Family Vacation

Boy, are we jetlagged!  But it sure was worth it.

We took two weeks vacation and flew to the US (thank you Gary and Carolyn for your frequent flyer miles!).  First, in Des Moines we took care of a little business including renewing our Iowa driver's licenses, and had a fun evening with Nancy's family who live in the Des Moines area.

Three of Nancy's sisters, two nieces and two great nieces

Then we drove to Rapid City, visited Open Bible Christian Center Sunday morning, and had lunch with Anna and Ketura who will be visiting us in Hungary next month.

Monday we bought food and went to the vacation home we rented near Custer, SD and waited for the family to gather.  It was so exciting to give hugs to each son, daughter-in-law and grandchild.  Paul and family drove from Minnesota, Mark and family from Montana, and Matt and family from Michigan (a three-day drive each way with a 5-month-old).

The Black Hills are gorgeous!

Nancy hugging all her boys

We spent the next three days touring the Black Hills squeezed into Paul's and Mark's minivans.  All 14 of us just fit in them.  We visited the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, the guys hiked up to the Custer sign, we hiked around Sylvan Lake, visited Mount Rushmore, and saw Reptile Gardens. We caught some mice, ate a picnic lunch in 40-degree weather, adjusted plans due to fog and celebrated a birthday. But mostly we ate, talked, laughed, prayed and enjoyed being with each other.

Kids squeezed into Mark's van

Climbing rocks at Sylvan Lake

Noah loved the tortoises at Reptile Gardens

Our only group picture - at Mount Rushmore

Everyone got to meet Lucy, the newest Juntunen

Our family is spread out over three states and two countries, but we are so thankful to the Lord when we all can be together.