Our April showers were of the cherry blossom type. Korea's monsoon season (see I didn't say simply "rainy", it's monsoon) is in the summer. I only imagine the rain makes the mosquitos worse. It sure can't help the situation. Anywho, the cold winter finally went away (they were right- it did get cold), the beautiful temps arrived (accompanied by yellow dust- thanks China) and now we're transitioning into hot and humid. Two of my favorite words.
But April also brought Grandma and Papa. They were a breath of fresh air (am I trying too hard?). No really, we had a nice visit and drug them all over Seoul and thoroughly wore them out before they went back home.
Grandma & Papa brought presents of course. Now Colter has a Pluto suit to accompany Hayden's leopard jammies.
He'll grow into it :).
Both of our Grandma's have made Hayden a leopard blanket. This was his idea.
Grandma came modeling with us.
Afterwards, we took them on a tour of the base. I guess Hayden won't smile if there's no money involved.
The next day we took them on the subway to have lunch with Daddy and do a little sightseeing.
First we went to Jogyesa Temple.
All the lanterns were up for Buddha's birthday celebration.
Peeking inside the temple.
Brent took us out for a traditional Korean lunch of bibimbap and bulgolgi in Insadong. They were good little taste testers. I think they enjoyed all the Korean food they tried.
Grandma & I always have time for shopping. This time- Korean pottery.
Brent was real proud of his dessert find- poo.
Yep- chocolate squirts out of them.
After Brent went back to work, tour guide duties were left up to me so we headed for a walk around a hanok village.
Bukchon Hanok village is traditional Korean homes situated up on a hill with nice city views.
Had to pose beside the US Embassy.
The next morning we took the bus to the Express Bus Terminal flower market.
Grandma was impressed.
These remind me of Quito.
Next we stopped at the department store, Shinsegae. Yes, that's roughly $25 for a cantaloupe.
My little Korean taste testers...
....we even picked out some things to take for lunch on their DMZ tour the next day.
Hayden likes to model, but he does not like seeing his picture!
We also took Grandma & Papa to a baseball game. I couldn't resist the photo op. And, I love how the player on the right is giving the ol' stink eye like my Hayden does.
Go Doosan Bears!
Surprise! It was our day ;).
The next morning, I sent them off (in style!) to the DMZ. Since kids under 10 are not allowed to take the tour, we stayed home.
On Friday we went up to Grant's school and enjoyed his class poetry picnic.
Grant gave them the grand tour.
Then the twins and I took them to Passion 5 for lunch.
Papa treated Colter and Hayden to gelato.
Hayden was feeling sick, so we went home while Colter took Grandma and Papa shopping on Itaewon. Colter has been saving his money for a long time to buy this bear from Line Friends.
Such a big boy.
Saturday evening we went out to Myeongdong to taste yummy street food. First up- dragon beard candy.
Then a quick stop at Myeongdong Cathedral, an old, gothic style Catholic church.
Looks kind of like the Notre Dame grotto.
Back to eating now! Grant & Colter's favorite, the tornado potato.
Bulgolgi
These guys are a little less adventurous and inhaled the watermelon.
We took a little evening stroll (couldn't pass up the weather!)....
...and wound up near the Embassy where we took a bus home.
Our next adventure was the Noryangjin Fish Market. Verdict: impressive, but stinky.
A rare family pic....I don't see this side of the camera much!
We went back up to the Embassy area to explore Gyeongbokgung palace.
That's the Embassy on the right, the palace is straight ahead.
We watched the changing of the guard ceremony....
...in the shade! Note: next time, bring sunglasses for everyone.
My little Korean celebrities.
He makes all the girls swoon.
Grandma & Papa then earned major bonus points by taking the boys out for chips and dip before heading over to the fabric market.
Another happy (& impressed!) Grandma.
We had to take a break from sightseeing to do a little more modeling.
The last two days they were here was a local holiday, so we rented a van and headed overnight to Seoraksan National Park.
Korean junior rangers!!
Ready for our first hike.
Found my Oklahoma :).
The bridge was cool, the scenery beautiful.
And we made it to the waterfall.
We had lunch. These are the traditional Korean lunchers....
...and this side of the table opted for a pizza. I sat on this side. And just to be clear, Hayden's "traditional Korean" meal consists of white rice and Fanta.
Papa looks so cute in the beloved orange hat.
After lunch we took the cable car up the mountain for some good views of the park.
There's always a Buddha in the parks.
They're so scary ;).
Off on our second hike.
We may or may not be making these faces because we were just yelling at each other. The longer you're married, the shorter you stay mad. You just understand each other's crazy. Sorry for how I act when there are mosquitos present.
After the park, we went to put our feet in the East Sea. It was freezing. We lasted long enough for a picture.
Our hotel room. We booked the grandparents a room with a bed. We went for traditional- those are our beds up against the wall.
The next morning we drove south along the coast to Hwanseongul Cave.
We took this little tram up to the cave.
It was amazing!
Coming home was not amazing.
Nope, not at all.
This was our celebration party for surviving the long visit. I even got presents.
Just kidding. It was my birthday & I was truly spoiled by all.
Grandma was the first brave one to try the milk soda. Hate to admit that it wasn't really all that bad.
3 generations of King boys.
We had a great visit....
....but we were sad to see them go. Until next time!
We had to wait to recover from our visit. We headed downtown to watch Buddha's birthday parade. I pretended it was for me.
I love these boys and this adventure.
Time to go home now and relax.
Hayden didn't quite make it.
Next up, the end of the school year & summer break...
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