December 7th was a very busy day for us. The kids and I got up in the morning and caught the 9:45 bus to post because rumor had it that Santa was arriving at 10. We caught up with my friend Alyssa and her son Tobyn on the bus, as there were supposed to be a whole bunch of us going to see Santa, turned out to be only us. Anyway we arrived at the Dragon Hill Lodge on post about quarter after 10, right on schedule. We walked in and it was decorated all nice for Christmas inside. And there was Santa, talking to a few people and then getting ready to make a mad dash into an off limits office. Alyssa and I figured he was taking a potty break and would be back soon. After a little while, and still no Santa we inquired at the desk. Turns out Santa was only making an appearance that day with no intention to stay and have munchkins sit on his lap. Whats even better is that he was not scheduled to come back for sitting and photos until Christmas Eve!
Ugg, how frustrating getting the kids dressed, fed and out the door on time to catch the bus only to walk around in a nicely decorated hotel. It turned out alright though, we got some good pictures, played on the little carousel and got to be on the play ground for a bit. Then we took the bus home so that the kids could nap, since later that day was a special story time and the neighborhood tree lighting!
Giulianna in front of some of the decorations.
Rhyon checking out some of the decorations too! The Big Tree is the Army Christmas tree, each ribbon has a different meaning, and the bottom was all coins from all the different branches.
Giulianna and Frosty
Well they found a Santa statue anyway!
My friend Alyssa and her son Tobyn.
Riding the merry go round, just killing time!
When we first got her Rhyon couldn't even get in there by himself, now he climbs in and out and enjoys playing inside!
We went over to story time that evening along with Christina and the kids and Laurie and her kids. When we got there Mrs. Thurman (the General's Wife, and same lady as at story time for Thanksgiving) was greeting everyone and the place was packed! All our usual Hannam Village friends were there too, as well as a whole lot of people I didn't know. I find it funny how even in our little community there are always faces in the crowd you don't know. I guess its kinda like High School, once you get a little group of regulars you kinda stay with them. Anyways, Mrs. Thurman and a couple other distinguished ladies each read the kids a story. They actually had almost all the kids attention. Then there was cookies and juice for all the kids. One the way out the door each kid got a present. I greatly appreciate this gesture except that the gift was a fairly heavy light up ball with like a liquid inside. There were balls rolling everywhere! Thankfully Christina brought a stroller and we stored all of our kids balls in the bottom. Giving a kid a new toy and then telling them they can not have it is never an easy argument to win!
This is what happens when I try to get a picture of them together...
At least Giulianna likes to pose for Mommy!
Thankfully they love their stools and were happy to sit long enough for me to snap some pics quick. Its also a good thing I have continuous snapping on my camera. This is one of only 2 good ones in about 20 frames!
Waiting for the stories to begin! Mrs. Thurman is in the middle.
It was a full house!
Rhyon actually listening!
Then he decided to play with his sisters hat. He finally got it on his head all by himself, the best part was it was backwards!
Giulianna is right in the middle, enjoying the story!
Right after the library we headed over to the area right outside our building since that is where the tree lighting was going to be. There is a traffic circle there which has trees in it, it is the main entrance to Hannam Village. Mike called me to let me know he had just gotten home and was changing and then headed down to meet up with us. A few members of the Army Band were there playing Christmas Carols. It was cold, but very tolerable. It was a good atmosphere and nice to see so many of our neighbors out. One lady was walking around recruiting people to get on the stage and sing a few carols. Laurie got recruited and took Avery, Ellie, Gavin and Giulianna along with her. The Boy Scouts sang a few tunes as well and then General Thurman assisted them with flipping the switch! A few minutes later a Yongsan Fire truck pulled up with Santa on board. Turns out Santa travels with Sparky the fire dog as well!
Family pic before the lights.
Christina's stroller, our rally point!
I just love this picture of Laurie playing with Ellie and her paci!
Soldier introducing the General, our distinguished guest.
"Mrs. Rachel, your camera is too bright!"
Getting ready to flick the switch...
Lights!!! So pretty!
Our "family" singers!
The recruited choir. They did a pretty good job!
Santa's Fire Truck!
Can you spot Santa?
Sparky!
Giulianna in front of the fire truck.
Giulianna had to pet Sparky. And so did I!!!
The Band
By this time Laurie was done (keep in mind she was also 36 weeks pregnant at the time), and Rhyon was beyond cranky and had a dirty diaper, so they went in. Giulianna wanted to see Santa and he was actually gonna be sitting for pictures at the community room above the Commissary. Gavin and Grace also wanted to see the big man so Christina and I took the kids and waited in the line.
Gavin being silly in line while waiting for Santa!
Giulianna, Gavin and Grace
Giulianna sitting with the big guy, no problems persuading her this year!
Gavin and Santa, Gracie was not cool with Santa!
Gavin, Vladimier and Giulianna. These are HER boys!
When Giulianna and I got back home, we had a bit to eat, some hot chocolate and then got ready for bed. It had been a long day, that we unexpectedly in the end allowed us to fulfill our objective of a picture with Santa. Its always an adventure around here!
Before coming to Korea we decided that we didn't want to bring and store our fake tree once we got here. We also found out from reading the Seoul Survivor, a publication put out by the Spouses Club, that we could get a real tree here. A little before Thanksgiving the boy scouts started their pre-order sales. So I gladly signed up for one. Now the biggest challenge would be finding a tree stand. There was a rumor that we could buy them at the Four Seasons store on post, a separate section of the PX. So I went there about 2 weeks before our tree was to arrive and they didn't have any. When I asked if they would be getting any the lady said no! I also had no idea where else I might be able to get on here. Thankfully I went back a few days later and they had two! So I bought one. Other wise I would have been trying to order one and have it delivered from Wal-mart or something. Then I needed something else in there a few days later and they had a ton of them! That it just how it always goes here.
So on Saturday December 5th we went to post to pickup our nice fresh tree from the Boy Scouts. Its was fun! They had all the trees set up along the fence of the basketball court and you got to go pick one. We got a nice full one that Mike picked. The best part was watching the boys try to figure out how to tie the thing to our car roof! It took two Boy Scouts and Mike to get the thing tied on, and we were all tied into the car as well!
On the way home we got some pretty funny looks from Korean's on the street. At one of the street corners on our way there were a bunch of dogs in crates, we are assuming for adoption from a shelter somewhere. Our kids miss our pets a lot. It's weird not having them with us. Giulianna especially, finds every little critter she can pet every where we go!
Doggies needing homes!
When we got back home, the Rauhala Family were there waiting for us to help them jump thier car. The light had been left on and its battery died. As a return for the favor Christjan helped Mike carry the tree up the 4 flights of stairs! It is nice to be able to help your neighbor! That afternoon we put the fake fireplace dvd on along with its Christmas music and proceeded to decorate the tree. I had bought 400 lights thinking that would be enough, I was wrong. I got 300 on the tree and knew it would never make it. So Giulianna and I decided to try to go to the 4 Seasons and get more. The place was a mad house (as expected on a weekend afternoon) and they didn't have any! We failed in our mission. I called my friends and even posted on our local facebook page to see if anyone had any. Christina did!!! She had 2 sets of 50. What a life saver!!!! In the end we got the tree decorated that night. Well except for one thing.... I forgot to bring the ANGEL! And even more frustrating was I had just been to the store, and didn't know I needed one, so of course I didn't buy one.
Our beautiful, mostly naked tree.
That was with 200 lights! I was gonna be in big trouble!!!
Finally got up all the lights!
Giulianna put up the first ornament.
The next day was Sunday, and we had to go to post for church in the morning, so after mass, I ran in and bought an Angel. When we got home she found her rightful place uppon the top of our tree. It was finally complete! What a process this year, but we are really enjoying it!
Checking out the ornaments.
This one is their favorite. It's Kermit the Frog, 50th Anniversary. He sings Rainbow Connection. Every time Giulianna pushes the button Rhyon has to dance! Its so cute. Check out the video.
Still messing with the ornament.
So happy!
All done! Such a nice tree too! Makes it feel much more like Christmas!
Rhyon checking out the other side of the tree.
We weren't sure if we were going to have to put a gate around the tree or something, but Rhyon has been really good about not touching. Giulianna is actually the bigger problem, she love touching the ornaments and showing them to her friends. We have of course been doing other festive things around here, keep and eye out for another new post soon! Merry Christmas!
