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!

More hats, Trunk or Treating, Apple

Henry and Walter love playing with hats. A few weeks ago, they found Mama L's hat box in her closet and had a grand time trying her hats on and pretending to be cowboys (just for the record, Mama L doesn't own any cowboy hats!). In this picture they were goofing off with my winter hat and Nate's baseball cap.

Instead of going trick or treating on Halloween, we attended our church's trunk or treating event. We have a dinner, games, a costume parade, a book reading and lots of dessert. We park our cars in the lot so that all the trunks are on the inside and the kids go from trunk to trunk to get candy. We had fantastic weather that night.

Walter dressed as a tiger to match his favorite stuffed animal. He was so excited at church he was literally jumping up and down and pacing back and forth!


Henry was a giraffe - it must be the spots, but I thought it made him look taller than usual!



Walter loves apples. He grabs an apple any chance he gets and takes a bite - it takes too long to wait for Mom to cut it up!

Spaghetti & Getting Ready for Winter

We had some snow here a few days ago, so we pulled out the winter stuff to see what fits. The boys couldn't resist wearing their hats and mittens around the house.







Henry and Walter both love noodles...unfortunately they are kind of tricky to eat and most of Walter's spaghetti ends up on the floor. He didn't seem to mind.

A Weekend with Friends

This weekend we had fun visiting with our friends. Andrew and Janelle and their kids came on Friday and left Saturday. The guys got to do some pheasant hunting, the kids had fun playing with trains, going to the park, and riding bikes. I didn't get any pictures because it was crazy-busy!

On Sunday, Randy and Kristi came with their family for the day. We met when we were in Korea meeting Henry and they were meeting their son, Parker. We have a lot in common, so we look forward to the time we get to spend with them. You won't meet nicer kids than Melanie, Brooke, Ryan, Parker, and Noah!


It was a full table at lunch: Noah, Henry, Parker, Melanie, Brooke, Ryan, Walter


Walter and Noah were pretty messy after finishing off cookies with orange frosting - very messy!


Parker and Henry kept busy playing with Moon Sand.


Things got a little loud when the girls were playing the organ.



Ryan joined in the fun.


The musicians...


What can 7 kids do to a family room? Take a look around! They definitely have healthy imaginations which lead to lots of creative fun.


There was some chasing...


...football...


...driving and leaf removal...



What handsome brothers!


These four went on a few walking "adventures" around the house - and came back laughing every time.


Meanwhile, Walter had fun pretending to drive with Ryan.