Blizzard

I sit in my writing room in the corner between two windows protecting me from slanting white angry rain or is it hail? A blizzard creaks the logs and trembles my desk. And I feel excitement. Winter's coming and I can't wait. Yesterday, I drove the kids home in a sea of fog and today, I bounced teething Ethan in my arms and pointed out the terminal dust on the ring of mountains around our cabin. It's coming. Later than usual, I think. The river still echoes in our valley, pounding strong.

Summer Review

Ethan explored our porch for the first time with his own two feet. We breathed in the crisp mountain air and happy gurgles from Eagle River getting its last word in before winter sets in.

After a sweltering two-month long trip in D.C. where we all had to buy shorts and tank tops and hunker down indoors, I can't describe to you how good it feels to lounge on my porch in fleece, curl up on a camping chair beneath a quilt, or warm up my toes in my furry boots. Maybe, it's simply something about Alaska that has me smitten to its roots. We had an unforgettable time in D.C. hanging with family and friends and watching the kids grow tremendously (Ethan turned one and started walking!), but Alaska with it's glorious summer sun and luxious trees and twisting rivers tugged constantly. We've been home a week and Kyra still squeals with delight when she returns from school each day, running in circles around the kitchen yelling, "I love Kyra bed! I love Kyra house! I love my Alaska!"

Highlights of our D.C. summer include:

Riding a Harley (Teresa's husband Bao took me to a Biker Bar on his bike one night after the kids went to bed!)


Ninong Mar and Ninang Les helped us throw a joint bday party for Kyra and Ethan. Kyra squealed in delight for finally (after three years of demanding it) experiencing a Lightning McQueen party and Ethan dug into his first bday cake (a tradition started by the Conaboys for Kyra's first). He was very dainty with his cake (unlike Kyra). The boy does not like to get dirty.

Thomas' family threw a Doljanchi which includes a ceremony where Ethan must choose between several objects (such as rice, string, pencil, money, and anything else the parent's might hope their child will be blessed with in the future). Ethan selected a pencil (which means he will be a scholar), snowboarder (yes, that was mommy's addition), and rice (which means he will never grow hungry). Above is a photo of Ethan in a hanbok and below is a photo from 2006 of Kyra in hers.

Thomas took the family on a date to the Maryland Renaissance Fair. It was wierd for me to see the kids in this setting where Thomas and I hung out before we got married.

Kyra's favorite part of that date was riding an elephant with Daddy and Ethan.

"On a Roadtrip" with Mom Kyra memorized the lyrics from the Cars movie. Now, she won't let us drive unless we play the CD and sing along too.

Much to Daddy's delight, the kids passed the test (more than passed it, I'd say, Ethan was so hungry and Mommy took too long to get the crab open, so he grabbed one himself and tried to gnaw through the shell) on whether they can handle a Maryland crab feast.

Mom and Dad enjoyed Al and Alexus' wedding san kids. Kyra was a flower girl for Chi and Hyun's wedding!

The kids loved chilling at the pools.

Ethan hated the beach or maybe, it was the getting wet part that he didn't like (Mommy's getting worried about this kid and the outdoors).

At least, he's strong (yes, he is hanging from the rings on his own!)

Janis gave Kyra a Clifford Goes to Washington book. Once she saw Clifford climbing to the top of the Washington Monument, Kyra insisted that we take her there. Too bad, it rained the day we visited. We all got soaked and the monument was closed.

In case you haven't noticed, Ethan learned how to walk on his bday. Here's one of his first attempts.

He thought he could do whatever his cousins and Kyra did.

And he discovered meat! Oh boy, does he love meat. He eats twice as much as Kyra now.