Eileen & Donghoon's Wedding

November 25, 2007

Over the Thanksgiving Weekend we attended yet another wedding of my cousin. This fourth, and last, wedding of the year was for my cousin Donghoon (Dylan). It was held at La Sierra University Church. I hadn't been back in about 20 years... So much has changed, yet I was able to see some familiar sites. La Sierra University Church was one of them. It was so good to be back where I had spend couple years of my precious youth. It was especially nice to return back to the campus for a joyous occasion. It was for a happy union of my cousin and Eileen... probably the sweetest girl you'll ever find. Dylan, you did well! I'm very happy for both of you. May you both enjoy the married life as Eddie & I have thus far.

Donghoon with his parents, Dr. & Mrs. Jong-Hwa Lee
prior to the ceremony.

Eileen's parents, Dr. & Mrs. Hyo-Sung Shin.

Bride & Groom's mothers

Linda (cousin James' new bride), In-Kyung (my cousin responsible for bringing the couple together) and yours truly. Linda helped me tremendously... without her it would not have run so smoothly.


Christopher ushered grandma & grandpa Song down for the Prosessional

Rachel was one of the gift bearers...
a quick photo op with mom before the processional

Taylin (the professional candle lighter)...
quick photo op with her mom, Helen

Aren't these girls just so adorable?
They are Eileen's nieces...
(from left to right)
Olivia Kim, Alexis Im, Joelle Kim & Emma Kim

Our nephew, Sean, was the ring bearer.
He's participated in many weddings this summer and has done fabulously... so we were a bit surprised with his reaction this time. Maybe he's just had enough! However, he walked down the aisle, crying ALL THE WAY... too cute!

Here's the bride with her father... getting ready for the big moment
(Isn't she gorgeous?)

Bridal Party
(from left to right)
Bridesmaids Kimberly Im, Julie Lim, Lynn Park , and the Maid of Honor, Cynthia Chun, Bride Eileen & Groom Donghoon, Best man & brother of the groom, Dongwook Lee, Groomsmen Jihun Moon, Sae Kwang Hwang & Jung Ha Jin

Bride & Groom with Groom's maternal aunts & uncles (and Sean)

Rachel showing us the "ring" with uncle Dongwook (Bernard)

Donghoon with his mom (Auntie Angie) right after the ceremony

Mother of the Groom with her sisters

Eileen & Donghoon
Family photo outside of the Church

Eddie & Lizzy

My parents, Pastor & Mrs. Kil-Jang Song

Our children...
Christopher, Rachel, Elizabeth & Jeffrey

Our children again...
with their silly FOB poses

The Song Clan

With my cousin Janie & her husband Paul

All the cousins...

Our Family...

Mr. & Mrs. Sang-Moon Cho (parents of Sue, Sam & Josh) at the reception.
They have been at EVERY wedding in our family.
They ARE very much part of our family

My mom with her "sisters"

Janie & Paul

Me & Eddie...

Congratulations Donghoon & Eileen
We Love You and Wish You Much Happiness!

Friend from Michigan, urr... I mean childhood

This weekend we had a special guest... Melinda & Frank Kim from Michigan. I've known Melinda practically her whole life. We used to go to same church... LA Central Korean SDA back in the 70's. She was just a little girl, but our family got to know their family quiet well... especially since they also moved to Olympic Church as it began.

The last time I've seen Melinda was several years ago... she was a single college grad, looking for Mr. Right. Well, I met him this weekend. We had a lot of catching up to do. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that Melinda knew Lisa & Tayler very well. So we went out to dinner together... all four couples + few baggages (my 3 kids & friend, and Lisa's Baby... our oldest, Chris, missed it)!

Group Photo at Oz Restaurant

Melinda & Frank

Tayler & Dave
They were a bit silly to say the least...

Danny enjoying his Kalbi

Me, Lisa, Baby Ava & Melinda

Here's Eddie, my hubby, next to Tayler & Dave

Two of our baggages... Joanne & Lizzy
Joanne is Lizzy's friend from church.

Overall we had a wonderful time... lots of laughters... and ate TONS of food; 9 orders of Kalbi and 5 Bibimbop to be exact. I hear a rumor that Melinda & Frank might be moving out West... we'll just have to wait and see. We certainly hope they will join us soon!

Soccer 2007

Arden Park Angels

This year both Lizzy & Rachel joined our neighborhood recreational soccer team. They have both played soccer in the past, but since moving back to California we didn't have the opportunity/time to add this to the mix... until now. Both of them have wanted to get back into the sport, especially as they watched their brothers play last year. With both of our girls being on the "petite" side I know it's even more important to keep them strong and physically fit. So we tinkered with our schedule and placed both girls on the same team, and with occasional help from other team member's parents, was able to somehow juggle the schedule of having four kids in soccer.

Our season started at the end of July with Seeding Tournament, and will end in a week. Their team, Arden Park Angels, is a U-10 (under 10) girls team. They started out with a short roster, as well as couple of players that have NEVER played soccer before, but throughout the season their games improved. Lately they've been winning their games. Lizzy & Rachel were both very anxious and timid as they started this season, but as the season progressed I saw more confident players come out of both of them. It turns out that Lizzy is very fast... outrunning most players. Coach has placed her mostly in forward position. However, it took the coaches several tries before they found a perfect position for Rachel... midfield. At the beginning, no matter what position she was placed in, she was ALL OVER THE FIELD! They could not keep her just up on front, or back... she just kept running all over! She may be the smallest on her team, but nevertheless she never ran out of energy. Her coaches named her the "Energizer Bunny" because she just never slowed down! Funny, huh? Anyhow, she turns out to be a great midfielder. More she runs, more happy she seems to be.

Rachel "stealing" the ball from her opponent.

Here she successful took the ball away.

As a midfielder, she does most of the throw-ins.

Here's Lizzy running the ball down the field.

Lizzy has gotten pretty proficient at ball control.

Rachel resting at half-time.

Lizzy LOVES the game!

During the half-time they enjoy a little break with drink and a little quick snack.

After each game, parents/siblings build a tunnel for them to run through. Girls just LOVE running through them.

I have truly enjoyed watching the girls play soccer this season. I've watch them blossom not only as an athlete, but their confidence level as well. I have truly become a real "Soccer Mom". You know you're spending too much time on the sideline when you can call all the fouls and off-sides even before the refs call them! However, as much as I have enjoyed it I'm also just as anxious to get my life back, even if it's only until the next sport season!

Linda & James' Wedding

October 21, 2007

It truly has been a busy wedding season for our family. Four of my cousins, all on my mother's side, were nuptial-minded this year alone... all in 6 months! However, I am truly happy for them and wish them much happiness. This weekend was my cousin James' wedding. He met Linda some time ago... I believe his first "true" girlfriend... and fell head-over-heals over her. She's a sweet, adorable girl. Who could resist her!

Taylin & Chris were candle-lighters for their wedding.
They are practically professionals by now

Wedding was held at Campus Hill Church in Loma Linda.
It was a beautiful ceremony.

I can't believe my little cousin is married!

Our kids outside before the wedding...
Unfortunately it was VERY windy

Here's Matthew, Taylin, Chris, Jeff
Rachel & Lizzy outside of the church before the wedding.

Girls (Rachel, Taylin & Lizzy) goofing off before the ceremony

They were so silly...

Of course, they are THE POKEMON MASTERS...

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Kids with Grandma & Grandpa Song

Us three siblings with Janie & James

Our side of the family...

Bridal Party

Congratulations Linda & James!