Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Beach at Donghae

This was one of those family trips we will always remember and cherish. 
Aaron works long hours and so we all were looking forward
to some time off with Daddy in Korea and it was wonderful. 
Our good friends who happen to have the last name of Knudsen
planned and set this up for anyone who wanted to join them. 
Our friends here have become like family to us
and so our kids felt like this was one big trip with the cousins. 
They played and swam and played and swam while we watched,
relaxed and watched and relaxed some more. 
LOVED IT!!!

This is what we saw looking out of our cabin.


 That night we visited a nearby light house and
could see the lights from the ships out on the ocean.

 The next day we went to some caves.

 Haley and Molly were inseparable.

 Even at the beach.

Emmaline drinking one of her favorite Korean smoothies. 
We stayed


and lingered,

 took photos of our dear friends,
(Jacob Adams, Jiyhun Knudsen and Emmaline)

 until finally the sun went down

 on those adorable, chubby, edible, painted toes.

 The next morning we were back out at the beach on our last day.
Here is Isaac and Emmaline who came back for some lunch at the cabin. 
This is a traditional Korean table. 
The legs even fold in so it can be stowed when not in use.

 Molly wanted one final goodbye of this beautiful place and
who could blame her. 
It looks like a picture from a dream.


 This is the road that accessed the beach.
(You can see the ocean in the distance)
I truly thought we were not going to fit under this train track bridge.

It took us about three hours to drive home and I enjoyed every minute while looking at the scenery before us.  It was a beautiful drive through the mountains of Korea.  It felt very nostalgic and almost sad in a way knowing this was our last summer here. 
I wanted to soak it in as much as possible,
this Land of the Morning Calm.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The More The Merrier

 There were just the two of them sitting so peacefully.....

and then three......

and now four.... 
 
we just can't get enough of Grammy Jo around here.

She has now gone back home and we miss her terribly.
We were so blessed to have her with us.
We loved, loved, loved being with her. 


Monday, June 13, 2011

Such a familiar scene


I was so bummed to see this picture turn out blurry,
but I still wanted to capture this image. 
Every time Preston and Emily would leave our apartment
the kids would run out to press the elevator button,
wait until they got inside and then continue to wave
until the elevator doors closed.
I loved watching it take place.

There is such a thing

as a car elevator....

and Jihyun let us experience it for the first time


as we were parking


at Dongdaemun in Seoul.

We made it to the top

of the parking lot in one piece.
Whew!
It was quite a thing!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Having the Elder's in our home

is always a special treat.

We were able to have these Elder's over quite a bit for General Conference,
discussions with a friend of ours,
Family Night,
and Sunday dinners.  They ALWAYS brought such a calm feeling with them into our home and I felt so blessed to have gotten to know Elder Beh and Elder Campbell for the short time they were here.  Such good missionaries to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.





There always has to be a crazy one...right?
Notice Elder Beh and Aaron...I guess that is as crazy as they can get.
Molly thought that was pretty funny.

Friday, June 10, 2011

One last time

flying the A-10 in Korea for Aaron's Sqaudron Commander.

Col. Renner waiting in the A-10 after his final flight.



The kids are getting their water guns ready to squirt him down after his flight. 


Jenny greeting him with a kiss.

"Get Him!"


"Now can I get you?"


We miss the Renner's but know they will make such a positive influence on their next assignment.
They both were great examples of what leaders should be. 
Thanks for the memories!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

We were honored

by her presence.

Everyone could feel something special about this woman
the moment you walked into the room. 

We called her Grand-mere-ma-moo. 
It's what she wanted to be called.  A grandmother to all. 
Why is she in Korea?......."because of God" she said. 

My dear friend Sister Jackie who is here making a living saved for months so that she could bring her mother here to visit from Cameroon.  I feel like after meeting Jackie's Mom, I now have an insight as to why Jackie is so special.  Amazing women. 

Grand-mere-ma-moo holding my baby Juliet.



She sang and sang to the babies in her African language. 
Juliet loved it.


Jackie's Daughter-in-law Sara and grandbaby Clementine trying to play with Juliet.


Clementine was feeling a little out of sorts that day.


Mari(Jackie's friend here), Juliet, Mom Joanne, Sister Jackie,

Mari's daughter, Grand-mere, Me and Mari's daughter.

Grand-mere will be here for a little over a month and I can't wait to visit with her more before she returns back to her country.



Monday, June 6, 2011

The Facial Expressions on Family Night

Every Monday evening we try to have Family Night.....even if Daddy can't be there....we forge ahead.
Well....... 
We all take turns:
-doing a lesson out of the scriptures
 -picking a hymn or primary song we all can sing
-saying the family prayer
-choosing an activity
-or-
-preparing or choosing a treat to hand out

Tonight it was Isaac's turn to pick the activity and he chose
Nintendo 64's Mario Cart. We sure missed having Daddy here for all the fun, but as you can see, it was a little intense...I don't even think they knew I was taking pictures of them.




Have you ever seen a bug like this?

Because we sure hadn't

and we were all so very captivated by it.





It could maneuver in such a fascinating way.



So interesting!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Two Little Girls

who love to be held by their Daddy. 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Look who loves

to be on her tummy



 and hold her head up so high.



Sweet little baby.