We made it!

 We had a non-stop flight from Seoul to Chicago.  We landed in Chicago almost 2 hours before we boarded in Seoul!  We arrived Saturday night in Chicago at 7:30pm.

This was our view from our hotel in Chicago.  It was so nice to get to lie down after sitting for 13 hours!!   Sunday morning we were back at the airport for a 10am flight to Tulsa, where Miranda picked us up.

Yay!  Hanging out at Aunt Miranda's house is the best!

Joy of Joys!  We went to Five Guys for lunch!  My life is complete!

Then we drove to Branson, where I did not take a single picture at my neice Emily's baptism, despite the fact that the entire family (minus 3) was there to experience it. So 38 of our 41 family members were there.  So cool!

After the baptism, we went and checked into our resort rooms at Branson, MO.  And the fun times were ON!

The big "Reunion Hall" was well used by us.

 And yes, everyone enjoyed the many puzzles that were out!

The Layover

 We had a 7 hour layover in Seoul.  Yep, 7 hours! We landed a little after 1 pm and our flight was not till 8:30pm, so I was a wee bit concerned. Fortunately, our big luggage was checked and we did not have to haul that around.  We discovered that the airport is very fun, AND they offer free tours!  Depending on how long your layover is (and when), you can go on a 1, 2, 3, or 4 hour tour! We were able to take the 3 hour tour from 3-6 and it was awesome to be able to get out of the airport and do something else. The tour wasn't fabulous, but it beat sitting in the airport.

 The airport has these random fun things in it. This picture makes me laugh because Callie is photobombing and Delaney is trying to bunny-ear Rylee who is cross about it.

I love these girls!

They thought they were so funny, pretending to check in for flights with this booth.

Our tour took us 40 minutes out to a park.  

 They made a traditional rice cake treat that Delaney did not want to eat.

I think this was a traditional house and garden?

And they had games for the kids to play.  Marian was really good at this one!

Selfie with the girls having a blast on the teeter totters.

These were a great source of fun.

The wooden walkway and koi ponds were a hit as well, but it was wretchedly hot out.

Next was a 10 minute drive to a market.  I was too busy looking at all the fun stuff to take any other pictures of it!

We were so excited to find a Dunkin Donuts in the middle of Seoul!  I had to change money to Korean money so we could get some.  They were not as delicious as we hoped.

Back at the airport we had to clear security again.  We found our gate and were delighted to see it was close to a play area.  It was also next to an Auntie Anne's Pretzel stand and a candy shop so all were happy! This is Rylee, playing at the play area.

Delaney made friends there.

It was a fun way to pass the time.

Summer Trip: The Beginning

 Saturday June 11, we began our exciting summer adventure. I took the 4 girls and we headed off to the USA!

 First was the 90 minute drive to the Hiroshima Airport.  Wheee!

We were a little early and had time to hang out and get comfy.

We flew Asiana Airlines to Seoul, and the plane was nice!

Selfie with Rylee.

Look!  Even though the flight from Hiroshima to Seoul was under 2 hours, we got fed a full dinner meal!

And after Callie's is MY Birthday

 I planned to do nothing for my birthday, but my friend Sylvie-Anne suggested we go on a birthday lunch, since her birthday was a few days later.  So we did.  And it was lovely.  then she took me by her favorite pastry shop and bought me a delightful little cake (just big enough for one!).  That was especially nice.  I had said I wasn't going to make a cake for my birthday because there had been a LOT of desserts already that week. (Pie on Saturday for a get together, pie on Sunday for Seminary Graduation, more pie on Monday for FHE dessert with the sister missionaries, cupcakes on Tuesday for Callie's birthday and Callie's cookie pizza on Wednesday!!!) It turned out that the tiny little cake was perfect.  I hoarded it till the kids were in bed and then enjoyed my own little birthday cake all by myself!

How did they know?!!

The amazing pastries!  I got the chocolate square one on the top left.  Yum!! 

Rylee's gift to me was this delightful drawing. 

A Very Callie Birthday

 Callie had a birthday.  It was on the most hectic day of the week, and I'm really grateful she was okay with it because it was a really crazy day.  She had asked for Biscuits and Gravy for breakfast, and Cajun Chicken Pasta for dinner.  She also wanted a cookie pizza for her cake.  Yay!  All easy things!  Her birthday list was short, which was fine, since she technically went paragliding for her birthday a few weeks ago.

It grew more than I anticipated and a little oozed off the pan.  I also wasn't doing so hot with the frosting!

She still proclaimed it delicious.... and it was! 

Love me some silly girls. 

Rylee wanted a picture too. 

And the loot-fest was satisfactory.  Actually, she was really happy with it!