End of Summer Family Trip

This year, our family did something that I hope will become a family tradition. For the last 2 days of Summer vacation, we went to Newport, KY, which is right across the border of Cinncinati, OH. We stayed in a nice hotel, where the girls swam until late the evening we arrived.

The next day, we went to the Newport Aquarium. The girls had a blast! They loved seeing all the fish and sharks. Our youngest loved being able to pet the turtles and sharks. 

 Look at these cuties!

After our fun morning at the aquarium, we looked around the Newport Levee, and ate lunch at Tom and Chee, a very good soup and sandwich place. And no, we didn't try the grilled cheese doughnut.

We decided to walk over the Purple People Bridge, which may I say, I really love that name! The bridge is a walking/bicycle bridge from Kentucky to Ohio. I wish I'd known that people take padlocks and attach them to the bridge with their loved ones; that would have been really fun to do. Hmm...wish I'd gotten a picture of padlocks while I was there, but oh well, you get a picture of me and my man!

He is so good looking!

Here are the girls:

Oldest in KY; youngest in OH.

In Ohio, we rented bicycles, and had a blast riding around beside the river.

We were doing all the pedaling while the girls got to ride in the back.

The in-laws on their bicycle. Hope they don't kill me for including them! Haha!

We had such a great day away! Somethings to take note of:

1. This trip was a good day and a half trip away because Neport is a couple of hours away from us. Find places close by that may have places to tour.

2. We got 2 free adult admissions to the Newport Aquarium from the hotel for each room booked. Results: 4 adults and 2 children at the cost of only the 2 children. Score!

3. We tried Tom and Chee for the first time. Try new food places.

4. We walked across a bridge and bicycled. Find a way to exercise that is fun and relaxing.

Most of all, enjoy the company of your family every time you get together!

Mother's Day Family Date

I am so sorry that I haven't posted lately.  I need a new cord for my laptop. :(  I am borrowing a computer now so that I can type this post. :)

Today is Mother's Day in the United States, and some other countries.  I know that the United Kingdom celebrated mothers in March, but we are just now celebrating, and I want to say Happy Mother's Day to all of those moms out there.  God has blessed you with children for you to raise and nurture and to teach them about Him.  Those of you who are not moms yet or never will be, remember that God wants you to teach those younger than you about Him as well.  You are just as important!!!

So, in the spirit of Mother's Day, I decided to right about a family date.  I think that it is important to block out time for the family.  For Christmas, the girls got a trampoline.  We were told not to set it up until warmer weather.  Therefore, Matthew put it up during Spring Break, and the girls have enjoyed every moment of it!!  Matthew and I have also enjoyed it.  We make time to go out there with the girls to jump.  We do a lot of jumping, but what I enjoy the most, is all the great family conversations.

Today, while on the trampoline, I was able to talk to the girls about what they learned at church this morning. I asked them about Christianity and why we worship God.  They could answer every question, but I challenged them to look at God as our Creator and Father.  They were able to tell me that they didn't want to go to Hell and that is why they want to be Christians, but after I asked them to think about God as Creator and Father, they said they wanted to be a Christian so they could be with Him.

Oh, I love our family time on the trampoline.  Other conversations have revolved around school, friends, and even tv shows that they like to watch.  Another great thing about our time on the trampoline is that it has been a great addition to our exercise routine.

Here are some pics to enjoy!

Yikes!!  I almost forgot pointers!  Not everyone has a trampoline.  So here are my pointers for family dates at home.  Find something that interest your children that you already have at home.  If you have teenagers and a pool, go out there and swim with them.  If you have a swing set, go swing your children.  Maybe you have children that like sports, go out there and throw/kick the baseball, football, soccer ball, volleyball, or basketball.  Just find something that you can do outdoors for exercise and family fun.  I know, there are things that can be done indoors too, but I'll save that for a different post. ;-)