National Museum of Korea

Since we were going to be up in Seoul, we wanted to do something "touristy". We had been talking about doing the Seoul City Bus Tour, but rain was in the forecast for the day. Because of this we decided to check out the National Museum of Korea and see what was on display. The museum had exhibits on prehistoric Korea, the different dynasties, the types of pottery, styles of calligraphy and even displays of other Asian cultures to include Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. Our visit to the museum was right around the kids' nap time, so we figured it was a good way for us parents to walk around while they were asleep. It took a little bit of effort to get Elizabeth to close her eyes, but she eventually did. She was really interested in the navigation devices the museum offered for the self-guided tour. One was a touch screen that she was pretty good at due to her experience with our iPhones. The other was just a simple keypad with headphones. Elizabeth pretended that it was a cell phone and started talking on it, which was pretty funny to see. We got through a lot of the exhibits before having to leave for a dinner appointment. I wouldn't claim to be a Korean history expert after our visit, but at least we can now say that we've been to the museum. -T

Vincent's contagious giggles

Vincent can be quite the giggle box. At first he usually smiles to show that he's in a good mood. After that, I just start making weird noises until he starts giggling. He'll giggle off and on for several minutes at the different sounds and faces. We were at the BX on base and I managed to get him into one of his giggle sessions. Sana even joined in and got him to smile and giggle. It's always fun to see him having a good time. -T

BBQ Blues Festival at Osan Air Base

Each year, Osan AFB holds an event centered around a BBQ rib grilling contest to see who can grill up the best BBQ pork ribs. We didn't attend last year, but wanted to see what it was about this year. As we walked up to the venue area, Elizabeth saw the large inflatable play area and excitedly said "Playground! Playground!" She jumped into one of the bouncy castles, but was probably overwhelmed by how many kids were jumping around. Sana asked her if she wanted to go down the big slide together and she said "Yes", so the two of them went up to the top and slid down together. It must have been a lot of fun and not scary at all because she wanted to go again...by herself. So, she climbed her way back up to the top and came down the slide on her belly, feet first. She went back up and came back down on her back. This went on for a few more turns until we pulled her to go eat. There was a buffet line of BBQ brisket, pork and chicken with corn, coleslaw, potato salad and rolls...all for FREE. Awesome, I tell ya. After having our fill, we saw that parents were pulling off these large balloons shaped like pigs, so we grabbed one too. After eating, we walked around some. There was a large stage with different performances going on, but we weren't really paying attention. There was a set of booths for face painting, so Elizabeth go a pretty flower on her cheek. The USO was giving away DVDs if you hit the right number on a dart board. Elizabeth gave it a try and got herself a Disney Sleeping Beauty movie (we wanted Wall-E, but they ran out). She was pretty excited about that. Before leaving, we went back to the slide and Elizabeth got a few more go's at the big thing. It was definitely a fun day for Elizabeth. -T

Lunch with Uncle Joseph in Seoul

The last time we saw Uncle Joseph was in January 2011.  Elizabeth was the sole star then, but she had to share the spotlight with Vincent and Cameron this time.  Lunch was a large family affair with five adults and three kids, two of them being babies.  The next time you're in town, we'll have to rent one of those large sitting rooms where the kiddos can crawl/walk around and Elizabeth can play duck duck goose.  -S

Fall is the best time of year

This year, the Korean summer was especially long and hot, not to mention rainy.  The few cool days we have been having lately are wavering and it looks like winter will be ushered in soon.  Last year around this time, I took a few great pictures of Elizabeth outside so we went out and took some more in the same places hoping to capture another set of good ones.  Here they are and a link to last year's to see how much she has grown.  http://babychangster.blogspot.com/2010/10/nice-fall-day.html

Video from last year and this year on the agility course.  I didn't post the video last year, because she fell at the end and I felt like I should have been able to predict that and catch her.  But reflecting back, it is a part of growing up and those moments are special too. -S

Our Cousin Cameron Visits

While I was at work, Cameron came with her parents to visit and play with her cousins. Vincent and Cameron are both under 4 months old, so their favorite activity is lounging around looking at things. I'm sure that as they get older, they'll interact more with each other and have a good 'ol time. After hanging around at home, everyone drove out to Emart Traders for some warehouse shopping. I met them there after work where we hung out a bit and had dinner. We had a good time with Cameron, Aunt Rosa and Uncle James. Let's hang out again. -T

Yup, the dads are watching the kids while the moms get to eat. It's all about taking turns.

Korean Ox Bone Soup

I cook for my family, everyday.  Sometimes simple things, somethings fancy things and sometimes frozen foods that you just heat and serve.  Of all the dishes I've made, this soup takes the prize for preparation length.  I started making Korean Ox Bone Soup last night and wasn't prepared to serve it until tonight.  A full 24 hours.  Every few hours, you have to skim the fat, clean the bones, add or take out vegetables, change out or add water, cool and then reheat.  I am dedicated to feeding my family, but mostly my daughter, who has a particular palette.  She is a picky eater, but she embraces Korean food the most.  I would cook for her all day, everyday, if only she would eat it.  Unfortunately, what she liked yesterday doesn't always mean she'll like it again next week.  It changes everyday and that is this mom's daily struggle.

Stewing on the stove top.  On the left is our pressure cooker, also known as our rice cooker.  It makes delicious, moist, chewy rice in half the time, but doesn't keep it warm like a rice cooker.  Have to make a fresh batch every time we have Korean food.

Our princess loving her dinner and making her Mama very happy.

This girl loves her green onions.

Spicy adult version with rice noodles.

Vincent wearing Elizabeth's sleeper that she wore at seven months.  It fits him at three months.  Do they look alike?

Elizabeth shows off her dancing skills after a full dinner.

Vincent giggled for the first time this morning! Daddy's creative sounds can make any baby giggle. He was the first one to get Elizabeth to giggle too when she was a baby. -S

Children's New Ride - Britax B-Ready

After much consideration, we bought a new double stroller.  This makes our stroller count four in total: a cheap lightweight umbrella stroller, a more advanced umbrella stroller that reclines, the versatile Maxi-Cosi and the new Britax double stroller.  We're going to be selling two of them in the near future because this Britax is even more versatile and has many different configurations.  Elizabeth still prefers riding rather than walking and ever since the birth of Vincent, we've had to either carry one of the kids and have the other one in a stroller or bring two strollers.  It's been especially difficult for me, since we spend the afternoons at the playground or outside and I need to handle both of them.  I've had one strapped to my chest and the other on my back, one in the stroller and the other hanging on it for dear life, and one in the stroller while carrying the other.  It is quite a sight, like a circus act.  

So far, I've had the stroller for two days and it has been amazing.  Elizabeth loves it and no complaints from the baby either.  The ride is smooth, comfortable and it is sturdy.  It looks likes Elizabeth is too big for it in this picture, but it's only because she wanted the foot rest up, which really should only be used that way for younger kids or in the reclined position.  She's currently 28 pounds and the top seat is able to support up to 55, so she should be able to use it for a long time.  The top seat has three positions and Elizabeth is sitting in the foremost one.  The bottom one has four and Vincent is laying in position three.  It lays nearly flat for a bassinet like feel on position four, but since he was awake I wanted him to enjoy the scenery too.  Today's trip to the playground was an easy one.  We even took a trek to the one farther away without any complaints. -S  

Korean-American Friendship Festival

This weekend, the city of Pyeongtaek organized a festival to promote good relations between the Americans stationed in the area and the local Koreans. They called it the Korean-American Friendship Festival and had it in the "Songtan Special Tourist Zone", which is right outside the main gate of the base. Driving home from work last night, I saw that the area was busy and cars were parked everywhere. So, we went out today before I had to work to go see what was going on. When we got to the main strip, the stands were just starting to open. We walked the entire area and looked at a bunch of the stands. Most were food tents serving the usual foods and assorted sojus and beers with some were merchants selling whatever was normally sold at festivals. We even got a coconut to drink out of. Elizabeth didn't really like it. She just ate the chestnuts instead. This was a good way for the family to get out together and get some air and sun. Unfortunately, we had to cut it short because I had to get to work. Oh well. -T

We came across this place that was roasting the entire belly of a pig. That's gotta be tasty.

For lunch, we got Thai food from one of the restaurants that set up a tent for the festival. This "meal" cost 5000KRW a plate, which is just shy of $5. We felt a little cheated because we didn't get that much and the food wasn't that great. The other problem...we got two plates. I ended up eating both. Not satisfied, we walked over to McDonald's to grab chicken sandwiches and nuggets.

After the family picked me up from work, we stopped at the local Baskin Robbins for a little ice cream before heading home.