Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Lonne draws some attention at the Ben Thanh Markets. Since it was Christmas Eve Day, he was "flying" Santa around all day!

Andrew enjoying a bicycle taxi ride (Tin Tin) around Ho Chi Minh.

The streets of Ho Chi Minh - Crazy traffic!!! Home of 10 million people and 7 million motor bikes. Try crossing the street with four kids!!!!

Christmas Day in Ho Chi Minh - Upper 80's and humid! A little different than Minnesota.

Liisa and Lonne sporting their new "authentic" Ray Ban sunglasses that they bought off the street for 5 bucks (100,000 Dong in Vietnamese currency).

Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Ailsa enjoying a fresh coconut drink as she takes a ride on the Mekong River.

Andrew, Lukas, and Lonne get ready to explore the canals along the Mekong River.

Lonne relaxing in a hammock and enjoying some mango fruit at one of our plantation stops along the river.

We also ventured off to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, uses by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam and other wars. Anja comes out of the "ground" from one of the tunnels.

Lonne and Lukas enjoying the boat ride on the Mekong!

Mui Ne, Vietnam

We spent a day on motor bikes exploring the coast and country side of Mui Ne, Vietnam. Lonne really wanted to drive his own "bike". Only problem is that they don't come with training wheels!

The Gilbert Gang enjoying lunch at our resort in Mui Ne.

Ailsa walking the beaches of the East China Sea in the morning with her conical hat on.

Lukas finding a jelly fish that washed up on shore. Earlier in the day he was stung by one in the arm when he was swimming! Ouch!!!

Taking a break from the motor bikes for a quick picture at a fishing village.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

New Year's Eve in Vietnam! The girls are wearing their new Vietnamese dresses that we had made in Ho Chi Minh City.

Anja riding an ostrich on Hon Loa Island.

The family enjoying a warm mud bath at the Thap Ba Hot Springs on New Year's Day morning!

Lukas washing off the mud under a "warm" waterfall.

Ailsa trying to get close to monkeys at Monkey Island, an island off the coast of Nha Trang. There are thousands of monkeys on this island!

Hello from South Korea - Fall 2011

Hello! Just wanted to give an update of how we are doing! This fall has been very busy at school. Liisa has been busy with four different preps at school along with many activities including make-up crew for fall play, assistant cheerleading coach, coach for dance crew, and also advises three students clubs. I have been busy teaching, coaching girls middle school soccer, and always organizing schedules/tournaments as the MS Activities Coordinator. Due to this schedule, we haven't been able to do too much traveling on the weekends. We are looking forward to John/Leah and Christian/Abby visiting us over Christmas break. We will show them around Korea for a few days and then head to Vietnam for 10 days. The kids have been busy with school and activities. I attached a few pictures of the family in "action" below. Lukas is doing well in school and has been on the TCIS middle school soccer team - he was thrilled to be selected to the "All-Star" team and competed in an extra tournament at the end of the season. School has also been going well for Ailsa. She was on the elementary cross-country team, continues to attend gymnastics, and recently began playing the flute. This week she performed a gymnastics routine at our school to over 400 people for an APAC ceremony. Anja LOVES school, Tae Kwon Do, and also has enjoyed being in science club/cooking club after school. This past week she "earned" her yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. Lonne is Lonne - enjoys school, running around campus, and attending all of his siblings events. Take care and hope everyone at home has a great Thanksgiving!

Family Pics-Fall 2011

This past week Anja passed her test in Tae Kwon Do and is now a "yellow" belt. I feel much safer now walking the streets with Anja!

We were able to find a used bike for Lonne and he enjoys riding around the neighborhood.

Lukas in "action" during a soccer tournament in Seoul.

Liisa and I "dressed" up for "tacky day" during spirit week at TCIS. Liisa is wearing her Packers bandana - now that is "tacky"!

Ailsa is being carried around in a traditional Korean "Marriage Carriage" at a traditional village that we visited a few weekends ago.

Hello from South Korea!

We have had a busy September! We enjoyed a week off for the Chusok Holiday in Korea. (Liisa thought we had the week off in honor of her 40th!) This holiday is "Thanksgiving" in Korea, where families get together and give thanks for the harvest season that will soon begin. We spent a few days in the beach city of Busan (Liisa spent her entire B-Day on the beach - I think she smiled once that day!) and then took the train up to Gyeongju, the ancient capital city of the Silla Kingdom. In Busan, we swam in the East Sea, went to a Lotte Giants baseball game, and hiked/explored in the mountains above Busan. It was wonderful to relax and catch some last rays of summer. We then took the train to Gyeongju and explored some historical areas and temples in the mountains. This past weekend, our church sponsored a trip to the DMZ, the border between North and South Korea. It was an unforgettable experience to be in place where you feel the division and tension. We stayed overnight in a village peace retreat center just outside the DMZ, that is used for programs designed for people to reflect and pray for peace between the countries. School is keeping Liisa and I very busy. The kids are doing great. Lukas is now on the middle school soccer team and Ailsa joined the cross-country running team along with keeping her gymnastics schedule. Anja starts soccer next week and Lonne "plays" dad in baseball behind our apartment every night. Lonne is undefeated! The fall weather is great and the colors will soon spread across the mountains. Take care! Andrew