Male Kalikemaka

The traditional Hawaiian greeting on Christmas was so fantastic to hear this year while we spent some time on Oahu.
Our vacation started out with a great trip through the snow to the airport. We waited for hours in the terminal to board and followed it up with 3 hours on board the plane waiting for it to be de-iced. Try entertaining a 2 year old for 3 hours...on a plane. We took off at 10:30 and finally arrived in Hawaii at 2:30 local time. We then had to wait for 2.5 hours for the rental car agency to open before we could drive the 1 hour to our condo. If all this sounds like complaining, it isn't because Micah was so great during the adventure. His parents might not have arrived in Hawaii with the sanity intact if he had been anything but the gem he usually is.
Julie, Micah and I enjoyed the sun, the 18 hour island wide power outage, body surfing with friends, eating a Hula pie at Dukes, seeing a turtle, and watching our son enjoy the ocean.
Thanks to family and friends who helped us get to our favorite state and enjoy ourselves along the way. Here are a few pics that give the flavor of our trip.

First Snow

Micah got to experience his memorable first snow this week. Here is a shot of the first snow ball he got to throw. Dad had to make it because of the limited dexterity he has with mittens. Since the first toss of snow, Micah has been obsessed. Each time we put him in the car, he makes me (dad) make a snow ball and throw it at the car window. Then all the way home, he talks about how the snow hit the car.
Julie also took some pics of Micah next to our humble tree. We are so blessed to have ornaments from Korea, China and Cambodia adorning our tree. What stories they will be for our children.
In a bit of dichotomy, the Brownlee family is headed to Hawaii today. Our next post will be full of fun in the sun and throwing rocks at the beach.

Thanksgiving

The whole fam traveled to Julie's brother's house in Washugal Washington to celebrate Thanksgiving. Because we will be in Hawaii for Christmas, it was a two holiday celebration that included several presents for Micah, a dominating victory in a Ping Pong tournament for Jim and a surprise upset in the Poker game from Julie.
Below are some pictures and a great video of the time we had. Thanks to the Tkach/Bechtel clan for hosting us!

More Fall Fun

I absolutely love everything about fall. For me, it symbolizes the beginning of a new year and serves as a reminder that the holidays are just around the corner (Is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?). Watching a toddler play with leaves, dress up in a costume, and carve a pumpkin for the first time added to my enjoyment this year. Here are some pictures of Micah's "trick-or'treating" experience, minus the candy. We stopped by Jim's aunt's, and Micah knocked on the door and said "treat". Then we headed down to a quaint shopping district where kids lined the street waiting for their turn to say the phrase and receive the prize. We skipped the lines and just checked out the various characters wondering around. I can't wait to see how he responds to Christmas festivities!







Each week Micah and I visit our friends at Toby Jones Retirement Center. He loves going as much as the ladies love him. A few weeks ago Micah wore his monkey costume, and boy was he a hit. Lorraine, the wonderful lady in the picture, just turned 99, and we spend about 30 minutes chatting with her each time we go. In the picture, Micah was participating in the exercise class with her. He enjoyed following the directions of the instructor and playing with the balls. I feel so blessed to be able to have time to play with Micah and visit a variety of people.

I've also really enjoyed being a table leader at MOPS this year. Our table ventured out to a local organic farm where the kids picked apples from a tree, pulled potatoes out of the ground, rode on the back of a tractor, fed the chickens, and chose a pumpkin from the field. Micah decided that this is the year for green pumpkins, so that is what we brought home.

Halloween Parade

Every month, some friends have invited us over for a "Family Night". These consist of large amounts of food, good conversation and lot of kids. This month's theme was Halloween, so all the kids dressed up and participate in a parade around the living room. The following video is Micah's first attempt at playing with the big kids. Enjoy.

We have had such a fun-filled summer! Here are a few more highlights.

The lake pictures were taken while Micah and I spent two great days with our dear friends, the Sipples. Erin and her family were visiting from Texas, and we got to spend some time with them at her parent's amazing lakefront, Potterbarn home. I just love these people, and they have taken me in as part of their family since high school. I am truly grateful!

A few days later the "Snohomish girls" and family went camping. We have all been friends since junior high, and still LOVE hanging out! Although it was a bit cold, we had a great time!


Ali, Erin, Micah, and Ben playing in the lake


All of us floating on the innertube


Micah taking his first ski boat ride



Some of the "Snohomish gals" roasting marshmellows


Jim and Eric (Erin's husband) eating smores


Enjoying a fun night of camping

Summer Camp

At the beginning of August, Julie and I worked at our Church camp for High Schoolers. Julie was a counselor to 8 wonderful girls and I was the recreation director. Micah went along with us and outshined us both. Here are some photos of our great week serving our Lord.


Super Hero Theme Night


Micah and Jim in a Canoe



The Fam at a Luau



Julie and I on Hike day

Day of Days

The day we have been looking forward to for several months finally arrived today. Our great friends from TCIS (in Korea) had a short layover in Seattle, and we were able to pick them up and show them a bit of our lives.
Mike, Jaci and their son Jacob were a great blessing to us today...so thanks guys for thinking of us when you made your arrangements to return to your home.
We appreciate being part of your very long day.

The Brownloween Family
Micah and Jacob give knuckles
Mommies and Sons

Little Jacob sleeps "Aggie Ipuda"

Sanga Chuka Hamnida

My dad and I celebrated our birthday together by getting back to my Korean roots. We found a local Korean BBQ place and ate way too much meat. We then headed back to my place and had ice cream cake and presents.
I am way too blessed to have a family that is willing to give me stuff even after a year of annoying them.
Thanks to those who helped me celebrate and those who sent messages from afar.

Jim

Nothing better than meat on a Korean BBQ

Micah wanted nothing to do with the Chap Jae, but would eat some rice


Me (looking particularly scary) and Dad ready to cut the cake

Air Show

Julie and I recently took Micah to an Air Show at McChord Air Force Base. Micah is in that "love everything that makes lot of noise" stage and this of course includes airplanes. As a result, he was in heaven. Here are some pics of what we saw.


Micah disassembles the hydraulic lines to the wheel assembly.

Julie and Micah take a seat inside the C-17
Micah is fascinated by the engine
A World War II era bomber
Inside the massive cargo area of a C-17


An elite Air Force parachute team jumped from a very fast moving plane and gave quite a show.

Summer Fun

Our days have been filled with lots of summer fun. Swimming, playing at the beach, fixing our money pit of a car and BBQs. We have not planned any trips because of the recent spike in gas prices. Our state has among the highest prices in the nation because of a huge tax.
Micah continues to grow in his fascination with water. He will wade into salt water that is not more than 45 degrees, but somehow won't play in the sprinkler or at our local spray park.
4th of July was great. Our city has a "Freedom Festival" along the water front with lots of food and entertainment. Micah was particularly interested in the display of fire trucks, while I was particularly interested in the display of Indian food.
Along with the festival was the presence of the "Tall Ships". Many of these ships have been used in movies like Pirate of the Carribean, so it was really fun to get a view (not too close because it cost $10)of them.
Julie and I are most looking forward to the visit of some good friends from Korea. They will be flying in to Seattle for a layover on their way back to school. We can't wait to see them and their son, who is a giant of a man at 10 months.
Hope you all are having a great summer as well and taking the time to enjoy good weather, friends and family.
Here are some pics from our recent "adventures" around the city.
My gorgeous wife and I at a wedding.
Micah feeds the "bawk bawk" at a local farm
I am ready for a sea adventure
Micah can't wait till the obligatory fire house field trip
A happy Family with really tall ships in the background
Micah running from the water at the spray park