Happy Birthday, Jordan!

Our niece Jordan is 2 years old! She is the third and youngest daughter of Kymber (Tanna's sister) and Ted. We wish we could be there to see her blow out the candles on her birthday cake. It's so nice for Kate to have cousins her age on both sides of the family. We just wish Jordan and her family lived closer. (They live in California.) We hope to see Jordan again soon! Happy birthday, sweet girl! We love you and miss you!


Jordan and Kymber


Here's the Birthday Girl with Ted, her Ah-Pah


And here she is with Halmoni.


Uncle Tanna says ... Happy Birthday, Jordan!

XOXO

A Visit with the Yankees

Some of our Yankee relatives came to visit earlier this month! Uncle Norman and Aunt Mary usually pass through our neck of the woods this time of year--and it is always great to see them! We have made it a tradition to meet at the same restaurant the last three years--it's in a convenient location with a huge back parking lot so they can park their truck and boat. (They are in the boating business up in Maine.) Our time together was brief, but it was so nice to visit and to share a meal. Here are some photos:


Uncle Norm and Kate
(Uncle Norman is my Dad's older brother.)


Here we are with Aunt Mary & Uncle Norm


After sitting through lunch with the "grown-ups," Kate had a ball running around the back parking lot.


Fun times! We love you, Uncle Norm & Aunt Mary! Come back soon!

_______

Just for fun, here are a few photos of Kate with Aunt Mary and Uncle Norm last year:


Look how little Kate is!


Aunt Mary knit this beautiful cardigan for Kate. She is so talented and makes so many lovely gifts.


One shoe off ... some things haven't changed. LOL!

New Photo (18 Months)

We had some quickie photos made today for Kate's 18-month portraits. Here is one of my favorites.

Kate's 18-Month Birthday

Kate turned 18 months old on January 8, 2009! Can you believe it? We celebrated with a trip to the pediatrician's office and some shots! LOL! After that, Kate enjoyed some play time, her first peanut butter sandwich and a nice afternoon nap. When she woke up, it was more playing ... and ... when her Ah-Pah got home, a big surprise! Kate's new play kitchen just so happened to arrive that day, and Tanna went straight to work putting it together. Kate got to stay up a little late to see it all set up. She couldn't wait to start playing with it. :o)

Before bed, we celebrated with a half-birthday cake. I've seen many other online mommies do cakes like this, and I wanted to give it a whirl. Wish I had done this last year for Kate's 6-month birthday, but that's OK. I know you all are totally jealous of my baking and cake-decorating skills! If you want to hire me out for your child's birthday party (or any other festive occasion), please feel free to contact me, and I'll be happy to check my schedule.

We cannot believe our baby girl is already a year and a half old! The time is flying! We love you, Kate!


Contemplating the last 18 months ...


Play, play, play! Kate loves this toy.


What's a celebration without Connect Four?


She just loves that game!


Kate helps Tanna put the new kitchen together.


Move over, Martha Stewart!


So much to do! Kate is modeling her Hello Kitty apron--a 1st birthday gift from Uncle Johnny, Aunt Anne, Abigail and Anna-Claire.


What a masterpiece! hahaha!


Happy 18 Months!

Fun Times with Halmoni

Earlier this month, we went out to eat to celebrate Halmoni's birthday (which is December 28th). The next day, Kate and I went to the mall with Halmoni, and we had so much fun! Here are some photos ...


At dinner


Kate smiling at Tanna's parents


walking with Halmoni


Eating lunch at the food court--we love CFA!


Look! A carousel! I want to ride!


Wheeeeeee!


On the way home ...

Kate @ 17 Months

Kate is actually 18 months old now--I am just running behind on her 17-month update. I had jotted a few things down to remember about Kate at 17 months, so here we go:

• Kate is a CLIMBER! She tries to scale anything and everything! Not only did she successfully get out of her crib on Christmas Eve, she also can climb ON TOP OF the dining-room table in about five seconds--so you can't turn your back for a minute. It seems like she is always looking for something new to climb.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Speaking of, *not* strapping her into her high chair is no longer an option. LOL!
• She loves crayons.
• She has renewed her interest in taking the CDs off of the CD towers. For the most part, she likes to transport them over to the coffee table.
  
  
  
  
  
• Kate is eating more and more on her own--and she has learned how to use a fork. She is still fine-tuning her skills, but she is such a big girl with her eating utensils. If for some reason she isn't eating something, if you give her a fork to use ... she all of a sudden has a bigger appetite. ;o)
• She likes touching cars--like, the outside of cars ... our car, various cars in the garage, etc. It's a challenge to keep her hands to herself when we are getting in and out of the car. Man, cars are dirty!
  
  
  
  
  
• Kate appears to be thinning out--it looks like she is losing some of her baby fat.
• She likes to "read" books--she will pretend like she is reading a book and babble away.
  
• Speaking of books, she will bring a book to me, turn around and back up to sit in my lap. She also does this with a few toys and with socks/shoes.
  
  
  
  
  
• She still enjoys bath time! She also enjoys her Little People--here she is with the bus set from Auntie Kymber, Uncle Ted and three of her Cali cousins.
• She knows when she is in trouble.
  
• She is good about having her face wiped.
  
  
  
  
  
• She practices her karate moves--just like her old man! LOL! One day Tanna was doing some moves, and she started imitating him. It is hilarious. So now if you do the karate yell "kiai!" (pronounced kee-yah!), she will get a big smile and then try to do the hand motions that go along with some of the kicks.
• Kate has learned some of her body parts. She has known her ears for a little while (when you ask her where her ear is, she will tug on it--LOL!), but she also now knows her belly button, her toes and her fingers.
  
  
  
  
  
• She has a sweet tooth--just like her Mommy!
  
• When she is finished eating, she likes for her high chair tray to be clean. It is OK if food is on there while she is partaking, but when she is finished, she is finished--and she wants the tray clean. She also will take the paper towel I usually have at meal time and try to wipe the tray herself. hahaha
  
  
  
  
  
• Here is another thing that Tanna taught her: making the noise that occurs when you put your hand up to your mouth over and over while making the "ahhhh" sound. What do you call that? I was going to call it an Indian chant (not very PC, I know)--but Tanna thought I was crazy. Probably still does ... and for many other reasons. :o)

We are alive!

Hi, everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posts. We have been really busy--Kate was sick last week, and I am sick this week. But she is fine now, and I am feeling better. Thanks for your phone calls and e-mails. I will try to post something soon. Have a great day!

Seh-Beh 2009

Happy New Year!

Seh-beh is part of a traditional Korean New Year's celebration. We celebrated with Tanna's parents on Jan. 2 this year because Tanna's Mom had to work on New Year's Day. Seh-Beh itself is a bowing ceremony during which the younger people bow to the older people (generationally speaking, of course) to show respect. Those bowing say "Sah-hae bohk mah-nee bah-duh-sae-yo," which is a wish for prosperity. And then the older people give the younger people money ... typically in the white envelope that is commonly seen at Korean weddings and such. (In case you didn't know, Koreans love to give crisp money in white envelopes as gifts.)

This was Kate's second Seh-beh. She wore the hanbok that Halabji and Halmoni brought back from Korea for her first birthday. I'm a little sad that this is probably the last time she will wear it before it is too small--but she already has one that she can wear next year (see the photo below). I wore the hanbok I wore to our engagement party, and Tanna's Mom wore the hanbok she wore to our wedding.


Kate tried on this hanbok the night before. It is the hanbok Rebekah wore in our wedding (the other flower girls wore one just like it, too). It's still a little big, but should fit quite nicely next year.


Tanna thoroughly enjoyed eating some Korean food, including the traditional New Year's dish ... dduk-mandu kuk (rice-cake soup with dumplings).

Here are some more photos from Seh-Beh 2009:


Family Pic


Hanbok time!


Will bow for money. haha!


Here's Kate getting her $$ from Halabaji--she actually tried to hand it back to him.


Here I am trying to help Kate bow. Notice the practice golf ball by my hem. LOL! Kate loves playing with those!


Back in her regular clothes, Kate resumed another one of her favorite activities at Halmoni and Halabaji's house--climbing the stairs.


Oh, and here is another one--playing on the keyboard.

Here's to 2009--may it be a great year full of blessings for you all!