Visit from Grandma Laurie and Grandpa Jim

Though it was a short visit, we enjoyed having Patrick's mom and stepfather in Raleigh. Zachary enjoyed having both sets of grandparents around. Of course, he loved that they had a house on wheels. They have been traveling cross country this summer in Jim's RV. We were so excited that they could visit us since we missed them in Hawaii.

We're cousins!

This summer we are staying in my parents house along with my my sister's family. It's a pretty hectic place but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Getting to watch Zachary play with Dawson and Kenan as been so special. It's amazing how much cousins can love each other. It is quite a cultural experience bringing Zachary from Korea and Dawson and Kenan from Mali and then throw in normal 2/3 year old behavior but they are doing quite well. Mrs. Heather, I promise that Zachary will be back to using the potty inside when we get back to Korea. :)

Our first night back together. I think they eventually went to bed.
Zachary and Kenan enjoying singing songs together. They are a lot alike. They both enjoy music and balls. It's fun to watch them interact.
Breakfast with my cousin.
With Dawson, Zachary enjoys playing with cars. They have also been pretty brave together and tackled the big slides at the park.
Trying to catch Grandma's fish. Oh the adventures the summer will bring!

Together Again!

Besides seeing family again this summer, one of the most special reunions we have had this summer is with the Hixson family. Zachary and Chase spent every day together before we left for Korea and now a year older and a bit taller, they still have as much fun as ever. I knew they remembered each other as we Skype often, but to watch them reunite was so special. They couldn't stop hugging each other and didn't want to separate. Zachary still asks to go back to Chase's house. I hope this friendship is life long one. Their first meeting- Zachary brought Chase a Korean airplane.
The first of many hugs.
Aren't they handsome? We didn't even plan to dress alike. :)
We also celebrated the Fourth of July with them but on the 3rd. Last year we had a cookout with yummy chicken roll-ups and then went to the fireworks in Garner. The chicken roll-ups were a good tradition to keep but we decided to forgo the fireworks this year and just do our own with sparklers. The kids enjoyed it so much more and still got to bed at a reasonable hour. Sparklers are great fireworks for Zachary, they make no noise. :)

Yummmmm!

Everyone knows about my addiction to Chick-fil-a so this post is a must. After greeting my family in the airport, my first stop on the way home was Chick-fil-a for a biscuit. As of today, I have been to Chick-fil-a 14 times in 4 weeks and I am sure there are many more to come in the last two weeks.

My first taste in 10 months!

Not only did I stop for breakfast that morning but it was our first dinner in NC as well.
Zachary even enjoys Chick-fil-a. He actually prefers the chicken soup but I really think he is there for the chocolate milk and the playground. He knows this is mommy's favorite place to eat and can recognize it now. It is good to know that I am "training up my child in the way he should go." :)

Way behind

I'm way behind in blogging for the summer. We have been so busy and done so much it is hard to keep up with it all. Since we left Korea on June 8th we have spent 10 days in Honolulu, HI with Patrick's family, traveled to Raleigh, Patrick's parents came to visit, the MacLean's came home, Amy and Matt got married and we spent a week at Holden Beach. Hard to believe we only have 2 more weeks and we are back in Korea. Guess we go back to relax :).

Here are a few of our pictures from Hawaii.

After 4 visits to Hawaii, I finally made it to the Arizona Memorial. It's not the best place to take a 2 year old to truly reflect on the impact of that day on our country's history but it was still a pretty powerful place to visit. Zachary understood about the boat under water and was very respectful during our visit. One day we'll go back and get the full effect.

Zachary enjoyed playing at the beaches. If his cousins Samantha and Shane were around, the beach was even more fun.
Uncle Stu reading books to the kids on Father's day.

Aren't they precious?

Stuart and Susie treated us to Sesame Street Live while we were there. Zachary was so excited to see Elmo on stage but I don't think his excitement truly compared the excitement of his mother. This was a dream come true for this Sesame Street fanatic. Maybe it's pregnancy hormones or just this little kid at heart, but I even teared up when the show started. Sad I know but what a great night!

Chats with Zach~ Episode 4

We are in North Carolina now where everyday is a new adventure for Zachary as he relearns what America is like. He is always asking where we are going or where are we. Separation issues are a part of daily life as well as fears of the unknown and new noises.

Zachary has a new bed here at Grandma's house and when we first arrived, would be sleeping in Aunt Sheri's room until they would get here. Apparently there are many sights and sounds in that room that scare him. Patrick and Zachary had a conversation with Zachary about Jesus helping us to be brave.

Zachary- It's scary Daddy
Patrick- But Jesus gives us the power to be what?
Zachary- brave. Is Jesus in here with me?
Patrick- Yes he is all around us and he will help you not to be scared.
Zachary- Is Jesus in my tummy like baby sister?
Patrick- No. But Jesus can be in your heart like he is in Mommy and Daddy's heart.

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Our new toy since arriving in NC has been the Nintendo Wii. Zachary has always loved 'pretend play' of tennis and bowling on Uncle John's Wii. Now Zachary seems to be an expert and can play pretty well on his own. Sometimes he will even beat us. He asks to play almost every day. The other day Grandma and Zachary were playing golf. Grandma was having a little trouble as she was learning which buttons to push and how to play. Apparently to Zachary she was taking too long and not on the right screen. He looked up at Grandma and said "Grandma, you have to push the A button."

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While anticipating the arrival of family Zachary and Grandma were having a discussion in the car on the way to church.

Grandma- Do you know who comes in 3 days?
Zachary- Grandma Laurie and Grandpa Jim!
Grandma- Do you know who comes in 4 days?
Zachary- Dawson and Kenan and Aunt Sheri and Uncle Brett!
Grandma- Yeah!
Zachary- But who comes in 5 days?
Grandma- I don't know. Who do you want to come in 5 days?
Zachary- Jesus.

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Now that Aunt Sheri, Uncle Brett, Dawson and Kenan are here the conversations have become much more enjoyable between Zachary and cousin Dawson (3 years old). At our first evening meal together, Dawson and Zachary were sitting at the head of the table together. Randomly Zachary leans over to Dawson, "Hey Dawson! Dawson! I like ABC's" and then goes back to eating his dinner.

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For the Fourth of July we had a a lot of family over and since the boys are still adjusting to time changes we didn't feel like keeping them up late for fireworks that we definitely knew Zachary would not enjoy- he's too scared of loud noises. Aunt Patricia and Uncle John brought 'magic snakes' that grow when burned out of a little pellet and Grandma had sparklers. She also had canisters that were supposed to pop and send confetti shooting in the air. The first can didn't work to well and Uncle John had to pretty much pour out the confetti. Cousin Ben was able to get the second one to pop very well and the confetti shot high in the sky and fluttered to the ground. Everyone was surprised and oohed and aahed. Zachary did for a moment then said "I don't want that no more."

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Sheri and I took the boys to the park one morning in Grandma's car with three car seats lined in the back. With a 3-year old, a 2- year old and a 1- year old emotions fluctuate from loving each other to worst enemies if they want the same toy. Today they were best friends. The three boys were chatting and making noise in the back seat when we heard.

Dawson- Zacky (pause) I love you. I love you Kenan.

Zachary- I love you too Dawson.

Doesn't that just make your heart melt?