Lotsa Sittin' With This Camping Stuff

Ming Mei experienced her first camping trip the past few days. Tents, smokey fires, good food, lawn chairs, and a lot of sitting around doing nothing.

Hangin' with big brother, Levi (aka Yie-Yie).

Other big bro. Nate just haning out. (Titus couldn't make it since he had to work.)

Chillin' with Momma.

Discipline is Everywhere!

Yes, it's true. You even get put in 'time out' while out camping.

Look Ma, No Hands

中国足球协会 !!!

Scary!

How come Ming Mei couldn't go to the pirate movie? 'Cause it was rated Rrrrrr! A new twist for the Ming-A-Ling - her famous pirate face with scary teeth...

Fun from the Fourth

I'm a little behind the times with my posts...lots of crazy business coming at tme these days. But here are a few fun shots from happenings from last weekend. The first is Grandma S, Ming, Levi, and Aunt Cindy on the back deck of Cindy's house in Montana where we enjoyed a nice holiday BBQ.

Playing in the backyard along the golf course - That's Mariah, Ming's Cousin-or-Something, who is playing with Cindy.

Titus and Ming watching some stree fireworks from the comfy (and safe) confines of the golf cart in the front yard.

Vacation Time in Montana

Playing...

And eating strawberries...

And crashing on the floor while watching Sponge Bob...

That's a good vacation.

More Pie!

No kidding, that's what she was yelling in this picture. But who can blame her? After all, Ming's Mommy is the best pie maker in the world. Acutally, make that The Best Pie Maker In The World (Or, The B.P. MaIn T-Wo, as cool people call her). You who have tasted say "Amen!" Tonight our Pie Making Mommy made her family a yummy treat (yes, still warm) from fresh blueberries.

It put a smile on our faces.

Love, One Dollar! Get Your Love Here!

I lost a basketball shooting bet to Levi tonight, so as a result I had to make a run to McDonald's and buy him a hot fudge sundae. While I was at it, I picked up sundaes for Ming and Mommy. The Beatles sang, "Can't buy me love!" - oh yes you can. It's on the Dollar Menu at Mickey D's.

Girly Girls Party

Ming Mei went to her first birthday part this week. Her pal Malia (green shirt) turned three and Ming was invited to the extravaganza.

If a party isn't fun in itself, it was a Dora party! Hola!

Ming is all smiles, but a tear can be seen in Malia's eye. A bunch of girls...turning three...people not cooperating with the birthday girl...emotional, indeed.

Hanging in Malia's bedroom.

Backpacking, Bears and...Ming?

Levi and I headed out Monday morning for a backwoods adventure in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness area of the Kootenai National Forest near Libby, Montana. Ming couldn't have let us have a photo op with out her being in the shot.

Not many hikers have used the trail yet this year. The heavy snowpack from the winter along with plenty of blow downs caused the trail to be in rough shape. We climbed over many logs, and in some cases had to engage in some bushwacking just to detour around problems.

Besides backpacking we were 'packing' a little weaponry. The bears and the mountain lions must have known that we had a couple of different calibers of fire power because all we saw was one little squirrel.

We made camp at an elevation of 5571 ft, a little more than 5 miles from where we started. There were still snow patches all around our camp, though we were able to find a decent dry spot to pitch our tent. About the last mile of the trail was primarily snowpacked...firm enough to walk on, but every once in a while we got a little surprise when we sank in up to our knees. There were times when it was very difficult to discern the actual trail. Our days were clear and sunny - which also made it a little chilly at night.

Winkin' @ You, Dad!

My little sweeting is giving me a wink as she enjoys her own little pool party on Father's Day. (Hey Ming, who is that pretty blonde you're hanging with?)

Making Music with the Mingster

Ming loves her brother "Yi-Yi!"

Minsook's Famous Korean Noodles

Big Korean fun in our house this weekend...The parents of our Korean college student (SoYun) came to town this week. Mr. and Mrs. Yoon--ChulSub and Minsook--are in town because their son, KangRo, graduated from St. George's High School here in Spokane. KangRo stays in a different home, but he hangs out with us frequently. Minsook spent a day cooking in the kitchen for KangRo's graduation party. Ming loved eating the noodle dish that Minsook made.

From L to R: ChulSub; Minsook; KangRo; SoYun. KangRo will go to the University of Arizona this coming Fall. SoYun is going home to Seoul for a a couple of months, then back to Spokane in August. She'll live with us again next school year.

As I've said before, There's never a dull moment in the Szym home.

Clowning in the Kitchen

Gotta love those pigtails!

Piano Concerto No. 9

Also known as: Hanging out at Aunt Cindy's in Ming Minor

Biofuel

Thank goodness those farmers in Iowa are growing lots of corn because Ming is gaining lots of energy from this stuff. She is delighted to have discovered corn on the cob this year now that she has a full set of chompers and can use them to her pleasure. At a recent backyard BBQ she chose more corn over chocolate cream pie. Smart girl. (Thanks, Titus, for the phunny photo.)