Baptism

S has been waiting a long time to finally turn 8 and be baptized. Almost all her friends have already gotten that experience. We waited until her Grandma Margie and Grandpa Greg could be here. She was so excited. I even made her a dress. She also got to be baptized on the same day as her friend. Ammon had double duty. He baptized and confirmed both girls. Savannah glowed. I am so proud of her for the choice that she made. She is such a sweet girl. She definetly has her own mind, but she loves to do what is right. President Zeller (we are in a branch, not a ward) had an interview with her the Sunday before. We were teaching her class when he came in to get her. I think she thought she was in trouble. She looked at me, and I could see the pleading in her eyes. She came back with a big smile on her face. I think that had to do with the fact that he let her hold his son. She loves babies! Of course, Satan has to try to thwart the baptism of any of God's chidren, even the little ones. We arrived an hour early to make sure everything was ready. No one was there. The missionaries were going to get the font filled, but ran into some trouble getting to the building. The branch president was supposed to get there early also, so we could get in and park (the church parking lot is gated). Ammon and his dad had to try a couple of different doors, before they found one that was open (there was a tri ward Christmas Party that night and someone had gone in early to make sure the building was clean). So Ammon and Greg figured out how to turn the furnace on (for hot water) and fill up the font. The missionaries and the branch president finally arrived, and we were able to start on time. We are so proud of our little girl. She is growing up so fast!

A Child's Insight

Two nights ago S was talking to her daddy.
S said, "Heavenly Father made it snow today!"
Daddy said, "Who told you that?"
S said smugly, "No one. I figured it out myself!"

It's Great to be 8

Little Miss S turned 8 yesterday. She is so excited to be baptized. We are waiting until Grandma Margie and Grandpa Greg come to visit for Christmas. We told her that if she learned to ride her bike without training wheels, then she would get a new bike for her birthday. It took her about 10 minutes. Learning to start by herself and turn without stopping took another 2 days, but she got it. So, we had to break down and buy her a bike. She also got a new helmet to go with it (thanks to Grandma Connie). She also got 2 dollars (in her words). She did get 2 bills, but it was a total of $25. She thought that was great. I don't think she has ever had that much money at a single time.

Happy Halloween

My kids love Haloween. For the first time since S has been able to decide what she wants to be, she decided Not to be a princess. She decided to be a farmer. Why? You ask. Well, we finally received all our household goods, and she discovered some boots in with her shoes. She also has pink overalls. She put two and two together and came up with a farmer. A6 didn't really have much of a choice. There wasn't any good costumes at the PX. Someone offered a princess costume that their daughter didn't want. Luckily enough, she agreed. Although, she did ask if she could be a cat (she wore that costume out before Halloween last year). Matthew wanted to be what everyone else was going to be - a Farmer, an Dalmation, a Vampire, Scream. Whenever he heard a new one, I had to tell him he was going to be Harry Potter. He didn't like that very much. Oh well, at least we got a picture of him in his costume. Well, here's to next year!

Chuseok Anybody?

Chuseok is the Korean Thanksgiving. Pretty much everything closes down for 3 days. It is common to see the children wearing Hanboks (Traditional Dress).

The Korean people visit their families for 3 days. This usually involves visiting their ancestral sites and give their respect for their dead. The 2nd day of Chuseok coinsides with the harvest moon. This is a day of much celebration and much eating. Since everyone is traveling, the roads and interstates are even worse than normal. Chuseok is comparable to Dia De Los Muertos for Latin countries. I could smell (I mean, tell) that it was coming. Since you don't want to have to cook and prepare meals during Chuseok, it is all prepared the week before. I know some of you have had Kimche before so you know what I'm talking about. Those of you who haven't had it, you're lucky! Kinche is fermented vegetables. Most often you will see cabbage, but I have also seen cucumbers, radishes, and onions. I'm sure there are even more than that.

Fun In the Sun?

Have you ever had something planned, and then when you wake up, it's pouring? That happens a lot here. But the lucky thing is, is that the Korean people DO NOT like the rain. What's a little water, when you have a park and zoo all to yourself?

Nobody likes to sit inside on a holiday. So, we broke out the umbrellas and braved the rain. It really wasn't too bad. By the time we got to the park, it was just drizzling. And when it started raining, it only lasted for a few minutes until it was a drizzle again.

The last time we went to the park, we noticed a stream that kids were playing in, so we told the kids to put on their swimsuits and we would let them play in the stream even though it was raining. When we got to the stream, there was no water flowing. Apparently, they only turn it on at certain times. The kids had fun, so I guess that's what really counts.

Moving Day is Approaching

Moving day is in sight! Tuesday! I can hardly believe it. It has been so long since we saw it that I can hardly remember what it looks like. I do have pictures, but they are not of the exact apartment we are getting into. By the time we move in, we will have been in the hotel for 10 weeks. This is not something I recommend to anyone - especially if you want to become closer as a family. Being stuck in 2 rooms, and not being able to cook your own food can be really aggravating! I'm VERY excited to get out of here! The only bummer is that none of our stuff is here to put in our apartment. We have to use loaner furniture, which I have heard are as hard as rocks. AND it could take a couple more months for all of our stuff to get here - it was supposed to be here by the end of September!

The apartment building is called City Park. We will be on the 28th floor. It has a pretty good view of the Han River which runs right through Korea.