SNOW

Hi Everyone - I just had to blog quick to tell you all how I was feeling this Saturday morning. Andrew has just read me the new this morning from the MN and it was all about the weather. As you know how big of kid I am when it comes to snowstorms - I LOVE THEM and the snow and winter feeling is one of the things I miss most here in Korea. There are SNOW WARNINGS and BLIZARD WARNINGS all over - I hope you are all SAFE - but how cool with 20+ inches of snow over Watertown - WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel bad that these storms seem to be hitting over the weekend - I hope for a day off for you all - just to stay safe at home - play in the snow and drink hot chocolate - I'm sure our sledding hill is being used - Know that we miss you all and wish you a warm-cozy weekend as you watch the beautiful snow. My sister and family are coming today -we are crazy with anticipation! Take Care...

Andrew and his middle school cross-country team. Go Dragons!

Ail is working out on bars at the East Deajeon Education Center. This is a place where there are gymnasts who practice 4+ hours every day with hopes of being in the Olympics!

Hiking up' chicken-foot' mountain just last weekend. It isn't that steep, but I was huffing and puffing! Lonne is becoming quite the hiker - he actually runs up the hill and amazes the Koreans.

Here Lukas and Lonne are trying out some foot therapy!

Santa even stopped over to Korea for some early Christmas photo ops!

Ailsa trying out the street fare in Seoul -YUM!

We happened upon this lantern festival as we were in Seoul a couple of weeks ago. It is held once a year in SEOUL in November and because of the G-20 Summit this year - the staging was INCREDIBLE! There were floating lanterns depicting symbols from each of the 20 countries represented at the summit.

The kids inside the palace grounds. Anja is taking after her father's fanstastic map-reading skills.

OK - We just wanted to add some additional pictures of this fall and now winter. You can see Lukas gettting his hair cut. He loves getting the massage - the service is great! We had a fantastic day in Seoul about 3 weeks ago - we made it to 2 palaces, a lantern festival, out to eat and a little shopping - the kids slept well on the train home as did their mom and dad!

Deoksugung palace in Seoul - Changing of the guard.

The fruit and food stands out in the streets are plentiful - These apples were AMAZING

A top the fortress wall (700 years+) high above Daejeon

Andrew gets double the workout as 1/2 of our family members refuse to walk...

Look at Anja's determination - She is one TOUGH cookie - No one will mess with her!

Hi Everyone - Sorry it has taken us so long to update. At one point this summer, we thought that keeping a blog would be easy and we would have more time in Korea...We have been proven wrong once again.

We are doing fine. Can't believe it is December 5th. We just came back from a church potluck which was scrumptious. We have been busy, busy, busy. We are trying to keep up with school. Andrew's grades are due this week and mine after break. We have final exams week after next. It will all get done, but at times we don't know how. Ailsa has been doing gymnastics 3 days a week. Lukas is going through wrestling withdrawal, but has plenty of studying to do. Anja's social calendar is booked with weekend birthday parties and sleepovers. She is also perfecting her kicks in Tae Kwon Do. Lonne is busy climbing trees, running, birthday partying - yelling....among other activities. Andrew and I try to run after and keep things as quiet as possible. We have also been trying to dedicate some time on the weekends to trek around this HUGE city we live in. The mountains are gorgeous- so we have been doing some exploring/hiking - enjoying the physical exercise and great views -the weather here is quite mild - no snow and on average around 50 degrees F. It is nice!

Christmas is right around the corner so we are preparing the kids for school Christmas concerts and church programs which may include reading bible verses in front of church - Anja is reading the Holy Bible every night in preparation. As Ailsa was questioning her process, Anja responded... "Well what if we have to say 'Ecclesiastes' 'or something like that??? I don't want to mess up in front of the WHOLE church!" It was pretty cute.

My sister and family are coming in a week so we are busy decorating (Korean style...) and are excited. We will travel around Deajeon and also to Seoul. On Christmas morn we are heading off for an adventure in Thailand -(with my sister and niece and nephew...unfortunately, my brother-in-law has to head home Christmas day.) We will spend 8 days in Bangkok, Phuket and an island off of Phuket -we are very excited and very fortunate. Anyway - until then it is survival.

We miss all of you over the holidays. Friends and Family are so important. We are excited about the opportuntities to do some orphanage visits here and help some less fortunate individuls have a warm Christmas. We are thinking of you all - snuggle up and enjoy the season. Pray for Peace here in Korea and all over! We haven't felt the politics here in Daejeon, but we know that the Korean people are really feeling stressed and are hurting. Everyones' hopes for a unified country seem farther away these days - we are praying that a sense of calmness and peace is established and there can be discussions on bringing the countries together.

We will try to update as we can - Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season! Take Care - LALALA