What a Beautiful Day!

Today we met with friends and furry friends and hiked to Belly Button for Bella's last hike. It was a beautiful afternoon - cool and sunny with bright blue amazing skies. Once we made it to the top - Eric read his eulogy - we toasted to Bella's life and then sprinkled her into the button. Thanks to all who helped us celebrate!

Ahhhhh...Bella The Wonderdog!

I write tonight with a heavy heart to let you all know that Bella the Wonderdog has died. As many of you know Bella has been coughing for about the last 6 months. We were told it was congestive heart failure and there was nothing we could do for it. She didn't seem to mind the cough and still loved to hike and play around. Over the last 2 days her breathing had gotten worse and she seemed more uncomfortable - she wouldn't lay down to sleep and kept pacing the house. Eric took her to the vet this afternoon and the chest xray showed that Bella had an advanced form of lung cancer. Eric called me at work and I borrowed a friends car and rushed to Gallup. There we hugged and loved up Bella while Orion was sitting on the table with her saying "Bella, Bella, Bella, Bella". We cried and wished her a speedy trip on her next journey. Whenever you read this or think of the Ali Crew please send blessings our way.

Please hug your furry friends extra tight tonight!

Happy Halloween

Way too much excitement for one little one year old to handle...

Updated O Pix

The Foreign Service

The Foreign Service is starting to become a reality. It's strange because I turned my application in in February 2009 and then nothing for months until I got called in for my "oral assessment". How exciting but how terribly nerve wracking at the same time. When we were in Vegas I flew out to DC for the interview and 26 hours later I flew back. It was an incredibly intense experience. I interviewed for 5 hours and after the interview is over, they seat you in the waiting room while they talk about you and calculate your scores. Needless to say, I texted Eric while I was waiting saying "I did horrible" turns out I didn't do so bad! I passed! Now the three Ali's are in the process of getting medical and security cleared. This can take anywhere from 3 months to one year. Once you and the family get cleared you are assigned to an embassy for a 2 year assignment. I was told through the grapevine that the most common first assignments are in either Africa or India - lots of space to think about - that's for sure.

album 10\12\09 (96 photos), by Stacy Ali

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Holy Smokes...

I can't believe that it has been almost one month since I last posted. Where in the world does the time go? October is half done and what a month of adventure it has been. We drove to Las Vegas to meet my family to celebrate O's first birthday. What a celebration...we ate some amazing sushi and introduced O to his first taste of ice cream, his first balloons and his first time walking "the strip". He even managed to sweet talk the show girls and get a couple of strings of mardi gras beads. The week in Vegas was anything but relaxing - as I was burning the candle at both ends - trying to maximize my time with my mamma and also take in all that Vegas has to offer.

I have a ton more pictures that I will post the link to soon. I promise.

Rainbows on the Rez

Late Summer and early Fall bring crazy weather to the Southwest. Bright blue skies and clear mornings give way to the thickest clouds you can imagine - layered with sun and rain. One word for this is...MONSOON! It makes for some seriously nutty weather but also produces some really amazing cloud formations and even cooler rainbows...

Our Wheaton Visit

Orion macking down his first sushi roll!

Still can't get enough of the sushi...

Teresa and E...about to eat sushi

Orion checking out the hardwood floors

Getting ready to do some retail therapy...fun!

Suzanne, Noel, Tall and Teresa

Suzanne and Noel

Orion whooping it up at Noel and Suzanne's house

As close to the city as I got!

Sears tower from the road!

A couple of weeks ago we took a whirlwhind long weekend trip to visit our good friend Teresa in Chicago. Teresa lives in Wheaton which is the nicest town I have been to in awhile. I loved the wide streets the mature grown trees and the funky downtown area. We met Teresa's family - stayed with her brother Steve and really just hung out. We managed to get downtown for a fantastic dinner with old friends - Noel and Suzanne. Other then that it was all about good food, good drinks and great company.

Happy 11 Month Birthday, Baby!

Can you believe it...my little O turned 11 months old today. We snuck him into the hospital on Friday and weighed him and he weighed in at a whopping 19.8 pounds - now I know that doesn't sound like much when you think he is almost one year old...but just think he started out at only 5 pounds and 13 ounces. Now I now why my hip hurts when I walk with him on my back. YIKES! As you can see, he is still not a huge fan of the boot! Not sure what happened in his short little life to scar him like that...
This was as close as he would get to the boot. When I layed him down...forget it...he was off rolling across the floor. Wild Man!

Cruising the Hood

Oma Visits!

Eric's mom, Lotte, came to spend most of the month of August with us. It is so nice having her around - she helped out with Orion so much. In fact, today Eric took her to the airport and as O was playing on the ground he looked up at the chair she normally sits in and had this puzzled look on his face like "what happened to that nice lady who looked after me all day" It was sweet.Saying "HI" to Bella The Wonderdog

I Love Rody

Orion got a Rody horse from Grandma and Grandpa Bill for his 10 month birthday. He loves chewing on the ears and bouncing like a madman!

10 Months Old

I don't have any vital stats this month but I do have some stinking cute pictures. O is still not a huge fan of the boot!