Where does the time go?

Somehow more than a month has passed since our last post.

There have been many good intentions to update but the task seemed daunting because so much has been happening (and we were having problems uploading pictures again).

So, what have we been so busy doing?

Lots of traveling!

Nov 10-12th:  We attended an amazing conference in Louisville, KY.  The annual Global Missions Health Conference continues to encourage us in our future plans to serve overseas.  This year we met with a missionary couple from Pakistan, reconnected with old friends (Edmonds family), prayed, worshipped...while Gracie had fun with Nana and Papa in Kentucky AND South Carolina!

Little People Nativity

Gracie even visited Pascalina, the homestead where her parents were wed on 

July 30, 2005!

Nov 16th:  Dianna took Family Medicine Board Exam

Nov 16-21st:  We reunited with Gracie in South Carolina just in time in for the annual Soggy Bottom Syrup Festival -- Gracie's first (extra-uterine) experience of this fun event.

Gracie's turn on the "tractor" to crush cane

Nana to the rescue...she wasn't so into the tractor ride

Nanny with Hannah & Gracie

Nana with her Grandbabies

Papa Dan and Papa Jeff were at the festival, too, as was Aunt Cherith and various other family members and dear friends.  Some folks seem to evade the camera more than others : )

Nov 23-27th:  We headed to Ashland (small town in western Kansas) where Dean covered the hospital and emergency room.  Thankfully the medical work was light, and we were able to join the Stephens (Via Christi faculty) for Thanksgiving dinner at Dr. Todd's childhood home in Minneola.  Gracie loved exploring Ashland -- despite cold weather and lots of wind.  Her favorite part: yellow lab and scotty dog that followed her every move!

Braving the cold

A break from the wind in the hospital's exercise room.

Run Gracie Run!

Climbing rocks at St. Jacob's Well (outside of Ashland)

Looking at Buffalo

(unfortunately we didn't catch catch the herd on camera but Gracie saw them)

Nov 27-30th:  Nona (Dean's mom) visited us in Wichita.  Gracie really enjoyed reconnecting with Nona and Paisley (Nona's miniature dachshund).

Gracie learned how to "walk" Paisley -- at times it was hard to tell who was walking who!

Dec 2-3rd:  Rejuvenating conference about being Christ's disciples and discipling others.

Dec 4th:  Nona stopped back by on her way back to Colorado after spending several days in OKC at a horse show and helping Jonathan (Dean's brother) move into a new apartment.

Looking at "Moqui" marbles (naturally occurring balls of iron)

And somehow we have managed to continue working through all of this : )

Now, the time has come for packing and saying farewell to Wichita.  We are bound for Niger, West Africa via South Carolina, and we won't return to Wichita until June 2012.

Upcoming important dates:

Dec 16th:  Gracie and Dianna leave Wichita

Dec 20th:  Dean leaves Wichita

   *** Time with family and friends on the east coast ***

Jan 11th:  Depart from Atlanta to Niger

June 9th:  Return to Atlanta from Niger

Let the packing begin!

In the midst of all this activity, we are also aware of Advent.

This is such a special time of year -- God incarnate, Immanuel.  We hope for you, as well as ourselves, that the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season do not overshadow the baby in the manger.  

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary

Love, DD&G

A little taste of Sweden

Here are pictures from our visit to "little Sweden" aka Lindsborg, KS. 

 

Dean covered the local hospital and ER from Sat AM to Sun AM, but thankfully the patient load was light so we were able to discover Lindsborg as a family.  We'd visited before but not since early May 2010 aka "pre-Gracie," so this time we experienced Lindsborg as a touring toddler...

Checking out the view from our room at the Swedish Country Inn

then off to explore...

After walking around for a while we found a nice park so stopped to play.

Climbing up "on my own"

Tunnel!

Trying out the merry-go-round

Sliding with Daddy

Then back to the inn for lunch and a nap -- a must for every toddler whether or not they agree -- then back outside for park number 2.

On our "adult" tours of Lindsborg we never noticed this really cool park, but for toddler touring it is a must see -- and of course a must play, too!

Climbed the tower with Daddy

Swinging with Mommy

and, of course, on my own too!

Can you find the lady bug?

Baby bumble bee

This was a cool set of chimes where kids can play various tunes (by number) or create a song of their own, which is what Gracie and Daddy decided to do.

(will try to add a video here soon)

Talking to the Dala horse, a traditional Swedish symbol, before...

going for a ride!

And what Nordic adventure would be complete without a boat ride?

Our little viking!

We had a wonderful weekend time exploring and discovered we really like this little town.  Hopefully, we can visit again soon.

Since returning home Sunday morning, we've had quite a beginning to our week...

+ Earthquake x 2: one Saturday night (which we didn't feel in Lindsborg) but repeated last night, both without significant damage noted but bizarre and unexpected

+ Power outages at Grace Med (where Dianna works) AND at Gracie's daycare, an entire sector of the city went out due to a storm yesterday, and it took most of the afternoon & early evening to repair

In all of this we continue to see God's love and grace abound -- beyond what we think to ask or even imagine.  How Great is our God!

With thankfulness,

DD&G

Halloween 2011

Well, we are a bit overdue on this post, but we didn't want anyone to miss out on these cute pictures of Gracie dressed up as a ...

                                                      

 pink poodle puppy!

October 31st was a day full of fun for little miss Gracie.  

The morning started with a costume parade at the CDC (Child Development Center), aka "daycare."

                                   

Gracie's classmates rode in the stroller wagon with Ms. Heather 

while Gracie and Ms. Lynn walked behind.

Various Via Christi Hospital employees came out to watch

 and to give treats to the kids.

Gracie quickly caught on to this idea!

Gracie and her bud Cooper "sharing" a hug from Ms. Lynn.

Gracie really enjoyed her costume and parading around the block with her friends.  

So, we decided to go for round two after dinner.

This time Gracie rode in the wagon with Eli & Hailey!

We drove to a nearby neighborhood that is well known for its decorations.  Let's just say it was no secret -- there were literally hundreds of trick-or-treaters filling the sidewalks and streets of College Hill.

Gracie enjoyed this yard full of pumpkins!

There were other neat decorations -- one yard had a cute Wizard of Oz theme but we didn't successfully capture it in a picture.  Some houses were a bit too scary for us, so we strolled on by.  

All in all it was a fun "All Hallowed Eve."

And we'll "leave" you with another fall favorite...

Singing & Dancing with Daddy!

Joyful in His Abundance,

DD&G

Oktoberfest

Yesterday afternoon we celebrated with friends at the Elder's annual Oktoberfest!  The Elders are a wonderful family we've enjoyed getting to know these past 3 years.  They have a farm north of Wichita where we've gone to "get away" for various fun activities:  playing polo, watching the tractors and combine, as well as bringing in the new year.

Here's Gracie getting ready to go.

When we arrived, Gracie was quick to take in the scene.

She found lots of things to explore:

A pair of oversized ice cream churns powered by a miniature diesel John Deer tractor,

We all thought they were cool...and the homemade ice cream was delicious!

Sack races (we were spectators only)

Unfortunately, we are having problems uploading the rest of our pictures.  Gracie really enjoyed the hayride -- she sat contentedly on Dean's lap and watched the older children around her duck under passing tree limbs and bounce around on hay bales.  After the ride she checked out the ducks on the pond and the chickens in their coops.  Then she enjoyed a yummy homemade pretzel while we waited for the traditional German meal:  homemade sausage (brats), barbecued pork, sauerkraut, potato salad, and bread.

We took advantage of the fall setting to take a few family photos.  These are our favorites:

Auf wiedersehen,

DD&G