Nashville, Tennessee

After a couple of sleepless nights, we discovered that Olivia had an ear infection. Our friends in Nashville were kind enough to locate a clinic so Olivia could get some antibiotics and we could get some sleep! Everyone we see on this adventure has been so gracious and kind - this couple had just returned from Europe and still allowed us to stay with them.

Olivia and our host relax after a long day.

Sarah enjoyed the silly putty they provided. ("If the shoe fits...")

Benjamin took this picture of Katherine all by himself. Good job!

Katherine enjoyed reconnecting with her friend.

Myrtle, Mississippi

Last weekend, we enjoyed sharing with Temple Baptist Church in Myrtle, Mississippi.

This sweet friend was one of my walking buddies while Aaron attended seminary in Memphis.

The two Benjamins...

...learned from the pro on the trampoline.




Friends who made the drive to come see us - thanks!

More fun with library buddies

Another joy of living in Mississippi was the library story time group that met each week. We still keep in touch with several of the moms, and we enjoyed getting to see lots of old friends this weekend.

Friends make "build-your-own" sundaes.

More Berry Pickin'

Another one of our Mississippi traditions was blueberry picking each summer.

So we got another "...just one more time..." tradition squeezed in.

We found a small nest in one of the blueberry bushes.

Sarah picked almost an entire bucket by herself, but a storm chased us out of the blueberry fields before she could finish.

More 4th of July

When we moved to Olive Branch in 2002, we attended the fire works spectacular in the city park. Before we moved to Dallas, we watched the fire works in Olive Branch and left the next morning for Dallas. In 2007, we missed the show in Mississippi, so we were determined to enjoy the celebration one more time before we moved overseas.

More precious friends to make more memories...

...and the perfect way to finish a perfect day!

Hibbard Five

We enjoyed playing lots of cards...

...and smiling a bunch...

...as we spent some time with friends who opened their home even though they are moving to Arkansas next week! Thanks for the sweet fellowship and the goodbye kisses.

Happy 4th of July!

"Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be." -- John Wayne

Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens. ~ Daniel Webster

One Hundred Pushups

Aaron has been looking for a way to continue to exercise while we are traveling. A friend has challenged him to the "One Hundred Pushups" program. In six weeks, the program claims you will be able to complete one hundred pushups. We are on day eight of fifty-three days of our adventure across the country, so there is plenty of time for him to complete the task. Please join Aaron in taking the challenge, and let us know!

"Van Home"

Obviously, we haven't had internet access in a few days, so I'm playing catch up tonight. Here are just a few shots of life in our "van home".

This is how we pass the hours as we drive across the country.

Impossible to frown

While eating lunch with Aunt Rachel, we encountered a challenge of sorts: It is impossible to frown while eating a Frosty. My children immediately began to try and frown while eating their Frosties.

By this time, we are disturbing the lunch crew and Frosty is coming out our noses...

I think Olivia won, but we had so much fun nobody cared!

Fun with Aunt Rachel

Aunt Rachel treated us to ice cream at a neat little shop in Lawrence.

We treated Aunt Rachel to the National Historic Trails Museum in Independence, Missouri. The kids practiced loading their saddlebags...

and their wagons.

Thanks for a great time, Aunt Rachel!