Happy Chuseok!

Dancers perform a fan dance for Chuseok in Seoul

Happy Chuseok! Chuseok, as described to us by Leo's foster family is "the autumn festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month" around the autumn equinox and is a special Korean holiday - a harvest festival, most akin to American Thanksgiving. It is celebrated over a 3 day period and involves giving thanks for a good harvest as well as an expression of gratitude toward ancestors.

A traditional spread prepared for Chuseok

According to Wikipedia, during the festival many Koreans "visit their ancestral hometowns to share a feast of traditonal Korean food such as songpyeon" (glutinous semi-sweet crescent-shaped rice cakes that are steamed on pine needles).

Songpyeon

Leo's foster family just shared with us that their family gathered together, ate homemade food, and spoke about Leo with love and affection to help celebrate the holiday this year. We continue to be grateful for the wonderful family life they gave Leo for almost the first 13 months of his life. They will always have a special place in our heart and family. Again, Happy Chuseok!