Trip Highlights

Since we haven't been able to blog much in the last month, I thought I would give a recap of our last couple months by posting lots of pictures. Hope this gives you an idea of what the Lain family has been up to!Staying in our teardrop for a couple weeks in Horse Pens 40, AL while we were climbing and getting some R&R was a great experience filled with battling fire-ants, overcoming climbing obstacles, squishing four bodies into a small itty-bitty living space, keeping bugs out of our food, and best of all lots of laughs and good family bonding time! (Our little home will be stored in Larry's brother's garage until we decide if we are going to sell it or not)

Krista's favorite climbing spot at Horse Pens 40

We rounded up a group of 20 or so after church from Safe Harbor Church in Pelham, AL to go climbing at a spot called the Moss Rock Preserves...probably the best Sunday of fellowship we've ever had (climbing always ranks #1!)
Our time in Indiana was very relaxing! We spent lots of time in Larry's parent's cabin where the kids got to go fishing and we even jumped in the freezing cold water a couple times!
By far the best part of our last couple months was witnessing the birth of our niece on May 20th! Lexi Ann Lain is such a little miracle!
Averi and Eli were thrilled to meet their new cousin! Big Brother Brayden was proud to introduce them to his new sister as he jumped all around excitedly.
Upon arriving to Krista's family's in Michigan we decided to stay in a yurt for Memorial Day weekend. Averi and Eli spent most of their time catching soft shell turtles and in the nearby creek and waving to passerbys. A beautiful swan graced us with his/her presence a couple times a day looking for a scrap of bread as well.
Pacific Yurts Company shown above...has inspired much talk about starting a B&B Ger Camp when we return to the states after our time in Mongolia...I guess we will have to wait and see what God has in store for us...
Staying in the Yurt has gotten us really excited for Mongolia!!! The kids loved it!
The Renaissance festival was a fun affaire! The kids got to pet a dragon, eat huge turkey legs, watch an archery contest, and many other fun events. Averiana proved to be a wonderful little Lady!
Eli finally got his wish: to ride on a real train at Huckleberry Railroad. Since we were the only ones on the train, we got to ride in the observation deck to make sure there were no train robbers!

**We will be on our way to Chicago this Saturday to attend Pre-Field Orientation and Cross-Cultural Training/2nd Language Acquisition. Many prayers are appreciated as we are away from the kids for 3 weeks!