Wordless Wednesday

America's Birthday Present

This year was Gabe's first Fourth of July, American style. We had a fun 'summer in the midwest' kind of weekend. Though we had lots o' activities, Gabe did great and really enjoyed all that we did. We started out on Friday afternoon at the pool with our good friends.

Splashing around:




Saturday, we headed up to Su*merfest , "The World's Largest Music Festival," along Milwaukee's lakefront. There are many stages with all different kinds of music acts, all day long. My uncle has gone every year for the past 24 years (my cousin made him take her to see INXS in '86, and he was hooked). We have gone almost every year over the past ten. It's always a fun afternoon checking out new music, having a few Wisconsin beers and cheese curds, and catching up with family. Gabe had a blast dancing to all the rockin' tunes.

Getting our curds:

Family on the lake:
Hide and seek with aunt Bari:
Gettin' his groove on:

Chillin' between shows:

It was great day at Sum*erfest:
On Sunday, Independence Day, we were off to Dave's aunt and uncle's house for their annual party. We eat delicious ribs, play baseball in the backyard, read the Declaration of Independence and listen to patriotic music while we are treated to a typical backyard fireworks display. Gabe liked it in the beginning with all the fun colors...but once they started popping and 'screaming' he wasn't a fan. On the way home, we pointed out all the cool fireworks we could see from the highway in all the surrounding towns. This time Gabe was doing a lot of clapping, laughing and saying 'ooooohhh.'

Running around:

Hanging with Pops:

Hanging with Grandma:
Hanging with Grammie:America sure is lucky to have Gabe as one of her newest citizens. Happy Birthday, America!

Fighting!

Neither Dave or I are big soccer fans, but we do love any excuse to root for South Korea. Though SoKo recently got knocked out of the World Cup, we are still singing Victory, Victory, Victory...Korea!


Posing with his 'smile'

These next 3 photos were after I said to him "Fighting"



**Thanks to Christine, for her all her thorough World Cup posts over the past few weeks.

Me and My Shadow-Part Deux

Gabe here. I wanted to jump in on mom's blog and tell you how much I love my 'boo-ba' or as my mom calls it my 'blue blankie.' My parents gave it to me as soon as I came home and I've loved it right from the start. When I'm trying to fall asleep, have a cold, or even when I'm happy...I like to rub the satin part on my nose, my face, or through my fingers. Sometimes I like to roll around with it and bury my face in the soft part. Other times, I just carry it and 'boo-ba' drags behind me. Here are some of my favorite photos with my best bud:

Oct 09:


Jan 09:

Feb 09:

June 10:

WW

Me and My Shadow

Remember this post from last year?
Well, here we are a year later with these two looking every bit like the father and son that they are.

Wordless Wednesday

Another Milestone

Tomorrow, Gabe has been with us longer than he was in Korea. I can't believe how fast time flies. I remember first coming home and longing for this anniversary. But today, Gabe's foster family is heavy on my mind, as we know they miss him so much. We simply adore his foster family and feel like they are extended family. Gabe or YoungMin (as we call him with them) was and is so clearly loved by them. I truly believe because of the love they showered on him, he was able to quickly accept the love we gave him. We are eternally grateful for the care they gave him when he needed it most. As Gabe's parents, we are so happy that he will always have this family in Korea.

Here are some of my favorite pics from his first 9mos in Korea:





And for extra Young Min footage, here are some very short videos:




I know I can write all I want about the great care and love his foster family gave him, but these videos really say it all.

Wordless Wednesday

Indulgent Wednesday

I usually try to make my 'Wordless Wednesday' pictures be either a) humorous or b) just a cool picture. But today, I'm posting this one just cuz I think my son looks so darn handsome in this picture...thus a purely indulgent post.
Ah, who am I kidding? They're ALL indulgent posts!