Kelsey's Baby Shower

My friend Kelsey is having a boy! We had to help her celebrate. Tiffany threw her a surprise baby shower that was a tremendous success. As you can see by the group photo above we had a good turnout. Kelsey is only 5 months along, but as life in the military goes she is leaving us and going back to the states in September. So we took advantage of the moment. Tiffany made this adorable diaper cake. I had everyone decorate onsies for the baby. I couldn't believe the talent we had amongst us. And, of course, we played games. We scooped cotton balls from one bowl to another while blindfolded, which was tougher than it sounds. We stuffed jumbo marshmallows in our mouths and tried to say different baby related items such as diaper, sippy cup, and pacifier. You get one marshmallow in your mouth for each word. Who knew that marshmallows swell in your mouth when you don't chew them and try to stuff as many as you can in your mouth at once. The are not kidding when they say Jumbo! We also unscrambled baby words and tried to guess what baby animals were called. Did you know that a baby eel is called an elvin? The things you can learn. We had a great time. I have some great friends.

Joe - My Hubby

OK, So I did posts about the little guys, I better include the Papa. Can you Believe it folks? Yes take a second look, or a third if needed. Joe IS smiling in that first picture. Honestly, after being married to him for 8.5 years, this is the only picture I have of that handsome smile. I see it often, but the camera makes it disappear. I wish I could catch it on camera more often. Obviously the pictures here of Joe are of my handsome devil in uniform. The first is from some field training here in Korea. The second is from last summer. And finally taken today, "Yeah! Papa is home!" This is the welcoming committee helping Joe get his boots off. Joe works hard so that we don't have to.

Stewart - My big boy

Here are some pictures of my crazy Stewart. He is a sweetheart. He also is my comedian who knows he is funny. In the first pic here I told him to smile and this is the face I got. Then he tells me, "Mama, eyes open!" Joe tried to take a picture of him last week and he kept closing his eyes so Joe told him to keep his eyes open when he smiles. Well Papa, ask and you shall receive. The next picture is from Kelsey's baby shower, Stew was apparently trying to help me win the game. I could just hear the other ladies saying "No, don't help your Mom." At least we know who's team he is on. And finally, Stew's favorite pastime... Playing in the rain, and big puddles. This puddle he is standing in came up to mid calf on him. He was having so much fun he didn't want to stop for a picture. Stewart is a great big brother too. Skoebie loves his "Stew-Stew" and always wants to play with him.

Skoeben - My happy boy

Here are a few pictures of Skoebie. He is starting to develop a fun imagination. He loves to play. The first and last pictures were taken at my friend Kelsey's baby shower this afternoon. They played the scoop cotton balls into a bowl while blindfolded game. After we were done Skoeb had to play with all of the cotton balls. His favorite thing was rolling around in them. The middle picture is of him playing in the laundry basket yesterday. He had a blast. He put his blankets in there all by himself. He is a sweet boy.

Behold the power of a band-aid!

OK, as kids we all knew a band-aid could heal ANYTHING!  Skinned knees, shots, sore tummies, etc. But as adults we have become older and wiser... or have we.  Here in the wonderful world of Korea I discovered that a band-aid could even fix that fender bender you got into.  Yes folks, this is a band-aid sticker covering up this poor drivers parking/driving mishap! And helping hold the fender back in place after such mishap.   As you can see based on the size of the gas cap flap, this is no ordinary band-aid.  These things would sell like hot cakes in the states.  This is cooler than those fake bullet hole stickers.  Yet, somehow, more pratical than the fake baseball through the windshield.  This just made me stop and laugh.  I hope it does the same for you. OH... You gotta love living in a foreign land. 

Happy Birthday to me....

Friday was my birthday. On Saturday after church we invited some good friends to go out to eat with us at ORAE Buffet, a Korean Restauraunt. Joe and I have eaten there before, but our friends had not. I particullary enjoy the fact that, since it is a buffet, you get to pick and choose what you feast upon. My favorite is the Bulgogi, which is seasoned and marinated beef. Sooo Yummy! Traditionally at a Korean restauraunt you have to take off you shoes when you go in the door, and you get to sit on the floor on flat square pillows. There is a little grill in the center of the table where you get to cook your own food. After cooking your food the traditional Korean way to eat is to take a lettuce leaf, fill it with meat, rice, vegetables (I prefer tomato and garlic), form it into a ball of lettuce and shove the whole thing into your mouth. I am not so good with the shove it all in your mouth in one bite. But it is delicious none the less. How ever we did get brave this time and tried eel, and baby octopus. Let's just say we have tried it once and that is enough. One couple we took wwith us loved it, the other couple had mixed feelings. He loved it, I think she hated it. It made for a perfect birthday dinner, good food, great friends, good conversation and some adventure. To top it all off, Ice Cream cones are even included in the price of dinner. What more could a girl ask for? Happy birthday to me!

Korea War Museum

Today Joe's Unit took a trip to the Korean War Museum. We rode the subway down to Seoul. Then we spent the morning touring the museum. It was fun for the boys because they had some old vehicles and airplanes on display that they could crawl up in and play hands-on. I think the highlight of their day was trying on Korean warrior costumes and hitting this big drum. It was interesting to see some of their war relics. I enjoyed the big wooden warships on display. After the museum we went to Yongsan post to eat lunch and shop at the PX. It was a good family day.

Fantastic playset!

Today I bought the boys this mid-evil themed playset from the PX. They loved it and played with it for a long time but then of course they found the box! I thought it was funny that the box said "Fantastic Playset". You have to love Skoebie licking the box.

When it rains it pours...

At least in Korea during monsoon season anyway. The boys always want to go play in the rain and splash in every puddle they can find. Boys will be boys. The rain seems to facinate them. Who would have thought at 2 1/2 and 1 rainy days are as much fun as sunny ones. Of course sometimes you just have to make the best of things. Joe and I even took the boys out to play a little soccer int he rain last week. I didn't get pics of that though. The first two pictures are from last week during our first real down pour here Joe told Stew to go run out and see if it was raining, and I was amazed by how much water was comming out the down spout. The next two pictures are from yesterday. We bought the boys these little umbrellas and they LOVE them. Of course, rain or not boys have to play in the dirt. I thought it was so cute of Skoebie to play while holding his umbrella. It was barely raining in these pictures later it was dumping buckets outside, thankfully we were inside. Enjoy the rain!

Finally... I'm starting a blog

Ok, Here it goes. Can you believe it I am putting us on the web. This is a test post so you will have to look back for more details as I get them posted.