Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Fun Continues

We took a couple of days to go up to NY State and spend time with Michele’s dad. The kids enjoyed their third Christmas.

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We drove into town (this is where Michele’s paternal grandparents grew up) to photograph the WWII memorial that has her grandparent’s names on it.

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Her dad prepared a birthday celebration for her. All those candles warmed her chilled hands nicely.

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Jeremiah was thrilled to be given the bedroom with the hammock.

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Returning to Hershey, we visited and spoke at MIchele’s home church.  After not having been there for five years, it was a joy to  reunite with those who were a part of her childhood.

Michele’s mom took us to Chocolate World to finish up the attractions we didn’t have time to do the first time. This time the kids got to create their own candy bar and watch the process of it being made.

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Mom kept us going and going from one fun thing to the next. The kids had a ball introducing ice skating to their cousins.

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Grandma even got on the ice for a little while.

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Michele’s Aunt Sue took us to Indian Echo Caverns. It was a very well done guided tour, fun, and we learned a lot.

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Before we knew it, it was time to continue our travels and head south.  Our first stop was to visit Michele’s aunt. What wonderful visits we have had with family and friends.

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We arrived in TN to beautiful summer like weather. Mark spoke at two churches, we visited with as many friends as we could in the short time we were there, and we showed the kids several places that were a part of our life during our five years in TN. A highlight was exploring the house and property where we lived. The house is between renters so we got to even show the kids the inside. They loved the place and asked if we could stay and live there. Besides boating in the pond, they played in the creek in the front of the house and explored the woods with Mark as he investigated why water was not getting to the house from the cistern up the creek. Mark and I have so many fond memories of our time here. We both realized we could so easily move back and pick up where we left off.  Maybe retirement will bring us back here.

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On to Nashville we now go to visit some of Mark’s family and then up to Chicago. Please keep our travels in your prayers for safety and our time together as a family and with those we visit.