Walkers take Hong Kong & Korea

This past month we had a trip of a lifetime...  Patrick and I took our kids (ages 5, almost 3, and 16 months) to Hong Kong and Korea.  Joel and his family are living in Hong Kong right now because of Joel's job.  We couldn't imagine not seeing them all year, so we decided to travel on over...from Minneapolis to Chicago (spent the night at the airport hotel), then traveled the 16 hour flight from Chicago to Hong Kong.  Our kids were amazing little travelers, better than we could have ever expected of anticipated.  It was a whirlwind of a trip only being gone 9 days total.  We were not only in Hong Kong but also spent the second part of our trip in Seoul, Korea.  In Seoul, we visited my sister in law's family as well as Joel's and my birth family (aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins and their children).  It was amazing to introduce Patrick to my family and for them to meet my husband and kids.  

Having spent the night at the O'hare Hilton, we are now ready to embark on our journey across the Pacific.   And all the green for St. Patrick's day...!!

Clara slept for the majority of the flight...couldn't believe it!

We had an empty seat in the row so the kids could spread out to sleep.

Reunited with cousin Mia on the other side of the world!

the girls busy coloring

out to lunch: Stanley Park, Hong Kong

kids playing at the local park

Ocean Park, Hong Kong (zoo, amusement park, aquarium in one place)

we certainly don't see a panda at the zoo stateside...

Day of travel  - here we are on the train to get to the Hong Kong airport.

On flight from Hong Kong to Seoul - the woman sitting on the other side of Clara took a liking to Clara and watched her sleep peacefully almost the entire flight!

Hye-Young's parents' home in Korea - Her mom made us a delicious traditional Korean meal when we arrived.  We stayed in their home for 2 nights...what wonderful hospitality!

We rented a van in order to get our family, Joel's family, and Hye Young's brother's family around to sightsee in Seoul.  Look at how cozy we are....what you can't see is there are 5 more people in this van!  Fun times!

Coloring fabric bags at Namsan Park with Chloe (hye young's niece)

cousins 5 months apart in age

Korean bbq meal (Patrick's favorite meal he told me)....so much fun being with family and delicious food!

Clara suffering jet lag still....sleeping through dinner.  Thankful that we brought the carseat for random times like these!

A gathering with my aunts, uncles, cousins & their children - such a special afternoon for me!

our family with two of my cousins

we were showered with warmth, hugs, and gifts...so generous!

I was adopted 30 years ago...to think a picture like this would ever be taken...indescribable

Clara with my youngest cousin

Joel and I with cousins

We stayed a few nights in an awesome hotel in downtown Seoul.  The hotel was brand new and amazing, but space was a bit limited.  We are just relaxing for a bit, and Charlie has decided to crawl into Clara's crib.

Another cousin of mine

Last meal together before heading to the airport.

Thankful for God's provision in my life; thankful to God for providing resources to make this trip happen; thankful to God for my family...I clearly see God's hand in my life...all these years...and amazed at the plan he had and continues to have for my life.