Christmas Tree

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!