We couldn't be happier that our son, Jacob, his wife, Nia and their four children: Vili, Tai, Mana, and Talia could share a week with us. They have so wanted to be with us. It almost didn't happen, but thanks to a true miracle, they were able to travel on the planned flight.
Here's a sense for the first meal (the kids were so tired, they were already in bed).
We took nearly 600 pictures just on our phone. They probably have nearly that many as well. We will not be sharing them all, but we will share enough to give a sense for the trip.
Saturday - Golum's Cave
Meet Mana - 4
Tai 8
Vili 10
The little one in pink is Talia - 1
You can see here why it's called Golum's care including Smog the dragon from the Hobbit.
This karaoke performer invited Mana to come up. He wasn't too interested.
One of the things grandma was most interested in was these fun hats for the kids. The animal paws have a plastic bubble in them and when squeezed, the air moves up to the ears and they stand up. This was loads of fun for grandma and the grand kids.
Sunday - Church and Olympic Park.
Here you get to meet Talia. She was pretty shy for most of the trip.
The boys were so excited to eat real Korean Ramen for Sunday lunch. It's been a tradition in our family for nearly 25 years.
After church, the ward had a nice meal. Vili was most excited for the kimchi. Jake was just into anything Korean. They ate well!
After church we took a trip around Olympic Park. The main goal is keeping the kids awake so they can be accustomed to the new time zone. Only the one year old was allowed a nap! The cherry blossoms have started to bloom. There is beauty everywhere!
Lovely couple!
The three hams are more like their dad and uncles than they know...
This little girl loves her daddy, especially when he had food!
Mana found a great place to relax overlooking the street. He watched the kids go to school in the morning
We had a nice dinner that evening with the mission presidency and their spouses. Lots of Korean food. Nia and Jake said this trip was all about the food. Wow did they get lots of it...
We are so grateful for these two couples who are such a help in this mission. We look forward to having them visit us in our home in the US one day.
This sweet daughter of the first counselor brought special gifts to all the kids. They slept with them every night this week.
Jacob started off every morning with a favorite Ramen. It is the original from 1963. He even took a bunch back home with him. The US purchased things just don't taste the same!
Though he turned eight-years old in March, Tai waited to be baptized in Korea with Grandma and Grandpa and their missionaries. What an awesome day it was!
We invited our children, the missionaries. Most were able to come. The boys will never be the same. They had so many wonderful examples for them!
We were so happy to have this lovely sister with us. She finished in December and is preparing to go off to BYU in April and we won't get to see her again until July.
The missionaries did some amazing, very spiritually moving performances for us. The spiritual were too big to capture here, but the fun ones were okay. Nia even got to participate in this one.
Tai was really excited to have the two Assistants rap and beat box:
Finally, Mana got to do the Haka with some of his new friends:
After the event, we took the family to the Seoul Grand Park Zoo. A dozen or so missionaries also followed along. What a great day to visit the zoo!
Grandma, Grandpa and the boys!
Alligator wrestlers
They found their roots.
A little zoo yoga with Sister Turner and some of the daughters...
Our true 'Pride'
Nala and Simba found their way together.
Mana found a special friend.
The next day was Vili's 10th birthday. The family made the commitment that if they finished the Book of Mormon as a family by his birthday, they could go to Lotte World Amusement Park. That morning, we sat as a family and read Moroni 10 and celebrated.
What little girl doesn't like the Merry-go-round?
Feeling so cool to be with Grandman
Just cool
Grandpa and Mana in the bumper cars
Mana after devouring some cotton-candy. This were a few minutes in the bathroom...
A quiet evening at the end of the day. Showered, clean, and excited for the next adventure.
The new day brought us to the Children's museum of Seoul. This was a hands on bonanza for the grandchildren.
Talia was excited to be "Under the sea" She made a great Dori.
We had lots of astronauts today!
We found a picture of Times Square in New York City in a 360 view. See if you can identify the Christmas advertisement from the Church! Most people wouldn't think much of it, but the Light The World Campaign was a huge initiative to bring others closer to Christ.
We took a journey to Namtaemun and Dongtaemun.
We had the privilege of enjoy Bingsu together. Amazing treat. You can learn more here:
Bingsu
Also each had to have a taste of Hoddeok, the pancake filled with either brown sugar and chopped nuts or chapjae. Again, another treat they enjoyed.
Thursday was an entirely new adventure. It was by far the most busy and fulfilling. We ventured to Hwaseong Fortress, Namhansanseon and Emart Trader. Too many pictures, but we will share the flavor for the day.
The boys thought they were so good with bikes. They never saw one this size...
Plenty of art to play around and participate in.
First adventure in a Buddhist Temple. The kids learned about respecting beliefs and sacred places of others. Good experience.
You are never too young to learn the art of making a heart!
They got a front row seat of the martial arts show at the front of the palace.
Then they made friends with the guards, including a few female soldiers.
Even Talia was intrigued...
The master took a quick liking to the family.
The real fun came when they got to dress in period clothing. Lots of staring after the changes.
Pretty as the cherry blossoms.
One of the few times Talia actually let grandma hold her on her lap.
What a great picture of a tired boy!
Little sister trying to cheer brother up.
They couldn't get enough of the food!
Learning about "keystones"
So much of Seoul in the background including the tallest building, Lotte Tower.
Another larger Buddhist temple in the mountains.
Noses with Grandman
Snuggling with Grandpa
A huge cheese pizza for dinner for the boys from Emart Traders, a store like Costco.
Loaded up to pack luggage with Korean treats for the trip home.
We had thought they left on Saturday, but they had to depart on Friday. We had another venture to a part of Olympic Park not seen earlier in the week.
Finally, we had to say goodbye. It was amazing that we could get all eight of us in seatbelts and luggage for six in one van. Miracles happen.
We got a week's worth into the blog. Thank you for your patience. More coming later this week.
Thank you for your love and support.
We had the privilege of enjoy Bingsu together. Amazing treat. You can learn more here: Bingsu
