Summer 2010 ~ FL, MN, IL, IN, IA & SD

Florida

We spent almost a week in FL with my parents. We used this time to shop for all the items on our list, knowing that we wouldn't have time at the end our stateside journey to do that.

We also worked in a VERY fun-filled day at Busch Gardens!!

The coasters were incredible!! Front row seats made the thrill all the more exciting!

The train ride through the safari was a great way to enjoy seeing all the animals.

I loved this Toyota!
It reminded me of Africa...looked a lot like the one we had when I was growing up.
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Minnesota ~ Quick Trip

We flew up to Minneapolis to pick up the van we would be using for our travels. After a quick overnight in the Cities, we headed out of town.

Before we left town we had lunch with a dear lady, Miss Corrine Horn. Miss Horn was my third grade teacher at boarding school. It was fun to see her and catch up.

We stayed with another life-long friend from boarding school, Lida Christiansen, and her husband Dale. Lida and I roomed together for many years during elementary and junior high school. It was great to visit her in her home in Austin, MN.
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Illinois

We made a stop in Wheaton to tour Wheaton College. We toured 3 different colleges while stateside since this would be the only time Nathanael would have a chance to look at colleges before attending one. We were very impressed with two of the three we visited...Wheaton & Northwestern (in Mpls.).

We also visited the museum near the college honoring CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien. It was a fascinating stop.

Nathanael & Clive
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Southern IL

We traveled on down to Southern IL to stay with some great friends for a couple nights. Beth & Red Martin are Elisabeth's godparents & we love staying with them.

Hannah & Beth Ann had fun dressing up in old dance costumes.

Elisabeth & godmother Elizabeth

With PawPaw Red, her godfather

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Indiana
Turkey Run State Park

We surprised the kids with an overnight in IN, and a day trip to Turkey Run. We used to camp and hike here every year when we lived in Gifford.

This stop was made even more special because my cousin's family came down from Michigan to see us. Jim wasn't able to come along, but we had a great time at the hotel and the park with his family. Next time hopefully we'll all be able to get together.

Second Cousins
Nathanael & Caleb
Elisabeth, Grace, Hannah & Mary Emma

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Gifford, IL

We had a nice stop at Gifford. The kids all stayed with friends in that area. That Sunday we shared about AVA and the ministry here with the people of St. Paul's. The church had a potluck/cookout for us on Saturday, providing a relaxing way for us to visit with folks in a more informal way. It was great to catch up with so many.

One afternoon, I was able to have lunch with a good friend of mine from Judah & BSF days, Linda! Great time of catching up face to face!

Nathanael with his buddy, Justin

Elisabeth & Maria ~ friends since babyhood

Caleb with his godparents, Jim & Lori, and their kids, Kelsey & Nathan

It was great to see so many people who hold such a special place in our hearts.
It was also great to meet some sweet new faces.
Precious memories!
~~~
Decatur, IL

We traveled to Decatur and stayed with the Mroskos, who pastored near us when we were in Gifford. We had a fun time relaxing and catching up on each others lives and ministries.

Rob & Amy Mrosko
With their three, two foster girls, and a niece who was also visiting

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Moline, IL

Our journey next took us to Moline where we stayed with Hannah's godparents, Chris & Juli, and family.

The girls enjoyed seeing where Isabel rides horses.

A couple of horse crazy girls!!
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Boone/Ogden, Iowa

We had a wonderful several days in the Boone area. Dennis was able to golf with Pastor Ray. During that time, I took the kids to DesMoines and met up with my good friend, Dori, who's actually from IL but had just moved to IA. Amazing timing for connecting again!

We spent an incredible day out at our friends the Souhrada's. The afternoon of swimming, paddle-boating, visiting & eating was just what we needed!

Susan & I watching Eric & the kids put in the floating dock.

Grandma Ruth R. came out for some visiting time too.

Eric is King of the Island!!
He felt that game the next day! :o)

I loved the cattails by the pond!
Beautiful!

Eric & Susan, Jacob & Henry outside Bethel

We invaded the Mallicoat's house during our stay in IA.
Jean provided us with plenty of popcorn and M&Ms for snacks!

Trent gave the kids rides on his bike.
Great times with great people!

Dennis with Pastor Ray at the potluck that Bethel Church had for us after church on Sunday. It was wonderful to visit with so many folks who so faithfully uphold us in prayer.
We are so blessed!!
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Sioux Falls, South Dakota

We stayed in a hotel in Sioux Falls so we could visit with our close friend, Diane. Her apartment can't accommodate our family and this hotel had a cool mini water park that the kids enjoyed.

What a joy it was to spend time with Diane!
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We left early the second morning from Sioux Falls and drove about 1000 miles (17.5 hours) to the other side of Montana!!! It was the longest leg of our journey, but necessary so that we could get to the Glacier side of MT for our next adventure!

Here is a little roadside stop where we had a picnic. The map and the Garmin didn't show anything else on this obscure road the Garmin took us on. It was the middle of nowhere, so we had our picnic with the Wyoming wind nearly blowing us over. Less than 10 minutes down the road, we came to a very nice, rather new looking rest area. Hmmm...I think our map AND Garmin were outdated!
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We were so blessed with the many stops on this portion of our summer trip!