Wandering Browns

OWEN! How has another month passed already? This month, Owen proved that he is a rascal, but a sweet rascal! He learned to climb up stairs. He can't get himself back downstairs safely, but he loves to practice going upstairs to Landon's loft. To him, it's like the ultimate hang out! He can also open the baby gate that we set up to cover the stairs, so we really are in trouble. For now, I follow him up the stairs and then have to be super vigilant to make sure he doesn't topple down the stairs or through the railings (covered with fishing net, but still, I worry). Owen also loves to unplug things, his favorite being the wifi cord. So if my phone or computer's internet turns off, I always check the wall first. He loves to play with our shoes in the shoe cabinet by the door and pull things out of drawers and off of shelves. Owen is standing for a few seconds independently and has even taken a step before falling. He is getting better leg strength and is able to slowl...

The Beehive cake and my boys Way back on August 10th, I celebrated my 29th birthday, which might be the most depressing birthday ever. I don't feel old enough or mature enough to be almost 30! Where is the time going? My birthday happened to fall on a weekday in the middle of a very busy period at Austin's work. They gave him impossible deadlines, and he was working his tail off to try his best to meet them. So, I was very surprised when he arrived home on my actual birthday with a beehive cake and an interesting plant. I had ordered my birthday present (new running shoes!) during the Amazon Prime Day, and my parent's present to me was shipping them here to Korea. So, I already had my presents and was not really expecting anything before the weekend. What a sweetie! Sansiviera "Velvet Touch" aka Snake plant or mother-in-law tongue I guess the plant deserves some explanation. Austin was trying to get me flowers. He found a florist and pointed to every p...

I've been so busy trying to catch up on blogging all of our travel-related adventures here in Korea, and log Owen's progress month to month that it has been a long time since I gave a Landon update. I will start with our yearly interview. I love Landon's responses: Favorite color: black and orange Favorite number: 1 Favorite shape: Triangle Favorite letter: "A" because it is in my name Favorite Animal: Lion Favorite sea animal: Whale shark Favorite dinosaur: T-rex Favorite food: chicken Favorite dessert: Brownies Favorite toy: Police car Favorite book: The Good Dinosaur Favorite activity: digging in the dirt Favorite sport to play: Soccer  Favorite sport to watch: swimming Favorite fruit: Apple Favorite Movie: Bambi Favorite things to do for fun: Go to the beach Favorite place we've been: I don't know, India? Favorite thing to do in Chicago: Go to the park Book of Mormon hero: Samuel the Lamanite Favorite cartoon...

 Four years ago this summer, I was super pregnant and nesting like crazy while watching the 2012 Olympics. This summer, I'm watching the Olympics a little at a time, and we celebrated Landon's 4th birthday! Because of our traveling, his birthday celebrations have not always included a kid party, but this year, we had friends to invite from church here in Korea! Landon decided he wanted to go to the local free water park for his birthday party, and some wonderful Korean families joined us. Austin and Owen, the watermelon eater! I had no idea what to expect from this party. I was not sure what Koreans do for birthdays, and I was just crossing my fingers that our guests would show up at the right place at the right time, because I told one lady at church that speaks English and told her to pass it along to all the Primary kids' parents. I planned on having enough food for everyone, and we brought along a couple picnic mats so everyone would have somewhere to sit (...