Days 22, 23, & 24

After pushing ourselves a lot on this trip, we have taken things a little bit easier the last couple of days.  We drove all day Friday and got to Minneapolis early that evening.  We went to Mall of America and had fun!  We only had a few hours there, so I took the girls to the American Girl store while Harvey took the boys to the Lego store.  The girls had fun making a *free* craft, while the boys liked the Cars & Toy Story 3 legos!  We then ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp (seafood at last :).  We also visited a scrapbook store and the kids rode a roller coaster and the swings!  Too fun!

The next morning, we went to see Park Avenue Methodist Church where I worked at the "Soul Liberation Festival" on a mission trip in high school.  It was a festival they held once a year, free of charge, for their inner city neighborhood.  They brought in Christian music artists and speakers to share the Gospel.  It was neat to go back and revisit some memories.  We ate at Maria's Cafe, a Colombian restaurant that was recommended by our pastor's wife, Beth.  It was amazing!! 

(Park Avenue UMC)

After our stops, we drove into Des Moines, Iowa.  Their capitol building is beautiful!  One of the nicest we have seen!  We enjoyed home cooking at Dan and Nancy Ritchie's house.  The Ritchies are the parents of the first friend, Cheri, I made in Charlotte as a newlywed. We have stayed friends all these years, and the friendship has extended to our families!  We were excited to get to see Dan & Nancy's house, after hearing so many stories.  They even had two of their grandchildren there who were precious.  Our kids had fun playing together, and even saw three deer outside their back window! The dinner and and fellowship were great.  When we left, they showed us where the McAulay family lives.  I have followed their story ever since their septuplets were born years ago.  I promise I was not stalking them...just curious :).

Father's Day found us still in Des Moines...after enjoying breakfast at the hotel and having family church in our room, we did the almost unthinkable, yet very necessary...LAUNDRY.  Poor Harvey!  But, it was his idea!  We had to get it done for this last leg of the trip.  The children all chipped in and we were able to get it done in about one and a half hours!

After laundry, we headed back to the hotel for a swim.  We had fun and pretty much had the pool and hot tub to ourselves!  For dinner, we met up with one of my former LU college roommates, Tonya.  It was so great to see her and meet her husband and two children.  I have such fond memories of Tonya; in fact, she introduced me to Harvey!  Her family was lovely and we enjoyed our visit together.

Our time in Minnesota and Iowa was relaxing, which was what we really needed.  We hated not to see anything historical, but the rest and slower pace was much appreciated :).

Carried by His grace,