Gyeongbokgung Palace

We have company.  Mark's mom arrived in Seoul on Thursday night.  Its always good to have visitors.  Today was pretty nice so we decided to head out and see the Palace of Shining Happiness this morning.  It wasn't my favorite palace we have seen while in Asia, but still interesting.  Here are some pics from our morning out.

Changing of the Guard ceremony with downtown Seoul in the background.

Seoul is surrounded by mountains like the ones in this pic.

We couldn't get over this little door.

The thrown room.

I just can't get enough pics of these up-turned roofs.

Mom with a palace guard.

Mark and Nancy

The girls.

The main gate at the palace.  Here is the changing of the guard ceremony.

More changing of the guard.

Daddy Daughter Dinner Dance

Well, Saturday was the BIG night and it went off without a hitch.  Morgan was so excited for the dance to finally be here.  She asked all day long if she could change into her dress.  In the morning I painted her nails red to match her dress, and blew her hair out real nice.  I spent a good part of the day at the convention center setting up for dance.  Once I was home I was able to get Morgan ready.  She was so excited!! 

I had to leave before Mark and Morgan, but not before taking a couple of pics.  I was in charge of check-in at the dance, so I was able to get a peak at all of the girls in their dresses with their dressed-up daddy's.  There were a variety of dress styles.  Everything from church-type to way over the top fancy dresses.  I saw tiaras, silk gloves, faux fur wraps, purses, jewelry, up-do's, makeup and more.  Most Dads were in Tux's and I saw at least one man in tails.  Everyone looked beautiful, but more importantly....everyone had a fun night!

The DJ was really good about getting the Dad's on the dance floor with their little girls.  He played a lot of Hannah Montana, HS Musical, Beyonce, and ABBA music.  Morgan was the lucky winner of the Oscar statue center piece, but was upset she didn't win the raffle to take home a life-size cardboard cutout of Hannah Montana.

Overall it was a really good night.  There were a few mix-ups that were part disorganization from the dance organizer, and part disorganization from the hotel.  I was taking note for next year....believe me.  I've already been thinking of themes.  Mad Hatter's Tea Party, Magic Under the Moon, a Masquerade Ball....

Morgan & Mark

Ice sculpture at the dance.  The theme was Hollywood.

Morgan with friends Hannah and Gracie with the HM cutout.

Morgan dancing with our neighbor Nathalie.

Mark, Morgan & Me

You know Morgan...she loves to dance....even when seated at the dinner table.

There were over 450 people at the dance.  The ballroom was HUGE.

Morgan gettin' her groove on.

Mark & Morgan

The dance floor was packed all night long.

Conga line!

The other cardboard cutouts that were raffled off.

Me & Morgan with her "Oscar"

 

Q&A With Morgan

A Q&A session with Morgan....

1. What is something mom always says to you?

"Be nice!"

2. What makes mom happy?

”Being nice."

3. What makes mom sad?

”If you're being mean to your little sister.”

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

”Doing a funny thing.”

5. What was your mom like as a child?

”Um...playing with each other and being nice, and no silly toys.”

6. How old is your mom?

”13...giggle....16”

7. How tall is your mom?

”bigger”

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

”Be by herself.”

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

”She plays with my little sister.”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

”Being a star."

11. What is your mom really good at?

”Um...typing”

12. What is your mom not very good at?

”Um...doing pictures....drawing pictures”

13. What does mommy do at her job?

”clean the dishes, when Miss Tessie's not around.”

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

”Rice”

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

”playing"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

”Sammy...from Totally Spy's”

17. What do you and your mom do together?

”Play"

18. How are you and your mom the same?

"She has a little bit of blond hair and I have a lot of blond hair”

19. How are you and your mom different?

”Mom has lots of dark hair and I have lots of blond hair.”

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

”Because...I'm your favorite big girl.”

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

”China”

What Was I Thinking?!?!?!

I've really been on a roll with my workouts lately and I am proud of myself for the effort I have putting into this weight loss challenge.  On a regular workout day I'll walk Sadie in the morning, jogging the last stretch of our route.  Then I go to the club and do a 15 minute warm up on the treadmill, weigh training and then 30 minutes on the treadmill or bike.  Today I did that, but instead of 30 minutes on the treadmill I took a 1 hour yoga class.  It was actually a really good class.  The instructor was nice and helpful and there were all levels of experience represented in the class.  Towards the end of class I was feeling pretty limber and didn't give it a second thought when she told us to do the splits.  Now I will say, that in this small class of 7 students I was the only one all the way down.  Pretty good considering I'm a long way away from my dance/cheerleading prime.  I was feeling so proud.  Now I'm just feeling the pain.  Oh My!   

Family Update!

I know, I know!  Its been several days since our last post.  Partly because we have been keeping busy.  More so because I have been engrossed in the "Twighlight" books for the last 3 weeks and have spent every possible free moment reading.  Well I've finished the books and have entered back into society.  I think Mark is grateful for this too.  I've also been working out a lot more.  I spend a lot of my afternoons at the Seoul Club working out in the gym.  Sadie and I have also picked up speed on our morning walks.  I signed up for a program called "I Lost it at the Club".  Its an 8 week weight loss challenge where they offer support and tools to help you reach your goals.  I've signed on with a friend so we are keeping each other motivated too.  Mark and I leave in 23 days for our beach vacation, so this couldn't have come at a better time.

Mark is doing well.  He hosted a going away dinner on Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe for 3 guys that have been working for him since Oct.  They have all returned to MI.  This will make things interesting for Mark at work.  Mark has also started playing Squash on Friday nights with some guys from work.  He used to play racket ball and this is similar, but also completely different.  I think he enjoys it and is hoping to join the Saturday league at the Club.

Morgan is doing well.  Although she sits with me now on the couch, home from school with a stomach ache.  She started taking a Jazz dance class on Friday's after school.  I think she enjoys this more than the ballet class she took in the fall.  I've been really impressed with her compassionate heart lately.  Her school has been participating in a lot of fund raising efforts and Morgan has jumped in whole heartedly.  It started with a bake sale.  Morgan was eager to help make items to donate for the sale and just as eager to purchase the yummy goodies, knowing the proceeds went to the children in need.  Each class is also collecting coins and Morgan has raided about every nook, cranny and piggy bank in the house.  And to hear her talk about the Dongdaewon group is something else.  Basically, the kids are raising money to purchase medicine & Vaccines which will be sent to less fortunate kids in North Korea.  Ask Morgan about this and she'll tell you how they're going to "send it up" (arm motions included) and you'll feel more like you're listening to a sermon that a 5 yr old girl's explanation of the fundraising.  I am really proud of her for all of her efforts in this. 

Molly!  Little Molly with the BIG voice!  Everyday she amazes us with something new.  Lately she has become quite the Daddy's girl!  Which Mark is eating up, by the way.  When Saturday comes around, its like she knows he home.  She runs right to him and doesn't seem to let go all weekend long.  She LOVES her Daddy!  Molly is also enjoying her music class and weekly play groups that we are involved with.      

This is how ALL pics of Molly look lately.  She's running away!  Too busy to stand still for a picture.

Molly at the aqurium.

Molly at McDonald's.

Being silly at the aquarium.

Morgan took this pic of me, and did a pretty good job too!

That's our girls!

Twice as cute!

Morgan on the train at the b-day party.

The girls from Morgan's class.  Saya, Ellie, Morgan & Erin.  

At the party!

Mark and I at his work dinner at Hard Rock Cafe on Friday night.

Molly being Molly!