Sorry

Yes, I know I have really slacked on the blog the past month. But, being home has been so crazy busy for us. And I figured most of our followers are people we are now seeing on a regular basis. Our time at home is on the downward slide now. Cliff arrives home on the 23rd and we head back to Korea on the 6th of January. The girls and I have enjoyed our time at home so far and are going to soak in all that we can from now until January 6th!

For those of my friends in Korea (and Kiley in China) we do miss you all and look forward to seeing you when we return. Here are a few photos to enjoy:

The cousins
Me with Kira being silly and doing her "3 Blind Mouse" pose.
Kira celebrating her 2nd birthday at Grandma & Grandpa's house.
MacKenzie (L), Madison (middle) and cousin Sydney. Yes, the 3 of them could be sisters.
Kira, Madison (middle) and MacKenzie. Such pretty girls.

We Made It

We made it safely back to MN. All 3 girls were really very good (minus a few set backs...vomiting & temper tantrums), but over all I think this was the best flight thus far. We have had some doozies! It has taken us over a week to adjust our bodies to the drastic time change. This was probably the toughest adjusment that the girls have had so far in all of our traveling. And it was extra hard on me since I had to do it by myself. I felt like I had 3 newborns who would wake up every 2-3 hours. I am now starting to feel alive again.

I am still in the process of unpacking and getting our house back in order. Again it takes a lot longer when I am flying solo (But, I must send a thank you out to Diana for helping me unpack a few suitcases the other night -- it really helped!). But, it is getting closer. It feels so good to be back in my own bed. Our Korean bed is the hardest thing I have ever slept on (I really think it is just a box spring). I literally melt into our bed every night -- AAHHH!

The girls think they have gone to toy heaven. They have really been enjoying themselves and snuggling on their Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles & cousins. I have already made it to a Vikings game (we beat the Packers -- HEE HAW). We have only been home for 11 days, but we have packed a lot into that time which makes it feel like we have been home a lot longer.

We are also counting down until Daddy joins us. He is still in Korea working. What a wonderful husband and supporter you are Baby! We love you and miss you tons!

MacKenzie (L) & Madison enjoying their MN toys.
Kira going for a horse ride.
Mommy, Madison & MacKenzie
Grandpa, Kira & Grandma

Costumes

One more day until we leave for home. It really is a bittersweet deal. We are very excited to go home, but are very sad to leave Cliff behind. I guess we will start the 6 week count down until Cliff joins us.

This morning after the girls decoreated some Halloween cupcakes we got them dressed in their costumes and headed out to hand out some of those delicious cupcakes. We went to Ajuma's to visit a bit since we won't see her for 2 months. Other than that it has been a relax/pack day. Is that possible? To relax and pack. Anyway, here are some pictures of the kiddos (Madison & MacKenzie are Spanish Flamenco dancers--we got those dresses 2 years ago while living in Spain and Kira is a kitty of course).


Daddy with his girls (Madison (L))
Madison
MacKenzie
Kira
Madison (L), Kira & MacKenzie

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! Actually Halloween is already done here in Korea. The girls have not put on their costumes yet. They really don't celebrate Halloween quite like we do in the States. But, I do have costumes for them and we plan on dressing up tonight and heading to Ajuma's for some tricks or treats. And we do plan on giving some family and close friends a head's up when we get home next week that they might have some late trick or treaters. I will post pictures of the girls in their costumes soon. Until then here are some pictures of the girls in their Halloween pj's. Too cute!


Kira
Madison (L) & MacKenzie
Madison (L), MacKenzie & Kira

P.S. Cliff, his parents, and the girls are all visiting Cliff's job site. I decided to stay home so I can get some packing done. So, I really shoudn't be posting. Ooops. :) Okay, now I really better get packing since we leave in 2 days!

Kira's Birthday Party

We had Kira's birthday party on Sunday. It was at an in door playland that has a room off to the side for birthday parties. This is where we all piled in to eat the yummy pizza, snacks and cake. It was special to have Grandpa & Grandma there plus all of our new friends. It was a great turn out. All of the kids had a blast playing and the adults had a great time visiting. Thank you all so much again for helping us celebrate Kira's big day. And thank you for all of the wonderful presents. She is such a lucky girl.

Come on ride the train.
Kids are ready for food.
The Hamiltons
Madison, Kira & MacKenzie
Kira ready to blow out that big #2. She did a great job.

Grandma & Grandpa

Last night we gave the girls a bath put their pj's on and headed to the airport to pick up Cliff's parents. They were to arrive about the time all girls should be sound asleep, but we were all so excited and had been counting down how many sleeps until their arrival that we couldn't pass up the opportunity. The girls did such a great job and were the entertainment for all of the other people waiting. Grandma and Grandpa were only expecting Cliff to be there, so when they had 3 little girls at their heels they didn't notice. But, they were very excited when they realized we were all there to welcome them to Korea.

BEFORE HEADING TO THE AIRPORT:
This is such a great picture (minus Kira's face that is hidden behind MacKenzie -- sorry baby) of everyone I had to include it in this post. Steve, Jenny & family made the 2 hour drive to Busan to help us celebrate Kira's birthday. How sweet is that? They arrived the night before so we all met up for dinner at an awesome Korean restaurant before we headed to the airport. The company was great, the food was great and the kids were great -- what a perfect time.
Grandpa and Kira (she has been waiting a long time for Grandpa to snuggle with her)
Grandma getting some snuggles in.

Birthday Fun

Kira with her Kitty cake.
"How old is Kira?"
Birthday wishes in Korean
Kira testing out her new tent.
Kira, MacKenzie & Madison.

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Kira -- Korea Time Zone

October 22, 2006 -- what a wonderful day. Kira Anne was welcomed with open arms by her Mommy & Daddy. MacKenzie & Madison were a bit skeptical at first, but have formed these wonderful relationships with her that make my heart melt. Where have the past two years gone? Kira has grown into this amazing toddler. She has so many personalities. She can be fun and silly. She can be so gentle and loving. She can smile this big smile that takes up her whole face -- which in turn makes everyone around her smile. She has this sassy side that shows she can be strong willed when she wants to be. She has a soft heart whose feelings can be hurt by the simplest thing. And she loves to be just like her big sisters. You roll this all together and you have the sweetest two year old around. We are so lucky to have her in our lives. Wishing you a Happy 2nd Birthday "Baby" Kira. We love you.

WARNING: This is a long video. I tried to cut it back, but she is too darn cute and I couldn't pick and choose. So, grab a drink and a snack and sit back and watch Kira grow before your eyes.

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Fun With Friends

Our good friends, Steve & Jenny, had invited us to stay with them in their new apartment in Waegwan, South Korea. We met Steve & Jenny (along with their children Benjamin & Sadie) this past June here in Busan. We struk up a conversation and here we are 4 months and many, many conversations later: Friends for life. They are such a fun and loving family. Here are some pictures from our weekend. Fun was had by all! Thanks Steve, Jenny, Benjamin & Sadie for the hospitality!

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Off to Ajuma & Ajoshi's for Lunch

Yesterday we were invited to Ajuma's and Ajoshi's house for lunch. Because both of us have been so busy we have not seen much of each other the past month. I think Ajoshi was really missing the girls. Especially Kira. They really have this sweet relationship that is based on a lot of Korean and a little English. And Ajuma is very willing to show me how she makes some of my favorite Korean dishes. I have not attempted anything yet, but maybe one day when we are back in MN and missing our Korean food I will give it a try.


MacKenzie (blue backpack), Kira & Madison walking to Ajuma's for lunch.
Madison (first), MacKenzie (middle) & Kira (back). Little ants marching one by one, hoorah, hoorah.
Kira & Ajoshi sharing a private moment together.
Look at that spread. Ajuma always makes my favorites. Denja chicg-a (soup), bulgogi (marinaded meat) and lots of spicy side dishes. She also made boiled chicken for the girls. They always devour it.
Kira holding the biggest Asian pear I have seen. Back in Minnesota they are about the size of an apple. Here they can be the size of a large cantaloupe. And are they delicious!

Aaahhhh -- the joys of having a car!

As I have mentioned before I do not have my own car here in Korea. At first it was fine with me because I was a bit nervous venturing out alone with the girls and oh yeah, I was terrified of trying to read the signs. I am not sure what I was more afraid of -- getting lost or the girls having a melt down...while I was lost. But, I have become more adventurous and the girls have really become big girls who are pretty good when we do venture out without Daddy. Granted, most of the places we go are geared around their happiness. But, it feels so good (and a bit liberating) getting out. A lot of times I take along my book and read a bit while the kids play. I have dreamt about the days when I could bring the girls to a play ground and visit with another Mommy or kick back and read while the kids blow off some steam. But, the fun has come to an end. Today is my last day with a car. Boo Hoo! I guess we are back to walking or taking a taxi. Here are some photos of some of our outings:

Madison (L), Kira & MacKenzie

Rocks can be so much fun.
Madison (L), Kira, Vivian and MacKenzie having a little snack after some serious play time.
Madison (L), Kira & MacKenzie at an indoor play area.
Wooden ship the girls had fun playing on.

Global Gathering

I just want to wish my baby brother a Happy 29th! I love you brother!

This past Sunday they had a Global Gathering at the Convention Center near our house. There were booths set up with food and souvenirs from a variety of countries. We shared a delicious kebab from Turkey -- YUMMY! The girls played at a few of the stations they had set up and even got their first face painting. Lots of fun.

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Rock Stars

Thank you Brady & Katie for the Hermfest t-shirts. The girls had to try them on and show off their rock star pose. When ever we ask the girls, "who's a rock star?" They always reply, "Brady." Okay, Madison thinks she is a rock star too. Madison (L) & MacKenzie (R)

Halloween 2007

Last year the girls dressed up like farm animals. Madison & MacKenzie love Grandpa's cows, so I thought it was appropriate they dressed like them. And let me tell you they were very much in character. It was pretty cute. And I had found a chicken outfit at a garage sale the summer before, so it really was destiny. Kira was the cutest little chicken ever! This year being in Korea, a country that doesn't celebrate Halloween, we will have to improvise.


Madison (L), Kira & MacKenzie
Kira
Madison (L) & MacKenzie (R)

Out & About

We have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather. After such a HOT summer, we are so liking the weather the past few weeks. MacKenzie & Madison were so excited to try out their new scooters or "duders" as they call them. The character head that you see is called Pororo. It is a Korean cartoon character. The girls have seen it on tv a few times and don't seem to mind that it isn't in English. And Kira was excited to see the push butterfly that Ajuma gave her earlier this summer. It has been put away for a while now, so it was like new to her. All three had a blast and M&M said their legs were tired after so much pushing and riding around. Needless to say, they all took a very good nap when we got home. Oh how Mommy loves that!

Kira, MacKenzie (middle) & Madison.
MacKenzie
Madison
Kira with her push butterfly from Ajuma.
The girls following Mommy's trail.