A Very Busy Summer

The Summer of 2015 has been a very busy one for our family. We have had the opportunity to do more traveling than we usually do and have had some wonderful adventures. Back in July we traveled to Ohio with my parents. I was born there and moved to the south at the age of 6. Both of my parents grew up here and we had a great time visiting with friends and family. My parents told us stories of their lives here and took us to their favorite places.

We all hiked the trail to Mt. Pleasant.

Both of my boys are over 6 feet tall. We could not believe that the corn was so tall in July!

 In July, we were blessed to be able to travel to Minnesota to attend the Family Conference. We are so glad we made the trip. These conferences are always an encouragement to all of us,

The event was held on the beautiful campus of the University of Northwestern

After the conference we had a few days to sight see in the area. We drove the magnificent Lake Superior Shoreline. This is somewhere I definitely want to visit again!

We drove as far north as we could go... Canada on the other side of the river!

My sweet husband drove two hours out of the way into Wisconsin so I could see one of Laura's Little Houses!       

 

After our trip to Minnesota we planned on being home for a while. When this arrived in my email inbox, we decided to take a very quick, unexpected trip to Texas to take Andrew to this event! We are so glad we went. Seeing young people so excited about sharing the Gospel gives me hope for the next generation.

You can go to Texas and not go to the Fort Worth Stockyards.

 

These critters are huge!

We visited the George W Bush Presidential Library located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. I highly recommend if you are in the area you plan to visit. We learned so much about the character of this man and his family.

Tennessee - North Carolina Trip

The summer of 2014 seems to be going by at a record pace! We have been busy for sure and somehow keeping up with the Blog hasn't been a priority! Here are some photos of our trip to Tennessee and North Carolina back in May. Our first stop was the ATI Homeschooling Conference in Nashville. This year's theme was Looking Unto Jesus. The conference was uplifting and encouraging and we always enjoy getting to see old friends! (And everyone loves a game of Dutch Blitz!)

After the conference we visited the Carnton Plantation where the Battle of Franklin occurred during the Civil War. The house and grounds were beautiful!

 

We traveled along the Natchez Trace to the Meriwether Lewis' grave site.

After a short thunder storm this double rainbow appeared in the sky!

Lunch at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge is always a treat!

We love to stay at the Fryemont Inn in Bryson City!

I could get used to this view!

The trail at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

A fellow hiker!

Andrew was a trooper. He had a fever and felt awful, but he hiked the loop trail!

My Eagle Scout and his sidekick. They hiked the spur trail to see the "big" trees!

Texas Trip

We recently had the opportunity to take a family road trip to Texas. I had never been in the Lone Star State. I was really impressed. The people were some of the most friendly I have ever met! We had a fun time with a few surprises along the way...

As we were driving along Pensacola Beach we spotted the Weather Channel satellite truck. Jim Cantore was there covering a hurricane. Andrew (aka weather geek) was thrilled to meet him!

The Stevens Family tradition is to take a photo of our boys by each state sign.

Found this interesting building near Natchez, Mississippi. You don't see this everyday!

We drove part of the Natchez Trace.

We finally made it to Texas to attend Family Camp.
This was a guy paradise!

Rob on the climbing wall

Andrew made me a dinner bell.

They all conquered the repelling wall

Watching Lew Sterrett from Sermon on the Mount Ministries

The father son canoe race.

Can you guess who won?

Texas BBQ is really bodacious!

Way Out West

In honor of my "big birthday" in August and Matthew's graduation from Liberty University this past May, the Stevens Family left the "Sunshine State" and headed west for a grand adventure to Utah, Arizona and Colorado. We flew into Salt Lake City and explored all the way to Denver before heading back to Florida.

First stop Utah!

I could get used to this view!

We took a ride on the chair lift at Sundance Resort.

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This is the view from the top!

We hiked the trail on "Y' mountain in Provo. It was very challenging but we all made it to the top!

The view of Utah Lake and Provo at dusk was well worth the hike!

One of my favorite places on earth!

 

 

 

We have visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon several times. We finally made it to the North Rim!

The view was amazing!

 

Rob doing what he loves to do!

Fall color!

Andrew on top of the world!

The US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.