The Zhao Family

It was an awesome time going to see the Solar Eclipse in Lexington South Carolina and stay with Uncle Jo and Auntie Elaine.. 

About a month ago, when we came back from our cross country trip, Brennan heard about the historic eclipse that will be happening on August 21. He really wanted to go see it but Da was reluctant since it is nowhere near where we live. Abbey actually looked into it and the closest location is at least seven hours drive away, Da was not too keen on driving that long just for one minute of total solar eclipse when we can see over 89% where we live.

But miracles do happen. Shortly after we returned from our cross country trip, Da totally forgot that he already told a return missionary, Sister Lau, that she can stay at our house while she is back visiting her friends and members where she served her mission in the DC area. Not thinking much about Sister Lau's stay and Da didn't tell Abbey, when we returned we rushed to clean up the house for her to stay in our place. What we didn't expect was that she brought her mother Elaine and step father Jo. Abbey and the kids got to know them really well while they stayed in our house for a week.

How this is all related was when Abbey convinced Da to go to see the total solar eclipse, Abbey looked into all the hotels along the path of total eclipse and they were all booked. Since Abbey and Elaine talked almost everyday after she left our home, Abbey told Elaine about the solar eclipse and how all the hotels are booked, then Elaine say they live in Lexington S. Carolina and they are right in the middle of the total solar eclipse path. The kids were ecstatic about the trip!

When we arrived, this is what we were treated to:

Uncle Jo loves fishing, so after our first meal, we quickly went out to Murray Lake to go fishing into the night.

We went to Sonic after fishing for their half price shakes. It was a great ending to end the day.

One of the best part of Uncle Jo's home is that his backyard has a creek flowing through it and the kids love playing and trying to catch fish in the creek. So uncle Jo pulled out his fishing net to help. They just caught a tiny little cat fish.

And his backyard is in the woods that he even have a place for a fire pit to roast marshmallows

While inside the house, Uncle Jo kept the kids entertained, he attached a bottle cap to the ceiling fan and gave everyone gigantic rubber bands to shoot it down.

Never knew a bed can also be a source of entertainment.

Below is an amazing story that made our trip for the solar eclipse 1,000% better. Originally we were going to go back to Lake Murray, where we fished the first day, to watch the eclipse. We left kind of late, around 11am to get a picnic table and spot at the lake, well when we arrived the the park was so packed that police closed the entrance and routed everyone to other places. After trying to stay in the lake area, we gave up and Uncle Jo took us to his friends pond. It was a private pond with a pier. And the best part was that it was just our families there, no one else. We brought, canopy, chairs, coolers, food, EVERYTHING and it was just us. Amazing view of the pond. Amazing experience with the total solar eclipse-just all by ourselves, uninterrupted.

While we waited for the eclipse, Unlce Jo and Da took the boat and went fishing while the kids fished on the pier. Abbey and Elaine just chatted the entire time. The kids even met with Jo's friend's daughter and they played together watching hummingbirds.

The above photos are captured by Da and the photo below is captured by Clayton's point and shoot camera

We ended the day with having a great dinner at Uncle Jo's favorite restaurant. And unbeknownst to us, they secretly paid for dinner too!

Da was addicted to the fishing on the pond. He kept asking Uncle Jo to take him fishing every morning at 5am. 

The last day at the Da Rosa hotel was a bittersweet moment. None of the kids wanted to leave, neither did they want us to leave. Auntie Elaine actually prepare, handmade, bags for each of our kids as a parting gift.

Another best part of the entire trip was the 'bill' they gave us and the request they want. All the kids had to 'pay' for staying at their hotel. So each of them took time to draw out money for them. Even Abbey and Da joined in to make 'payments' to the hotel. It was really fun to see what the kids created and Auntie Elaine was smiling the entire time she saw and read all the 'money' that we paid.

"NO EYE SEE'