Invasion of the Grandparents and other Tales from the Northeast

Well, let's see where were we?! It has been awhile. Sorry about that! September and October were hopping for the Avramov's. The last time I updated we were preparing for the arrival of the "Grandparents". Everyone made here alright. Mom and Dad Avramov arrived September 12 and were greeted by lots of hugs and kisses. We really missed them. They, of course, came bearing gifts and pictures and tales from Bulgaria.

We had a great time together! The five of us went to Niagara Falls (the Canadian side). I must admit that while everyone else was extremely impressed, I was. . . not so much. Not that I didn't find the Falls to be beautiful and awesome in their sheer power and size, I guess I was expecting a little more nature and a little less Vegas. The neon lights, casinos and tourist traps distracted a bit from nature in all its glory. We had a great time, the trip was particularly special for Maria because she had always dreamed of seeing the Falls and never imagined that she would actually get to. Isabella is still taking about that "huge, giant waterfall" and how we got to ride in a boat under it. After Niagara Falls we spent some time showing Mom and Dad around our new city and taking them shopping. After all, Mike had lots of "positions" on his list. Isabella and I took Baba and Diado apple picking and they went to see Bella's school and swimming lessons. Teddy took them to New Yok City to see the Statue of Liberty. We also got to introduce them to our neighbors and some of our new Bulgarian friends. The last week of their visit my parents drove up. Isabella was in her glory. She really was missing Grandma and Grandpa and had a great time getting spoiled by everyone. All the Grandparents even went to observe Isabella's first dance class. It was really great to have everyone together. We even had a special early Thanksgiving dinner. After Mom and Dad A. left, my parents stayed an extra night and gave Teddy and I a night out alone. We finally got to see the newest Harry Potter film at the $2 show, (we are BIG spenders, Ha! ha!) and we had a great, quiet dinner at a fantastic Middle Eastern Restuarant. Mom and Dad Morris then did a a little tour around New York. They drove through the Adirondacks and Mom got to see the Baseball Hall of Fame which is just about an hour and a half from Syracuse. They then stopped back in and visited with us a little more before heading back to St. Louis. All in all September was a great month.

As I mentioned before Isabella started dance classes at the local elementary school (where she'll go). Its one night a week for a half an hour. She absolutely loves it! I wonder if she's really my child?! Her favorite part is to put on her dance outfit. She also started swim lessons. She just finished her 1st session this week. Teddy had to go in with her. It was special class for kids ages 1-4 and their parents. She loved that too and was promoted by her teacher to the next parent free level, next session in February. We switched her preschool days so that she could go on the same day as her friend Amelia. I'm really glad we did because all our neighbors go on those days and its given us both the chance to get to know everyone better. It also gives us moms a chance to help each other out if necessary. Bella absolutely loves school and can't wait to go. She also talks about how she can't wait to go to Kindergarten like her friends Luke and Tracy. Isabella's social calendar has kept us hopping and so have the doctor's appointments. Don't worry we are all in good health. We've just had those new patient meet and greets and even though we all have the same doctor we all had to meet with her separately (otherwise it would be too easy!). About the same time I began to have some trouble (AGAIN) with shin splints. So since I was there I finally asked a doctor about it. She sent me for xrays and told me to keep running but no streets, no inclines and to take it easy until I could see a podiatrist. So I had to postpone my 8 mile goal once again. I saw the podiatrist and she told me what I already knew, I have flat feet and need orthodics. So while I am waiting to be fitted for them I have to stay with the treadmill and work on my speed instead of hill work. She did say that the orthodics will most likely help my occasional low back pain and will definately help with my bunion and "will change my running life". I should be back in form in a month or so! So the moral is, see a doctor when a problem first arises don't wait years(16 years off and on I've had shin splints with my running)! Did I learn from this. . . . we will see! I hate going to the doctor!

Besides the doctor the month of October also took me to Chicago! I went to see Mandi, Brian

and Charlotte for Charlotte's 1st Birthday. Can

you believe she's 1!! She is so adorable! I really

had a great time and I really enjoyed my

beautiful niece. She truly is an amazing little

miracle! Charlotte smiled and laughed and made us smile and laugh, she has never met a stranger. It was so great to see Mandi and Brian. it felt so good to be with people who really know me and share a history with me! God, I missed that!! I also got to see our friend Vivian from Truman and Mom and Dad Vittoe (Mandi's parents.) Mandi had a busy schedule planned for us, we went to a used toy sale, another 1 st birthday party (for Mandi's friend Patty's daughter, Olive) and Mandi and Brian and I had a pumpkin carving contest. The contest was judged by guests at Charlotte's party, Brian won! As as a prize Mandi, Brian and I made a donation to the NICU. (We did it for the kids!) It was a great weekend and I really needed it. (Thanks Mandi and Brian for everything, I love you guys!! Hopefully we'll see you in Syracuse in the spring!) If you want to catch up more with our little Charlotte, check out the link to Mandi's blog.

After my Chicago trip we began to prepare for Halloween. Isabella was a dragon. We went to the pumpkin farm with preschool and then again as

a family. One pumpkin farm is right down the

road from us. We also went to the Zoo Boo. It was always one of our favorite activites in St. Louis and we were thrilled to find that our zoo here also has it. There was a puppet show children's singers, costumes, treats, storytellers and the Bubbleman. We all had a great time and are now looking forward to the zoo's Xmas light display. Isabella also had a small Halloween party at school where they had a costume parade and then sang songs for the parents. It was so cute.

We had been warned that Halloween is a little crazy in our neighborhood, there are tons of children. We bought more candy than we ever had (eight big bags). They were not kidding, we must have had 150+ kids, compared to past years of 50 to 80. We would have had more but we ran out of candy at 7:30! We had a lot of fun. From what I understand we had very unusual weather for Halloweeen (59 degrees), it is not uncommon to go trick or treating in the snow here.

Now we are preparing for Thanksgiving and Xmas. Most of you who know me, know, I'm usually done with my Xmas shopping by now, I am a little behind. I am sure to be done before Black friday. We are hoping to host Teddy's cousin Jana and her husband Reiner and their three children, Max, Emma and Nikolas, for Thanksgiving. Jana and Reiner moved to Boston from Germany in August, so we are very excited to have them and to get to visit! Isabella also has her first birthday party invite for Amelia's 4th b'day this month. We are also planning for winter, preparing our Emergency car kits, looking at snow blowers and stocking up on essentials. None to soon either for we had our first snowfall yesterday. Although it didn't last to long because the ground isn't quite cold enough.

We have had a great Autumn, it was absolutely

gorgeous in Central New York. The trees were

stunning and the weather was great. The apple

trees were so full the top branches were

straining to reached the ground and there were

pumpkins everywhere. We are looking forward to the holidays, as Isabella prepares her list for Santa, and we hope to hear from all of you at some point. We are hoping to get home to St. Louis for New Year's or the week after! Happy November! Happy Thanksgiving!

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