Starting The Week Off Right

First thing on Monday, we play!
Recently, Nathan and I were invited to join a weekly playgroup. Each Monday morning he hangs pretty close to me for the first few minutes, then plays by himself for another few. Soon, he's off and running and being his very social self (wonder where he gets that)! We have only been going for a month or so, but I am really finding it helps us start the week off right. 
Here are a few pictures from this morning and the past couple Mondays. 

A little time alone before joining the crowd

This morning's session winding down

Peek-a-boo

Just looking out the window

Driving around with Charlie

More fun with Charlie

:) sbc

Coffee Talk

You don't have to know a lot about Kyle to know that he loves-loves-loves his coffee. 
Like father, like son.  On weekends when Kyle returns from coffee runs, Nathan reaches for our cups immediately, looking to join in on our coffee talk. 

Finally the coffee has arrived! I'll just sit right down here...Momma, a little help?

Let's see...this is how Daddy does it

Don't worry, we only give him our cup after we have enjoyed it (it's empty).

Delicious!

:) sbc

Taking Care of Business

Today Kyle left on a week-long business trip to Detroit. Between meetings, we managed to squeeze in some time to take care of other important business:  Visits with some folks from both sides of our family--fun!

Here is Natey's reaction to the news that we weren't tagging along:

This is not my "good news" face

I want to go with you, Daddy

See? I fit perfectly

Now if I can just get this closed

Well if I can't go, I will help you pack

Someone say toiletries? Check.

Waving bye bye

 :) sbc

ps--Mom, check out the stack of "Korean Cookies" coming your way!

As Easy As 1-2-3!

One...

Two...

Two and a half...

THREE!

:)sbc

Hike, Hike--Again! (American Women's Club)

Part of the reason the Crocketts hiked Namsan last weekend was to make sure that I could make it up with my backpack--aka Natey Wi.  Turns out, the Namsan path is literally made for walking, unlike the unforgiving inclines around my neighborhood (you'd think I would get the clue with no sidewalks anywhere).  Saturday I made it with flying colors, and so today we joined the American Women's Club for a Namsan hike and lunch at a nearby Austrian restaurant--yay, schnitzel! A perfect fall morning and afternoon.

Before

After

 :) sbc

Hike, Hike!

On Saturday, we hiked Namsan Mountain to the N Seoul Tower. We've been there many times with visitors via the cable car and/or taxi, but never on foot. It was a perfect morning!

Oooh! Look at that!

We made it to the top--out of the carrier at long last

Getting a load of the Korean Guard

New Guard Friend (not too sure about him)

Happy not to be strapped to Mom's back

Rock climbing

On the way back down

Pep in his step

An outtake!

:) sbc

Home Sweet Home Away From Home

First, a very happy birthday to my mother-in-law Sandy. 

For some years, maybe even this year, she hasn't really felt like celebrating her birthday--I can't imagine it has been easy to have a birthday on September 11 for the last 11 years. My heart hurts just writing that. I don't mean to gloss over, not at all, but I do want to focus on the positive: So, happy birthday, Sandy! You are one of the finest examples of all that is good and right in this world, and on a day like today, we need to be reminded of good. Thanks for being a great mother-in-law and a loving Nana. 

Natey and Nana at Carlos and Kim's

Next, We're back in Korea, back in the swing of things. Back to playgroup, back to AWC and SIWA meetings (American Women's Club of Korea and Seoul International Women's Association, respectively), back to the gym, back to Bugak skywalk (ouch, hills, I have been away too long). All is well, and it's truly nice to be back to our life and our routines, not to mention seeing Kyle everyday.

Finally, let's blame my radio silence on my macbook. It's been a good--no, great--little laptop for me since 2008. Alas, it's on its last legs. Accessing my photos has been something of a hardship. 

So, where did I leave off? Yes, our second anniversary (which posted on Seoul time which made it look like 8/22, but I swear I posted on my actual anniversary of August 21). I digress. 

Then we went to the zoo! 

Natey saving tables in Kerrytown

A little chat while we wait for our pre-Zoo breakfast 

The butterfly house!

My boys contemplate animals over a snack

It was a very warm day, I wish I could've stood in this fountain

Oops, cut the Polar Bear's head out of our cute group shot (L to R Kyle, Sami, Sophie, Nate, Sage and Jess)

Waiting on the polar bears

Seals! 

The Allen girls and Natey

Yay, Zoo!

:)sbc