Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Family Fun While Heading East

We got to South Dakota and God in His goodness and graciousness led us to a hotel for the night that was attached to a waterpark. For less than the cost of all the other hotels along the way,not only did we get a great room for the night, but the kids also got to spend the evening playing in a waterpark. For the first time ever, our deputation travels is feeling like a vacation. Well, except for still having to do school.

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In the morning, before heading to Mount Rushmore, we stopped to gas up the van. Mark came out from paying and said we had to see the incredible display of trophies inside. We spent the next half hour viewing the excellent display of North American and African animals.

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Mount Rushmore was spectacular!  Our history class this year has mentioned Mount Rushmore several times, so it was inspiring to view it with our own eyes. It was the first I , Michele, had ever seen it.

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And then off through the mid-west we went. The kids were not very impressed with the rolling farm land, but as “Aunt” Sue said, “We feed you.”

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We spent five days in West Virginia with dear friends. The kids shared their CEF presentation 3 times at their AWANA.

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The morning we left WV was Katelyn’s 8th birthday. Our friends had a birthday party breakfast for her, cupcakes, presents, party horns, and all.  Thanks guys! It was a birthday she will probably always remember.

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As we left WV, we viewed yet another means of generating electricity.

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We arrived in PA that evening and celebrated Katelyn’s birthday at Grandma and Papa’s house. It was quite the day for Katelyn.  It has been five years since we have seen Michele’s family and we are enjoying every moment with them. The first thing we did the next morning was visit Michele’s Papa. He is in the hospital recovering from Pneumonia. He also suffers from congestive heart failure. Realistically, this will most likely be the last time we get to be with Papa. The picture shows Neakita playing his old violin which he gifted to her five years ago and she just grew into this past summer.

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Our weekend with Grandma started with play time at Chuck E. Cheese’s.  We came to the conclusion that it is a dangerous place that plants the seeds of an addiction to gambling in children. Haha. It was lots of fun for us grownups too.

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Oooooooh, what a treat my mom gave Neakita and I. She took us for pedicures. Our feet have never felt better.

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And the icing on the cake for the day was seeing a Hershey Bears hockey game. Thanks Mom and Dale!

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We couldn’t be in Hershey without visiting Chocolate World! Yes, there are five children in the picture with us, the one you don’t recognize is our niece. We have enjoyed having her with us on our outings. The kids have had a blast getting to know their cousin. Next weekend they will have a sleepover at her house.

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Thank you all for your constant prayers for us. Our travels have been great. We still have a long way to go.

We are now on our way to New York state to visit my Dad, so ‘til next time ----May God bless you and keep you in His loving grace.