• Travel & Vacation: Quick Trip to Nebraska & Kansas

    Brina having a blast swimming at the pool in Nebraska

    Earlier this year our family made a quick trip out to Nebraska and Kansas for a conference.  During the trip we got to spend some time hanging out with family too.   While Jake and I attended the conference the girls got to hang out with Grandma Penny.  They had a blast swimming, going to the Children’s Museum and more.

    Watch this!  Karlie preparing for her next dive!  Love the blue goggles and floats, she cracks me up!

    Crashed after a fun day with Grandma…..can you guess whose wearing the “heart” pjs and who is wearing the “rockets”, ha?!  I think it is hilarious that they have a queen bed with covers yet they are laying on top of the sheet and barely even using a pillow.  You can tell from this picture which one wiggles around the most in her action packed dreams.

    Slumber party in the living room at Grandpa and Grandma’s with the cousins

    One of the best parts about going to Kansas is seeing family.  The girls always love hanging out and playing with their cousins Nathan and Brandon.  The kids have a blast together!

    Grandma set up a craft for the kids.   They were super excited and it kept them entertained for quite some time.  It was fun listening to them chitchat while creating their cool designs.

    Kids being kids….doing jumping jacks, playing Simon Says, and having fun

    Early morning Kansas Sunrise (taken through the car window on our way back to the airport).  Kansas has some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets.

    The girls were concerned that the girls bathroom also served as the “Tornado Shelter” for the Grand Island airport.  It was a really nice and small airport, thankfully no tornadoes came while we were there.

    Hanging out at the kids section burning off extra energy before our next flight out of the Dallas Airport.  This picture was taken only a few moments before Karlie spit out her lose tooth.  She has a thing with traveling and losing her teeth for some reason because most of the ones that have fallen out have been away from home (in the Dallas airport, at a hotel in Charleston, eating a tomato at VBS, etc…).  I am thankful for the fun times and great memories with family!  I am already gearing up for next fun adventure to the Midwest which will be here before we know it.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Leaving On A Jet Plane….

    Karlie and Brina watching the airplanes coming and going from the Greenville Spartanburg Airport

    Do you remember the John Denver song “I’m leavin’ on a jet plane, Don’t know when I’ll be back again….”?  I don’t necessarily love the entire song but every time I fly that phrase pops into my head.  Our family, especially the kids, love traveling and flying!  The last time our entire family flew was back in January out to Kansas (the pictures are from that trip).  It was the first flight the kids were big enough to sit in their own row together without one of us beside them.  We sat in the row right behind them so we could monitor them and they did very well.   I love seeing their excitement over traveling and flying, it’s contagious!

    We are currently gearing up for another fun flight to see family soon.  The girls have already started packing their backpacks, talking about all the places we will go and who we are going to see.  Here are a few pictures from our last adventure on the plane:

    Karlie reading the informational sheet for the airplane!

    Karlie is all about flying and learning more about airplane.  Every time we fly she reads about the airplane, the safety manual, and anything else she can get her hands on.  The whole experience is a grand adventure for her!

    Brina all snuggled up and asleep in her seat on the airplane

    Brina loves to fly but when it is a couple hours past her bedtime after a super busy day once the flight is in the air she tends to crash.  Glad to see her sleeping.  If only I could curl up and sleep that comfortably on the airplane seat.

    Karlie loves flying!

    Karlie turning around to see what Dad and Mom are up to and sneaking a peek out our window too!  She loves gazing out at all the city lights and watching as the plane lands.

    I am truly grateful that both my girls love to travel and fly.  They have always been excited about going on various adventures.  It is a blessing to be able to travel to see family and friends.  The items they pack in their back packs keep them busy for hours while on the plane or at the airports.  I am thankful for the amazing memories we have created throughout our years of traveling together and look forward to many more.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away.