

We headed up to Algonquin Park this past weekend to venture out on our first ever family canoe trip. What a great weekend! It was a little chilly on the Saturday and the water was a bit rough for canoeing but we toughed it out and Sunday/Monday turned out to be beautiful. The kids didn't like portaging very much...either did I for that matter... but by the time we finally reached our campsite it was well worth the hike. Cameron and Avery spent most of their time catching turtles and frogs while Tilley spent the weekend ensuring that no chipmunk was going to invade our campsite. Rielly slept.

Tilley the Adventurer Cameron checking out the bathroon facilities! Avery and three baby snapping turtles that she begged to keep as pets.

ZOO DAY

We went to the zoo August 21st with Kelly, Martin, Faith and Colin. It was again another brutally hot day and we spent the most part in the splash pad. The kids had an amazing time getting wet. The dinosaur tent was a hit with Avery. She loved looking at all the bones and skeletons of the dinosaurs. We also hit up all the pavilions with snakes and lizards (Avery's passion in life). What a great way to end off the summer holidays. Thanks Kelly and kids for a fun day......next time lets do it when its 10 degrees cooler out. LOL

End Of The Summer FUN

We went to African Lion's Safari with Grandma August 20th and other then being terribly hot we had a great time. It was amazing how the animals are so comfortable with all these cars driving right up to them. The deer scored with us...we had a bag of uneaten McDonald's french fries that Cameron and Avery were more then willing to share with them. You could barely see out the side windows when we were done with all the snot and spit on them from the animals. Cameron's favorite animal were the deer, Avery liked the zebra and I really enjoyed the monkeys (I think I liked the monkey's best because I live with two of them everyday!) It was a good day had by all. Thanks for taking us Grandma!

Cyprus Lake

We headed out to Cyprus Lake up near Tobermory yesterday. It was a great day and perfect weather for a hike. Cameron found the biggest toad I have ever seen and Avery spent the rest of the day tormenting it. My super adventurous son was dying to jump off one of the cliffs into the water but there were signs up claiming that people have died jumping and that was enough to convince him to keep his feet on the ground.

I can't believe how quickly the summer is going by and back-to-school is just right around the corner. Avery (my baby girl) is going into grade 1 and Cameron into grade 3. Can you believe that? I guess it just means that I'm getting older. I wish I could keep them this age for just a little while longer.

Officially Waiting

Well we are now officially waiting for the referral of the newest addition to our family. We have completed the seemed-to-be never ending paperwork and have received our approvals from both the Canadian and Vietnamese governments. Our agency feels confident that we should have a referral by October/November. Wouldn't it be amazing to have our little one home for Christmas! Thanks to all of you who have been so patient with us throughout his process. It has been both mentally and emotionally consuming for both us and those who are close to us. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy process and a healthy child.





As always summer is flying by. The kids are enjoying life at the beach....and have the tans to prove it. We have had prefect weather up this way. I can't believe it's back to school in four weeks.







We went camping for a few days in July and my fearless daughter found a huge snake and nabbed the poor thing within seconds. She definitely has a soft spot for creepy crawly things! She tells us when she grows up she wants to be "Avery the Snakemaster" (like the TV show). It's not quite the career choice I would like to see her pursue but I have to admit she is very good at catching things that are squirmy and slimy....it's the letting them go part she has trouble with!

Hope every one enjoys the rest of the summer.