Day 1 & Day 2, 10-12 & 10-13-2016 - Heading to SEATAC to go get Ayla!!

DAY 1 - LEAVING SEATTLE  OCT 12, 2016

On Wednesday, October 12th, Grammy, B'Elanna and I got up early and started our drive to SEATAC airport.   First we went to Auntie Pam's house so she could drive us to the airport and then watch my car afterwards.

And of course... the traditional luggage picture (with a photobomb).  At first I thought this was a TON of luggage, but then I realized this is for FOUR people!   We are flying Korean Airlines this time, so our check baggage limit is 50lbs (23kg).  Both of the large suitcases made weight... by about 4lbs.  HAHAHAHA.    We are hoping to lighten some of the load by offloading the gifts we are bringing and by eating the small amount of snacks we have brought. 

Photo bomb by Charlie Dog and a cute little girl!

Grammy's knees have gotten Really bad over the last four years and she is scheduled to have a knee replacement surgery within days of our return. So before we headed to the airport, Grammy and I had discussed requesting a wheelchair to get her to the gates.  We want her to be able to enjoy taking part in the Beijing touring and not be in Crazy amounts of pain because she tried to walk all over these airports.   This ended up being a GREAT idea and a huge source of amusement for B'Elanna.  Since she was in a wheelchair, we were pushed near the front of the line going through TSA security, were allowed to board the plane early, got trolley car service from gate-to-gate in Seoul and we went through the Diplomatic (aka SPEEDY) line at the Beijing Immigration/Customs lines.

Grammy catching a ride at SEATAC
B'Elanna giddy with amusement

Family Selfie at SEATAC

Once we were on the plane, B'Elanna was silly with excitement.   So we entertained each other with some selfies.

Family Selfie
WERE ON THE PLANE TO CHINA!!

First part of our flight - Seattle to Seoul, South Korea.  Then a one hour layover followed by our flight to Beijing!

First part of the trip - Seattle to Seoul, S. Korea

Korean Airlines offers AMAZING food options for the kids.   The adult food was REALLY good too... and we were trusted to use REAL silverwear!!

Korean Air - Kids Meal

Korean Air - Adult meal with wine and REAL silverwear!

Of course, I had to keep myself amused on the plane too... so I kept trying to steal B'Elanna's chips and cookies she was saving.  hahahahaha.    And had to take some random pictures mid-flight.

B'Elanna & Grammy protecting her
treats from Mommy.  HAHAHA

Zoned out watching movies
only Half Way!!

DAY 2 - LOST A DAY IN FLIGHT!!!   OCT 13, 2016

A little after this photo was taken, we lost a day in flight and it became late afternoon on October 13th, 2016.

Approx Half Way picture

Once we landed in Seoul, South Korea, we had a one hour layover.  That is normally plenty of time to walk fast from one gate to the other.   Well, there were about 8-10 wheelchair people on our flight, so when we got off the plane we had to wait and wait and wait for the electric trolley to arrive.   I was going stir-crazy thinking we were going to miss out flight.   Well, we didn't miss our flight, but we got to the gate as they were loading!!   

CRASHED!!!

We got to our seats, took off and they brought B'Elanna her third meal for the flight.   It was a Rice Omelet.  She had been asking me Most of the trip, "When do I get my rice?  When do I get my rice?"   Well, they brought her rice... and she fell asleep.   There was NO waking her.  Trust me, I tried!  She almost face planted into the omelet.   She hasn't been that tired in FOREVER!!

When we landed in Beijing, they loaded Grammy up into another wheelchair and we were off like lightening.   No stops for bathrooms OR pictures.   We got through customs so fast that we beat George and had to wait for him for about 30 minutes.  During that time, I was so tired... I forgot to take more pictures.    We looked pretty rough by then anyway and you wouldn't have wanted to see THAT!!  Trust me!!