Last week, we had a wonderful family vacation! Yes, all four of us traveled together by plane and we survived! We were unsure if we should bring our giant double stroller with us, but it proved to be AWESOME for transporting two little boys AND their carseats through the airport and to our gate!
As soon as we arrived in Los Angeles, I felt revived by the dry air and cool temperatures. Ahhhh. I had forgotten how beautifully flowers grow there in such profusion. Front yards are works of art!
We stayed with our dear friends Jenn and Dave and their sweet baby Ellie! The boys had a great time and they enjoyed special breakfasts of Mickey pancakes made by Jenn!
The weather was so beautiful, we ate most of our meals outside on their patio.
One day, we drove to Irvine and had lunch with some friends who also have a son from Ethiopia. The boys had a blast together at the "kids" end of the table!
After lunch, we decided to take a drive to Laguna Beach where we enjoyed "Monkey Flip" milkshakes (chocolate, banana, peanut butter and date) and took in views of the Pacific!
Since this was the boys' very first time to be near an Ocean, we had to take them to the beach!
We drove up to Arcadia one day to visit another Gladney Family, the Scherers! Brian and I met these twins in Ethiopia while they were still in foster care, so it was wonderful to see them again at 2 years old!
On Wednesday, we went to Disneyland! The day started off with a "character breakfast" at the Storyteller's Cafe.
Jeremy's favorite part was driving a car on the Autopia ride.
We went on the Nemo ride.
And of course, the boys got Mickey ears (which Mommy got to wear, too)!!!
Meeting Mickey was Zachary's favorite part. When we left, he said, "Bye-bye, Mickey" in a sweet, tender voice.
Dads with their kids!
On our last full day, Brian got to have lunch with a group of guys he mentored while we lived there. They were in college at the time, and now they are all in their mid-twenties, with jobs, and one of them even has a family now! It was a fun reunion!
It was a great week, full of fun and friendship!
