The DMZ

Patrick and I went on a trip to the De-Militarized Zone a couple of weeks ago with our friends, the Taylor's. It's put on through the base and it's really cool because you go up to the Army Post that's on the border there. We had a really good time and it was a very interesting trip. It made me realize how dangerous the mission is here. There is truly no telling what the North is going to do next. The Kim family is definitely not right in the head.

First Stop on the tour was the re-unification park. Where the North and South will come together again someday....we're curious to see if it will be in our lifetime. And of course they have giant vats of ginseng roots...gotta love Korea!
At the re-unification park a soldier looking North.

This train was destroyed during the Korean war. Aren't Patrick and Kaycie great models?!

Us at the re-unification point.

A freedom bell. These will ring when the North and South come together again.

The next stop was Tunnel 3. Unfortunately there were no cameras allowed in the tunnel, but it was pretty interesting. The North dug the tunnels to attack the South, then the South discovered them.

Pushing the countries back together....their statue people looked awfully American to us.

Proof that we were there.

That red sign says MINE. And I don't mean coal mine. The DMZ is the most heavily mined region in the world. We were really hoping our bus didn't veer off the road. We thought this was an interesting fact he said the animals can sense the mines.

The third stop was kind of a look out point where we could see North Korea's fake town, Propaganda Village-that's America's name for it.

Another freedom bell. You can barely make out a Christmas tree in the background.

Just thought this was funny. In case you don't know how to sit on a toilet here are the instructions!

The last stop before North Korea. So, on the other side of that toll way is North Korea.

Fourth stop was a bus station built for when the North and South reunite (are you noticing a theme?) The nicest train station that goes nowhere.

Patrick getting our passports stamped with a North Korea stamp...how many people can say they have done that? There have to be some perks to living here, right?

Anyone up for a quick jaunt up to Pyeongyang?

Finally...the main event....Camp Bonifas and the Joint Security Area. It was awesome. If you come visit us we can get you in here. The only way in though is to come to us...hint hint!

Looking into North Korea. The blue buildings are where meetings between the North and South take place. The large white building behind is in North Korea. If you click on the pic, you can see the North Korean soldier staring at us through his binoculars. It was intimidating to be there.

Taking a pic with a South Korean guard in the building where all the big meetings with the North take place. Do we look nervous? We are. If you get too close they will push you away. Also notice his stance. It's a Tae Kwon Do stance used to intimidate. Also, the soldiers all have to be over 6 feet tall to intimidate the North Korean soldiers. They are so malnurished that there soldiers are all very tiny.

We are officially in North Korea in this pic...that's right...we've been there and done that!

A shot of Propaganda Village. That flag is the 3rd largest in the world. It weighs 600 pounds. It was funny. Our guide (soldier) kept telling us to take as many pics of the North as we wanted, but could take none of the South for security reasons.

We were surrounded by North Korea on 3 sides in this shot.

The bridge of no return. When they re-patriated the POW's they could choose stay or go and they could only choose once and they could NOT look back. I'm guessing NONE of them wanted to stay.

The next day we went to the Friendship Festival (I'm just now seeing how ironice that is). It was fun. It's done in our little town of Songtan.

Aiden doing the trampoline thing.

Elaina's turn. We were proud they wanted to try this.

Momma getting hugs from her sweet little love!

This is how my little love gives kisses...open mouth. Love him to BITS!

I was cooking and turned around to find this...that's right...he's learned to climb. AAAAH!!!!

Malipo Beach

We headed to Malipo Beach on Labor Day. We went to this same beach last year for Labor Day as well. This year we went with the Erb's and had a fantastic time. The beach is normally people as far as you can see, but since it was a Monday it was deserted. It was nice to have the place to ourselves. Please excuse the quality of pics. Chanie and I both forgot our cameras and we had to buy a disposable one....the horror ;)




Bodey and Elaina playing together. This would have been a great pic if I'd had my good camera.

Is there anything cuter than a naked baby on the beach?

Bodey and Elaina collecting Hermey's (hermit crabs).
As you can see...there were plenty to choose from!

Tank found a real crab. I think he was hoping to scare them....should have found Aiden and Dad if you wanted to do that ;)

Last, but not least what a difference a year makes:

The fam one year ago to the day on the same beach.

SO glad Hudson is a part of our family! We are definitely complete!

I Think I Can...

I think I can. Get caught up on this blog that is! It has been a LONG while. We have been so busy lately, but I am bound and determined to get this done before we go to Mt. Sorak this weekend and Australia in 2 weeks...that's right I said 2 weeks. We are SOO excited. However, here is what we have been up to in the meantime....
Elaina started Pre-K this year. Hard to believe she'll be in kindergarten next year. Where does the time go? Here are some pics of her first day.

In front of her cubby in another cute MeMe creation.
Sitting on her square with her friend Reagan nearby.

Big hugs for Huddy!

Now Daddy's turn!

Aiden took some golf lessons a few weeks ago. He had lots of fun and we think he learned some stuff even with the language barrier.

Check out that form!

Putting with Mr. Yu, his instructor. As Daddy pointed out it's the norm for us that Aiden is playing golf with hardened air craft shelters (read bomb proof) in the background.

A couple of weekends later we went on a hunt for the elusive box market with our friends, the Taylor's. We found it and it was awesome. Every box, bag, plastic bag, closure you could dream of they had. Can't wait to go back!

Box Store

Even moving boxes stores.

Kaycie holding up some cute little plastic bags and closures.

Boxes galore!

Every size, shape, color plastic bag you can think of.

They even sold really fun baking supplies. I'm telling you this place was awesome!

Bag store.

Typical for Korea. Little old lady pulling a giant wheel barrow thing behind her. You rarely see men doing this.

Later that night we went to the Han River. Here is the fam on the banks of the river.

While we were there we also picked up our custom made Warthog beer light. I'm telling you, you can get anything you want made in this country. It's great!

On September 6 our little love woke up and his first tooth had FINALLY broken through. I was thinking that it was going to pop out any second for like 2 weeks.

You can just barely see it, but trust me it's there. He now has 2!

A couple of randoms...

I REALLY want to be where she is...it looks SO fun!

Such a happy, Smiley baby showing off his john-johns MeMe made him. We are so blessed!

Last, but not least Daddy is coaching Aiden's soccer team. Aiden is loving it and Dad is the best coach, but I might be biased!

My big boy's...aren't they handsome!

The student becomes the master! How cool is it that Aiden is wearing his Daddy's old number! Watch out world...there's a new Smiley #40 in town!

Check back soon. I still need to blog about P and I's trip to the DMZ and our trip to Daechon beach.