Underwater Aquarium Day 4

Rod, Patty & Ashley slept in and then went to the Mall of America. Our first order for the day was to go to the Aquarium. It was one of the best aquariums we've been. The moving sidewalks in the "shark tube" made it a great place to view all the fish and the sharks.

We got to see them feed the fish in the afternoon & it was a feeding frenzy! We also saw a lot of the same fish we snorkled with in Hawaii.

Road Trip Day 3

We made it safely to the Mall of America in Minnesota. I can't believe how huge this mall truly is. I was worn out right after walking inside the door! Tomorrow we will do the amusement park, the aquarium and if we aren't tired from that...do more shopping.

We have been blessed with good weather since we left Arizona on Wednesday afternoon and have only seen 1 accident.

We have seen over 50,000 cows grazing the prairies and over 300 miles of acres and acres of corn. We certainly have gotten our "green" fix. We can do without the humidity. We love the dry heat!

Ashley was able to see up close how the Amish live as we were near one of their towns when we got gas. Several horse drawn buggies came up the road and we got pictures and videos.

We are thankful for the shuttle to the mall so we don't have to drive. (I'm tired of driving!)

2009 Road Trip Day 1 & 2

Ashley, Rod & Patty hit the road yesterday at 3 p.m. and traveled up through the Mogollon Rim to Highway 40 and onto to New Mexico. We caught some rain and took a picture of a beautiful rainbow. Ashley smiles as she eats dinner at a NM reststop. Rod buries himself at the Days Inn in Albuquerque, NM our first stop last evening.

Today we traveled throught the panhandle of Texas and Oklahoma and then into Kansas. We saw elk, deer, lots of dead skunks and Patty ran over a very large rattlesnake in Texas. Once we got into Kansas we saw the amber waves of grain and all the huge combines harvesting the wheat.

We are now at a Holiday Inn Express in Andover, Kansas. Rod and Ashley are testing the waters of the indoor pool and Patty is doing this and resting from the long 10 hour drive.

Tomorrow it's the rest of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota arriving in the evening at the Mall of America and 500 shops. Patty is sooooo ready!

Cadence Graduates from K-4

On Tuesday, May 19th, Cadence sang, read from a book in front of everyone, and received her K-4 diploma. She looked so cute in her blue felt cap. When she read from her book she spoke the loudest and really didn't need a microphone!

Cadence Turn 5 Years Old!!

On May 12th Cadence turned five. She was holding up her hand and showing everyone her age. All 7 grandkidsand one of Zachery's friends went to the bowling alley to celebrate with her. We had a great time of bowling and pizza and being with the kids.

Fun At the Church Picnic

Early May is always a fun time with our church family picnic. This year the kids had the pie eating contest and it was really fun to watch. Ashley and Brandon gave it their best shot and the results were funny! Take a look.

Easter Day - Jesus Has Risen!

What a beautiful day it was on Easter this year. We had 4 of the 7 grandkids over for lunch after hearing the wonderful account of how Jesus loved us so much He died on the cross and rose from the dead so we could have life eternal. I wonder if the Sunday morning Jesus rose again was this pretty?

After lunch the kids decorated some Easter eggs and Papa hid them in our front yard for them to find. It was a race! Daniella didn't quite get why she had to find them.