Flying Home

As we wrap up our 5th trip around the world, I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This adventure was nothing short of spectacular, and I feel so blessed to have shared it with my family. Traveling with them, exploring new places, and creating memories together is a gift that I cherish deeply.

This journey took us from the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland to the historic charm of Scotland, the electrifying atmosphere of the Olympics in Paris, the opulence of Dubai, a brief but memorable night in Thailand, and finally, the rich culture and natural beauty of Japan. Each destination brought its own magic, but the moments we shared as a family were truly the highlight of the trip.

For me, attending the Olympics in Paris and climbing Mount Fuji in Japan were unforgettable experiences. The sense of accomplishment at reaching the summit of Fuji, just as the sun began to rise, was indescribable. But more than the destinations or the activities, it was the intentional time spent with my family that I will remember most.

Albert, my brother, loved getting the sea lion stuffed animal Hashimoto for Astrid, watching the sunrise from Mount Fuji, and bonding with Max throughout the trip. For him, the time spent together and the quiet moments of reflection were priceless.

Astrid’s highlights included the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, seeing the Eiffel Tower, and cuddling otters in Japan, which reminded her of her mom. Her love for Japan shone through as she soaked up the culture and the kindness of the people there. She even mentioned how much she appreciated how quiet and orderly the public transportation was—a detail that made her feel right at home.

Max was thrilled by the challenge of climbing Mount Fuji and the reward of watching the sunrise from the summit. The conveyor belt sushi was a culinary adventure, and visiting the Mother museum to see development documents for his favorite game was the cherry on top of an incredible trip.

Dakota’s favorite memory was watching tennis at the Olympics, an experience she described as unforgettable. Seeing her excitement as she watched the matches at Roland Garros was a joy for all of us.

Jack found peace in the stunning weather and sunsets of Iceland, while Sydney enjoyed exploring around our Airbnb with him and running with me in Japan and Aberdeen. Wendy loved the Blue Lagoon, the cool nights in Scotland, experiencing the Olympics, and the thrill of climbing Mount Fuji.

As I reflect on this journey, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am to be able to share these experiences with the people I love most. Every destination, every moment, and every memory we’ve made together is something I hold dear. Here’s to more adventures and to the joy of experiencing the world with family by my side.

Thank you for following along with our journey. Until the next adventure!

— Brad

PS. Just because I think it is cool, we left Japan at 6:30pm on Wednesday, August 14th, we will fly for 12 hours and we will land in Atlanta at 5:30pm on Wednesday, August 14th. Think about that 🙂