Christmas in Korea!

It wasn't a white Christmas here in Korea which made us kinda sad. But then we heard it wasn't a white Christmas at home either - so we decided it was okay.

Climbing sans jacket a few days before Christmas.

Mom and Brad enjoying the Korean mountain - very different from those back home. These have fancy workout stations throughout them - because apparently climbing a mountain isn't a workout.

The men - so Korean.

Sunset from Seoul Tower.

Clark Griswald - you have nothing on downtown Korea. Some might say downtown Korea actaully inspired that scene in the infamous movie, Christmas Vacation. We were one of just a couple* people looking at the lights on this fine Dec. 23rd eve.
*couple = thousands

Oohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Nothing like a sparkly red star to say Merry Christmas along with our massive tree! Massive is a relative term.

We could have got normal stockings but why? These tinsel inspired works of art clearly are superior to all other (it's no wonder they were worth 1000 - Won that is.) Yes Korea has dollar stores too. We also hear since we get presents first on this side of the world that we get all the good stuff from Santas sleigh.

Christmas morning festivities begin.

Soju-erific! Brads enthusiasm for the alcoholic beverage was not tainted with the 9:30am gift opening (and our earlier blog post stating our opinions of the beloved Korean beverage.)

Corey Hart wears his sunglasses at night - Colin O'Connor wears his in the morning. You tell me? Who's cooler?

Who's happier? Dad or Buddha?

Colin buys Anne hoodies so she will stop stealing his.

The picture speaks for itself.

Andy Warhol floating umbrella art in Insadong.

We've commented on the crowds in Korea before, but as you can see Christmas day was quite the exception. Oh wait - no no exception. Business as usual here in Korea.

Christmas dinner - although Anne and her Mom had to wait 45 minutes for some chicken at Costco - it was worth it! Christmas dinner with family and friends was great. We missed the big family gatherings at home but our apartment was full of Christmas spirit (see: tinsel stockings) and it was amazing a great way to spend Korean Christmas.

The crew under the pretty blue tinsel (you got it! more tinsel!)

But wait...Christmas isn't over! Loverly packages from those fine O'Connors made their way to Korea after only 8 weeks of travel. Gotta love the speed there! Nice to have Christmas part deux - especially because it landed on Christmas Ontario time.

Gotta love new gear!! Thanks O'Connors!! So appreciated!! We miss you guys! (Exclamation mark!!!)

Once again, we hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. We missed all our friends and family and can't wait to spend next holidays with everyone we care about!! Also - a big thanks to the Jamiesons for trekking over to the Far East to join us! We told you the apartment would be okay for all of us!