Life has a way of bringing us full circle. Recently, we moved back to the east side of the country to be closer to our parents in Toronto. Being near family has always been important to us, and now, it feels even more meaningful as our family has grown in unexpected and wonderful ways.
Two New Family Members
While settling into this new chapter, we welcomed not just one but two new members to our family. First came Angela, a resilient little Russian Blue kitten we rescued on the side of the road. She quickly became a part of our home, bringing both comfort and chaos in equal measure.
Then, the greatest joy of all arrived—our baby girl, Sierra. We named her Sierra because most of her gestational journey happened while we lived in California, surrounded by the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains. She’s our little adventurer, already at home in our ever-moving life.
Our Ohio Home: A Gateway to Everywhere
Our new home in Ohio has turned out to be more than just a place to settle. It’s the perfect “gate” to so many adventures. From here, we’ve found ourselves perfectly situated to explore the heart of the Midwest, reconnect with the East Coast, and venture down to the South.
For example, we often head to Minnesota for doctor’s check-ups. It’s become a regular part of our routine, but those drives across the Midwest always hold a sense of adventure. Ohio also feels like a launchpad back to the East Coast, with New York just a drive away.
And recently, we set our sights on the South, driving to Knoxville, Tennessee. It was a trip to remember! We were lucky enough to stumble upon their Christmas parade, and what a parade it was—so Tennessee!
The creativity we saw was beyond anything we expected. School buses, trucks, and tractors were transformed into rolling works of art. One of the most interesting sights was a truck on another truck while towing yet another truck. A true engineering marvel! And let’s not forget the tractors pulling trailers of party seats, filled with people cheering and celebrating the season. It was charming, fun, and so unmistakably southern. We saw similar scenes in Nashville, which only added to the experience.
Talkin’ About Tennessee
Speaking of Tennessee, we once found ourselves driving straight into the eye of the storm in Dickson, Tennessee. It happened while we were heading back to California from New York. At first, everything was calm, but suddenly, around 4:30 pm local time, the sky turned an ominous dark. Within moments, there was lightning, a massive downpour of rain, and then hail—lots of it! It was an incredibly scary experience, but thanks to our trusty 4Runner, we made it through safely. That drive is something we’ll never forget!
Looking Ahead
This move, this season of life, feels like the start of something big—a time for growing, exploring, and reconnecting with what matters most. Being close to family, discovering new places, and building memories with our little Angela and Sierra has already made it special.
Ohio may be our home base for now, but it feels like so much more: a gateway to the places we’ve been and the adventures still to come.
Hello, there! Thanks for stopping by! We’re the Zhan Family – adventurers at heart and lovers of life! From Ontario to Ohio, with stops across the U.S., we’ve gathered memories, pets, and plenty of joy. With three kids, two Mastiffs, four cats, and a tough little lizard, our home is always bursting with love and laughter!