Meeting Jeong Eun in Chicago!

We had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Shin's daughter Jeong Eun in Chicago! She was there to spend a few days before flying back to Korea after a year of study here in America. My family had a great time and Jeong Eun was a great sport playing with and listening to my children. :) Luckily we found each other at the "bean" in Millenium Park. The rain started in pretty heavy so we went to lunch at Noodles. This gave us a chance to talk a little and Lydia a chance to monopolize Jeong Eun's time by showing her every picture and video in her camera. It was raining really hard by the end of lunch so we took a cab back to our hotel where all 3 kids tried to get Jeong Eun's attention. She was so patient and sweet -- she even watched Lydia and Trixie's "Thumbelina" play. Then it was off to Navy Pier where we went through the stained glass museum (since it was still raining). When the rain stopped we went outside and even walked along the lake on our way to the John Hancock building. By then our time with Jeong Eun was over. :( We were off to eat supper and put the kids in bed and she was off for a night of fun. We really enjoyed our time with Jeong Eun and feel honored that she would take some of her time in Chicago to hang out with us.

Happy Easter!

Henry is hiding because he's sneaking and eating another piece of candy!
Uncle Larry came from Wisconsin to visit us!

Danny, Alex, and Dawn up above came in from Kansas City for our get together

Andy, is always a favorite!

Believe it or not this look on Henry's face is what I get when I say, "Smile and look happy!"

We don't see Mallory often, but we're always happy when we do!

Henry's asking, "Can I??"

Cousins!!!

Luckily we don't have to travel far to see Uncle Scotty!

At church

Henry didn't know I was watching him. When he saw his Easter basket he looked around to be sure no one was looking and then he started stuffing his mouth full of candy -- as if this was his only chance to ever eat his candy!

We had a great time on Easter. This was Henry's first Easter with us and he loved it. He didn't know about Easter baskets and the big family party, but he very quickly figured it all out and joined in the fun. :) I'd have to say that Henry's favorite part of Easter was all the candy he ate ~ he doesn't usually get to have much of that.

Bite!!

I finished putting in a load of laundry and when I came upstairs I saw this scene -- Henry had pulled a stool up to the counter and was quite proud of his ability to reach the Easter cake that was cooling on the counter. When Henry saw me he shouted "Bite!!" If you could see the cake closer you'd notice about 8 little holes in the side of the cake where Henry had taken his bites. Silly me to leave a cake unattended when Henry is on the loose!

Playdate at Children's Museum

Notice the empty plate. Justin and Henry were supposed to share the plate of fruit but Henry ate all of it before Justin had a chance.

Rain or shine (mostly rain today!) the mail must be delivered!

Henry at his very favorite activity. When he touches the screen an earthquake is simulated on the table next to it.

Playing the shoe pipes

Studying rocks with magnifying glasses

Trixie and Justin cooking in the kitchen

Trixie spent pretty much the whole time in the kitchen

Lydia using crutches she found in the infirmary

We met Justin and some other friends for a playdate at the Edwardsville Children's Museum. We had a great time, and considering that it was raining and hailing outside it was the perfect place to be! Henry loved all the many different activities, but his very, very favorite was the earthquake center. There was a table where you build a tower with blocks. Then you touch the computer screen that is hooked up to the table with blocks. The block table starts to shake and the blocks wobble and you get to see what happens to buildings when earthquakes occur. Henry just loved touching the screen and watching blocks fall. :) Trixie spent 99% of the time cooking in the kitchen, and Lydia played with everything. She especially liked the medical building and the mini library upstairs. She loved using the scanner to check out the books. Everyone had fun and it was so nice to spend time with good friends!

Westview's Easter Egg Hunt

Trixie has a big smile and Henry has a mouth stuffed with candy

We went to the Easter Egg Hunt at Westview Baptist Church. I was excited because it was Henry's first Easter egg hunt. It was funny to watch Henry because at first he truly had no idea what to do. It didn't take but a second for Henry to see what the other children were doing and to jump into action. After finding several eggs Henry then proceeded to put the eggs in his basket back on the ground. I tried to tell him that he got to keep the eggs, but Henry would not put the eggs back into his basket until ... he discovered candy inside!! After finding the treats inside the eggs he hurriedly put more eggs in his basket and also opened and ate as many pieces of candy as he could before I stopped him. It was quite funny! He also got to hear the Easter story about Jesus, make a set of resurrection eggs, color a picture, and decorate a cookie to eat. Henry had a grand old time!

Such a helper

After helping with laundry Henry likes to BE the laundry!

Henry is such a helper. If he hears you say what you need he is running to get it for you before you even ask him to. He loves to bring coats to people as they leave our house, he loves to throw things away for us, he even likes to clean up! One of his very favorite things to do is help me with laundry. After "helping" me sort the clothes, Henry takes one handle of the hamper and I take the other as we carry it to the washing machine. Once there he puts all the laundry in the machine and then of course he likes to push the button to get the machine going. Then he carries the empty hamper back upstairs all by himself. He really is a hard worker. I don't know if this video below works, but Henry also insists upon having a turn sweeping the kitchen floor after I'm done. I hope Henry always has such a strong desire to help. :)

Happy Henry Day!!

One year ago at the airport One year later at the Henry Day celebration

One year ago today we brought Henry home. I can't believe it's been a year already! Our trip to Korea to pick up Henry was wonderful and I wish we could do it again. I remember that trip vividly, yet here it is one year later and so many things have happened. Henry has done an amazing job of settling in and it feels like he has always been with us. He is certainly a perfect fit for our family. He is very friendly and happy and funny, and he loves his sisters like no one else. The feeling is mutual and the girls adore Henry and Trixie is always saying, "Henry is the cutest little brother!"

We've been talking about how we would celebrate Henry's family day and Lydia insisted that we call it Henry Day instead of family. I think it's fitting -- the day is all about Henry after all. We celebrated by ordering in Fazoli's, coloring Easter eggs, and then turning on Korean music and eating Easter cookies for a "party" as the girls called it. We all had fun -- especially Henry -- and that was the goal. May the next year be as wonderful as the last!