My 25th Birthday Celebration in Seoul, South Korea

Thanks to my wonderful husband and friends, I had the BEST 25th birthday celebration!! A group of us decided to go to Seoul to celebrate. After work, Becca, Trish and I had to meet the guys up in Seoul. When I picked the girls up after school, we were a little worried because we hadn't heard from the guys. We just got a text message from them saying they were "In a helicopter on the way to Seoul." We had no idea what this meant?? We were a little worried! Well, it turns out that very day, Matt's friend Torro and the Four Star General of Korea (Matt's friend is his executive) came to tour Kunsan for the day. As they were leaving, Torro knew Matt and his friends were headed to Seoul as well and asked if they wanted a ride!!!! So as us girls had to bare the 1.5 hour train ride up to Seoul, the guys were flying VIP in the General's helicopter...and it took them 1/2 the time to get there. They talked about this the ENTIRE trip!

As you can see from the pictures, we had the greatest time!!! It was one of the best birthday celebrations ever. We toured the Cheery Blossom Festival in Seoul, ate bugs and fruit on a stick, and took a cruise on the Han River. We were having so much fun that we left Seoul at 8pm on Sunday.....unfortunately, the boys had to ride back on the train with us :)

Here are all of the wonderful friends I met. Every Thursday, we have a "wine club" and watch movies, talk, ect. I am so lucky to have met such a great group of wives!

Becca and Trish on the train. This is right after this woman moved us to our own part of the train because we were "talking" to loud....

Here is our group eating at our favorite bar Geckos


Matt on the Subway. As you can see, he is the tallest one...

The girls and I trying to lead the way to the cheery blossom festival.

Matt picking me a flower....he is so sweet!!

The trees were so beautiful!!

We loved the trees, but not the millions of people...

We decided to climb the tree to get a better picture.

Matt and Becca enjoying the fruit on a stick.

Look close! This is a bug! People in Korea LOVE to eat these things!! They are on every street corner! Matt was mad I didn't go through with it....I just couldn't!

Here is a close up! They smell and taste as GROSS as they look!! Believe me!!!

Matt ate one...he said "they weren't that bad."

Our group on the Han River boat cruise. There was a total of 20 of us. The other table is on the other side of the boat.

Matt told them it was my birthday. They sang Happy Birthday to me in Korean. There were other people there celebrating their birthdays (we were the only foreigners). But when it was my turn to be sung to, the whole place gave me a standing ovation....it was so funny!

My wonderful husband and I

The entertainment was belly dancing....it was so random and unexpected!

Our table enjoying dinner.

Here I am outside on the deck with my balloon flowers they game me.

Here is all of the girls! We all had such a great evening!

The BEST 25th birthday a girl could ask for!

Dog on a Plane!!!!!

One of the ultimate highlights of our trip back to Arizona was bringing Argo, the retired Korean Air Base Service Dog, back to the United States for retirement. To make a long story short, when Matt's boss first came to Korea, he was shown all of the service and attack dogs used at Kunsan Air Base. Argo was a 13 year vet and was going to be retired. So his boss decided to adopt Argo and he needed Matt to bring him to Arizona to stay at his parents house until he leaves Korea in May. We were happy to do it, but were a little confused how the Koreans were going to let us bring such a big dog with us in the cabin of the plane!! We had NEVER seen anything like it! But apparently, United States military dogs and seeing eye dogs are the only animals allowed in the cabin of a plane without having to be in a cage. The only way Matt was able to bring Argo in the plane with us was if he had his Military gear on. And that is exactly what he did :)

There was a little bit of drama when we first tried to cross Korean immigration to board our flight in Seoul. The Koreans eyes were as big as quarters....no seriously...they had NEVER seen anything like this and they were freaking out!!! We had about 10 immigration guards blocking our way and wondering why Argo wasn't in his cage, under the plane. After about 30 minutes of this drama, a spokes women from United Airlines had to come and physically escort us through the Incheon Airport and through immigration. After we made it on the plane, Argo the Service Dog (I believe he was a bomb sniffing dog) sat under our seats for 13+ hours and did not move, did not go to the bathroom, and did not bark!!!! I have NEVER seen a dog like this!! It was absolutely the craziest thing I have experienced!!! One of the flight attendants walked by and was absolutely shocked by the sight of Argo. We had been in the air for about 6 hours and she had served us drinks and food and said she had not once noticed him! She then proceeded to tell us that he was better then most of the passengers on the plane!! This is something I am NEVER going to forget!!!

The best 2 week vacation back at home!

We were so happy to be back in Arizona. Right after our plane landed, we all celebrated our return at our favorite place, Yard House! It was so wonderful catching up with everyone and enjoying the wonderful weather!! Matt didn't want to leave!

The guys at Yard House...we were really jet lagged!

Giving the Juvat (Matt's squadron in Korea) symbol.

This was Matt's favorite part of our vacation! He and future brother in law playing Wii!

I couldn't get them away from that thing!

Karen and I on our way to a Spring Training Game.

We loved seeing Sean, Dan, and Karen! We had a wonderful time!!!

Delicous Dinner Out in Arizona

During our trip home, we ate out....a lot!!! That's what happens when we haven't had REAL American food since July!!!!

Hmmm....What is wrong with this picture..... :)

We really enjoyed our vist with Dan and Karen! It was SO good seeing them!!

Terri and Aaron....so in love!

The dinner was....delicious :)

Matt's 32nd Birthday Party!

For Matt's 32nd birthday, we had a family party at our house. We also celebrated Dan's birthday as well.