Our journey to the Motherland

Our new home...quite the hacienda! It was a pleasant surprise to say the least...relatively clean/good shape, running water, electricity, toilets we're used to (that flush too!), even a small refrigerator outside & a gas stove!!! Lots of fruit flies!

Traveling from the airport to our new home...Tanzanian style! Seatbelts...we don't need no stinkin' seatbelts! I had to open up the protective bag/cover that had the girls carseats in them, as the customs guy just gave me a blank stare when I said they were 'car seats...for the kids...to ride in the car in'...still, nothing, so I had to take them out to show him. Kids are loving their new 'freedom' when riding in the cars...pretty sure they won't ever want to (at least not willingly) get in the car seats again...oh well, enjoy it while it lasts!

Shay at take off...does she look a little excited?!!! The kids did great (considering the length of it...19 hours of air time from D.C. to Tanzania!) on the flight...Jadyn struggled a little on the Rome to Addis Ababa leg...but other than that it went great!


Dawn of the next step on our lifelong journey following Christ...can't wait for what's in store...never a dull moment when you let go & follow His lead! Beautiful sunrise!

One last stop...Washington D.C. on the 4th of July

Look at those 2 bombshells looking over the reflecting pool (where we watched the fireworks go off later that night), Washington Memorial & Capitol Buidling...pretty amazing being there & seeing it in person. Fireworks over/from the reflecting pool were amazing...never been that close before (they literally set them off from the one side of the pool & we stood on the other end...only 150 yards or so from launch point...VERY loud)...the grand finale put any other grand finale I've ever seen to shame...unbelievable! What a gift to be there on the 4th...thanks God!

Our good buddy Abe...never pictured him quite this tall/big! They weren't joking about him being so tall! But seriously, quite this statue of a 'man'...sometimes makes we wonder about the line between honoring someone & idolizing them...not trying to be too philosopical/spiritual or anything...just a thought that crossed my mind while there this time...

Cooling off in the World War II Memorial pool (feet only)...the girls loved sitting on the edge & dipping their feet in...of course they were antsy to jump all the way in, but alas that is not allowed...wonder why?!! Nice to cool off the feet on a summer day in D.C.

Washington Memorial viewed from the World War II Memorial. Pretty awe inspiring actually being there...and on the 4th of July nonetheless.




What up George?!! Cindy and Jadyn soaking up some summer sun...and sweat...on a standard summer day in our nation's capitol.