Power Tourists

In only 12 hours we ate breakfast, toured the Gyungbukgong Palace, strolled through the National Folk Museum, walked the streets in Insadong, shopped, shopped, shopped, and ate a Korean lunch... shopped, had "chops" made for the kids, stocked up on hanboks and Becky even took up the offer of a "free hug" from a handsome young Korean.
For those of you wondering "Well where the heck is that beautiful chubby cheeked little baby?" She's here in Seoul and still living with her foster family. But I haven't met her yet. I will be able to meet Elena and her foster family for a few hours on Monday. Then, I won't be able to see her again until we are flying home on Wednesday. After that she and I will have a nice long day of traveling home to the U.S.

Me at the Main Palace, Gyeongbukgong
Originally constructed in 1394 (thank you Wikipedia)

Detail on the building

In Insadong having the "dojangs" made for the kids. The dojang is a handcarved name stamp that is used in Korea when signing important documents.

Lunch

Bibimbap

Free hugs.

And we made it....

The flight was long. But not the worst thing ever. 

We are here! Now time to go to bed. Zzzzz....

"Yeshhhhhh" by Jack S.J.D.

Permission given by King Jack

Finally....
Mommy asks me: "Do you want Mommy to go get Sissy?" - "Yesh!" I say.
Just to be sure she asks, "So you want Mommy to go to Korea?" - "Yesh!" (duh, Mom! Of course! A week with Daddy means cupcakes and cookies for breakfast, lunch and dinner and probably more TV than you would ever allow!)
And just to be 100% she asks "So, you want Sissy to come home?" - "YESH!!!!"
So...now that I have given my permission Mommy is going to leave in just 3 short days and bring my Sissy back with her.
I will miss my Mommy, but I have by wingman, Daddy, to keep me company.

My pretty sister

Hurry Up Elena, you can come play with my trains, cars, play doh, zhu zhu's, DVD's....well, we will have plenty of time to figure out what I am willing to share! See you soon! Love, your brother - Jack

7 Days Until Takeoff, 14 Days Until Arrival....And New Pictures

It's right around the corner... Next week at this time we will be making the long 14 hour flight to Korea.

Today, we received a few more pictures of Elena from her fantastic foster family. She has 6 teeth. Just enough to bite her brother if he gets out of line. 

Smile!

"The better to bite you with"

Look Ma! No Hands!

And....last but not least a picture of Sweet Cheeks in her Korean Hanbok

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Case of the Toddler Snatchers...

Somebody has taken this sweet child. Last seen smiling, laughing, hugging and playing and being very very nice to his mom and dad.

 He has been replaced by this child seen below.... A screaming, kicking, crying, throwing and plain old rotten three year old.

If anybody knows the whereabouts of our sweet Jack please return him home.

Elena. Now with Action.

I know, it seems impossible that this Roly-Poly gets any cuter, but she does. 

                       Counting down the days.

Look at those squishy arms!

Elena's foster Mom sent us a wonderful surprise today! 12 new pictures of Elena and 4 new videos. Her arms look like sausage links! She is weighing in at 21 pounds. She is still learning to walk and apparently likes eating potato stix. She likes clapping her hands and moving her head when they sing. It looks like she is being very loved and well taken care of. We are excited to get Elena, but we know that she is going to miss her foster family very much.