Summer 2018
7 years ago
Monday, December 30, 2013
Somethings Never Change
We went to Greg's work Christmas party in early December. It was the first time since arriving that I have worn my heels. Lets just say, as soon I pulled out the box it was just like we were back in Sugar Land and I was getting ready for work in the morning. They had a blast and enjoyed themselves so that is all that matters! Unfortunately I didn't not get a picture of my handsome hubby and I but here are some of the kids….
Christmas…..
Santa came to visit us here and let me just say Christmas just wasn't the same here without everyone. As much as I hate the holidays back in the States and honestly dread them with all the rushing and going nonstop as everyone expects us at every event and occurrence, not going anywhere just felt strange. The sad thing is, that if Greg's project stays on schedule we won't be home next year for Christmas either as his modules are set to sail in late December and it is a 6 weeks tow to Angola which means we would more the likely be leaving Korea in January or February of 2015 (but we will see IF it stays on schedule, right now they are behind on everything) with us coming back in February and July of this year not sure we can swing tickets for three flights back, especially since the ones in December are generally around $3,500 a person (or were this year at least)!!
I must say we were super blessed to receive as many packages as we did. We kept telling the kids that they were going to get their Christmas gifts from everyone when we came back in February as we were not expecting everyone to pay the shipping here since it is quite expensive. Our first package arrived and I put all the gifts under the tree the week before we left and the kids were really good about not messing with them or asking to open them I was shocked. Then we arrived back from Thailand, we received the rest of the packages and let me just tell you I was a bit over whelmed wondering where in the heck we were going to put everything but it all worked out.
Here are our pictures from Christmas. We missed everyone and the food too! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and know we thought about each and everyone of you! Wish we could have spent them together in person but you were all in our hearts!
I must say we were super blessed to receive as many packages as we did. We kept telling the kids that they were going to get their Christmas gifts from everyone when we came back in February as we were not expecting everyone to pay the shipping here since it is quite expensive. Our first package arrived and I put all the gifts under the tree the week before we left and the kids were really good about not messing with them or asking to open them I was shocked. Then we arrived back from Thailand, we received the rest of the packages and let me just tell you I was a bit over whelmed wondering where in the heck we were going to put everything but it all worked out.
Here are our pictures from Christmas. We missed everyone and the food too! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and know we thought about each and everyone of you! Wish we could have spent them together in person but you were all in our hearts!
Thailand---Will eventually post more pictures from Greg's phone when I get it of the Adventures!
We visited Thailand for 10 days. It was a much need vacation for Greg and a good get away for the kids and I. I must say coming back was quite depressing though, I gained 6 of the 12 pounds I had lost since arriving here in Korea but that is part of vacation, right? The kids were excited as soon as we arrived at the airport, you would have thought it was their first time one an airplane!
The kids had a blast. We stayed in kids themed rooms. The first part we stayed in a Kids Suite, which had bunk beds, Mackenzie slept on top and Braxton on bottom. At the end of our trip we had to move to a Family suite as all the kids suite were book. The family suite was basically two rooms connected with a door, where as the kids suite was a just a room inside ours for them.
Kids Suite
Family Room
Breakfast was provided at the hotel and they had a kiddy section with chicken nuggets, and kid themed plates. I would love to say it help them eat well, but truth is they ate very little. Greg and I enjoyed the real bacon, eggs/omletes and various other things that we can't get here. The first two days we stayed around the hotel. The kids were able to get in a bunch of swimming and beach time. Braxton was a bit hesitant at first and would only stay in the beach entry part of the pool, crawling around on his belly. Mackenzie was good to go with her float on.
Our first adventure was a Phi Phi Island boat tour. Greg and I were both worried on how the kids, especially Braxton, would do. I must say they did great! They both slept on the way to the island in the morning, it was about a 45 minute ride. We arrived to the island were scenes from "The Beach" were filmed. We saw Monkey Cave, stopped for a bite to eat, and went snorkeling. The snorkeling was kind of joke, they threw bread out for the fish to come eat, you could honestly see better from the boat then swimming around in the water! The kids were really good for the entire time. They did have a small meltdown during the snorkeling but other then that it was good time. The tour itself was less then impressive as everywhere we went there were about 50 other boats and tons of people, very touristy, very crowded. The lunch was horrid but the kids LOVED the boat.
Our next adventure was Khao Lak Safari. This included at Pineapple Plant Tour which was not a tour at all. Their version of a tour was pulling off to the side of the road and telling us to get out and look around for 20 minutes. After our "tour" we went to the Sea Turtle Refuge which was about the the same type of tour. The next stop was the bamboo rafting which was really neat, and relaxing. First thing we had done which was actually worth it. After the bamboo rafting we went elephant trekking. I must say while the kids enjoyed the trekking, it is something I don't care to every experience again. The seat swayed back and forth and I just felt like I was going to fall off, not a good feeling at all. The kids loved it so however uncomfortable I was, it was worth it for them. The next stop was a tiny waterfall and then on to lunch. Lunch was one of the best meals I had while there. Finally after a pit stop at a fruit market we headed back to the hotel. It was a long day, most of which was spent in a van, but it was a nice trip around to see everything.
The last days were spent at the pool and beach. The little ones became very comfortable with the water and we had to keep a very close eye on the kids. They loved jumping in and swimming to us. We spent most evenings walking around shopping and eating out. The street vendors had great food. Greg and I enjoyed the pancakes (more of crepe) with nutella and chocolate, ribs, chicken kabobs, and ice cream. Not to mention the mix drinks and Dairy Queen blizzards! Shopping wise other then a ton of purses, clothing and junk they didn't have too much. I scored a couple of purses, the kids picked up a couple of light up things, a bracelet and wand (junk) and Greg a laser pointer. He enjoyed the negotiating but was a bit disappointed they didn't have nicer stuff to buy (like they do in China). Needless to say after the 10 days we were ready to come home. Don't get me wrong it was nice but we both felt Jamaica was just a nice if not nicer.
The kids had a blast. We stayed in kids themed rooms. The first part we stayed in a Kids Suite, which had bunk beds, Mackenzie slept on top and Braxton on bottom. At the end of our trip we had to move to a Family suite as all the kids suite were book. The family suite was basically two rooms connected with a door, where as the kids suite was a just a room inside ours for them.
Kids Suite
Family Room
Breakfast was provided at the hotel and they had a kiddy section with chicken nuggets, and kid themed plates. I would love to say it help them eat well, but truth is they ate very little. Greg and I enjoyed the real bacon, eggs/omletes and various other things that we can't get here. The first two days we stayed around the hotel. The kids were able to get in a bunch of swimming and beach time. Braxton was a bit hesitant at first and would only stay in the beach entry part of the pool, crawling around on his belly. Mackenzie was good to go with her float on.
Our first adventure was a Phi Phi Island boat tour. Greg and I were both worried on how the kids, especially Braxton, would do. I must say they did great! They both slept on the way to the island in the morning, it was about a 45 minute ride. We arrived to the island were scenes from "The Beach" were filmed. We saw Monkey Cave, stopped for a bite to eat, and went snorkeling. The snorkeling was kind of joke, they threw bread out for the fish to come eat, you could honestly see better from the boat then swimming around in the water! The kids were really good for the entire time. They did have a small meltdown during the snorkeling but other then that it was good time. The tour itself was less then impressive as everywhere we went there were about 50 other boats and tons of people, very touristy, very crowded. The lunch was horrid but the kids LOVED the boat.
Our next adventure was Khao Lak Safari. This included at Pineapple Plant Tour which was not a tour at all. Their version of a tour was pulling off to the side of the road and telling us to get out and look around for 20 minutes. After our "tour" we went to the Sea Turtle Refuge which was about the the same type of tour. The next stop was the bamboo rafting which was really neat, and relaxing. First thing we had done which was actually worth it. After the bamboo rafting we went elephant trekking. I must say while the kids enjoyed the trekking, it is something I don't care to every experience again. The seat swayed back and forth and I just felt like I was going to fall off, not a good feeling at all. The kids loved it so however uncomfortable I was, it was worth it for them. The next stop was a tiny waterfall and then on to lunch. Lunch was one of the best meals I had while there. Finally after a pit stop at a fruit market we headed back to the hotel. It was a long day, most of which was spent in a van, but it was a nice trip around to see everything.
The last days were spent at the pool and beach. The little ones became very comfortable with the water and we had to keep a very close eye on the kids. They loved jumping in and swimming to us. We spent most evenings walking around shopping and eating out. The street vendors had great food. Greg and I enjoyed the pancakes (more of crepe) with nutella and chocolate, ribs, chicken kabobs, and ice cream. Not to mention the mix drinks and Dairy Queen blizzards! Shopping wise other then a ton of purses, clothing and junk they didn't have too much. I scored a couple of purses, the kids picked up a couple of light up things, a bracelet and wand (junk) and Greg a laser pointer. He enjoyed the negotiating but was a bit disappointed they didn't have nicer stuff to buy (like they do in China). Needless to say after the 10 days we were ready to come home. Don't get me wrong it was nice but we both felt Jamaica was just a nice if not nicer.
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