Constant Beginnings

i didn't experience any jetlag since returning, but i think that may be because i've been running ragged since i returned. my body just hasn't had a chance to realize that it is tired ;) we took things pretty easy on saturday. chris had been working 12 hour days and we were all ready for a break. our saturday excitement came in the form of a trip to the playground on base. not too exciting, but fun enough. to appease the grandparents and aunties, i took pictures.

Chris' proof that the girls' hair was done. I should point out that the headband in Claire's hair is for an infant ;) Getting ready for some rainbow jello after their baths. I need to teach Chris about posing and zoom, but he did take pictures which was great! He even dressed them alike. Way to go, Daddy! You did a great job! Phew! We are back on the bloggosphere. Finally. My Mom turned 60 this year, so we decided to celebrate with a family trip to Vegas. Initially, my sisters were planning the trip thinking I wouldn't be able to go, but I insisted. I never go anywhere minus my husband or kiddos and I can't remember the last time my sisters and parents and I have all been together with just us. There was no need to twist my arm as I was IN! Thank goodness I went. It was just what the doctor ordered. Sun in face, time with my family, lots of laughs, some fantastic shows and a bit of shopping. It couldn't have been better.  Truly. I love my family so...

we took the kiddos to seoul yesterday for the seoul lantern festival. it was held on the cheonggyecheon river which means clean stream. this river used to be dirty and smelly, but the president paid nearly 400 million dollars to clean the river. the river hosted 1,000 paper lanterns, which are more comparable to parade floats in america, except made from paper, of course. they were beautiful. each had vibrant colors and elaborate details. there were lanterns from korea, china and japan. our chief complaint was the amount of people. it was packed. awful. we didn't even venture down below to the waterfront, but stayed above where we weaved in and out of traffic. it was congested to say the least. my personal bubble was invaded for 3 hours straight. ugh. chris was jabbed by an 80 year old lady. the older people are by far the worst. i am not sure why that is, but my personal opinion is that the younger generations are more exposed to american culture than the older on...

mya is a run way model in the making. i mean really, look at those legs. luscious! she's so funny. she brought a pair of claire's dress up shoes to me this morning, wanting me to help her put them on. i did and she pranced around like she owned the place. don't look to closely, her coif was not done by a professional stylist and her food residue   makeup was not applied by a professional either ;) either way, this kid has a big future ahead of her!

when chris and i began talking about trying for baby number 2 with claire only being one, we knew it would be a huge undertaking with two less than two years apart, but the bond and closeness established by their close ages would be worth it ten fold. that has most definitely been our experience. claire and mya have a love and relationship like no other. they truly have become the best of friends. mya tries to be just like claire. the above pictures are perfect examples. i simply asked them to stand by the couch, but if you look at their arms, they are identical positioning. too funny. the monkey see, monkey do, tends to drive claire crazy sometimes, but it is really quite precious. i can't wait to see their relationship continue to flourish as only a sisters' can. some things are truly worth the sacrifice and in our case, the momentary lapse in sanity and our many days in survival mode are so worth it. we are so blessed.

This blog is always taking a back seat. Between work, Chris' wacko work schedule this week, being sick (yes, all FOUR of us at once---awesome!), and fullfilling orders for invitations, this blog seems to fall farther and farther behind. Enough gentle nudges and I do return to regularity. Our Halloween was different. The base had a "trick or treat bash," in which the places of work handed out candy. It was great. Claire was in heaven, Mya was TERRIFIED of anything larger than 4 feet in costume and both got a bag full of sugary goodness. We went around with my friend from work and her two girls. It was fun. Chris's office handed out candy, so we stopped in and said hello. Mya was immediately snatched up. They all love our kids like their own. It is really nice. Anyway, they thought Mya was adorable in her little lion outfit. She even roared on command, which sealed the deal. Claire enjoyed seeing some friends from school, although she was a bit reluctant to...

This is the long awaited video of our house. I thought it would be quicker than photographing every room, but the trade off is my poor videographer skills. I have been known to induce nausea. Sorry. Enjoy the video. Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

with a clever play on lyrics...these are two of my favorite things. i love these girls more than anything. every stinkin' thing they do makes me want to capture that moment and bottle it up forever. time just passes way too quickly. mya can definitely hold her own ;) melt my heart. there is nothing like sisterly love. just because i couldn't decide which picture i liked more. double the picture equals double the cuteness. face 1 of claire's many faces. this girls latest gig has been fake sleeping. she insisted on this pose tonight. no idea what this is about. however, i will say it is definitely claire. the girl has spunk. awww. love that smile. mya. she can ooo me anyday. love her. she ventured to climbing into the highchair tonight. she was so very proud of herself. i also heard a three word phrase from her as well--"i want some." can you guess what it as in reference to? CANDY!!