Trip north – part 2

After spending a few days with family and friends in PA, we decided to visit NYC. We both LOVE NYC and have missed our annual visits in to the city. This time was an exception, however. We both were feeling a little like we were coming down with something and our normal “tricks” of parking in the city weren’t working. We drove around for 2 hours without finding a parking spot. We decided to backtrack to our hotel and take the bus in instead. That worked very well, but the weather was kind of drizzly, damp and cold, so it was less than ideal. Also – there were SO many people everywhere – it was crazy! I guess everyone wanted to go to NYC over Christmas. Seriously, busy. Around Times Square, the police blocked off some of the vehicle lanes in order to accommodate the people traffic! We had the kids with us, so we were very conscious of keeping track of them, too.

Why would I put a blurry picture in of the Brooklyn Bridge? Because it sums up our morning in NYC! The Freedom Tower is progressing.

John and the kids in Times Square. Kids in the M&M store :)

Pretty Christmas tree in the lobby of an office building. Tree at Rockefeller Plaza.
Loads of people – the police were directing people traffic. Countdown projected on the side of a building – it didn’t really seem to do anything, so we weren’t sure what it was for.

These lights were beautiful!! The kids and me in front of the huge ornaments. I saw them on tv a couple of days later :)
We still love NYC, but this was not our favorite trip in.

Trip north – part 1

After our trip west, we stayed home about 8 whole days before embarking on a 10-day trip up to PA to visit John’s side of the family. We left on Dec 14, the day before Savannah’s birthday. We drove as far as Washington, DC and stayed overnight. The next day, we went to Arlington National Cemetery – you know, to celebrate Savannah’s birthday :) It’s just what worked for us that day – we did go to the Native American Museum later in the day and she enjoyed that, too.

I don't think we can express enough gratitude to the men and women who serve and have served in the military. Our freedoms are only possible because of what they have given. Thank you!


JFK’s grave and memorial
Memorial amphitheater – the sky was beautiful that day.

We toured the Robert E. Lee home. A memorial to the Columbia space shuttle. Love that the big cross is right there.

Tomb of the unknown soldier. We caught the changing of the guard.

One of my favorite pictures. I just love how the sky looks and the lines created with the tombstones. Also the scraggly trees on the horizon add to the beauty.

This is cool – at the Native American Museum, they have this beautiful flag on display. It is made entirely of tiny beads.


We spent the next few days in PA visiting family and friends. This time, we caught up with some that we haven’t seen in a few visits, but unfortunately missed out on seeing some others. There is simply never enough time.

Thanks to John’s side of the family for the wonderful hospitality and fun. They have always welcomed me with open arms and they instantly became my family, too. Much love to all of you!

Road trip 2011 – part 11

Day 27-30 12/3-12/6 – Headed home! Stops in Santa Fe, NM, Shamrock, TX and Little Rock, AR.

LOVE Santa Fe!! SO CUTE!!! We went to the Loretto Chapel to see the “Miracle staircase”. On the right is the San Miguel Church – the oldest church structure in the US ca. 1610.

The left is a parking structure!! I would live there – I love the southwestern architecture and the warm look of adobe.

Beautiful hotel in downtown Santa Fe. Native Americans set up their crafts near the square.
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Shamrock, TX was a gem of a little town. Cute water tower and even cuter “gas pumps”.
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Oklahoma City, OK – we stopped for a break in our travelling to visit the OK City memorial and the capital building.


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Last night on the road, we spent at Little Rock, AR. The next morning, we toured the capital building before heading home.

WHEW!!! Wonderful trip with many spectacular memories. We are so incredible thankful to the Lord for watching over us in so many ways. We didn’t have any car troubles, only one spot of scary driving (on snow), one somewhat close call (freaky kind of accident), beautiful weather, great health, good attitudes (well, the other 3 did – ha! I did most of the time!), great visits with family and friends, a ton of pictures and a lifetime of memories that we were able to share as a family! Priceless, truly!
We stayed home and rested for about 8 days before we headed out for another 10 day trip to visit John’s side of the family. Oh don’t worry – I’ll show you some of those pictures, too! HA!

Road trip 2011 – part 10

Day 26 12/2 – Day in Grand Canyon, AZ – stayed the night in Flagstaff, AZ.
A picture is worth a 1000 words – even a 1000 words wouldn’t begin to describe this! So, here are some pictures.

Road trip 2011 – part 9

Are you sick of me yet? HA!
Day 24-25 (11/30-12/1) – Las Vegas, NV. Not my favorite place, but I did enjoy some aspects of it.

I pretended these were 3 crosses :) The water show at the Bellagio is spectacular – we cheered after they played the Hallelujah Chorus!! :)
During the day, we drove out to Hoover Dam and Lake Meade. We walked on the walkway on the new bridge and then we also walked on the dam. It’s massive, too! Amazing to imagine all of the work and engineering that goes into something like this.

Somewhere on the trip, Hadden started wanting to take pictures, so some shots are his handiwork.

More colors – even a purplish one! Amazing number of different colors in this one area on the drive by Lake Meade.
We came across Red Rock State Park – WHAT FUN!!! It’s like a bunch of big boulders that we could climb on.

Next up: Grand Canyon!!!