The Beach

We managed to squeeze in a mini-vacation to Hilton Head Island this week. I'm doing some work at the local hospitals and Dave's doing work from our hotel room. Yesterday, he took the kids to the beach and today I ventured to the beach with Jackie & Cameron while Lucy napped.

This is how Jackie wanted to spend her time at the beach. She would join us when she was done 'sunning'.

And this is how CamO wanted to spend his time.

She actually brought a book to read at the beach.

And he was like the Energizer Bunny.

Rest time was over, and it was time to start working on the sand castle.

It's amazing how kids make fast friends with each other. These 4 spent nearly an hour working on a sand moat. A moat, b/c the sand castles weren't coming out of the buckets. The other boys are from England and thought Cameron's 'accent' was just hysterical. Not to mention the fact that he asked them repeatedly how old they were and what their names were. (Seriously, is this something I should be worried about?!)

They finally ventured into the chilly water together.

I Love Lucy

She's coming into her own and she's so much fun these days!

Peace, baby!

Ellie and Lucy LOVE each other.

Easter Egg Hunt

The CF annual Easter Egg Hunt was the best yet! Besides the fact that I didn't plan a thing, there was a firetruck & a magic show! Here Anna Kate and Olivia put their baskets to good use before they filled it with Easter eggs.

Deane helped Lucy collect eggs, while Cameron managed to fill his bucket to the rim on his own.

Leigh followed closely behind Cameron as he left the 'girl colors' for her to collect.

Tanner, Cameron & LeighO showed off their loot.

Not that he was actually taking care of his baby sister, but CamO looks like a giant here! (They're actually both midgets.)

Once Lucy figured out what was happening, she was unstoppable!

The local firemen gave the kids a tour of the fire truck, showed off their gear and reminded them what to do in case of an emergency.

The firemen's safety lecture was totally lost on the little ones. Once the firemen said '911' the kids started shouting out numbers, counting, etc. So they showed off the cool siren & lights, giant tires & ladders instead.

CamO felt right at home in the cabin.

While LeighO needed a little prompting to get in the fire truck.

Seriously, we couldn't get this kid out.

Getting ready for the magic show, Deane was on duty.

The crowd gathered to watch the magic show, but Lucy and I went back home b/c it was nap time for my baby. (Check out Julie's blog for complete coverage of the magic show animals.)

It was a fruitful egg hunt and a sugar high that lasted a few days!

Tornado Hits Paul Home

You know it was a good party when even the table was turned over. This past weekend we had some new friends join us for dinner and a playdate. We heard the tornado happening upstairs as we enjoyed the company of adults downstairs. The tornado was worth adult conversation.

And, I KNOW I've been lackadaisical about posting, but I've been without a computer for over a week now. Dave took it to the repair shop and it's getting a major overhaul. BTW, don't bring your computer, ipod, shuffle or phone to our house b/c we will fry it, lose it or run over it with a car. I'm not saying...

Problem Solving

Happy is not amused.

Talkasaurus

Lucy has ARRIVED! She's walking and TALKING! Language EXPLOSION! Happy, Jackie, Hunter....you name it, she says it. Of course, translation is another story, but some words are clear as day. It's about time, baby girl!

Oh- and tick season is here. Too bad Mr. Chad doesn't have tiny guns to take care of the ticks that like to climb on people, namely our children. I picked one off CamO's head tonight. Super.

Pictures later.

Run DC

This weekend, CamO and I met my sister and mom in Washington, DC to run a half marathon. It was a great weekend, jam-packed with sight-seeing, running and loads o' walking. Grandma took all the pictures as she was voted the one with the smallest camera. I'll post when I get the gazillion photos, each 2 mb in size from Gma.

We had great food, thanks to the recommendations. CamO and Gma found a kids park to play at while Steph and I chatted away on our super scenic run. Steph shaved off a few minutes on her time!

Of course, we did all the touristy stuff- Washington Monument, Reflecting Pool, Lincoln Mem'l, WW2 Mem'l, Vietnam War Mem'l, Nat'l Aquarium, White House peeping, Capitol Bldg, Smithsonian Museum, Watching the Protesters (afterall, the vote is expected today on health care reform)...and we walked everywhere.

CamO did fantastic. He was a trooper. And now we're home and I'm pooped.

Going on a trip

Jackie packs like she's heading out for her last supper any time she takes a trip. As seen above, a stroll around the house requires a box of graham crackers and a foam sword. (Who knows- they might starve when they get to the stairs, or encounter a hungry monster.) When we walk around the block (20 min total) she packs a backpack full of water, baby dolls, cheese sticks...like we're going for a day-trip to the beach. You should see the overnight bagS she packs when we really do take a day-trip to the beach. Sheesh! I'm beginning to think it's a girl thing b/c when Cameron sees his friends outside, he drops everything and runs out to play with them, forgetting the fact that he has no pants on. Ever.

The camera, again?

Smile for me, Bird.

Seriously, will you smile?

Ok, we're done here.

Where the Wild things are...

The boys are wild and crazy. And scare the bejeezus out of me! But they love life!

They're HERE! They're HERE!

Well, now they're gone, but they WERE HERE! Grandad and Grandma Holly visited for the weekend and the kids were beside themselves with excitement. Gma and Gdad were new playmates, a fresh audience, unpolluted ears...and the kids put them to work. What fun we all had!

The Beginning and the End

One year ago today, we got THE CALL from Barker that they found a baby for us: HONG, Sooryeo, 2008-712/KSJ.

Today we got THE CALL from The Clerk of Courts that Lucy is OFFICIALLY Lucy Sooryeo Paul. The paperwork has ended! One, exact year later.

Our Little Lucy

Upon hearing the news, Dave and I celebrated!