Family Trip to Glorieta

Our family had the privilege of accompanying Mr. Ely to a ministry conference in Glorieta, New Mexico, for a whole week in July. We took a couple of extra days (before & after) to visit friends and family along the way. This was our first long road trip with four little ones. (Our last big trip was to Branson, MO, when Papaya was just a baby.) Considering the long hours belted and confined in carseats, all the kids did remarkably well. Even better than I had hoped. I found that I (regretfully) didn't take enough pictures on our trip, but with juggling three kids and a nursing baby 800 miles from home, I'm glad I got what I did.

Some highlights in words...

First stop was Ft. Worth (1 1/2 days); enjoyed home-cooking, hospitality, and lunch/dinner dates (on my 31st birthday) with several dear friends from our former church; next stop was Borger (1 1/2 days); again enjoyed home-cooking and hospitality with Mr. Ely's Aunt Sue and Uncle Charles; visited their sweet church on Sunday; Banana got bit on the cheek by a dog (pretty much healed now); on to the beautiful mountains of Glorieta; the cooler weather was a nice relief; lots of good teachings on how to make the most of small groups; kids attended fun Day Camp during the week; Papaya celebrated her 4th birthday while we were there (ice cream all around); then down to El Paso to see more dear friends; more celebration of Papaya's 4th birthday (cupcakes all around); had GREAT fellowship and food and church there too; then straight HOME (12 hours in the van); everyone slept great that night!

Aunt Sue and Uncle Charles in Borger, TX

Papaya loves her new 'Raggedy Anne'
(and everyone else loves her too)