Hot Springs Village in July

Hot Springs Arkansas holds fond memories for Melinda. This was where her grandparents lived as she was growing up. We would come to visit them every two or three years (we lived in California). Playing board games in the two story house at 409 Alcorn Avenue with her sister, Nancy, and Uncle Victor (who is only 8 years older than Melinda), watching the rain fall while sitting on the swing on the front porch (it always rained when we visited), playing miniature golf with Granddaddy and her two uncles, and watching Granddaddy make wooden objects (such as Barbie doll furniture for us) in the basement workshop are special memories for Melinda. So when Melinda's parents started going to Hot Springs Village (resort outside of Hot Springs) when the boys were small Melinda and Nancy and their families wanted to tag along too.July 12-18 Roger, Melinda and Kyle had the opportunity to go with Melinda's Mom, Nancy, her husband, James and their youngest child, Kimberly to Hot Springs Village. Roger enjoyed the long walks on the trails through the woods and along side the golf courses and the daily swimming at the pool. Kyle enjoyed the pool and bugging his 11 year old cousin (and she bugged Kyle alot too). Melinda and Nancy took a paving stone class one afternoon. Melinda has her stone displayed on the hearth in our missionary house.
One evening Kyle, Melinda, and the Ervins played miniature golf. Nancy won! She made two hold in ones while Melinda was just trying to make par.

One day James, Nancy, Kimberly, Kyle and Melinda went to Mid-America Science Museum. It is a hands on museum. It is a fun way to learn science.Captain Kyle and his crew, Kimberly preparing to blast off.ICE!Kyle in the air?!?WOW a giant Arkansas crystal!

Have you ever heard of the Tesla coil? Google it and learn all about it!Electricity!Electricity!?!The word is Grossology!Kyle learning about Burps and Belches.Kyle and Melinda having a Kodak moment.

We took a pontoon boat ride on Lake Balboa in Hot Springs Village one evening. We enjoyed seeing all the beautiful homes built along the shoreline.Roger and Kyle checking out their messages on their phones.

Melinda and her Mom enjoying the ride.We saw some very beautiful homes on the shore of the lake. Nana with the Ervins and the Russells at the end of the ride.

We finished the week having breakfast at The Pancake House (www.pancakeshop.com) in downtown Hot Springs. It is a family tradition to go to the Pancake House for breakfast. They are known for their fried ham steaks, buckwheat pancakes and apple butter. YUMMY!We had a great week!

4th of July

It has been 3 years since we were in the US for the 4th of July. We had a house full of family and friends for lunch.

The Russells and Ervins with Nana.Never too old to swing. The missionary house has a tire swing in the yard. Kyle is enjoying it.Roger took our 11 year old niece, Kimberly for a ride on his touring bike.Jordan heading out on Roger's bike back to Pittsburg.

In Texas

We departed Romania on June 28th. We arrived in Dallas about 1:45pm Texas time. We were met at the airport by Nathaniel and Kelly and my sister, Nancy. All our luggage arrived also with us.

We spent the first 3 days with Nathaniel and Kelly at their apartment in Temple.

On July 1st we moved into First Baptist Church Belton's missionary house. It is very nice and big. It is a furnished house so we are lacking nothing.We are trying to get used to the hot weather when outside AND trying not to freeze when going into stores with air conditioning. We keep the temp at our house about 80 degrees since below that we freeze.