DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TOURISTS

Santo Domingo Poyos

Peggy and I played tourists with Sayo and Jeff doing the guides bit. We were in Punta Cana on the company trip for four days and then Jeff picked us up Sunday. We stayed with them in their lovely home until Friday.

The golf club, the nautico, the fortress, the botanical gardens were all great, but cannot compare with the exciting driving of my brother in Dominican traffic!!!!!

Yay!!!

We are soooooo happy for you guys!! Alexandra is beautiful, and we can't wait to meet her!! Well done Sonia and Noel!! (but mostly Sonia...I mean, seriously! 9.4 lbs?)

Besos y Abrazos,
Chelsea y Jesus

Introducing Alexandra Clara Poyo

Querida Familia,

Just wanted to share our happy news! Alexandra Clara joined our family on Friday, Feb 26th at 1:25 p.m. She weighed 9 lbs, 4 oz and measured 22.5 inches long!

We came home on Saturday and feel grateful that "everything went relatively smooth" (those are Noel's words, not mine, of course :) I'm just relieved Alexandra and I got through it! We feel truly blessed and are encouraged by Isabella and Gabriela's interest in their little sister. From the moment they met her, they've been arguing over who's turn it is to touch her, hold her, watch her, etc..... (so, we'll need to keep a close eye on all 3 of them :)

We can't wait to introduce Alexandra to you all.

Love,

Sonia & Noel

Kayla and Andrew

Left some pics. They are doing great. Andrew is on his way to San Antonio on March 9th for boot camp with the Air Force.

Love you all.

Andrew and Kayla

Alcala de Henares--

Here we are at the Universidad de Alcala de Henares. I am teaching, researching, touristing, eatings, consuming a bit of Rioja wine, and trying to stay warm. Hope you are all well. Love

Hooray for Noel!

Dear Familia,

Since Noel is not in the habit of tooting his own horn (and he never posts anything :), I thought I'd share the news. Today, we learned that his organization, the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), thru its lead partner - Chicanos por La Causa, has secured over $137 million from the Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to address foreclosures and support community development efforts in Latino communities across the country! Noel's efforts to select and bring together almost a dozen non-profit organizations, coordinate their planning process and write a fantastic application really paid off! And, now, the real work begins!

If you're interested in learning more about the program, here's a link --
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/hud-secretary-donovan-announces-2-billion-recovery-act-grants-stablize-neighborhood

Hope 2010 if off to a good start for you all!
Love,
Sonia