Happy New Year!

Ask any frequent mover: the day your household goods arrive at your new house is better than Christmas! Haaaaaaappy New Year!

Poor Santa.

Charlie's 1st Birthday!

Charlie's first birthday was so fun! His cake was baked by me (yellow cake with chocolate frosting) and decorated by Ben with his favorite fruit - bananas, blueberries, and strawberries! He loved it!

"This giant caterpillar is awesome!"

November in Alabama

We're spending a couple months in Alabama while Ben is in training. This may be the best time to come to Alabama... the weather is perfect!

On our Sunday walk:

Happy Halloween!

Charlie's 1st Halloween! He's a gnome, because that's what you get when you wait until Oct 30th to find a costume. Plus, he's kind of a little old man already. (ps the hat was WAY to little for his big head, but I think he rocks it anyway.)

Picnic in the Park

...and our next adventure is...

Tinker AFB, Oklahoma!

Thailand

We spent the last week in Thailand, dividing our time between Bangkok, Chaing Mai, and Phuket. Each area had so much to offer -  we could've stayed for weeks or months!

From Bangkok, we saw the Kwai River (famous from the movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai" about POWs in WWII). We also saw several buddhist temples and shrines. 

In Chaing Mai, we spent a day at an elephant rescue, feeding and caring for the elephants. This way, by far, my very favorite part of the whole trip.

Charlie wasn't scared of the elephants at all. He actually (softly) kicked one of the old elephants on her cheek. She wasn't bothered at all. 

We got to "bathe" an elephant in the river, throwing buckets of water on it. She seemed to like it. :)

In Phuket, we stayed at a Marriott resort right on the beach.

We loved the pool...

But the beach was even better!

And everywhere we went, Charles was a celebrity. In Korea, he gets some adoration for being a white baby, but in Thailand, almost EVERYONE wanted to hold him and take pictures with him. It was wild!

At a restaurant at the River Kwai, the waitress asked to hold him and took him to show him off to the rest of the staff. They fed him tiny bananas with a tiny spoon. He loved it, of course.

I still can't believe we visited Thailand! It was truly an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime trip that we will NEVER forget!

6 months.

My boy is half a year old today! So handsome!

Mother's Day

Charlie chose my first Mother's Day gift - his favorite toy! I loved it and shared with him, of course. :)

Congratulations, Ben!

Ben completed his Masters degree in International Relations! Today was his graduation ceremony at Yongsan in Seoul. Charles missed his daddy while he was getting his diploma and was so happy to have him back!

English with Iron Man 3.

I saw Iron Man 3 tonight - sweet freedom! The English is amazing, by the way. I love you, Korea!

My popcorn bucket:

Utah with Family.

We were able to visit family and friends in Utah when Charlie was just 4 months old. He loved meeting everyone, and they all loved him, of course!

Ben and his family. So serious when they have mustaches...

Charlie with some of my family: 

his grandma, great-grandma, and cousin...

... and grandpa.

It was a fun trip!

Getting some tasty Jamba after landing in Seoul. Home sweet home...

Happy Easter!

Charlie found this Easter egg at his first egg hunt, and he wouldn't let it go. He loves it!

Happy Easter!

100 days.

Koreans celebrate the 100th day of life with gifts of rice cakes and usually a gold ring. Our sweet friend, Ms. Kim, gave him a beautiful gold ring!





Happy 100 days, Charlie! You're still alive!

This kid!

Charles and his buddy, Michael.

Happy 3 months to the coolest kid I know!

Blessing Day

Charles' baby blessing was today. He looked very dapper in his white suit!