Quotes from this week....

JASMINE: "Mommy, you say 'Jasmine come here please'. I say 'coming'. Then you say....'Jasmine come here please', and I say 'coming'... then you say 'JASMINE, COME HERE PLEASE'... and I say 'COMING'. That really makes me mad!! (Laughed hysterically for 10 minutes today when she said this).

DR. VINCE STENSON: "Judy, I always thought I was organized, but you take organization and promptness to a whole new level" :))) I guess I'm a bit neurotic about that type of thing:)

More photos from Sat July 23rd....

Doing the butterfly dance onstage

Introducing herself and telling where she is from.

Jasmine and Emily Morgan-Tracy

Jasmine and her counselor

Jasmine and Kai (from NY) who was always trying to hold her hand and hug her.

Saturday Gala....

Today Jazzy had several workshops including martial arts, Vietnamese dance, art, Vietnamese Market and Language. The kids were taught a couple of Vietnamese phrases and then had to use those phrases to "buy" items with fake Vietnamese money in the Market. Jazzy purchased a couple of coin purses, necklaces, and rings.

Vince and I were at the adult workshops with adult adoptees from Operation Babylift, therapists who spoke about various adoption issues, as well as successful professional "boat people" telling their horrendous stories of coming over on a boat in the 1980's.

Later, we attended the "gala" where the kids performed martial arts and dance. They also had face painting, a silent auction, and a carnival.


Pointing out the location of the village (Dai Lac) where she was born.

Practicing the Kindergarten "butterfly dance"

Jazzy and Dr. Vince

Jasmine and her counselors

Duy Nguyen and Jazz- her favorite counselor from last year. Jasmine was sad when she found out he was assigned to the 5th graders this year.

1st Day of VHC.....

Swimming in the morning.

Jazzy's kindergarten class. Today they were in the Vietnamese Village part of the day learning which state they live in right now and where Vietnam is. They each made a globe with stickers on it as well as other crafts.

Next they went to the Heart Talks. They each "adopted" a little Koala bear, made a home for him, and discussed what it must be like for the little koala to be adopted.

Ice cream social.

Rocky Mountains....

Yesterday, we drove from Denver to Estes Park, where the Vietnamese Heritage Camp will be held. We drove around Rocky Mountain Park, took a little hike, went to the Lake Estes Marina and rode our little bike/cart around the lake, ate a nice lunch in downtown Estes Park, went swimming at the hotel, and then went to a VHC BBQ. Whew... long day!

Jazzy and me at the playground.

Jazzy and Vince at the playground.

Jazzy and Vince getting ready to go on a bike ride around the lake.

Jasmine is actually a good photographer. She took several photos of us that were perfectly centered. Here we are at Lake Estes.

Vince and Jazzy on the trail.

Yeah - Finally!!

Finally we meet Dr. Vince:) Here is Jazzy and Vince at the restaurant. Jazzy said.."You hug him on the forehead, and I will hug him on the legs":)

Today, we're driving up to Estes Park where the Vietnamese Heritage Camp is, and possibly stopping in Boulder for lunch or looking around.

Denver, CO

This morning, we got up at 2AM to catch our very early flight to Denver. We uneventfully made it there... only to find out that Dr. Vince's flight was delayed for about 6 hours due to wind. So... we drove downtown to the Denver Aquarium, walked thru it looking at all the exhibits, then ate lunch at their restaurant.
Now we're going back to the airport to pick up Vince.

At the aquarium.

Getting her arm "tattoed" with a cat.

Making an ice cream sandwich.