11.03.2010

Family Vacation
We took our first true family vacation (defined as: not going to visit family members in another state) for 2 quick days to Omaha. It was a blast.

Family Photo, on the steps up to the BIG slide.
Brave Natalie going all alone.
Back when she was too little to go alone.
Natalie and Isabel, double trouble.
While we didn't meet our physical family there, we still met up with some of our KC family who were also on vacation. This is the whole crew: Dad, Sutton, Izzy, Mom, Gabe, Mrs. Renee, Nat and Mr. Joe. Day 1: Henry Doorly Zoo
Monkey Mama.
Acting like a penguin
Natalie and Daddy on the bridge in the Rainforest.
You can only take so much of the zoo before you crash.
Inspecting the gorilla.
Gorilla inspecting us.
Gorilla behaving badly.
On the skyfari. We were about 10 feet above the backs of the rhinos and it was awesome.
Giraffes in love.
Daddy and Sutton checking out more gorillas.
Pointing to the penguins, acting like a monkey.
The penguins were a big hit with our entire party. No penguins at the KC zoo yet, so we were enthralled.
Walk-through aquariums are always cool.
Day2: Childrens Museum
Roaming and taking it all in.
The pool at the hotel was as much fun as anything else.
Sutton LOVED it.
And everyone being in one room well exceeded our expectations. The kids were loving the king bed and so was mommy. With our next move, I'm going King. I love it when they make each other belly laugh.


Place of Peace
Nate and I got to spend a weekend in the mountains of Asheville at the Cove, the Billy Graham Training Center. It was incredible! Not just the weather, or the changing fall leaves, or the phenomenal teaching by medical missionaries and John Macarthur, but the overall sense of peace in that place is overwhelming in the best way. Just reading about the lives of Billy and Ruth Graham will make you want to do more and be better for Christ.

This little chapel sits on the mountainside. Ruth Graham made them add a little prayer room upstairs. The scripture on the wall really said it all.
Scriptures were scattered along the paths through the forest.
We fell in love with this place and with World Medical Mission, the medical arm of Samaritan's Purse. We're excited to go back to the conference again next year and to serve with the WMM family.
We are blessed.

LIFECHAIN
Lifechain is a national silent, prayerful stand against abortion. People stand and hold signs, praying to themselves for the unborn and their mothers. This year, our chain had a "silent-no-more" witness, a lady who held an "I regret my abortion" sign. It was so touching and certainly a great witness to the grace of God.
Our Lifechain is made up of people from all denominations. I love how we all come together to support this cause.
More pics of the chain.

Some of the preteens/teens from our church. I love that their parents take this opportunity to teach and grow their spiritual minds.
Every year I am overwhelmed by how many folks show up and help us hold signs. Praying for people we don't even know is so powerful and emotional. I never leave that place with a dry eye and this year was no exception.

10.25.2010

Gladfest Parade
Natalie's preschool was in the Gladfest parade and it was a blast. We decorated our wagon/float with tons of Sooners gear since it was OU v. Texas day.
Inside the school waiting to go out with everyone.
The Faubian crowd.
Watching all the other groups in the parking lot while we waited for the parade to start.
We brought candy to throw out to the crowd, but a few of the suckers didn't make it out of the wagon.
The boys were really happy about the tractors right behind us.
After we were done marching, we got to watch the rest of the parade. Nice of them to put the preschoolers at the front of the parade.
This is the girls passing out candy.
Mom with my kiddos.
Watching the marching band....Natalie's favorite.
More of the clapping along with band.
Still more of the beat.
Carnival rides.
Flying high with the elephants.
Puppies for sale on the walk back to the car.
Hard to resist, but we managed to leave them all there.


More Mini Doctor Pics
I just can't resist these.