Seoul Grand Park/Zoo

We topped of Aiden's birthday weekend today with a trip to Seoul Grand Park/Zoo. This was a very fun and interesting trip as we did things for the first time today. It started off by getting on the subway. I have never been on a subway and since I get a little nervous being closed in small places, I was not sure how it would be. Lucky for us, we met a very nice young Korean guy that spoke great English and was able to help us find the right subway. It was about a 15 min. ride and then we were dropped off right at the park/zoo. I did not enjoy it very much and was somewhat scared knowing I had to get back on it to go home. I think the thing that bothered me the most was that it went over the Han River and you could feel the wind blowing it. The rest of the time it was underground. The boys enjoyed it though and I did do much better on the way back. Once at the park/zoo, it was very easy to navigate our way around. It only cost $18 for all of us and that encluded a train ride which we did and also a tram ride which we did not do since the kids could not ride on it. The worst part of the whole trip was walking up the sidewalk to get to the entrance of the zoo. There were the street vendors there selling their "special" foods. Ok, this has to be the most gross thing I have ever seen. I mean, come on, do they really eat cooked wax worms???? I can not get over it and the smell is enough to kill you. It was kind of funny because as we started walking through and the smell really started to make you ill, Aiden hollers out real loud "O' mommy, what stinks??? Something stinks really bad"!!!! It was SO funny!!! Anyways, as I sit here and type this I can still smell the cooked worms and I still feel somewhat ill!!!!
The zoo was really nice. We only got to see about half of it as it is huge. It is cheap enough so we plan to go back several times while we are here which is a good thing because my camera died right when we got there. I did not think to charge the battery and we used it so much last night for Aiden's party it need charged. So, I promise we will have more pictures next time :)
All in all, it was a nice trip and got us into Seoul. It was funny because people would literally stop and stare at the boys. Some would even come up and touch them. Two of the ladies walked up and very gently touched their hair. They look at me and smile and you can tell they love them. On the subway, everyone waves at them and touches their arms. They just kind of look at the people touching them like "what r u doing" :) Maybe one of these days they will get used to it. In the meantime, it is funny to watch everyone stop to watch the boys go by. Also, most Koreans are very friendly which makes it a little better. When we sat down to eat, two little korean kids came over and shared their snack with the boys. Not sure what it was but it looked like twinkies and but said it was filled with cream cheese. The boys liked it and the korean kids seemed happy to share it with them.

Aiden's 4th Birthday

Happy Birthday Aiden!!!! He had a GREAT day. It started off with getting on the webcam and visiting with both sets of grandparents. He open their presents they had sent of him while talking with them and was able to spend some time with them on his special day the best way we can being in Seoul. I hope the grandparents enjoyed it as much as we did.
Then, we had a great party for him. I was a little nervous because I am still new here and was not sure about having it at home. We had planned on having it at the park but due to the monsoon rains here, we were forced to have it inside. Other than the fact that my house is still bare (we are still waiting on all of our household goods to be shipped over), it was really nice. I decorated a little bit and we had a really nice turn out. The kids had a good time playing games like "pin the tail", "bingo, and free play. Then, Aiden got to open all of his presents and we had cake and ice cream. He was a little unsure what was going on when we sang "Happy Birthday". He got a little embarrassed and then when we clapped he did too. Thanks to all the wonderful people here in our "Embassy Community", it was a great party for him. They really show support and helped to make time away from home special...after all, we are all in the same situation!!!!! Enjoy the pictures below and know that our hearts were with everyone back home. We miss you guys SO much but are very blessed to have such a GREAT tour here with truely wonderful people.

Thanks to Mamaw Davis :)

Aiden and Austin LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their new shoe for the pool. Austin looked at them and kept saying "Diego" over and over. We actually had trouble getting Austin to take them off tonight as he is already attached to them. Now they can go to the pool in style!!!! I have attached some pictures below. Notice in the one picture the boys are holding hands....they are really starting to become good buddies :) Thanks again Mamaw for finding these great shoes...they are perfect for us!!!!!

Countdown to MaMaw & PaPaw Jacomet

Thanks to mamaw and papaw Jacomet, Aiden now has his personal countdown calendar for their visit. Mamaw put together a really cute calendar with matching stickers for him. He loves to do countdowns and it helps him understand time a little better. We are all awaiting their visit and even though it is a few months away, he will enjoy seeing the new designs for each month and the stickers to go with them. We look forward to our next package and can not wait to see you guys!!!!!

A day in downtown Seoul

We decided to venture out in Seoul today since we felt like the protest were over. Lucky for us...they were :) There was one man standing downtown in a devil's costume holding a sign....it was in Korean but my guess is that it had something to do with American's and their beef being the devil. I thought about taking a picture of him but felt like I should just mind my own business as I was greatly out numbered :)

We had a GREAT day experiencing some of Seoul. It was funny to watch EVERYONE turn their heads to look at our boys. Most people were breaking their necks to see them for as long as they could. I did not notice it as I was on the lookout for "safety"....however when I learned to relax, Josh pointed it out to me!!!!! I have posted some pictures below and we can not wait until we get the double stroller so we can venture out more.

Also......mark my word - I will NEVER drive anywhere in Seoul off the base....EVER!!!!! I will leave that job up to Josh :)

Awesome 4th of July!!!!

What an awesome 4th of July we had here in Korea. I will try to keep this short but there seems to be so much to write about. They had a wonderful festival here that started at noon and went until the fireworks started a little after 9pm. We got there around 4 or so and within the first 5 mins., we were approached again by another modeling agency that had a booth set up about both of the boys doing modeling. I guess it is the big thing to do here. Anyways, the lady came right our into the crowd and got us. They actually had a photography camera and took pictures of the boys. When they got Aiden's picture (he smiled so good for it) all the people at the table (korean) started to clap and go crazy. They then said they will be calling us soon. It must be the blonde hair :) We also have to get used to people just coming up and touch and hugging our boys. It does not bother me but the kids look a little shoked at first. While we were waiting on one of the concerts, 2 Korean ladies came up and stopped to grab Austin and talk to him and touch him and hug him. He just looked at me like H-E-L-P...then as they were leaving, he smiled and waved and yelled BYE at them!!!!!

They had some pretty good Korean entertainers there. Some that were doing shows and others that were singers. One of the female singers that I have some pictures of seems to be very popular. Some of the little Korean girls found her right before she went to preform and they went CRAZY!!!! She was really good and very pretty. Then, they had the main performace by country singer Sherrie Austin. She was on a tour for the US troops and was able to stop by for the 4th celebration. They had lots of good food stand set up and a HUGE area for the kids to play. They also had face painting which Aiden did not want to do and they had a balloon stand which is one of the first thing Aiden wanted to do.

The fireworks show was AMAZING!!! Best we have ever seen. It lasted a good 20 mins. and had great big fireworks that went non-stop. The boys loved it!!! Both of them. Austin kept cheering and clapping...Aiden did the usual stance and hand motion :) It was a GREAT 4th of July and what an experience to see how it is done on a base in Korea. Also, I did not catch the name of the company or owner that they had on stage but they said he and his company donated $30,000 to this festival and was what made it so big and successful!!! What a donation...hope they are proud as it was a great event!!!!!