Summer 2015: Training, Travels, and Goodbyes

This summer we logged more than 5,100 miles in the car, visited six states, learned at Mission Training International, visited with many family and friends, and generally had a wonderful time. Although living out of a suitcase, being crammed in a minivan, eating way too much fast food, and sleeping in more than 10 different locations in six weeks had its challenges, we loved the opportunity we had to do and see so many things and to spend quality time with the ones we love. Below is a photo journal of our last six weeks. Thank you to everyone who made this summer special for us!

All of our possessions for the summer packed into the minivan

Rogers, Arkansas

It started off with a trip to Chucky Cheese for cousin Bailey's birthday. Check out this guitar hero!

Our kids had a fun time at the park with Stacey and Brandon's kids.

Colorado
Our next stop was at MTI in Palmer Lake, CO

Eli enjoyed riding on the Santa Fe trail. Pike's Peak is off in the distance.

Our favorite ice cream shop was just down the road from MTI.

We took the cog railway train up to the top of Pike's Peak - elevation 14,114 feet.

Stephanie and I took a picture here for our Christmas card in 2008. It was fun to visit seven years later with four kids in tow!

While in the Colorado Springs area we also managed to catch up with one of Stephanie's dear friends from college as well as some of Stephanie's second cousins who both live in the Denver area. We loved having our weekends free from class so that we could make these visits and also enjoy some of the beauty Colorado has to offer.

Philadelphia

From Colorado, we began the long drive back to Arkansas. We did an overnight stay in Wichita where we reminded Eli and Hailey where they were born and showed them our first house. We also enjoyed getting to catch up with neighbors that we have missed. Then we finished the drive to Rogers where Stephanie's parents took our kids for several days so we could fly out to the Northeast. We made our last visit to the Serving Center - the home office of Serge. We really enjoyed connecting again with the leadership of our mission agency and having a sweet time of prayer for our family with Serge staff. We also enjoyed getting lunch with our Sonship mentor that we have spent so much Skype time with over the past year!

New York City

We then left Philadelphia and headed to New York City for a few days to celebrate 10 years of marriage. We had a little stowaway on our trip! The 'Top of the Rock' on the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center had a beautiful view of Central Park.

 Lady Liberty!

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

The Great Hall of Immigration

Picture from Liberty Island with One World Trade Center in the background. Katelyn was sleeping in her stroller right next to us in any pics she didn't make it in (for those who might worry!). :)

One World Trade Center

Isaac, Eli and Hailey were not very happy that we visited the Statue of Liberty without them, but their mood brightened a little when they got their presents!

Dallas

We then packed up in Arkansas and drove to Dallas. We enjoyed spending time with Angie, Dan, Evan and Maddie for Maddie's 6th birthday! There was lots of swimming and laughter.

Houston

And then it was back in the car for the drive down to Houston! Hermann Park is in downtown Houston. The kids enjoyed the train ride and splash park. We also got a guided tour from Michael of the lake and park bench where he proposed to Jamie.

Rudy's Bar-B-Q. Loved it!

Little Rock

From Houston we drove to North Little Rock to enjoy a night of pizza and catching up. We enjoyed visiting with Pete, Deanna, Wes, Natalie, and John, and the kids had fun playing with Tucker. We were also so excited to get to meet baby Ford for the first time!

Holly Grove, AR

From Little Rock we drove just 1.5 more hours to see Stephanie's grandparents and extended family. We loved having some down time (and a slower pace!) for a few days while getting to visit with Memaw, Poppy, and others. We enjoyed some good home cookin' all week which was a blessing after eating fast food on the road so much over the past month!

The kids enjoyed playing baseball in the yard, running through the sprinklers, and inspecting all the big tractors at the shop across the road.

Rogers, Arkansas
Our trip began and ended in Rogers with Stephanie's family.

Relaxing by the pool never gets old. Eli and Hailey both mastered swimming without flotation devices this summer with all the pool days we enjoyed.

Our kids love spending time with cousins, Ellie and Bailey

Stephanie's parents closed on their new lake house the week we came back through. We were excited to get to see it and enjoy a picnic lunch by Beaver Lake before leaving town. We won't see this place again for 18 months but we look forward to all the fun we will have in the years ahead!

And now we are back in Peoria, getting settled into our temporary housing for the next month until we depart for Uganda. Lots of sorting and packing to do in these next 3 weeks!