Can you see the resemblance??

...or better yet, can you tell which baby faces are Jarrod, which are Stephanie, and which are Marc? 

(click to enlarge)

10 Months Old!

Marc's 1st Christmas

 Thank-you to all who shared this Christmas with us - both near and far.  This was a special celebration, as we remember the greatest gift we have been given - Jesus Christ, God's only Son.

Merry Christmas!!!

our last visitors of the year

After a long string of unexpected - but fantastic - visitors in 2010 (starting with Cory and Allison, then Denise, my mom, Rachel, Dad and Mom Puffenbarger, and my mom again with the family...) our last visitors of the year: number 12 - my cousin, David - and 13 - my brother, Caleb - finally made it to Seoul.  Their entire trip was pretty much non-stop since they arrived - having benefited from all those who came before. They were able to hit up the main tourist sites - while doing a few new "only in Asia" experiences, as well.  They have definitely left Seoul with many stories to tell... ask them about the DMZ, Dr. Fish, Boshintang, and Noryangjin - to name a few!  Here are some other highlights from our time together:

 We did some Christmas shopping at Namdaemun Market

 Caleb and I toured 2002 World Cup stadium for the soccer lover in the family...

Jarrod, David and Caleb learned a lot at the Korean War Memorial

 We discovered together Noryangjin Fish Market...

 Shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp!  Ask them what else they ate that night...

 We ate LOTS of yummy Korean food, while the boys attempted to master chopsticks.

David and Caleb toured the sights... at Gyungbok palace

 

...and posed atop N Seoul Tower (just 11,000km away from Washington DC)

  ...But most importantly, they played with Marc! He loved all of the extra attention! 

 

 

We had such a great time spending time with our family - especially so close to Christmas.  This was an unforgettable experience - on all accounts - and we are so glad that they were able to make it out here.

This was a unique time to visit - with tensions between North and South Korea higher than they have been in many, many years.  It definitely caused us to pray even more fervently to the Sovereign King that moves in the hearts of rulers to act according to His desire (Proverbs 21:1, Psalm 2).  We appreciate your prayers for us; we believe God listens and has answered - bringing Peace on Earth, goodwill to men.  May you experience this in your lives as together we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Christmas music is playing as we sit and enjoy the glow of lights twinkling from our tree... Christmastime is here!

Marc in his warm fleece Christmas jammies

 Marc's Manger to learn about baby Jesus

 here comes trouble

  Daddy and Son putting ornaments on the tree! Marc kept trying to take them OFF the tree... maybe next year he will get it

the finished product!

...and what would be Christmas without SNOW?? 

(Marc's first snow of the season - he didn't know what to think! :)

We hope you are enjoying this holiday season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord.

For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6

silliness abounds

 Here are some pictures of what Marc and I do while Daddy is at work...

Marc in his toy basket...

 Marc carries his hairbrush around the house.. 

one of his favorite things to put in his mouth!
(especially with his first tooth coming in!)

 Marc has discovered the messy world of finger foods...

in his hair, on his face, or simply to squish between his fingers!

And object permanence.. "where did it go?"

...at least he is trying to clean up after himself!

There is never a dull moment with this active 9 month old around!