High Scores, Big Waves, Full Hearts
July 19, 2025
Day 11
Today we woke up for the first time in Isabella and we were ready for whatever was coming our way. After a delicious breakfast we piled in the car and headed for the Highlands for a day hike at Sierra Negra! On the way there, John and Oliver helped Thomas out with AUX while Charlotte and Margaret danced extra hard together. The ride was about an hour, but it felt like 5 minutes with this group! We always love car rides together and find that they are so enjoyable and fun. Once we got to the hike, Addison, Julia, and Lillian led the pack and headed up the volcano with our guide, Danny! Thomas, Luc, and Sam held down the rear in the back! We played Wavelength all the way to the top, and shoutout to Jack for figuring his out almost immediately. Once we got to the top, Thomas, Luc, and Sam all rallied with the hacky sack and reached their new high score of 13!! We reallllly have gotten good at this! Danny taught us a lot about the volcano and its last eruption, and it really was the most entertaining part of the day. He is a natural!! All of our kids are always so quick to thank and show gratitude for our guides, which shows so much about who they are as people. Lillian and Addison even said it was the most entertaining lecture they have ever heard which made us all happy! On the way down, we couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the view was. Even though the view of the volcano wasn’t clear because of the clouds, looking into the dark abyss on top of the mountain was so intriguing and interesting. We really couldn’t have asked for a better morning!! We then got back to the hotel and were SO ready for lunch, so we headed off to the restaurant, where Sam, Thomas, AB, Lillian, Jack and Danny all practiced “grounding.” After stuffing our faces with the most delicious schwarma, we ran back to the hotel to change into swimsuits to get in the sun!! It was a beautiful day and we laid on the beach for hours! With sunscreen of course 🙂 Sam made sure to play us some good tunes while AB, Caleb, John, and Luke all took some much needed naps. Jack and Luc were the football, while Addison and Lillian were swimming in the ocean. As soon as Luke woke up, he ran in too, causing more people to flood into the water and enjoy the freshness of it. Oliver, AB, Julia, and Charlotte went for a walk on the beach, where they saw so many baby black iguanas!! What a great afternoon. After a long day in the sun, we headed back to the hotel to rinse off before a BIG NIGHT OF SPORTS!! Thomas and AB were not playing around this night… it was our LAST CHANCE to get a win against the local girls/boys club basketball and soccer teams. We got to the field, where immediately Sam became best friends with Eugene and Paolo, just like he does everywhere!! He is always so friendly and respectful to the local people and cultures which is something we love most about him! Nugs to Sam!!! Charlotte, Addison, Lillian, John, Luke, and Luc ran out on the field as our starting six! Shoutout to Jack for scoring two goals and Thomas for being a stellar goalie!! Nothing was getting past him. On the sidelines, Sam, Oliver, and Caleb were taking selfies with their new best friends, while Julia and Margaret were playing hacky sack with theirs! We ended up losing the game by one, which was a heartbreaker, but we had our game faces on for basketball. The girls were first. Picture this: Charlotte, Julia, Margaret, Addison, and Lillian as our starting five. WHAT A LINEUP!! Nugs to Addison for taking charge and calling a “4-out” formation, because we were not playing around. We quickly went down by over fifteen points, but at least we were having fun? Definitely that. Laughter was contagious. AB face planted about 5 times, the boys were making up cheers on the sidelines, and Addison and Lillian were crossing people up. It was so much fun. Once our game ended, all we wanted to do was play again!! But, it was time for the boys to step in. Hopefully, they will come closer than we did. Spoiler alert-not even close. Thomas got everyone ready and pumped up. The starting five were Jack, Sam, John, Luke, and Luc. We went down pretty fast, so we had to throw in our secret weapon, Thomas. With 24 points from his last performance, we had big hopes for the future LeBron over here. Even though he sunk multiple threes and rejected the other team’s shots, we still lost. But it’s okay, at least we had fun! After the game, we went to dinner and ended the night with an amazing Moonup followed by Caleb, Oliver, and AB swinging in the hammocks. Can’t wait to see what our LAST FULL DAY holds!
Day 12
It’s our last day of activity, and while we are so sad that this amazing trip is coming to an end, we know we will make every last second count. We woke up with the sun ready for breakfast before we hopped on the Chiva for a 5 minute drive to where we surfed. When we got there, everyone was instantly ecstatic and purely filled with joy and excitement. It was a BEAUTIFUL morning. Our first group was Margaret, Charlotte, Caroline, Luc, Oliver, Caleb, and John, and they were more than ready for those waves! Margaret is an absolute NATURAL, getting up on her board almost immediately! But it didn’t take long for Luc and Caroline to follow, screaming with excitement when they caught that first wave. Our second group consisted of Thomas, AB, Jack, Sam, Addison, Lillian, Luke, and Julia, and they were crushing it. Julia made us all smile with her radiating energy and joy when she hopped up on that board immediately! Even the guides were saying they need more participants like her. This encouraged all of us to get up on the board and shred the waves 🌊!! Nugs to you, Julia!!! Luc, Luke, AB, Sam, and Lillian all wanted to try the small board, so they spent a solid half hour out deep in the ocean, trying to catch a wave and see how long they could stay up. Meanwhile, Caroline was getting the more amazing pictures from the shore. What would we do without her!! She always has her camera ready to capture the moment at the perfect time. After wrapping up surfing, we headed back to the hotel, where Sam, Jack, Margaret, Lillian, and Addison immediately jumped in the pool to cool off. We only had a short amount of time before our ferry, so we had to quickly take in our last coffee and gelato run before leaving for the pier. AB, Caleb, and Caroline all made a new best friend (iykyk) and everyone else got some rest before we made it to Santa Cruz. As soon as we got to Santa Cruz, the girls put down their bags and headed to get a coffee (of course!)!! The boys took a second to rest and recharge before dinner. Once we were all ready, we went to dinner, where we got to e most AMAZING poké, sushi, and burgers? The combination sounds a little strange, but I promise everyone was more than satisfied!! Our LODs, Margaret and Luke decided that we simply needed ice cream before walking around town for a little. John wins best order (chocolate cake and strawberry ice cream) with Margaret and Lillian coming in a close second (waffle with Oreo ice cream), and AB barely making the cut in third place (blackberry frozen yogurt). What a great sweet treat after a GREAT last day. We walked back to the hotel, where girls threw on their pjs while Luke, AB, Caleb, John, and Oliver hung out on the roof before an incredible last Moonup. This Moonup was extra special for so many reasons. 1 being that it was last Moonup of the session, 2 being that it was Thomas and AB’s last Moonup of the SUMMER (are you kidding), and 3 being the best of all. The kids all surprised Thomas and AB with a SONG, sharing with us how much this trip has meant to them, changed their lives, and how these strangers to them just two short weeks ago have become family. I was ugly crying and Thomas was comforting me,🤣 and it was in that exact moment we knew that we did our job right. We both came here to create the experience of a lifetime for our kids, but more than that, to connect them with friends of a lifetime. We feel so confident that this group will stay connected and continue to make an impact on each other. What a wonderful way to close out the most remarkable summer. After so many hugs and tears wiped from our faces, we sat down for another hour and just laughed. We recounted all of our favorite memories and man are there a lot of those. Very thankful for the absolute and pure joy these people have brought us.
Day 13
It’s travel day! This trip flew by faster than we ever imagined. As we said goodbye to our favorite 13 people, our hearts were so full. We can’t stop smiling thinking about all the memories we’ve made together! These past two weeks have been something really special, and we know the moments we shared will stick with us forever. Thank you for sharing your amazing people with us! They are so loved and so full of light, and we can’t wait to see all the good they’ll do. Thomas and I will be in their corner cheering them on through everything, and we know they know that. Give them an extra big hug from us!!! Couldn’t love them more!!!! They are what makes Moondance as special as it is 🙂
All our best, ONE FINAL TIME!!!!
AB + Thomas
Iguanas, Turtles, Sea Lions, and Rays!
July 16, 2025
DAY 7
It’s our first full day in the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS!!! There truly is no where we would rather be than right here. Our day started off with our LODs, Margaret and Jack, hyping all of us up, just like we knew they would!!! Margaret is someone that adds so much to the group in such a modest way that is so inspiring and important for the group. She is so outwardly kind and supportive and everyone knows it!! Jack is someone who we have absolutely adored having with us. He is constantly making us laugh, and he is unapologetically himself. He always aspires to live in the moment and go the extra mile, making him the perfect LOD for one of our most jam-packed days! We started our day off with a hike to La Lobería, a cove where sea lions are abundant and we are able to swim with them! It was such a great morning. Nugs to Caroline for capturing the moment. She got so many pictures which was so exciting. After snorkeling with turtles, sea lions, and sting rays, the girls tanned and laid in the sun while the boys played deathsack and eventually came to hang out with the girls. It was such a peaceful morning that we all enjoyed it so much. We headed back into town to walk around before lunch, where the girls found another coffee shop obviously! The boys walked into a few clothing stores and then sat in the sun outside the restaurant until the girls returned. We all enjoyed the freshest and most delicious sushi before hopping on a boat to Isla Lobos. We got on the boat and immediately brought out the jams, thanks to Luc! He always has the best requests. The girls enjoyed the top of the boat and the sun while the boys and AB hung out on the bottom with the speaker. We got to the island and walked around where Julia, Margaret, and Lillian spotted a BABY Blue-Footed Booby which was so cool!! We took pics with it and then finished out the hike. We were able to capture a phenomenal view of “Kicker Rock” (an infamous diving spot for sharks) from the island. It was so cool and peaceful. Once we all got back on the boat, it was time to go to the island to lay in the sun, snorkel and swim, and simply enjoy ourselves. We all sat at the front of the boat and were in awe at all the beauty that surrounds the Galapagos. Oliver was quick to jump in the water and report back that it was the PERFECT temperature for swimming. Of course it was!!! Everything is perfect here when we are together. Thomas, Sam, Jack, Addison, Luc, Oliver, and John swam to the shore while everyone else enjoyed snorkeling and swimming around the boat. The sun was out and the day was perfect. We headed back to the hotel to shower and get ready for a fun night ahead of us! We were going to a cooking class!! Today we had the most amazing local experience! We visited a woman named Amalia who welcomed us into her home and taught us how to make a traditional meal. With her help, we prepared a delicious chicken and rice dish, yellowfin tuna ceviche, fried plantains, and the freshest orange juice ever. Jack did a great job cleaning the rice, and Margaret took the lead on prepping the chicken like a pro. Sam somehow made juicing oranges absolutely hilarious and Luc cut up the tuna perfectly for the ceviche. Everything was so flavorful, and getting to cook alongside Amalia made it even more special. Safe to say we left full and happy! Couldn’t have asked for a better way to end another perfect day.
DAY 8
We started the day bright and early with balloons, iced lattes, and plenty of capybaras to celebrate Lillian’s 16th birthday here in Ecuador. Naturally, there was cake with breakfast because how else would you start a birthday? Our LODs for the day were Oliver and Lillian. Lillian brought all the birthday energy, and Oliver was the perfect person to help lead the way. He’s kind, easy to talk to, and always makes people laugh. He helped set the tone for what turned out to be such a good day. We headed to a local farm to help with preparations for the upcoming season. We picked cacao beans and lemons and helped clean chicken eggs for incubation. It was cool to be a part of something so different from our usual routine and to learn from the locals who welcomed us in. Later, we took on the pepper challenge, where everyone eats a pepper and the first to cry is out. This round’s champs were not Caroline, Julia, or Charlotte, but they powered through it and kept everyone laughing. Big shoutout to them for giving it their all. The day felt like a good mix of productive and fun, with a little chaos in between. Celebrating Lillian, spending time outdoors, and laughing through the spicy moments made it one to remember. Nugs to Oliver!!!!
After the farm, the girls grabbed coffee and everyone started getting ready for our ferry ride to our new location, Santa Cruz. Once we arrived, we got settled into our new spot before heading out to walk around and explore a bit. We ended the day with dinner and some chill time back at the hotel, playing games and hanging out. Caleb came out on top as the big winner of the night, obviously. A good ending to a full and fun day. Happy Birthday Lillian! We love you so much and are so thrilled to be with you on your special day.
DAY 9
Nugs to our first day in Santa Cruz!!! The group’s energy picked up right where it was left off the day before and were ready for the next activity. As we rolled out of bed and into our chairs for breakfast we were blessed with some early morning tunes from Sam and much needed coffee thanks to AB. After we got some food in our stomachs we hit the road and were ready for our new adventures “El Chato Rancho” to see the giant tortoises. Thanks to Addison, Charlotte and Lillian we were blessed with some music as we charged the speaker up. Once it was booted up it didn’t take long with Caleb and Oliver to get their hands on it and play some tunes for the drive ahead. Once we pulled into the gates, Thomas came up with a game on who could count the most tortoises until we got to the building. After lots of searching, Caroline came out with the win. Once we hopped off the van we got in our rain boots and headed out into the wetlands to get a closer look at these creatures. It didn’t take long to stumble upon some sleeping tortoises where we all gathered around to observe and listen to Danny about various facts that he always has to give us. Once we trekked across the wetlands we hopped through some volcanic tunnels and checked those out. Before we sat down for lunch we had a little game intermission where we had three separate tables with three different games going on. Whether it was John teaching how to play speed, AB teaching how to play ERS or the constant competitive BS game we had it all. Once we smelled the food from the kitchen we sat down for lunch and just like that our morning had passed. We hopped back on the bus after an exercise circle from Thomas and headed towards the beach. However as we’ve learned in this group we have picked up the nickname 3Adaptable. As we arrived at the beach it was suddenly crashed by some ugly clouds and rain, so the LODs, Addison and Caleb decided it was best if we went back to the hotel and got some rest before attacking the town at full blast. After some much needed rest, we did indeed attack the town at full blast and got some merch for ourselves along with our family members that we are excited for y’all to see shortly. As AB and the girls ventured off for some coffee, Thomas and the boys plopped down at an outdoor sushi restaurant and vibes were back up. We got back to the hotel with some time to kill so we decided it was best to jump in the pool and play some death sack before we went back out for dinner. As we walked to dinner you could see the smiles on everyone’s faces. Post dinner we walked to gelato and ended up nights with messy hands and big smiles.
DAY 10
We started the day bright and early with a ferry ride from Santa Cruz to Isabela. It was pretty quiet at first, but once we were going, the energy picked up and everyone was excited for what was ahead. Our first stop was snorkeling-Thomas swam through a cave, and Luc and Jack had an awesome moment when a sting ray swam right up to them while they were in the water. After we dried off and grabbed some snacks, we headed back to the hotel to regroup. We hung out in the sun, laughed about how much had already happened, and how sleep-deprived we felt from the early wake-up. After lunch, we visited a tortoise breeding center. It was amazing to see how dedicated the team there is to protecting the species, and getting to see a tortoise rescued from a volcanic eruption was a moment we won’t forget. We made a quick stop at the hotel to change, then raced down to the beach. Luke was on AUX and crushed it with the music. Julia and Margaret ran straight into the ocean and stayed out there forever. Later, Oliver, John, Sam, Jack and Luc came back from a long beach walk just as the waves got huge-they jumped right in, which had the whole group laughing. Caleb and Luke broke out the hackysack, while Addison and Lillian played in the sand. Caroline caught it all on her camera. Meanwhile, Magaret, Lillian, Charlotte and Addison took off to a lookout farther down the beach and came back talking nonstop about the iguanas and the incredible views-the photos said it all. We wrapped up the beach afternoon with some peanut butter crackers, rinsed off, and had dinner together. The night ended with a really special Moonup led by John and Charlotte. Everyone opened up and shared from the heart-it reminded us why this group and this trip mean so much. After a day packed with sun, ocean, and nonstop memories, we all crashed hard as soon as we hit the beds. We’re so thankful for days like this and excited for what’s ahead in these last two days. We’re holding off the sad feelings and making the most of our final 48 hours together. Talk to y’all soon.
THANK YOU’S:
Sam: Thank you mom and dad for sending me here I’m so thankful for the opportunity to experience this it’s been a great time thanks so much
Caleb: Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to go on this trip, it’s been an amazing experience and has been so much fun. Love you guys
Jack: thank you for sending me on the trip I had a absolute blast can’t wait to see you guys tho and I can’t wait to tell you guys all the stories I have made over the time here.
John- thank you so much for letting me go on this trip and I’m so grateful for this experience. I can’t wait to see y’all soon.
Luc- thank you so much for sending me on this trip it’s been very fun can’t wait to see you guys soon.
Oliver- Thanks so much dad for the support before the trip and I enjoyed it so much more than I expected. I love you.
Luke- Thanks so much dad and mom for sending me to this trip. I’m having an awesome time here and can’t wait to see you guys soon.
Caroline: Thank you so much for sending me here!!! I’m having the best time ever. I never want to leave, but also I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to see you soon!!
Addison: Thank you so much for sending me on this trip. It was an experience like no other and I’m so grateful. I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to see yall!!
Julia: Thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I’ve had an amazing time and loved every second of it. I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to tell you all about it!!
Margaret: Thank you so so much for letting me go on this trip! I am having the best time and can’t wait to tell yall all about it!
Charlotte: Thank y’all so so much for sending me on this trip!!! I’ve had the best time and am so grateful to have had this experience! Can’t wait to see y’all soon!
Lillian: Thank you so much for sending me on the trip! I have had the best time and I couldn’t ask for a better trip! Can’t wait to see yall!
Hello From Ecuador!
July 12, 2025
Greetings from Ecuador!!! What a pleasure it has been to have these wonderful people here with us over the past 6 days. Every second has been filled with nothing but laughter, joy, and fun. We are so grateful for every second together and for this wonderful group that we have. We have had the most amazing time so far here, enjoying the beautiful sights of mainland Ecuador. Every turn is a different volcano, rainbow, or soccer field that we are quick to enjoy and explore.After grabbing all of the kiddos from the airport on Day 1, we all headed back to the hostel to enjoy some Oreos and get to know each other a little before hitting the hay. We were so ready for what was still to come!We kicked off Day 2 with our AMAZING first Leader’s of the Day (you’ll hear me refer to them as “LODs”), Addison and Caleb! From the beginning, Addison has been a constant source of laughter and excitement. From the first moment Thomas and I met her, we were greeted with the BIGGEST hugs and smiles. She instantly makes everyone feel comfortable and loved. The PERFECT first LOD! And Caleb shows up as a kind and caring leader. He is constantly offering to help others and lend them a hand with anything. He made for the perfect first LOD because of his ability to connect with anyone and bring the group together. He has the kindest heart that radiates joy to anyone who is lucky enough to know them. We enjoyed some breakfast with our furry friends Mitchell and Chiara at our very first hostel, and headed on the bus for our very first activity, the Papallacta Hot Springs and Day Hike!!! Unfortunately, there was a landslide the week prior that blocked off our path, forcing us to have to turn around and head to a different activity. We were instead going to the Equator line and museum. Nugs to this group for being SO ADAPTABLE!!! We have been calling them 3Adaptable🤣 instead of 3A! Thanks to our LODs for pumping everyone up, this ended up being the coolest and most enjoyable experience.We headed back to the hostel and spent the rest of the day outside. The weather was perfect and we couldn’t have asked for a better first afternoon. We swam in the pool for a long and watched and Oliver and John absolutely slayed the slide. All of the girls naturally enjoyed laying in the sun and catching some much needed sunshine rays. Nothing better!! The boys ended up playing “deathsack” (one of our favorite games), with Luke taking home the win!! The girls listened to music and enjoyed some much needed girl talk by the pool. After this, we got ready for dinner and headed to our local favorite, Chester’s pizza! This restaurant is operated by the sweetest family that absolutely ADORED these kids. They are so grateful and respectful everywhere we go, and that is something that is SO IMPORTANT to Thomas and I, so we appreciate it so much to see it come so naturally. The owner ended up taking a picture with all of us, and we headed back to the hostel full and ready for more fun. We ended up playing an INTENSE game of hide and seek, shoutout to our winners-Luc, Caleb, and Oliver, who hid by laying in the grass in the dark! Who would’ve thought…. Clearly not Thomas and I!Once we finished our games for the night, we ended a perfect day with a perfect Moonup.We woke up bright and early on Day 3 ready to say yes to anything that came our way. Our LODs for today were Luke and Julia. Luke radiates kindness and is always putting others before himself. He is an incredible listener and is always paying attention to leaders and safety regulations which are so important for our students. There is never a time when I worry about him being on it! Julia is the perfect LOD for today because she is someone who cares about getting to know everyone, and that is abundantly clear. She goes out of her way to include and interact with everyone in the group, which is also so important. She made for the perfect LOD today because she was able to bring the group that much more together. Today we said goodbye to our first hostel and Quito and headed off to Cotopaxi National Park for some horseback riding!! This activity is one of the coolest things we have ever experienced. Every view is unlike any other, even on a cloudy day. Sam’s horse was definitely the fastest, it kept passing the guide!! Lillian and Addison were bringing up the rear in the beginning, but they got some AMAZING pictures that they cannot wait to share! This was overall an unforgettable experience that we will cherish forever. So lucky to be here. We headed back on the us, and we were ready to catch some sleep as we made our way into Baños. This town is such a charm of Ecuador. We had some free time this afternoon and enjoyed the time together. This group loves some free time, and it’s a great way to get to know each other!!Day 4 was one of our best days yet. We all bonded and were able to enjoy every second together. Our LODs for today were Luc and Charlotte. Luc is so fun to be around. We love hearing all about his adventures skiing and doing what he loves most. He is the best! He is a great LOD because he always wants to get to know people around him and support everyone anyway he can. Charlotte made for a great LOD because she is constantly making everyone smile and having one-on-one conversations with other people to get to know them on a deeper level. We are so thankful for her and she is a vital part to our team! This morning started with a bus ride to a cable car, but it turned into a bit more of an adventure than we planned. We ended up stopping at three different cable car stations since a couple of them were closed. The group stayed so positive and flexible the whole time, and we made the most of it by playing music and enjoying the ride! We finally found one that was open, and it was definitely worth it. Shoutout to Julia, Oliver, and Charlotte for taking the best pictures ever! After that, we headed to a waterfall where Jack and Sam got an epic shot under the falls that we’ll definitely remember forever! After enjoying the hike and taking so many amazing pictures (and selfies @Sam 😂) We jumped on the bus and headed to the swing off the edge of the world, where Margaret was going SO high!! Thanks to Addison and AB, we got so many epic photos!! It was such a great activity and we had the best time. We took down some cheese empanadas for a quick snack and then headed into town to shop and walk around. The girls obviously went to get coffee!! The girls love to do that in their free time together which has been so fun. We hopped on the bus for dinner, where to our surprise, we were met with SALSA DANCING LESSONS!!!! This is so fun, and we absolutely adore our instructors, Chris and Nicole. They are the best! We danced the night away, and Addison and Sam took away the crown as salsa queen and king!! This group took this activity and ran with it, and it was SO MUCH FUN. I will honestly never forget this night or the laughs we shared. That’s what makes Moondance so special!! These people!! We enjoyed the most delicious barbecued dinner, and headed back to get some rest after a long day. We ended our night with Moonup and Sam preforming “Jersey Giant” and “What Are You Listening To?” which was the perfect transition to bedtime. He is so talented and we are so lucky to be serenaded by him every night!!! Nugs to him👏Day 5 started bright and early, and this group was so excited when they heard we were going to be zip-lining! This activity is always so much fun, and the attitudes and excitement 3Adaptable brought was UNMATCHED. Caroline opted to go first down the zipline, being so brave!! We all cheered her on and followed closely behind. Shoutout to Charlotte and Oliver for conquering their fears on the climbing section of the adventure park. They make us so proud!! Addison and Margaret were the first to go down the zipline together, and their smiles are laughter retro things that made everyone else feel so happy. We flexed, smiled, laughed, and worked hard, and suddenly it was time to say bye to Baños. This sure was the place!! We all talked about how amazing the past few days were and how it can’t possibly get better…. Spoiler alert-IT CAN!!! We finally made it back to Quito after a long ride with some much needed nap time and we quickly hopped off the bus to shower and get ready for dinner. The girls all sat on the rooftop balcony and chatted while the boys were playing deathsack (what else!!!) Us girls love our time together-getting to know each other and what makes us who we are. These girls are so amazing and perfect!! Nugs to Margaret for keeping us laughing with the funniest stories always!! After a delicious dinner, we headed back to the hostel to play “Capture the Mascot.” This game gets INTENSE FAST. We ended up playing one round for over an hour and finally AB’s team won (obviously) and we decided to play fishbowl. Thomas, Margaret, Oliver, Julia, and Luc came out with the win 🥇 (not without a fight). Sam came up with the funniest entries which kept us all hysterically laughing, while John’s acting was just as funny!! He has a future there for sure!! We ended the night with our best Moonup yet, in one of the most beautiful places. Nugs to Charlotte for the funniest Nug Jug story yet (I think) that left Julia worried for the cockroach that was (maybe) waiting for her….. (long story) We all laid on our backs and looked at the stars, saying goodbye to one chapter of our trip, but SO ready to get to the other. LET’S GO TO THE GALAPAGOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!Once arriving to the Galapagos, our LODs for the day, Caroline and John, led us to the best pizza place to eat. It was SO DELICIOUS!!!! Caroline (Semaj) has been SUCH A GREAT PRESENCE on this trip. She always has a smile on her face and makes everyone feel at home and happy. This group wouldn’t be what it is without her. John is literally the best. He is always laughing and making us smile. While quiet at first, he quickly came out of his shell and has become the most fun and exciting person to be around. After lunch, we threw down our bags and headed to Las Tijeretas for a hike and snorkeling expedition. We walked up to the most beautiful spot, got our pictures, and eagerly made our way to the water. We jumped in, and Margaret, Luc, Caleb, and Charlotte were almost IMMEDIATELY greeted by a sea lion. Julia, Luke, Lillian, and Oliver weren’t far behind!! What a great afternoon. We can’t wait to show you the amazing pics and videos we got!! We ended the perfect first day here with a Moonup that was both deep and hilarious. Thomas and AB are constantly so proud and thankful to get to know a little more of these special people every single day. To close Moonup, we all stared at the stars, and Sam, Addison, and AB even got a glimpse of a shooting star…. Make a wish!!!!! What a perfect day.Talk soon!! No place we would rather be than HERE☀️🦎🦭🌊
Thomas + AB
SHOUTOUTS
Sam- Hey mom and dad everything’s going great I’ve been getting some runs in and I’m having a blast.
Oliver- Hey dad I’ve had so much fun and it is so much better than I expected. I’ve done a lot of crazy stuff that you and I would be terrified to do. love you.
Luc- Hey guys everything’s going good, Ecuador was very fun and we just made it to Galapagos. The town is very much like Italy just feels like Hawaii. Love you guys
Jack- just got to the Galápagos Islands. Having lots of fun can’t wait to see all you guys in a week and can’t wait to tell you all the story’s I have to tell you. Love you.
John- everything’s going by well and we just got into the Galapagos. I’m having lots of fun and i can’t wait wait to see yall in a week
Caleb – Hi Mom, Dad, Selah and Marshall!! I miss you guys so much, but I’m having a super great time. AB and Thomas are amazing! We just got to Galapagos! I’ll see you guys in a week!
Luke-Hi mom and dad, the trip so far has been a blast and having fun. See y’all soon!
Charlotte – Hi guys!!! The trip has been so much fun so far and we just got to the Galapagos today. Tell Evie that I say hi and can’t wait to see her when I get back! See y’all so soon!
Julia- Hey mom, dad, and Michael!! I miss y’all so much and am having such a great time! We just landed in the Galapagos and it’s so pretty!! Also tell bot I say hey!! Can’t wait to see you guys in a week! (Show to my friends)
Lillian – Hey everyone!! I am having the best time here we just landed in Galápagos! I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to tell y’all about it! Tell the cocos I say hi and miss them (my friends) 🦪🦪. Ok love yall so much!!!!
Margaret – Hey!!! I am having the best time here and we just landed in Galapagos! This trip is flying by I feel like I just got here and we are halfway through. I miss y’all so much and can’t wait to tell y’all everything! Tell Bea Nan and Ed that I miss them! Love y’all!!!
Addison- Hey guys!!! We just landed in Galapagos and I’m having the best time in the entire world. My group is so so good and the girls are literally the best people ever!! AB and Thomas are the best leaders I have had so far. I never want to leave and we need to take a family trip here. Crosby I miss you so much and please tell P5 I say hey!! Mom and Dad I miss y’all as well and I can’t wait to see yall. I’m so excited to tell yall everything. Ok I love yall so much and can’t wait to see yall!!❤️❤️
Caroline- Whasuppp fam 😌✌️!!! I am having a BLAST here! Gigi and Bob and Feiras will loveeee it!! We started and Ecuador and it was soooo fun. we just landed in Galapagos today and I already love it here! I miss yall so much but I’m having the best time and have made many great friends and new experiences! See yall soon 😘😘 (Btw the new name is Semaj)
