Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!

On our way to Christmas Eve services

:) sbc

Just Warming Up

We "went on tour" warming up for the big events of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Tuesday we enjoyed a casual dinner with our friends the Finns and Jordan-Rosatos, some of Kyle's former co workers at GM. Of course I forgot my camera, but I will remember it certainly for the upcoming happy hour at Jim and Stephen's, who are restoring a seven bedroom home in Indian Village. I can't wait.  Thanks to Hadi and Matt for babysitting!  The next morning, we woke up and enjoyed Kerrytown with Hadi: Sweetwaters, Taste Our Goods and Elephant Ears. I heart Kerrytown.

A little breakfast and coffee

Morning coffee

Daddy and Nathan

Wednesday night Nathan got a little time with Nana and Grandpa during a nice dinner out.  Thanks for dinner Nana and Grandpa!

Grandpa, I wore my Michigan shirt for you! 

Nathan and Nana

Nathan, Nana and Grandpa

Awww! Kyle, Nana and Nathan 

Kyle, Nana, Grandpa and Nathan

Kyle, Nana, Grandpa and Nathan

Thursday started with a dentist appointment--no fun, and probably why I forgot my camera for all the fun afterwards.  Kyle had a play date with Kendall, Claire and Laura while I lunched with Sandy, Kim and Lexi. In the evening we went to a Holiday Party at the residence of the one and only Carrie Jones.  It was so fun to see everyone!  Our last stop was the MSU basketball game. Whew!

Christmas Eve Eve we reunited with the Tobins. Michelle and I have been friends 23 years (I just had to count that out with my mom...WOW).  Thanks to Jean and Dave for hosting and for a delicious dinner. Jean suggested that we make "Christmas Eve Eve" a tradition. I am in!

Graham and Nathan 

Kisses! (We are so going to post this at their high school graduations) 

Boys!

Jean and Nathan

L to R: Me, Kyle, Nathan, Luke, Graham, Michelle (and Baby Girl Tobin inside Michelle!).

:) sbc

An Annual Affair

Saturday Natey Wi participated in his first annual Bupp Holiday Party.

But, first things first.  Before the party began, we attempted to capture a family photo (sans Robinson kids and my brother's family).

Testing the timer 

Timer works! Jess, Me, Sage 

Sisters! Sage & Sophie

Handsome Test Subjects: Allen Fam

Success!
Back Row L-R: Lonnie, Jess, Sami, Nathan, Kyle, Cheryl, Me
Front Row L-R: Bill, Sophie, Sage, Matt, Heather

Then the party got started.

Gram, Nathan & Nana 

Claire, Laura & Kendall

Nathan & Amy

Janet, Jess & Nathan

                             

Pam, Sophie, Sage & Nathan

Anneke & Nathan

After Nathan went to bed, I got some fun photos. Here are some favorites from the night. 

The "Kids" (L to R: Corey, Zach, Jay, Schuyler, Anneke)

2/3 of the Woodruff girls (L to R: Amanda, Caitlin)

Kim, Jess & Carlos 

Randy, Val, Leah & Austin Adams

Gerritt & Sean Feyen

Caitlin, Amanda & Pam Woodruff

Vicki, Kyle being silly, Kim

Kyle, Me & Kim

Such a fun party!

Kyle & Me

:)sbc

Jet Lag

Nathan is adjusting to the 14 hour time change like a champ (thanks to Hadi and Kyle for getting him through the first two nights). Now he's found his groove and having no trouble finding time to really sit back, relax and enjoy the Holidays!

Nathan's version of a milk moustache

Kyle's Birthday Weekend

Kyle's birthday weekend was a busy one for us--and for my sisters and mom, too! This was our annual holiday baking weekend.
 

I was sorry to miss it, but I tried to do my part.  I continued my mom's tradition of making a three layer chocolate birthday cake, including frosting from scratch.

Then we attended a Holiday Open House at the Banyan Tree, an event held each year by the American Chamber of Commerce. This year the American Women's Club partnered with AMCHAM to benefit several Korean charities and American service people. While Nathan didn't spend any time with Santa, he certainly made the rounds!

with Stephanie

with Stephanie's daughter Carolyn

with Randi

with Randi's son Will

with Stephanie's daughters Katherine and Carolyn

Saturday night we had Lynn (our helper twice a week) babysit and we went to dinner in Meyongdong (think Chicago's Miracle Mile...lots of lights, decorations and elaborate storefront displays).  I always try to take advantage of all/most of us being "presentable" and make use of my tripod and camera timer.

Crocketts

We had a nice time out to dinner and walking around the area. As much as I am excited to go home, this weekend was a great reminder that I really like this city and all it has to offer.

LOTS of lights

Subway

That wreath in the center is like 2 1/2 stories tall!

Let the holidays begin!

:) sbc

PS--December 9 is also my brother's birthday.  Happy birthday, Tom!

Letter To My Husband

Dear Kyle,

Today is your birthday and I hope that you have a wonderful day full of love.

Since you will be spending your usual eleven hours at work, two hours on the road and half hour at the GM Korea free-of-charge-because-no-one-in-their-right-mind-would-pay-for-this-food-cafeteria, I thought you might need a little help with the “love” part.

I love and am honored by your dedication to Nathan and me.

I want you to know that because of you and your place in my/our life, I regularly—seriously, regularly—pause and reflect about how happy and satisfied I feel.  I am truly and utterly fulfilled and it’s because I share a life with you. I would follow you anywhere (and we know that is true, because we live way over here in Korea). You are my home.

You are generous and thoughtful. You are smart and brave. You are witty and good natured. You are honest and respectful. You are protective and inclusive. You are encouraging and supportive. You love your mother and you love my mother. You are the best man I know.  

You wrote to me on our wedding day, “You are the first and last thing that inspired me to have faith—in love, in you, in us.”  From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your faith in me, in us and in love changed my life forever. I am so lucky.

I love you. 

:) sbc