Happy Halloween Everyone

Here's a few pictures from this evening's festivities. The girls enjoyed walking with neighborhood friends (which created a gigantic group). Ingrid tried her best to keep up but really visited about 10 homes total.

Passing out candy and indulging a little.

Ready to Head Out

The Big Group

Is She Reading???

Woody did a double take when Annika plopped down with a school book this evening. I heard her earlier in the day and wondered, did I miss this? We have been practicing phonics and sight words with Annika for a little over a month. Including that work and kindergarten instruction during the day, somehow it just clicked with her and off she went this evening, page by page with choppy, but correct reading.

She said she has been practicing her words in class. Without a note or explanation she started to bring home a reading book in addition to her homework packet. I'm not sure why we didn't clue ourselves in on the extra book as an early reader.

All we are saying now is, "Yes, she's reading!!"

"Go Annika Go!"

What a happy day.

Halloween Party

Our friends hosted their annual kids Halloween party at their house on Saturday.

The older girls enjoyed crafts, games, a Piñata, cookie decorating and an impromptu neighborhood costume parade. It was a very fun time. Thank you Halter Family!!!

How Many Shots?

Early, early, this morning, I set out for the hospital to participate in a double billed immunization clinic and disaster training exercise. It's the second year the hospital has teamed up with the city of Chandler, Chandler Fire and Chandler Police to set up a drive through event. Nurses, clinical and non clinical staff came out early to set up and administer the event. Also participating were the Chandler Fire cadets (high school students) who helped with traffic flow in the lot, and CERT (Citizen Emergency Readiness Team) members.

We had six stations, serving both sides of the car for adults to get their flu shot.

The police, using their SWAT team, blocked the streets and at times, the line was wrapped back to Dobson Road.

I served as one of the three evaluators, roaming the whole layout, confirming the Incident Command system was being used properly. It was fun checking out the mobile police command van and interviewing staff and flu shot recipients.

The recipients were appreciative of the free shot, with an average 7 minute wait - the peak was 20 and that person was very happy. Parents came with their kids in the car reading books or watching a little Saturday morning movie while their mom and dads rolled up their sleeves. You can't go wrong, free shot and you don't get out of your car!

Over 550 cars and 1400 flu shots, all in three hours.

A few photos of the event will be added later, when I can post them. ( I didn't have a camera).

Pumpkin Potluck Dinner

Ingrid's preschool hosted a Halloween potluck dinner Friday evening, inviting all of the kids and their families. The date competed with a lot of school fall festivals and other parties but there was a good turnout nonetheless.

The kids played in a "haunted house" - preschool style and enjoyed the outdoor toys with lights. Parents juggled paper plates sitting on 14 inch chairs and chatted.

The kids had a good time and were quite tired when we brought them home - ready for bed. In fact, under Ingrid's costume was her pajamas. How's that for thinking ahead!

Math Award

Morgan found out on Monday that she won a Math award for the most work completed during the fall break. Our school district has a 2.5 week break fall, winter, and spring, with a much abbreviated summer vacation. They had two contests - one for reading and one for Math, using their online textbook. Morgan was very happy when she found out and couldn't wait to tell us. She also brought home a permission slip. Her reward? Lunch off campus with her teacher and the other winners today.




Morgan reported they had a fun lunch away from the cafeteria and silly talk with their teacher.





Way to go Morgan!!!!

Casual Shopper

As part of our blog contest and in an effort to entertain ourselves on a Sunday evening, we let Ingrid make some of the selections of treats for our winners. At the tender age of two, Ingrid is quite at ease at the Asiana Market. A nod to the owner and she's off. We walked behind her as she strolled the aisles, humming to herself and picking out the items she liked. I presume the wheeled shopping carts makes the stroll more enjoyable. It's quite a step up from her toy food.

We Have Some Winners!

From our contest last week, [click here if you missed it] we are ready to announce the winner(s)!

1st Prize goes to my aunt Deb. For the answer that was closest in accuracy, Deb's answer included the word "slumber". There was some sort of slumber happening, but not by way of a sleepover.

2nd Prize is a tie between Susan/Randy and Alison/Chad. Both answers were funny enough to earn some Korean treats. Personally, I think a Curious George rock concert would be painful to sit through, but a space suit was equally funny.

We'll be stopping by the Korean market to pick out some wonderful and interesting snacks for the winners. Congratulations!


So do you want to know the real answer?


Woody was headed to a sleep study at Mercy Gilbert. It's a night study, so he was saying goodbye to Ingrid. At the time of the photo, he had no idea of the added stow-a-way in his backpack. Woody said he discovered it in time before he went in the building!

We Got Boo'd

It happened during dinner. We were enjoying a desert clam-bake, including steamed king crab, when the doorbell rang. When we eat clambake, the table is covered in art roll paper, and there are no plates. It's all finger food - clams, mussels, shrimp, potatoes, corn, sausage (missing this time ), all steamed in white wine with onions and garlic on the bottom. A great meal, except when the doorbell rings. Someone has to get up and literally wash their hands to answer the door.

By the time Woody got to the front door, it already happened. We were booed. Confused, Woody continued outside to look around the cul-de-sac. No-one. He returned inside with a plate of cupcakes and this note:

The Phantom Ghost has come to town,

to leave you some goodies, I see you have found.

Let the excitement round the neighborhood fall,

Continue this greeting; this Phantom call.

First, post this Phantom where it can be seen.

And leave it there until Halloween!

Second, make two treats, two phantoms, and two notes like this...

Deliver them to two neighbors or friends who may have been missed!

Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt.

And watch as they put their Phantom Ghosts out!

You have only one day to act so be quick.

Visit homes where the Phantom hasn't hit.

Deliver at dark when there is no light.

Ring the doorbell, run and stay out of sight!

And last, but not least, come join in the season

Don't worry, be happy you need no good reason.

Have fun and remember.... Don't be seen....

Share in the spirit of HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first question, who's it from. With that not answered, how can we eat the treats? A little later, the Boo-er was revealed attempting another nearby delivery. It was Annika's friend and classmate, Kelly. A little later, we were enjoying the cupcakes as a desert. We have yet to fulfill the poem's intent and pass the Phantom on to someone else. But the snacks were sure nice.

Thank you Kelly and Family!

A photo representation; we ate the real ones.

Halloween Parade

Not exactly a parade, but the girls all wanted a turn with the flags when we added the Halloween flag to the outdoor decorations. We're dressed to go out to breakfast.

Milestone Events that Bless Us

This past month, we have seen many new changes in our youngest daughter. It seems toddler life entered our house like a rush of wind but now, as quick as it came, it is leaving as the wind changes. Ingrid grabs at anything "older" and holds on tight. She is our independent child. She speaks in sentences, with more clarity than her siblings. She keeps up with them and sometimes turns the table upside down:

"Ah-ka, Moh-gan, sit, now and eat!"

"Shoes now!"

"Get up Sis'tah!"

Last week, Ingrid dumped the sippy cup in the sink and announced she was through and ready for a regular cup. She is progressing with the training pants and she decided to start sitting at the table, no more high chair. Pushing it out of the way signaled the end. We removed the highchair and remarked how much bigger the kitchen eating area looks with just that change. This is the one piece of baby gear that has been a fixture for seven years, with nary a break from use.

The high chair came from my friend, Sara. It wasn't originally intended for Morgan. Sara gave birth to twin sons during her 25th and 26th week of pregnancy. After her first twin, James, was born, Sara was rushed to a second hospital to try and stop the progression of delivery. Ryan arrived nearly a week later. New Years occurred during the week which separated the twins birthdates by the change of the year. Beautiful James and Ryan did not come home from their hospitals. Sara had all of the essential baby gear, including the high chairs and cribs. A little over a year later, they welcomed their beautiful son, Matthew, from Russia. Morgan arrived a year after Matthew. Morgan had one set of equipment, including one of the cribs and a high chair, and Matthew had the other. The crib was returned after Annika, but the high chair remains. That is until now. We will pack it up.

As I am reminded of James and Ryan, whose presence here was short, I can't help but think of how their tiny lives impacted and enriched our family. Through the lives of James and Ryan came Matthew. The experience of welcoming Matthew led me down the path of adoption, which is how beautiful Morgan arrived. Matthew's parents brought Woody into our lives, and now with Morgan, Annika and Ingrid, our family is complete. All from the grace and love of James and Ryan.

I'm writing this after viewing an e-mail from my aunt. My cousin gave birth to twin daughters this morning (early this morning). Beautiful blessings from God. Congratulations to Jen and John!

Grace and peace to all of you who read this.

Michelle and Woody


P.S. Sara wrote to me after reading this post and included a very appropriate verse, which I'm adding.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Paddington Bear is 50 Years Old Today

Today is the anniversary of the release one of my favorite book characters, Paddington Bear, by Michael Bond. Set in London, Paddington is a bear that was shipped from Peru to London's Paddington Station and found by the Brown family.


I read all of the Paddington books to the girls earlier this year. My old Paddington Bear is in storage. I'll look for him later today. We've ordered the latest Paddington book, released this summer to coincide with the anniversary.




During the celebrations today, Paddington will be following the path he took to get to the Brown family, with sightings throughout London.




Even the search engine Google got in the spirit today, changing its banner to a Paddington theme.

Last Day of the "Sippy Cup" of Joe

Ingrid was up early this morning, enjoying our cool weather with a walk in the cul-de-sac. Wearing her sister's robe, she looks the part of the early morning pacer. I remember them well, the ones out in their robes waiting at the driveway for us to deliver their newspaper. [Todd and I delivered newspapers for five years whether rain, snow, and darkness]. After a few years, we knew who the early risers were, and weren't bothered by their toe taping, watch staring glares. If the sun wasn't up, we were on time.

Lucky for this generation, the news is always available, without wait.

Chung Family Contest # 7

To the person or family that can guess correctly where Woody is headed, we'll send you a box of Korean treats.

To the person or family that comes up with the most creative or outrageous answer, we'll send some outrageous Korean treats.

Sidewalk Artists

This weekend's weather continues to be fabulous - no triple digits, not even the 90s. So much to do, we feel like leaving the cocoon of home's indoors and heading outdoors. Morgan's bike needs new tubes after she went over some mesquite tree thorns. We'll put that on the list. For now, we got the easels out for art time.

A special shout out thank you to neighbor Joann, who gave us Delaney's outgrown easel. While sharing kids toys is good life learning experiences, the ease of having three easels for three girls made it life easier. [What a poorly constructed sentence. I'm leaving it.]

Much fun and creativity flowed this afternoon - Annika made a picture of herself with a microphone in one hand singing with a flying pumpkin overhead. Ingrid figure out red and blue make purple - lots of purple. Morgan tried to name her portrait "The Pumpkin at Sunset." I refilled paint, emptied water and set finished masterpieces out on the lawn to dry. No one was happy to come inside for a meal. They went on and on.


The right title sets the tone of the picture, explains Morgan.


Just getting started. Don't look yet.




The plants look neglected after the long summer.



A ham artist. Anyone notice Ingrid's a lefty? Yeah!!!

The New "I Don't Know"

We sent a package of clothes, some new and some of Ingrid's outgrown nicer items, to Woody's cousin in South Korea today. She has a new baby who is eight months old already.

Soon after Annika was born five years ago, one of Woody's cousins had a baby boy: Lee Chong He. Chong He was a cute baby and we had fun picking out American style clothes to send to the family for the new baby. We got pictures of little Chong He trying on all the outfits (whether they fit or not). Two years later, the same cousin had another child. This time it was a girl. Woody's mom didn'tlearn of the name right away. Unbeknown, I asked her,

"What is Chong He's little sister's name?"

"Mo la", my mother-in-law replied.

"Mo la?" I asked, making sure I was pronouncing it right.

"Mo la", she said firmly.

My amateur understanding of Korean naming conventions did not include anyone with a two syllable first name without the last name. Lee Mo la doesn't quite have the same ring as Lee Chong He, but I didn't hear the Lee part. In Korean, the last name is said first, followed by the first and middle names. I let it pass.

A few months later, that conversation over, I was preparing Christmas cards the fall after Mola's birth. It was only then I asked how the characters would be formed for such a name. I'm still a learner with Korean phonics, but I do recall the Korean alphabet character set. My MIL laughed hysterically. "Mola? What Mola? Mola means I don't know in Korean." Lee Chong He's sister is Lee Dah Bin, not Lee MO LA.

That faux paux quickly made the rounds of the extended family in the suburbs of Seoul. They all laughed - Woody's American wife, haha, thinking the baby's name was Mola. The joke was on me. As long as they got a good laugh, I'm OK.

Now Chong He and Dah Bin are welcoming another second cousin (as such, so is Morgan, Annika and Ingrid.) So we packed clothes to send to Woody's other cousin. What's the baby's name, I asked, with some hesitation. Woody's mom said, "New Mo La" "Wait, I'll find out."

True Sushi Chics

After a nice morning walk and some chores around the house and yard, we all agreed some sushi might hit the spot and headed for the local sushi joint near our house. The owners are Korean and know our children. They don't offer them forks anymore. All three girls use chopsticks; one rather clumsily, but she gets a pass.

We dined on kimchi rolls, spicy tuna rolls, nigiri sampler, gyoza for Ingrid, spider rolls, and other delicacies. The girls know the sushi order card now and don't hesitate to get their order in to the Sushi chef. Morgan immediately circles her favorite - Masago rolls. Tiny beads of smelt roe on top of rice wrapped in nori. All of the girls share them, and other rolls, so long as they're topped with masago smelt roe. The lunch was great, the girls were great, and certainly charming to the restaurant patrons.