Off we go again...

This summer we also took a trip to MN. We drove there (about 32 hours of driving...). It took us about a day and a half of straight driving...not the most fun, but it beats 3 or 4 days in the car!
Abel did an amazing job. We borrowed a DVD player from some church members and that really did the trick.

We went to MN for the annual Synod Convention in Mankato. We first stopped off at the Bloedel's house (Abel and Simeon's godparents and good friends). We haven't seen them since last June and it was fun to catch up with them and relax after that loooong drive.Nick, Annie, Abel, Kelly Jo

Abel and Annie are about 6 weeks apart in age and got along really well! Abel is still talking about Annie.Abel and Annie before church in Scarville

We then drove up to Mankato for the convention. Abel sitting next to Great Grandma and Aunt Lois after the Opening Service

We stayed with our friends the MacPhersons. They hosted us last year and again we had a great time. Abel had friends to play with all day and I had a good friend to chat with! Not to mention the conversations/debates that take place after the kids are in bed!Price, Grace, Abel and Rose...kids are a bit wiggly!

This convention was rather big for our family. First, Samuel was accepted into the Synod as a Pastor (they let him in!!) :) Secondly, the first project from According to Your Word was published and distributed. It is a coloring book of Luther's Small Catechism. It takes a word or phrase of the primary text and illustrates it so that children can get a visual understanding of what the words mean. Many people were really excited about this project for their homes, churches, and schools. We are hoping that people continue to be excited for the projects that AtYW is planning to produce. Next year a coloring book of the Liturgy is slated to be available.

Samuel was able to do a presentation on the coloring book as well as introduce a chant tone for Luther's Evening Prayer written by Christina Harman (from BLC). We are hoping to have that available on the website soon (I will post it on here when it is ready).

We were able to spend some time with Samuel's Grandma.Great Grandma Gullixson and Abel

We also were invited over to Aunt Lois's house for a BBQ with more family.

Great Aunt Lois reading Abel a Curious George book that she got him

It was great to see everyone again. I think Abel enjoys the attention too:).

Our family with Great Grandma

After the convention we spent a week at Samuel's parent's house. We were able to visit with Samuel's two brothers and family. We spent one day at the Como Zoo. Grandpa and Grandma Gullixson with Abel at the zoo

Abel hasn't been to the zoo for a long time. I think he really enjoyed it! We did a bonfire, played lots of card games, and watched movies, it was relaxing.

We left on Wed. night and got home Fri. evening. We drove straight through again. Samuel was drinking coffee all night, but we got through it!

It was so nice to visit everyone, but we are glad to be back in our little town again! (Only takes 5 min. to get anywhere!!) Thanks to everyone who hosted us and saw us!