Packing it in

So we've been in America 54 days. Not quite two months. It has been a lifetime of memories though. I feel like we got off the plane and dove in... we landed Saturday afternoon. Bought a car Sunday. Drove across country Thursday. 

Six weeks, 14 states, and 8,000 miles later, we're finally starting to catch our breath (and sort through all the pictures!) 

I am so, so thankful for all the fun times we've had. I am so thankful for all the people praying for us. I honestly believe our time has been such a fun adventure (instead of horrible disaster!) simply because we have so many people praying for us. 

There has been snow...

Brant's aunt brought a cooler-full down from the mountains to greet us when we first got to America!

There has been a train ride....

There has been amazing food...

HOT, freshly baked pretzels at a little Amish bakery in Missouri. I don't know that I've ever eaten anything so amazing.

There has been fishing....

One of the many caught that evening with the Davis's in eastern Texas. SO much fun for the little boys.

There has been drama...

 Getting to watch my "little" bro and sis, Wes (above) and Kim, perform in their school's production of "The Music Man" - such a special memory.

There have been lots and LOTS of Happy Meals...

There has been American history lessons...

 

Such a fun afternoon at Mt. Rushmore! The boys' hats came from a fun "Firehouse" restaurant in South Dakota. They wore them non-stop for a week afterwards.

There has even been a small town parade...

...complete with TONS of candy. Took the boys a little while, but they caught on to the "run and grab" technique. :) The crowd around us just loved the boys and were always trying to get more candy thrown our way. 3 full gallon bags later...

 There have been farm life lessons... tractor riding...

 Hay bale climbing...

And cattle feeding...

Thanks, Beau and Amber, for a great week!

 There have been wagon packing lessons...

Spent the day at the Oregon Trail Interpretative Center in Oregon. One of the interactive exhibits for kids was trying to pack a life size wagon, adjusting a given packing list, to accomadate all the supplies needed within a given weight limit. The kids worked on it for at least an hour.

There has been hiking in the Olympic National Forest...

And there has been lots and lots of sugar....

Most notably at the Jelly Belly Factory Tour in northern California. Fun afternoon spent there. Way too many free samples... we all left a bit sick. :)

And there have been lots and lots of fun times with people across America... kids playing with new friends, late nights talking, crying, laughing and praying with long time friends. So, so thankful for a great first six weeks. We have been so blessed.