The 'Sim'

I wasn't there while they did this, but I do believe that this was one of the big highlights of Leighton's and Dad's trip.  Dad told me that they all took their turns flying the A-10 simulator.  Doing loops, flying to different targets, trying to shoot different targets, landing and I think some crashing maybe had occurred as well.  Then Aaron got in there and made everything look SO very easy and crisp.  I guess all these hours and hours......and hours he puts into his job pays off after all.

Hwaseong Fortress

There is a fortress located about 20 minutes away from us in Suwon called the Hwaseong Fortress.  Mom, Dad, and Leighton came out for a visit and we took them here.  Here we are on the wall surrounding the fortress.  Preston took the picture of Emily, Me, Emmaline and Leighton peeking over the wall.

Carrying his two little girls around the fortress.

You don't see this type of Buddha statue as often. 

In fact it is the only time I've seen it.   

Usually it is of Buddha sitting with a very large belly. Underneath this statue there was a very small temple for worship. A man (that was either or gardener or who lived nearby) came up to us and motioned for us to remove our shoes and go in.

So some of us did.

It was very peaceful and very quiet. 

It smelled of burning incense.

I didn't get a picture of it, but there were hundreds of tiny candles all against the wall of the temple.

These lanterns were hung for the celebration of Buddha's birthday.

They were hung right in front of the golden statue in front of the underground temple. 

Again, it was very peaceful in this area of the fortress.

Mommy Joanne and I can't be seen, but Preston took this picture of us on our way back from the fortress. Papa Stan, Emily, Leighton, Emmaline, Aaron and Juliet.

Thanks Preston for the photos, as I forgot my camera that day.

One Sunday Afternoon

Here are Juliet and Emmaline in their Easter dresses. 

 Even Emmaline can't get enough of those cheeks.

Molly, Emmaline and I took a walk to get some pictures of some beautiful flowers that had recently  bloomed, but you can guess it.....my camera died.  So I only captured a few. 

This one is right before we got to the flowers.

  The whole hillside was covered with them.

I wish I had a picture of it, but just imagine if I were to turn the camera...you would see a sea of purple flowers.

This is our third girl

to wear this beautiful blessing dress made by their Grammy Jo.

 Such intricate detail she crocheted into the dress.

Our sweet Juliet Lorraine posed so nicely for her picture being taken.

Thank you Grammy Jo from all 'four' of your girls.

Only a few months left

until our Everland passes expire.  Aaron returned from some training in the states and the one place everyone wanted to go with Daddy was none other than EVERLAND!  Emily's mom was still here so she was able to experience this fun place with us.

Everyone always wants to ride with Aunt Emily!

Emily's mom Susan holding Juliet while she sleeps.

Emily, Molly, and Emmaline on top of Aaron's shoulders.

Geongju Trip

I have to start this post with how it all began.

I had made plans to take a trip to Geongju with a few families from church.  Aaron would not be able to come with us, but I was going to forge ahead without him 

(now I look back and don't know what came over me). 

Emily's mom Susan had come to Korea to visit.  They came over for a bit the night before we were leaving and we said our goodbye's and told them I would see them in a couple of days. 

That night I got a phone call right before I was heading to bed.......

it was Jihyun Knudsen (she organized the trip). 

She said...."Brenda, Brother and Sister 'so and so' are not able to go on the trip anymore.......would Emily and her Mom like to come?  The room has already been paid for and I know they would love seeing the cherry blossoms." 

I paused knowing how much this was going to stress Emily out,

but also knowing that she just HAD to come. 

I made the phone call to Emily and said something like, "Are you ready to be spontaneous?"  She also paused.....told me she would call me back.....she did.....and she said "YES". 

I about jumped through the phone.  I was so excited to have her and her Mom come along. 

And that is the story of how it all began.

This trip was amazing and one I will NEVER forget.

This hill is an ancient tomb for a king.

I wonder if the Egyptians got the idea of pyramids from them. 

Such a large tomb for one person. 

We rented these bikes and everyone had a blast.

Look at all those Cherry Blossoms in the background.

I could have walked these grounds for hours.  It was breathtaking. 

Emmaline got her very own Cherry Blossom.

Emily and her Mom Susan.

There were Cherry Blossoms all the way up a mountain leading to a temple.

Before you entered the temple grounds, you passed through these statues and they are believed to have special powers of protection.  You see here some ladies showing respect to the guardians.

The Geongju Bulguksa Temple.  People are actually worshipping inside.

The Korean's couldn't get over how cute this sleepy baby looked. 

A monk who dwells here let us take our picture with him, thanks to Jihyun asking him in Korean for us.

Emily taking a picture of an ancient bell.

Off to see another temple on top of another mountain.  Emily and Tashina were so nice to swing Emmaline up the trail.

Another Buddhist temple in the background.  It was so peaceful here.

Right outside our hotel or condo there was a miniature golf course. Emmaline loved playing the game with her Aunt Emily.  If you see the building behind, you'll notice how colorful it was. Each condo was a different, bright color.   

Every hotel in America has a microwave.

Every hotel in Korea has a rice cooker. 

This was our kitchen.

We only stayed two nights in Geongju and it took us about 4 hours to drive there, but it was wonderful and I'm so glad Emily and her Mom were so spontaneous to join us.  I loved their company and GREATLY appreciated their help. 

We took a bunch of sports gear

and headed to one of the parks on base. 

Spring is showing it's lovely face and it felt so nice.

We stayed here for about an hour and then ordered pizza that was delivered to the park.

What a perk!

She peeled off her shoes as fast as she could and just ran and ran!

Aaron played catch with Isaac and his friend  

and then with Molly.

 

He then sat down to have some time with his little baby.

Finally he decided to lay down to enjoy the sunshine,

but obviously Emmaline wanted to enjoy her Daddy!