Flashback to Disney and Dallas

There are so many photos I'm so behind on posting, so prepare yourselves for lots of flashbacks.

I just stumbled on these from our four-years'-worth-of-birthday-money day at Disney:

Isaac and Gavin on Splash Mountain

Isaac and Gavin on Space Mountain

On the road to Dallas:

Will LOVES cheese pizza! He always requests it for supper, then, if he's lucky enough to get his wish, he eats it again for breakfast the next morning. Thankful for Costco cheese pizza in the oven as I write this. :)

Giving Grandpadad hugs when we arrived Dallas

Dr. Cook, Chancellor of Dallas Baptist University, my alma mater, showing the kids around campus and letting each one ring the replica Liberty Bell. The DBU magazine did a lovely photo spread of the quints when they were only a few months old, so this their chance to see them all "grown up!"

George Washington being sworn into office as the first President of the United States.
The kids were fascinated by the lifelike figures! (That's Grandma on the far right.)

David’s new skill

David rides a bike!

In just one afternoon he learned! Thanks to Aunt Pam for the bike she found and restored!

In other news, we’re at our home in North Carolina, after 8700 miles and two months on the road, passing through 18 states, with NO illness or accidents, praise God! Thanks for praying!

Flashback to California

"Hanging out" with Daddy in Marmi and Papa's backyard

We got together with LOTS of cousins, all of them great friends and fun playmates for the kids - and us! Our two families added 13 new cousins and first-cousins-once-removed in the four years we've been in PNG. The biggest sacrifice of being a missionary is not getting to live near/with these dear people.

With Marmi at Camp Sierra, near Shaver Lake, on the way to the swimming hole

Enjoying the stream

Not many grandparents are this cool!
Isaac and Seth were the biggest fans of this activity. Seth is FEARLESS, a little wild man! 

Measuring Will on the cabin wall. Five generations of family members have their names and heights marked on this wall.

Gracie and Marcie get measured

On the front porch of the cabin - built during the Great Depression, 1930's, by Marmi's great-grandfather

And now we are SIX!

Birthday morning excitement in Dallas!

Seth opens his red tour bus from Glacier National Park - the kids loved seeing those buses!

The kids in their new birthday costumes with the doctors who delivered them (minus Dr. Lo, who was on call)
They're sitting in birth order: Will, David, Marcie, Seth and Gracie, with Dr. Santiago next to Will (she's the one who did the actual cutting and pulling!), and Dr. Horsager next to Gracie (she's the one who helped me labor until the epidural and spinal anesthesia could take effect, assisted Dr. Santiago, and is the head of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department at UT Southwestern/St. Paul's). 

The kids admire their mishmash of a cake (thanks to Grandpadad and Costco)

We sang "Happy Birthday" to each child individually, because no one should have to share their birthday song!
We just kept relighting six candles until everyone had had their turn.

On the stage at the Pilgrim Chapel at Dallas Baptist University, where we had a fun tour on Friday!

Loved ones in Oregon! (First half of July)

We've been so busy I haven't even had time to throw pictures up on the blog for those of you who follow us and are praying! Thanks for praying for Will. It's been amazing how well he's been doing! We feel your powerful and effective prayers on our behalf. All the kids are just doing fabulous, praise God! No illness to speak of, either, and super sweet fellowship, fun travels, and beautiful sights to see. We're in Arizona now, but I'll have to put the California pictures up another time. It's time to pack up and move again! On to Dallas, taking three days to get there in time for the quints' 6th birthday.

Thanks for praying!

Carrie

With another best friend and fellow mischief-maker from childhood, Amy - and her long-suffering mom, Aunt Linda!

My best friend from childhood, Kathryn

The Oregon cousins in Aunt Jody's tie-dye creations!

Isaac and his cousin-brother (as they say in PNG) Ethan

Isaac with both cousin-brothers, Ethan and Levi. Ethan visited us in PNG last year! They're wearing the hats Marmi and Papa brought them from their trip through Austria. :)

Traveling and fun on the Oregon farm

In Spokane city center

The quints' temporary best friend, Donkey. 

My dear friend Chris's amazing mom!

Up in the barn!

Zoo: Then and Now

November 2013
Marcie, David, Gracie, Seth and Will

June 2018
David, Gracie, Seth, Will and Marcie