Finalization Day

On Tuesday, the 21st, we went to our county courthouse where we finalized Walter's adoption and he became a U.S. Citizen!


In the outfits Mama L got them for a special day.


Sitting with Mama A before the Judge arrived


Henry and Bapa (getting the cameras ready)


With Cousin Todd, who was our attorney


With the Judge after our case was done...not the best picture, I know...


Yeah!


The courthouse on December 21, 2010

Christmas Program

Here are a few pictues of Henry in our church Christmas program on Sunday. He was a cow (I'm sure his hat gave it away). We had fun watching him up front - he didn't really do a whole lot of singing or the actions for the songs - when he did do actions, he was the only one doing them. :) He also decided he was a Were-Rabbit instead of a cow and enjoyed stomping his feet like a bunny. When he spotted us he waved and yelled, "Mommy! Daddy!" and it looked like he wasn't going to stay where he was...but he did. He was a little ham, for sure, but I guess you can get away with that at age 3...Meanwhile Walter was yelling, "Amen!"

Just one of those days!

Last week I just had one of those days where things didn't go so smoothly. I was making dinner just as Nate pulled into the driveway and was going to add the last 2 ingredients when I noticed that one of them was expired...as in July...and I just bought it a few days earlier! Nate headed to the store so I started working on the salad when I heard a crash. I was REALLY hoping it wasn't the other ingredient because I had poured the last of it into the measuring cup!


Sure enough - Walter had reached up and pulled the measuring cup off the counter and Parmesan cheese was everywhere. Even better - Henry and Walter were eating it off the floor!! Aaahhh.



Thankfully Henry and Walter know how to cheer me up - while they waited for dinner they entertained themselves (and me) by sticking table knives in between the cupboard doors and drawers.

The boys had so much fun helping dad fix a door that he had to ask them to fix their bikes.

Learning

It really is amazing how quickly children learn! Within the last few weeks Walter has developed an interest in books and reading, counted to 2 in Korean...and can now complete puzzles. One day he couldn't do it and the next day he could - literally! He dumped 3 puzzles over and the pieces were all mixed up. I thought he would need my help but he was able to look at each piece, decide which puzzle it belonged to and put it in the correct spot - all by himself!

Happy Birthday!

Last week was Nate's birthday. We celebrated with homemade pizza and cake. Walter fell asleep before we sang and blew out the candles! Of course, for the next 4 days Henry and Walter wanted cake for breakfast!

Winter is Here

Henry was chomping at the bit to get out and play in the snow a few days ago. It was cold but we had fun going on sled ride.


It only took us 20 minutes to get ready - I'm sure we'll improve.


Walter's favorite activity was eating snow. Mostly, he thought it was just plain fun to try to walk in boots in the deep snow.


Henry couldn't wait to make snow angels - and lots of them! He was disappointed we couldn't make a snowman because it wasn't the right kind of snow. I'm sure we'll get another chance before winter is over.

Picture Season

Aah, yes. It's the time of year when children all over are made to wear uncomfortable clothing so mom and dad can take pictures. All I can say in my defense is that I only have so many years to take pictures of them together in their hanboks before they outgrow them!

Out of 20-some pictures, we got 3 when Henry momentarily stopped saying, "I don't like this costume. It's cold. It's itchy. I don't like it!"


Aren't they handsome?

Creative Minds

Squeezing into the toy storage ottoman...I mean, it's a ship.


Sea Monster (Henry wearing Mom's hat.)


Walter got into the bathroom and unraveled the toilet paper to make a neat path. You can see Henry gladly helping unroll the last few squares. I'm sure this reminds my parents of someone they raised...


Long haul truckers - they really are creative!

Thanksgiving

To start off the long list - I'm thankful for these two sweetie pies...

Snacking

We made some brownies last week and the boys enjoyed the batter...






Walter got into the fridge and found some cheese to snack on!


Getting the last little bit of ice cream before bedtime.

New Wheels

The boys were always wanting to ride the same scooter and we figured it was time for Henry to learn how to pedal...so we got a tricycle.


It took a few days, but Henry caught on to the pedal thing.


Walter's toes just reach the ground!


This is exactly what we thought would happen: Walter rides the tricycle and Henry rides the scooter. I think we may have a path worn through the kitchen, dining room, entry way and family room by the end of winter - they ride all day long!

On another note, so I don't forget:
Walter can say both his Korean and American names now (and it's really sweet) and loves to hold hands and shout,"Amen!" when we finish praying at dinner. The last few days we're seeing an independent streak - he doesn't want any help doing anything that Henry can do alone.

Henry said his own prayers for the first time at bedtime on Sunday and for lunch on Monday. He thaked Jesus for food and his cousins. He has become such a helper and I never get tired of hearing him say to Walter, "Hi, Bud-EE. What's wrong? Just close your eyes..."

Last weekend, after lots of here and there - we enjoyed relaxing on Sunday while celebrating Mimi #1's birthday.


Henry likes the rocking chair at Boppa and Mama L's...so Walter wanted his favorite rocking chair from the other room. They both sat for a total of 2 minutes in their chairs.


Helping Auntie Mimi blow out her birthday candle. We spent Sunday celebrating Erin's birthday with my family. Our Grandma made it, too. We were also thinking of our cousins Mary and Steve, who share the same birthday - Happy Birthday!


Megan and Mama Bakkel


Walter found a nice, cozy hiding spot where he could make music by hitting the metal planter.


Endlessly climbing in anything they fit in...in this case, the building blocks container.


Erin got musical card...which the boys loved and spent a good half-an-hour fighting over who got to open it next.

Henry at Dinner

When we pray before eating, Henry likes to have us hold hands...and usually points out that we make a circle.

Tonight he asked if we made a circle and Nate said, "Isn't it a square?"

Henry replied with a smile and a giggle, "No, it's a triangle! See, there's 1 (pointing to himself), 2 (me), and 3(Walter). And 1 (pointing to himself), 2 (Nate), 3 (Walter)."

Then he announced, "It's an octagon!"

Of course, we burst out laughing (and reminded him that an octagon has 8 sides). How does a 3 year old even know the word "octagon?" Sesame Street, of course!

Mandu Party

Last weekend we got together with a group of friends and had a mandu making party. Mandu are Korean dumplings with meat/veggies that can be fried or steamed - and they are soooo good. Our friends D & C graciously opened their home to all of us, including lots of very energetic kids! We enjoyed catching up with everyone and the food was amazing.


We celebrated a few birthdays with cupcakes, which the kids enjoyed.






Mmmmmm! This is the mandu. We also had crockpot bulgogi, kimchee, soup, rice, veggies and fruit...too much to remember. It was like an early Thanksgiving.


I'm still counting, but I think this is everybody!