Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Tidbits From Our Trip...

{{Warning: This post contains LOTS of photos!}}

Our days have been flying by
ever since Daddy came home!
Even though it was the funeral of my grandpa
that resulted in our trip,
we were thrilled to go see family!
It had been about four years
since we had been "home" for a visit.
It was a long journey
but it was a beautiful one!

The mountains were as majestic as ever...


Here are a few views of the mountains on a slideshow...



One of the favorite parts for the children
was going into the tunnels through the mountains...




I would say the most favorite part happened
as we got farther north and the children saw
the first signs of snow!

They were SO thrilled (and so was I)!
Dad was a little less thrilled
as he was the one driving in it.
The visibility was not good and the roads were slick.
We were thankful for his cautious wisdom. ;o)

Once we arrived at our destination,
we greeted Grandma and Great-Grandma!
Dad went outside to shovel snow, Ally followed.
When I checked on them
they were already enjoying the fresh snowfall
with a snowball fight...


The next morning, the younger ones were very eager
to go out and enjoy the beautiful snow...




They enjoyed the snow the entire time we were there!








Well, not all enjoyed it quite the same way. ;o) lol

Not only did we get to drive

in a snowstorm on the way up,
but we, also, drove in one as we visited a family member.
The snowfall was so beautiful...


Even one of the Great Lakes was freezing over...


And the driving conditions, again, were very poor.
The roads had yet to be plowed and salted...



Praise the Lord for His protection!

While out, we showed the children the Canadian bridge...

They were tickled to see the shores of Canada.

In addition to enjoying the weather
while we were there,
we loved the moments that
we were able to spend with family...
The children got to meet their cousins...

They enjoyed playing together...
especially games of hide-and-seek.
As they played, I was able to visit
with my brother and sister and their spouses,
which was such a delight!
(Here is a picture of Ally with my sister
and my brother in the background. LOL)



Daddy and my brother

It was a blessing, too, to visit with my daddy,
who is in poor health
(and tending to his wife,
who is in her final stages of battling cancer)
.


Much of our time was spent
with my mom and grandma.

Mommy and I ;o)
(unfortuneately, a little blurry)


Grandma giving Ally a slice of birthday cake
(with a lollipop as a candle)
as Ally plays "Happy Birthday" on her guitar
and we all sing the words.

We enjoyed every moment of our visit!
Here were the children in Great-Grandma's room
as she sorted through some of her things
to pass on to them...


I just can't resist sharing the picture
of Carolynne and her Great-Grandma Carolyn
(whom she is named after)...


Here was Ally playing her guitar and singing
as Great-Grandma was resting...

It was a precious time and it was a blessing
to minister to her heart through song,
especially during this time.

They, also, enjoyed being with Daddy (of course!)... ;o)


A little fun at the hotel...


Did I mention enjoying the weather and the snow?


Also, while we were there,
I was able to meet a few fellow bloggers
(ladies I, also, know from a message board),
Amy from Life's Small Treasures,
Kristy Jo from Extravagent Housewife,
and
Kristen from Proudmomto2.
It was such a joy to meet them, to visit their church,
and spend much time in fellowship (with food, of course)!
Here is a photo of
Kristy Jo, me, and Amy...

It was so delightful to fellowship with them.

Even the men folk loved their time of fellowship!


As did the children...



What a precious blessing it is
to share sweet fellowship with God's people!

Eventually, our trip had to come to an end,
we packed up the van and headed home.
On our way, we were able to stop in Ohio
(where we lived years ago) and visit
with my friend,
Sharon, and her family.
We enjoyed our afternoon (and supper) with them.

Then we were back on the road...


We arrived home Saturday evening

and were thrilled to be
at our home church Sunday morning.
We had a men's quartet visiting
and a wonderful sermon
(in the morning and evening).
It is good to be home,
though we loved our visit!

Thank you all for your prayers.
I hope to catch up with comments and emails soon. ;o)
Enjoy your week!


22 comments:

kim said...

I enjoyed this post so much! I'm glad ya'll made it home safely! :)
In my opinion you and your brother look a lot a like!

Kristy Jo said...

I am so glad you guys had such a great trip... I am also glad that we got the chance to meet... you have a wonderful family... :) your husband ready to move here yet, it got to almost 40!!!!!! :)

Praise God for a safe trip!

Susan said...

I really enjoyed seeing your trip and your extended family (you and your sister look a lot alike!) - and Canada! You weren't near my part, but I always love seeing the American and Canadian flags together and have this beautiful country mentioned! ;) Glad you're back home safely!

Mrs. Taft said...

I enjoyed these pictures and am glad you had a wonderful time (despite the health concerns of your family and the funeral)

Paula said...

Thanks for sharing pictures from your trip. Looks like you had a great time fellowshipping. I'm a bit jealous that you got to meet our VUH friends. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi there! It's been awhile since I visited your blog. Thought I'd say Hello...and it was lovely to see your husband back with the family! We're gearing up for a separation ourselves. It's been awhile since we've seen snow. I enjoyed your pictures. God bless you all,
Christa

Tracy said...

What a great trip. Especially getting to visit family! There is no place like home though, is there?

Rita Loca said...

What a wonderful trip. I am so glad you all could make the trip!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you all made it home safely and that you were all together for this trip even though it wasn't a reason one would want to make a trip. What a blessing to meet bloggy friends as well.
Melissa

Jennifer said...

Loved the pictures and the snow was beautiful, I wish we could get some here:( lol but i enjoyed reading your blog..have a wonderful week god bless
jennifer

Rebekah said...

It's good to have you all back, and it was such a pleasure to be able to play the piano with Ally.

I must say seeing the picture of Ally with the bowl of snow brought back memories. I remember taking snow and adding milk and sugar to have "snow cream". What fun!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you had a good trip. Thanks for the pictures. Too bad you couldn't have stopped by here while you were in Ohio! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Christina,
thanks for sharing pics of the trip and the family! Snow!!! How much driving was that?

I invite you to visit my blog to see our hiking field trip into our tropical rainforest. :O)

blessings,
Suwei
http://apieceofcake.typepad.com/homeschooling_in_sg/2008/02/walking-on-the.html

Anonymous said...

Wow, thank you for sharing all the photos of your family & trip. So happy that you were able to spend some time with your family and enjoy the snow - if you ever get missing the snow, let me know and I can ship some to you :). I esp. love the picture of the children cuddled up to their daddy! Make sure if you ever get to Minnesota, to come and stay a spell.

Madeleine said...

www, As difficult as the circumstances were that bought you all together, I am so glad you all had that time of sweet fellowship.

I know what its like to drive in that miserable snow. Glad you made it through okay.

Good to have you back! Now go enjoy more time with your love!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi!
A Girl could used to having internet. I'm glad you were able to enjoy snow. The pictures are great. Please tell everyone back home I am praying for them and give them my love. See you soon, Lord willing.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I agree the pictures are just beautiful and the love on each and everyones faces and fun times despite the circumstances, I am so glad you all had a wonderful and safe trip. Glad you are back

Aiming Our Arrows said...

Enjoyed your post and glad to hear it was a good trip overall. If you decide to take a trip to northern Missouri let us know!!

Happy Birthday Ally!!!!!

Blessings,
Jill

Anonymous said...

Wow, beautiful pictures!!! Awesome trip! I know how happy you are to have hubby home!!! Adam comes home on 3/18 for a month and then off to Okiniawa!! :-( Momma won't see him for over a year - until he comes to the states to get married in summer 2009! Oyyyyy!! I don't know if I can go that long without seeing him, ya know? Only by the grace of God!!

Kate

Unknown said...

So glad you made it back safely. I enjoyed the pictures from your trip. My prayers are with you on the loss of your grandfather.Have a Blessed day! Lisa

Mimi said...

thanks for letting me tag along on your trip... that is all the snow I want to see for awhile...
looks like you have a wonderful, great, and glorious time with family and friends...
glad you made it home safe and sound...
Mimi

Dawn said...

Oh what a blessing the pictures were! I can really see the closeness within your whole family. That's how it should be, ya know? :)
I am sorry about the ill health within your family.
God is our ultimate Healer. Oh praise His Name!

Thanking God for the precious memories you all made :)

I think it's great you got to meet some bloggy friends!
I met one of mine so far...and I talk to another one at least twice a month :)

God Bless!

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