David, Daniel & Sarah

We’re in South Carolina, visiting Sarah and Kyle for Christmas and New Year.  We flew into Atlanta (yes, we understand the geography; we also understand the economics of airline travel with a party of four).  Sarah made the five-hour drive from Charleston to pick us up.  We took the opportunity to visit the Martin Luther King, Jr., Museum.  It’s an inspiring place and I recommend it for anyone who wants a better understanding of the struggles that were faced by many in our country.  It’s a testament to our better nature that now we can walk freely on those same streets with a mixed-race family without any strange glances.

The museum has some short films playing, and some powerful photos and other exhibits.  When we finished in the museum, we walked to the MLK birth home, the reflecting pool, grave & eternal flame, and then on to Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Click the picture to see more photos.

The 31st was a very laid back day.  Jankel and Randy went for a bike ride around the base, and several of the kids and adults went for a run on the track.  Max impressed us all with the number of laps he complete (I forgot how many, but it was a lot).  Besides that, it was a day spent on the beach, including pizza dinner on the beach.  Some also kicked a soccer ball around (imagine that!) and played a fun beanbag game.  This is truly rest and relaxation!

Monday of vacation was extremely laid back.  We spent most of the day hanging out on the beach, although we found some time to take group photos.  Daniel and David loved all the time with their cousins on the beach.  Their boogie-boarding skills improved dramatically.  There was quite a bit of throwing balls, playing smash-ball, and digging in the sand.

In the evening, we all went out for Mexican food and then walked over to the historic Hotel Del Coronado.  This place is amazing!  One of our party engaged an off-duty bellman to give us a tour, including the Crown Room and other impressive ballrooms.  The hotel opened in 1888 and has hosted multiple presidents and other dignitaries.  Just about all of the employees are convinced that it also is haunted. 

We returned from our vacation to Phoenix and Disneyland on July 3rd, so we weren’t really ready for a “big” 4th of July.  We didn’t make it out to our friends’ home on Lake Tapps, as we typically do.  Instead, we stayed home and had a relatively peaceful celebration of our wonderful country’s independence.  The boys spent a good portion of the day playing with their new remote-control cars, courtesy of Sarah and Kyle.

That night, we spent time with our neighbors.  They had enough explosives to defeat the British again, so we enjoyed the show.  Here are a few pictures.

After our trip to Phoenix, we went to Disneyland for four days.  It was so good to spend time with all of us together: Kyle & Sarah, with their exchange student Diana, and Ryan & Janel.  Daniel & David got a bit of bonding time with the rest of the family.  And, of course, it was Disneyland so you know we had to have a good time!

As far as the rides are concerned, Daniel is always ready and eager to head to the biggest, the fastest and the scariest!  David takes a bit of time to warm up to some of the rides, but then he jumps right on board as well.  At times, the stimulus-overload introduced some challenges as the whole experience can be a bit overwhelming.  Keep in mind that these boys are less than two years removed from their situation in Ethiopia.  But, all in all, we had a great time.

Click the photo above to see some of the favorites from our cameras.  Click the one below to see the photos taken by Disney photographers on Photopass.