10:54 PM

I got several things done today which means we're getting closer to "D-Day". I had to take Brandon to Longmont, Colorado today so we could get his passport. Apparently there is a law that requires both parents to be present in order to get a passport for a minor. If one parent is absent, they have to fill out a form saying they give permission to have the minor obtain a passport. It's a really great idea but it put a hinder in our plans. I had to take Brandon to where John was working since he's only home on weekends. Anyway we got the passport applications filled out & we should receive them in 2 weeks since we had them expedited. Total cost for 3 passports / pictures - 541.00!! Yes you heard right - THREE passports....John will be coming with us for the first half of the trip. His return flight to the US will be on September 1st. I'm so excited that John will be able to share this wonderful experience with us. Okay here is our Itinerary: August 8th leave Colorado Springs at 6:20 am on United Airlines. Arrive in Los Angeles at 7:45 am (2 hours 25 minutes). Depart on Korean Air at 11:40 am and arrive in Tokyo Narita, Japan at 3:05pm the next day (11 hours & 25 minutes). Leave Japan at 5pm and arrive in Seoul, Korea at 7:25 pm (2 hours 25 minutes). We will be staying the night in a hotel in Korea - we'll need the rest!! On Aug 10th we will depart Seoul Korea at 1:05 pm and arrive in Qingdao, China at 1:40 pm (1 hour 35 minutes) For everyone who is wondering Qingdao, China is 14 hours ahead of Mountain Time (13 hours for Central Standard time). I'm excited to finally have the airlines booked, passports are being processed, and by Saturday have the down payment of the treatment sent out. I received an email from a reporter for the Garden City Telegram today asking if we would do an interview with them. So I'll be working on that for the next couple of days that way it will be in the newspaper before the June 1st hamburger fundraiser in Garden City. Brandon has 2 days left of school before he's out for the summer!!