Japan Vacation

Our trip to Japan was a blast. We took a train to Busan (Korea), a ferry ride over to Fukuoka, and a train ride to Kobe. All in one day. Stayed in Kobe 2 nights, sightseeing and visiting my nephew Daryl on his mission. Then took the train to Hiroshima where we stayed one night. The Hiroshima Peace Park Museum and Memorial were AMAZING and definitely a place we recommend anyone to go visit. Then we took the train back to Fukuoka where we stayed one night. We stayed there out of convenience to catch an early ferry ride back to Korea, but ended up being a fantastic tourist place with lots to see. We're so glad we decided to stay there our last night. Then a ferry ride and train ride home. We had fun, but it always feels good to be home. For more than 100 pics, check out my facebook page. Here's some of my favorites (sorry the Fukuoka ones got chopped off of the page):

Waiting in FREEZING cold Korea for our first train ride

Opening up stockings in the hotel lobby Christmas morning

Christmas morning
Gabriel loved all the train rides...this is the Rokko liner in Kobe

Ikuta Shrine grounds in Kobe

Ikuta shrine grounds in Kobe

Ramen restaurant in Kobe...recommended by Daryl

Hanging out in Kobe Christmas evening with Daryl

Aaron and Joshy outside our hotel in Kobe

Playing at a park in Kobe before heading to Hiroshima

Gabe found a Japanese girl to play with...they were so cute!

Cute Joshy playing on the steps

Taking the train to Hiroshima...poor Joshy was so tired!

Our Japanese style hotel room in Hiroshima...tabe and chairs by day...

...Futon Beds by night...with fabulous Japanese robes

The boys played Ninja with the robe belts

Wall in the Hiroshima Museum...effects of the bomb

Original structure from the bombing

Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle

Congrats Dr. Wickley!

Well, I haven't posted on my blog yet, but Aaron found out last week that he was accepted into his top choice of residency programs. He will start a radiology residency in San Antonio next Summer. We are thrilled and excited and can't wait to move back to San Antonio! I am so proud of Aaron, he has worked so so hard for this and totally deserves it! Here's to another tough 4 years of training!

Enjoy all the updates for the month! We are about to take off for Japan for Christmas! Can't wait! I will try to post pics of our trip when we return next week!

Christmas Presents

We had the boys open presents a few days early this year since Aaron is on call, then goes flying in the Chinook, then we leave for Japan. Santa did not come yet, but they got to open their presents for us and their Grandpa and Grandma Wickley. It was fun to Skype with them so they could see the boys open their presents. We will hang their stockings in our hotel room in Japan and then come home to their big Santa presents when we get back next week.

Winter EVERLAND

We took another trip to Everland to try and go sledding, but unfortunately, the sledding closed 5 minutes after we got there! So we had a lot of fun looking at Chistmas lights and going on rides. Gabriel loves the rides. Especially the roller coasters. We're pretty bummed we didn't get to go sledding, but now we know for next time. We'll make it there in time.

SUPERMAN!

Gabriel has tied his blanket around his neck a few times to be Superman. This time, he insisted that Joshy be Superman too. And even climbed into his crib to pick out a blanket to use (And at the same time threw all the other ones onto the floor). Sometimes he's such a caring brother!

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

I decorated our new Korean bookshelves with a few little Christmas trinkets I found at the PX on post. Since all the rest of our Christmas stuff is in storage somewhere!

Tree Lighting Ceremony

There was a dinky little tree lighting ceremony on post that we went to. We were a little late, so we missed the actual light of the tree (go figure) but we were able to be there when Santa stopped by on his fire truck to throw candy at the kiddos. It was a cold night!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

I see mommy looking at me! Here is cute 'lil Joshy wearing Gabriel's old Halloween costume. We use these as pajamas now. They're really warm and perfect for this cold Korean weather!

Busan

We drove about 5 hours south for Thanksgiving to Busan, the 2nd largest city in Korea. We got a room at a fancy hotel with an ocean view and enjoyed ourselves on the beach, at the aquarium, at a G-Star convention, and at the World's Largest Shopping Mall. We had a blast and can't wait for our next trip to Busan so we can see more of the city. Check out my facebook page for a TON more photos!

Gabriel Started Preschool Today

Gabriel finally started preschool today on post after over two months of being on the waiting list. It was a great day! He was his usual grumpy self when I dropped him off, scowling at the teachers and other kids, but he was happy and calm when I picked him up 4 hours later. I hope this 2 days a week really helps him. I didn't have my camera with me when I dropped him off and picked him up, but I just shot a few of him in our house just now to show how big and old he's gotten! He insisted on sitting instead of standing, so okay.