Daddy's Work

A few weekends ago we made a trip to Cliff's golf course. It is really amazing what he can do with some dirt. He really is an artist. The girls thought it was great because Mommy brought cartoons, hot chocolate/marshmellows and snacks. LOL

Cliff and girls checking out Daddy's great work.
Daddy and girls.
Mommy and girls.

Fun with Friends

We had such a nice weekend with friends. Friday when Cliff got home from work we loaded up our stuff and headed to Steve & Jenny's place. They live near the city of Daegu here in Korea. It is about a 2 hour drive. It was an uneventful trip there (meaning no one got sick thanks to some Dramamine).

We did lots of visiting while the kids did lots of playing. Since both of our stays here in Korea are winding down we are cherishing these times together even more.



MacKenzie (L), Madison (R) and Benjamin enjoying some Saturday morning cartoons.
The girls having some art time. Sadie is getting so big. She can do ALMOST everything the big girls can do. (Madison (pink) & MacKenzie (brown))
Sadie & Kira. Sadie was showing off her Buddha Belly.
Sometimes you just have to let your kid shred up her lettuce and pull out almost every napkin in order to enjoy your meal. LOL Look at that mischievous grin!
Steve & Jenny brought us to their favorite Bulgogi house in their town. It was delicious and the kids were great. Okay, so I brought their cartoons, coloring books/markers and lots of snacks. You know me -- always have to be prepared.

Out For A Walk

Cliff took the girls out for a walk the other day while I was making dinner. They came across a Korean man with a cute puppy. Of course the girls had to stop and play with it for a bit. The man asked Cliff if he could take some photos of the girls. He then took down Cliff's e-mail address and sent these pictures. Cliff was surprised not to see any of Kira hugging the puppy. She is in love with puppies and kitties. She thinks every puppy's name is Uli (our niece, Lacey, has a dog named Uli -- and Kira loves her).

And because these look (and tasted) so good I had to share our purchase on our walk the other night after dinner. There are vendors of all kinds along the streets (fresh fish, fruit, veggies, pastries).
Madison
MacKenzie
Madison (pink hat) & MacKenzie
Cliff with the girls.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has come and gone here in Korea. We had a wonderful day. The weather was beautiful (close to 60) without much of a breeze and lots of sun. It felt a lot warmet than it was. Our morning started out with all of us exchanging our Valentine's cards/gifts. The girls made cards for Cliff and I. That took up a lot of our time last week. The girls had a blast with markers, paint, stickers and scissors. We then took the girls to bouncy land again at our Convention Center. This is the last weekend, so we figured we better take advantage of it.

After we got the girls in bed and sleeping our friend, Ajuma, came over to sit with the girls so Cliff and I could go out for dinner and a movie. It was such a nice evening. We ate at Bennnagin's (we tried to get in to a Korean Bulgogi restaurant and an Indian place, but they were both full -- that's what we get for not making reservations on Valentine's Day). We still enjoyed our dinner regardless. Then we headed to see He's Just Not That Into You with Jennifer Aniston. It was a pretty cute movie.

I am just so lucky to have such a wonderful family who loves me unconditionally. My heart is full to the brim. I hope everyone reading is having a wondeful (or had) Valentine's Day with the ones they love.


US Valentine's Day. MacKenzie (L), Kira & Madison (R) with their heart dresses on. I just love Children's Place!
Korean Valentine's Day. MacKenzie (L), Kira & Madison (R) with their Valentine's t-shirts. I also love Target.
Kris & Cliff ready for their date.

Where is Waldo?

Cliff got a new camera for Christmas and has really been good at taking pictures. I am truly impressed. He isn't the type who usually stops to smell the flowers or in this case stops to take a photo. So, way to go Cliff! Isn't this a great picture he took? Okay, any Mommies out there reading this I know you are thinking the same thing I was -- OH, But the GERMS that are in those balls pits! Once I got over that I realzied that it really is an adorable photo. Very creative, Cliff.

Kira (top), MacKenzie (L) & Madison (R) I know I will have to write that down because it took me a while to figure out who was who. LOL

Beach Day in February?

Okay, this is how crazy my husband is. He thought it would be fun for the girls to splash around a little at the beach. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the temps were about 55. There was a light breeze. It really did seem nice and warm -- when you weren't at the beach where it was very windy and very chilly. Do you think this stopped him or my crazy girls? I guess the apple(s) doesn't fall far from the tree. The girls ran in and out of the water for maybe 1/2 hour and then we quickly dried them off and put dry, warm clothes on them and headed home for a warm bath. With all of the stomach flu that has passed through our house I will strangle my sweet, adorable husband if any of the girls catch a cold! Check out how much fun the girls did have though (while Mommy was all bundled up..I guess I am not as much fun as Daddy).

KEY:
MacKenzie -- green hat
Madison -- pink hat
Kira -- green hat

Mommy Survey

Yes, I know -- TWO blog posts in one day. What can I say -- the girls are napping so a little computer time for Mommy. :)

This survey is going around on Facebook. I decided I would fill it out and put it on my blog instead.

Mommy SurveyShare
Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born
Let's see how much you remember!


1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes, we had been trying for a year before I finally became pregnant.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes - for 3 years (8 years this coming June, but together for 17 years.)

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? I didn't believe the test, so I took 3 more! LOL

4. HOW OLD WERE YOU? I turned 31 a few weeks before I became pregnant with the girls.

5. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? We were in Mallorca, Spain and I took a home pregnancy test because I had a feeling.

6. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Cliff -- I called him at work. We were a little nervous to get too excited, but we couldn't help it!

7. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes -- I don't like secrets -- LOL

8. DUE DATE? February 14, 2005

9. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? None

10. CRAVINGS? DQ Dilly Bars (My wonderful father-in-law kept me stocked up.)

11. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Being on bed rest. And being on mag. sulfate while on bed rest. That stuff makes you feel like crap.

12. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Girls (identical twins)

13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? At first I was hoping we would have one of each -- but I was very excited when I found out we were having two girls. I couldn't imagine one of them being a boy. I love my girls!

14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 49 pounds.

15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes -- two -- Family Shower (before babies were born) and Friend Shower (after babies were born) -- the babies came to this shower and then were picked up by Grandma and Grandpa so Mommy could have a little girl time.

16. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew about both showers. Remember I don't like secrets. I am very anal and like to have things planned out -- just ask my family and friends. :)

17. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Yes, I went into pre-term labor at 32 weeks. I had gone in for my weekly check up and they told me I was in labor. I didn't even realize it! But looking back I should have know since I was a very slow duck waddler when we stopped at Wal-Mart before my appointment. I had to sit and wait for Cliff. For me not to be able to shop -- it should have been a warning! After the options were laid out for us we chose to be flown to Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis from Brainerd Medical Center. I was on bed rest there for almost 2 weeks thanks to a little mag sulfate (love that stuff for keeping my babies baking for a bit longer, but man that was the worst EVER) which stopped the contractions (all of this was over Christmas and New Years). I was able to leave the hospital, but was told I had to stay close to the hospital incase I went into labor again. Because I was having twins my hospital (BMC) wouldn't let me deliver there until I was 35 weeks. They figured the babies would just be sent to Abbott because they were too early. So, we stayed with Cliff's sister near the cities. In the early morning hours (the day we were planning on going home) my water broke and off the Abbott we went. I was 34 weeks and 6 days.

18. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis

19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? About 12 hours.

20. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Cliff. His parents, my good friend, Ahmi, and my cousin Jessi along with her daughter, Vanessa, who was almost 1 at the time were there the whole day waiting for MacKenzie & Madison to arrive.

21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Cliff and about 20 other people I do not know.

22. WAS IT VAGINAL OR C-SECTION? Vaginal for both.

23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? I had an epi -- but, still felt EVERYTHING!

24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? Baby A (MacKenzie Kay) was 4 pounds 3 oz and 18" -- Baby B (Madison May) was 4 pounds 10 ounces and 18 1/4"

25. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD/REN ACTUALLY BORN? January 11, 2005 They were born at 3:43pm and 4:51pm (yes 1 hour and 8 minutes apart! I am sure MacKenzie will play that card a lot when they are older!)

February 14, 2006 -- one month after M&M's first birthday -- I became pregnant with our third daughter. Kira Anne was born on October 22, 2006 at 5:59am at BMC. She weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces and was 19 inches long. I made it to 37 weeks. M&M were only 21 months old.

GGGRRRR...I get so frustrated with this program. When I download photos I put them in a certain order for a reason (yes, because I am anal!) and they never come out that way. I intended to put photos of the girls in birth order. I guess it is from youngest to oldest.

Kira Anne
Madison May
MacKenzie Kay

Who Are Those Masked Children?

Madison (L), MacKenzie (middle) and Kira (R) having fun with Ajuma's traditional Korean masks. Silly girls.

Family photo taken the day we left for Korea. It is always amazing when all 3 girls are looking at the camera (and smiling). I just had to share. I thought it was pretty cute (I am not biased or anything).

Madison (pink) & MacKenzie (brown) & Kira (purple)

Puts a Smile on Your Face!

I love the Ellen Show. She always makes me laugh. Here is a clip that just cracks me up. Hope it makes you laugh out loud too. (I came across this on another blog I follow and just had to share.)

Flash Back

I have been in the process of organizing my thousands of pictures and have come across so many cute ones. I made a scrapbook (on Shutterfly) for Kira's first year. When it arrived in the mail I was more than pleased with it. I plan on making one for Madison & MacKenzie as well. I am in the process of making a scrapbook of our time here in Korea. It really cuts down on printing out so many picutres -- and then having to write on them and file them away. This way I pick the best of the best to put in our scrapbook and burn the rest on a CD for the kids to look at later. Below is one picture that I have always liked of the girls. It was in July of 2007. Such baby faces -- how sweet! (MacKenzie & Madison are 2 1/2 and Kira is 9 months in this photo.)


Grandma Hamilton's Black Kitty(that's her name: Black Kitty), MacKenzie (L), Madison and Kira (R)

Out For a Walk

What a beautiful day here in Pusan. It is probably 55 and sunny. The girls and I decided to go on a little nature walk around our apartment complex. We saw/heard lots of birds chirping. That is always a refreshing feeling in February. We also saw two helicopters fly right over us. The girls thought that was pretty neat. Thankfully, we didn't see any bugs or snakes. :) The girls were really good at letting me take their picture today and were really hamming it up. Enjoy.

Madison(L), Kira & MacKenzie (R) behind our apartment building. We have a moutain directly behind us with lots of trees and rocks. When it rains it is like a little waterfall.
Madison (L), Kira & MacKenzie(R) checking out the scenery. Madison was feeling very protective of Kira on this walk. It was pretty sweet to see. Especially since Kira thought her name was "No Baby" for the first 1 1/2 of her life. LOL
Kira, Madison (middle) & MacKenzie (R) hanging out on a bench. It is so funny because when we go for walks the big girls always complain that their legs hurt. We barely made it out the front door and we had to take a breatk. HA HA Perfect photo op.
Kira, Mommy, MacKenzie & Madison (far R)
Madison (L), Kira & MacKenzie(R). The sunglass girls. How cute is that?

Keeping Occupied

This last trip home I had stocked up on art/indoor activities for the kids to do. It is a littl harder to find these types of things here and if you do they are very expensive. So, we have lots of fun stuff to do from now until May. The weather is slowly getting nicer, but still a bit chilly. It is really crazy to think of the two worlds my children live in. Minnesota has a popluation of about 5 million people. Pusan, South Korea has a population of about 4 million people -- this city alone has almost as many people in it as the WHOLE state of Minnesota. The land mass is about the same except South Korea has about 10 times the people. Imagine what it is like for a toddler to come from our Minnesota house out in the country with wild animals living outside our picture window to looking out the window and seeing high rise apartment buildings as far as the eye can see. To come from the a rural town where you don't have to see another living sole for days if you choose to a major city where you can't get away from the people if you wanted to (okay, maybe that is an exaggeration, but not far off). I know they will be too little to remember this time, but with pictures and stories from Cliff and I they will have this time documented for them to look back on. They have handled the transition so well and are such good sports when they are constantly approached because they have light hair and blue eyes. They have their own Korean paparazzi -- no kidding. Almost every time we leave our apartment they are approached and asked their picture can be taken. I often wonder what these people do with these pictures. Okay, I got off track here. Here are some photos of some things we have done to keep entertained.

Kira, MacKenzie (purple), Madison (pink) using "window markers." I found these at Target and instantly thought of all of the windows on our balcony here in Korea. I am sure I am totally confusing them since I always stress that markers are only for paper and not bellys, faces, walls, etc. LOL
Kira, Madison (pink), & MacKenzie (purple). Our good friends, Melissa and Skyler got the girls these awesome colorbook, story book, crayons set. Of course M&M got My Little Pony and Kira got Elmo and Friends. Inside were tons of cute posters to hang on their bedroom walls. One of these posters were "color it yourself." The girls LOVE markers, so away they colored. They really did a great job. I will have to post pictures of the final product. I am really impressed at how well the big girls stay in the lines. Maybe because they color EVERY day? :)
Some of their window marker art work.
More window marker art work.
I had picked up these magnet painting kits from Target (OH, how I miss Target). Each girl had 4 magnets to paint. They thought this was pretty awesome.