Right after Emily's Kindergarten graduation we loaded up the girls and headed up to Seoul for a weekend, for District Temple Day. It also happened to be the District Primary activity which was being held on the temple grounds. It was also a great chance for us to hit many military instillations all in a row. I think by the time all was said and done we had beeped ourselves onto 4 different bases across the peninsula. Good times!
It was quite a drive, but the girls were easily entertained with books-on-tape. They would sit and listen to books all day if we let them. I secretly find myself enjoying Junie B. Jones, Ramona, and American Girls, too. We hit a ton of traffic going into Seoul, reiterating to me once again how content I am living in Busan. I detest Seoul traffic!
The first night we stayed at the Dragon Hill Lodge on the base in Seoul. It was quite reminiscent for me. We drove past our old house, the Burger King where I took Emily for lunch when I was in labor with Hannah, the youth services building where Emily did gymnastics, the pool I walked to daily when I was 8 months pregnant. The Dragon Hill is home to an awesome playground. After Hannah was born I would load the two girls in our double stroller and walk them the half mile or so the playground. We would also see someone we knew and Emily would run and play for hours while Hannah sat on my hip. Hitting the playground felt a bit like coming to me.
Last time she was here she was barely crawling.
I have many a picture of Emily at the same age, doing the same thing.
I'm thinking she's grown since her last visit, too. He used to be way taller.
Saturday morning we loaded up and headed to the temple. I did a session and Tyler stayed behind to watch the baby and help with the Primary activity. They did have a nursery for Maddie if we wanted to leave her. . . . but it was a small room with two adults and an very large number of screaming babies. So Tyler sat this one out! The girls participated in a fantastic activity about families and temples and I had a few hours all to myself to enjoy the temple.
Seoul Temple
Family Shot. We have one of these from just before we left Seoul three years ago. Hannah was younger than Maddie at the time.
Peace. . . or Victory depending on which language she is speaking
Hannah's marshmallow suite
Guess who decided she's a water baby? And a fearless one at that.
Some slide action
She so wants to be a big girl
We also managed to find time to squeeze in a visit to my version of heaven. . . the Happy Quilt man. He has a huge warehouse filled with quilting fabrics. Piles upon piles of beautiful cotton fabric. All for about $2.50 per yard. I used to come here with Emily when she was small in the stroller and carefully pick my fabrics. This time I scored some super cute Eric Carle fabric, as well as some killer Olivia the pig stuff. And some other totally cute stuff to make pillows for the sister's kids. It was great to go back!
We spent Saturday in Osan. Off base. The lodge on base was at capacity. Let's just say we will never discuss where we stayed or how not ok it was. Or how yucky the bathroom was. Or how hard the bed was. Or how peely the wallpaper was. Or how the hallway looked straight out of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Tyler did complement me for my restraint. I did not utter a single complaint (though I am sure he knew!).
Sunday we hopped back in the now quite filthy van and drove back home, via Daegu where we attended a baptism. Such a super fun weekend. But busy, and exhausting. No more road trips for a few weeks!
3 comments:
I remember being there with you that day at the Burger King timing contractions. How fun to go back and see all the sights.
What a fun post to read. Brought back only the happy memories of Seoul. :)
What memories! I wasn't there for the contractions unfortunately but I do remember hitting that playground many times.
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