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It was five year ago that our family had a reunion in HalfMoon Bay California (http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-1565-207464.html).  This time we choose an East coast site, the Isle of Palms,  Charleston, SouthCarolina.  We rented a seven room vacation home and all 13 of us spent 12/22-28 together.  ( http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/travel/36-hours-in-charleston-sc.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0).

My eldest daughter who tragically lost her husband seven years ago has remarried this year and our new son-in-law Pete Dusenberry,architect, joined us this time. Our youngest daughter returned from her job in Switzerland/Africa.  All grandchildren except one are either in college or have graduated from college.

Charleston SC is a charming southern city of the US. It is the starting point of the US Civil war. Nowadays it is  a city of population ~150,000 and mostly a tourist town on the Atlantic coast. It features old operating southern plantation, beaches, market stalls, historical carriage rides, etc.  The Isle of Palms is basically a resort community by the beach. The temperatures in December are really not warm  enough for swimming, except forthe grandchildren. But comfortable strolls on the beach are perfect for us oldsters. Since all our grandchildren except one are of college or graduate age,  my wife and I can take it easy and leave all the cleaning and food preparation duties to the second and third generation.  It was a most relaxing and enjoyable six days. Here are some photos to remember our reunion by:

Our rented house

View from house

Mother and daughter walking on the beach

Grand childen doing chores

Children playing board games

Group dinner

Market in charleston

Waiting for carriage ride

Tiurist carriage ride through historical Charleston