Santa Baby

The week before Christmas, Santa visited Gymboree! But not before the kids dressed for the occasion.

This is the look Natey gave me when I approached with his "Holiday accessories"

Outfit complete!

Sticky snowballs

Santa (wink-wink)

Happy Holidays!

:) sbc

 

Dear Santa

December 9 (when I started this post) is Kyle's birthday--and my brother's, too--happy birthday to Kyle and Tom!

We had plans to attend ANZA's Family Christmas Brunch, but Kyle has been sick since Friday and was still down for the count. Nathan and I left him at home to rest and went to see about a man called Santa.

The event was held at the Millennium Hilton in Seoul, and boy do they do Christmas right. Nathan joined right in with the other kids wandering with wonder around the multi-track, live rail system winding around the lobby through village scene after village scene, complete with a three story (at least) tall Christmas tree.

It was just magical to see Christmas through Nathan's eyes. Truthfully, I was very much missing Kyle as well as our families, and watching Nathan erupt with glee at every passing train and twinkling light combined with the live carolers signing "I'll Be Home for Christmas" proved more than I could handle. I got caught up in a little moment. I have not ever cried in public in Seoul, and am determined to keep my streak going, so those couple tears I wiped away don't count.

Prepping the group shot

Look who's on Santa's lap!

Checking out one of the trees

Watching the boats dock

Tunnel!

Attempt at tree pic

My favorite little elf

Look! (I think he spent most of his time pointing)

Even Korean kids are enthralled with western kids.

This little boy was more interested in the strange western child than the trains

Waiting for his train to come in...

:) sbc

 

Snow Much Fun!

With all this snow, snow and more snow, I just had to let Nathan experience it. It has been bitterly cold here (between 16 and 20 degrees), so our big outdoor adventure was short lived, but lots of fun just the same.

No mittens, no problem! We've got socks!

Let's see what is over here...

Ick--Not what I thought it would taste like

Frozen cheekers

Ok, ready for my hot chocolate!

:) sbc

So long, Farewell...

It seems each weekend brings another farewell engagement. Last weekend we said goodbye to the Thomases who are repatriating (Northville) with GM.

Saying goodbye! (Carla in the middle wearing red)

Farewell!

This weekend we sent off the Trucksis family in true Galbi (Korean barbecue) style, as they venture with GM to Togliatti, Russia.

Our dear friends Jim and Cindy Trucksis

Poor Kyle all hopped up on cold medicine

And this is just part of our group!

Jim, Sandra and Cindy Trucksis

:) sbc

Little Drummer Boy

Remember when we were sick a couple weeks ago and missed Gymboree? Friday we went to our make-up class, which was in Korean. I think much was lost in translation, but we still had fun! The Korean version of Gymboree was much louder and had more boys, which was just perfect for this little boy!

Little drummer boys

We don't get drums in the English class!

Taking his act on the road

Have drumsticks...

...will travel

Getting the band back together

:) sbc

 

Let It Snow

Yikes. Seoul came to a near standstill today because of snow-snow-snow. While it was beautiful, a trip that usually takes us 20 minutes took over an hour, and accidentally served as Nathan's nap time. Kyle heeded the weather warnings and came home early. His commute was two hours, not too bad all considered.

Yay for the air log!

Taking five at Gymboree

Nap on the fly

My boys

I am happy to be home and safe with my boys--and thankful for first and second gear--we wouldn't have gotten up the mountain without it.

:) sbc

Halfsies!

Nathan is now a year-and-a-half old! 
I know, I can't believe it, either. 

Well, what else does a person do on their half-birthday but have a check up with Doctor Yoo and maybe get a flu shot?!  Er, wait...

Anyway:

Getting weighed and measured

Look at that polite Korean handoff! (Empty hand touching the giving hand's forearm)

No, I'm not depressed, why? Oh, you said tongue depressor...

How'd I do, Doc?

Natey said some of his words for Doctor Yoo, gave her a kiss and danced for her. She declared him to be a happy, jolly boy (with an impressive head circumference in a percentile of his very own).  

:) sbc

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! 

Our holiday week got off to a bit of a slow start when Natey came down with a little stomach bug. Not fun for anyone. But sometimes, you gotta skip Gymboree and just cuddle on the couch with Mommy :)

Feeling better (after a messy episode in the car...you don't want to know)

Not sure why Mommy is allowing binky and blankets outside of the crib, but thinking I should just go with it

Rested and ready for some fun

By Thanksgiving he was more like himself and we celebrated with the American Women's Club and hosted two Military Service People--Ryan and Corey were delightful and it was sincerely our pleasure to host them. It was a great event (I have no pictures because I wasn't feeling well, sorry). Today we rested, as Kyle and I caught Nathan's bug. We have so much for which to be thankful and are looking forward to the rest of the weekend. Go Blue! 

:)sbc

 

Running With Scissors

On Sunday Nathan had his first "real" haircut. (This summer I trimmed the back a little bit because he was growing a tail--not the look I was going for). One more step away from baby, one giant leap toward little boy.

Poor kid: Took him a year and a half to grow a head of hair and now we're cutting it off!

Here we go!

Hmmm--Daddy seems ok with this...

Not too sure

That tickles!

Look at me, Daddy!

Ok, seriously, how long is this going to take?

Ahh--feels lighter already!

I think I like it!

:) sbc

PS--This post marks my 69th entry in 2012, officially besting my 68 entries for 2011! Thanks very much to those that read the blog (and gently remind me when I have taken too much time between posts). Your readership truly touches me. Again, thank you. sbc