Happy New Year-2009

So here it is already 2009 in Seoul.  Mark and I joined some friends for a Party at the Seoul Club.  There was lots of champagne, good food and an excellent DJ.  We had a really fun time!  We danced a ton.  I can honestly say this is the only place I've been where almost no one knew how to do the Electric Slide and everyone knew how to do the Macarena.  Mark and I also won a 2 night stay at a new Hyatt Hotel in Hawaii.  We're not getting our hopes up though, we're pretty sure its actually a time share sales pitch.  But we'll see.  

We hope you have a Happy New Year and that you are able to celebrate in style, wherever you may be. 

Me with my neighbor Su-Lin

Me and my good friend Terri.  What a trooper!

She and her family just got back from the US yesterday morning.

Mark and I

The party!

Almost midnight!

Happy New Year!

Mark and John were ready to go home,

but Terri and I were still dancing!!

One Hit Wonder

Our little Morgan has been full of one liners lately.  Recently she was talking to her cousin Amelia on the phone and part way through the conversation we heard her say "OK...let's move on."  During our vacation Mark was upset that the sun was not out and he couldn't work on his tan.  Morgan told him he was going to have to "deal with it."  Just tonight I was explaining that her two friends would be over until late in the night when the grown ups got home.  Like a half sleepover.  She said it was all OK and that she would "look after them."  She is 4 months older after all.  Of course our favorite that we hear all the time is "what the heck."  

Where does she come up with this stuff?!?!?

  

More vacation pics!

We stayed at the resort the entire time during our vacation.  We were told Cebu is not very safe, so we didn't want to chance it.  Besides, with all of the swimming and playing on the beach we didn't have the time.  We did however see a little bit during our short drive from the airport to the resort.  I was surprised by all of the color.  The buildings and cars were so bright in color. It reminded of me of Mexico and Mark of Brazil.  Our Nanny, Tessie, is from the Philippines.  She confirmed that there is a lot of poverty in Cebu, but at the same time a few very wealthy people.  Here are some additional pics from our trip:

Pics of Cebu

Taxi's.  Can you see the guys hanging off the back?!?!?!

Resort Pics

The spa!

  

We're Home

We are sad to report that we have made it home to Seoul safe and sound.  We were hoping that

a huge snowstorm in Seoul would leave us stranded in Cebu.  We left yesterday afternoon but not before soaking up the sun one last time.  

I was up at 5 am and raced down to the beach in hopes of catching the sunrise.  Unfortunately, the clouds were against me.  I did snap a few pics and headed back to the room.  Molly was up early, as usual, and had the rest of the family up soon after.  We had breakfast then headed right to the pool for one last swim.  I checked for fins, but the girls came home with 2 legs even after all of the swimming.  Morgan wanted to snorkel, so we spent a little time at the beach before going back to the room to pack it in.  

We all survived the 4 hour flight plus travel time and were welcomed home with a HUGE greeting from Sadie.  She'd had a bath while we were gone and felt so soft and warm to us.  She was certainly happy to see us.  Tessie had things under control while we were gone.  She was eager to hear what we though of her home country and was happy to see the girls.

We had a really great time, if you can't tell.  We have a lot of places we would like to visit during our stay in Asia, but we would certainly go back to Cebu, anytime! 

My attempt at sunrise pictures.

What a great looking family!

Another swimsuit pose.

Bathing beauty!

Relaxed & Happy!

      

Not so picture perfect

The weather has not been great both yesterday and today.  It rained off and on yesterday but we still managed some time on the beach and at the pool.  We woke up to grey skies and a cool breeze this morning.  After a walk around the resort the girls and I decided to hit the pool while Mark played golf on the resort's 6 hole course.  It was cold and the girls were tired.  By 9:30 we were back in the room.  Molly fell asleep and managed to stay that way for 3 hours.  The longest nap this week and well needed.  Just about the time she woke up, the sun came out.  We loaded and went to the pool.  The girls are about tapped out though.  Morgan's friend left yesterday afternoon, so she's a little bored.  Molly is just tuckered out from the swimming, sun and excitement.  Mark ended up taking the girls to the indoor playroom and arcade while I went snorkeling.  Today is our last full day.  We'll hit the beach or pool one more time in the morning.  We're hoping the weather cooperates.

Molly scoping out the pool.

"Birdies"

 A dive boat at the resort.

Waves crashing in on the beach this morning.

Don't worry, she didn't stay this way.

We moved her to her crib after snapping this pic.

Me and my tired little girl.

Water Logged

I think you can say we are officially water logged.  Not like it will stop us from swimming tomorrow though.  But I seriously think that Morgan and Molly will go home with fins and gills.

Morgan has always been our mermaid princess.  This week she has taken to snorkeling and is LOVING it!  At first she was nervous about it, but she went out at least 3 times today.  She really enjoys seeing all of the fish and coral.  There are thousands of fish and sea creatures right off the beach.  We are proud of her for trying something new this week and happy she is enjoying it!

Molly likes to splash in the water but has always stayed close to shore.  This week she is LOVING the water!!  She is jumping in off the side.  NO hands, NO kidding!  She floats around with her floaties on and just hangs out.  I am so happy she is becoming a little water bug.  We are proud of her for being so fearless.  Now if only we could get her used to the beach.     

Mark and Morgan out snorkeling

Mark & Morgan, Henry & Cecilia

"I saw fish that were this big."

Molly playing in the cabana.

Should we expect any less??

On Tuesday, Morgan said she wanted to participate in the Kids' Club here at the resort, then stayed only 15 minutes.  She agreed to go today with her friend Henry.  They signed up for a half day program from 1-5 pm.  When we arrived to pick her up at 5 pm she was out swimming.  Mark checked on her at the pool and she begged to stay for the kids' holiday party.  This started at 6 and we were told to pick her up between 8:30-9.  Molly crashed a long time ago and Mark not far behind her.  I just went down, expecting to find Morgan half asleep on the floor.  Instead, she pushed me out saying "I'm having fun!".  So 20 more minutes for our little Cinderella.  

Our "White" Christmas

Our Christmas consisted of playing on the beach and lounging by the pool.  After breakfast, Molly made it perfectly clear she wanted to go swimming.  So we grabbed our gear and headed to the beach.  Morgan has made a friend and we had discussed meeting him and his parents there this morning.  We arrived early and had first pick of chairs.  The girls were able to feed the fish and play on the beach.  We all took turns snorkeling and Molly took a nap.  After lunch, Morgan and Henry spent a half day in the Kid's Club.  Mark and I took Molly to the pool.  She isn't too fond of the sandy beach or the waves in the ocean, but she LOVES the pool.  When we went to pick Morgan up, she wasn't ready to leave.  She even asked to stay for the holiday dinner party they were having for the kids.  We left her there and will pick her up in a little while.  I don't know where she's found the energy...she was half asleep at lunch time.  Hopefully the girls will sleep in past 6 tomorrow morning and will be ready for another fun day.  

Feeding the fish.

Our bathing beauty.

Molly playing in the sand.

Mark kayaking.

Mark snorkeling.

Nothing beats a  little nap on the beach!

We've been trying to get Morgan out snorkeling since we arrived here.

Even today, her friend Henry went out and asked her to go too.  She wouldn't. 

Then right before lunch she decides she wants to try it too!  

She loved it and can't wait to go again tomorrow.

Splashing in the pool with Daddy!