Back from the east coast!

We returned from the east coast yesterday after being away for more than 2 weeks. We flew to Virginia to visit our dear friends Mark and Bethany. After being there for 2 days, we drove to New Jersey and visited Wink's cousin Ashley and her family, my brother, Wink's step-brother, Wink's aunt, old college friends, and new-ish adoptive family buddies. After staying in Ashley's gorgeous home for a week, we headed back south to Virginia. It is quite amazing that when google maps says you will be driving for "6.5 hours", how that REALLY means your journey will take over 10 hours! Although many people think we are very lucky to have no kids in diapers, our bathroom stops are constant. I admit, that I'm the cause of some of these stops. But I at least don't start yelling "Peep! Peep!" while on the NJ Turnpike. After paying our toll and pulling over to the side of the road, the girl wouldn't go on our handy-dandy "Inflate-a-potty"! Aaaarrrrgh! So then I got totally lost trying to get into a fast food place so we can take her to an actual toilet.



Eventually we made it back to Virginia and the temperature went up about 20 degrees. We had hoped that Bethany would give birth while we were visiting. It would have be my first (and probably only) witness of the miraculous beginning of alife. Alas, no baby while we were there.




There are way, way, way too many pictures to post here. To see them all, go to my picture site (email me if you need the address).

We arrived back home at 10:30 am. We putted around for a bit, then all went to get haircuts from a cheap place down the street (except Lissi, I just can't justify spending money on her haircut yet). Then we went to bed. The kids slept for about 16 hours and I slept about 14 hours. Wow! Wink was not so lucky :( After all that sleep I got up and started back to work. First day of work. Summer vacation is now officially over. :( :( :(

Lessons on flying

from the viewpoint of a 4 year old:

1. Hold your little sister's hand and dart in-between people when boarding. Sneak your way to the front of the jetway and then disappear into the depths of the plane. Scare the flight attendant to death (why are there 2 little kids unaccompanied on this plane?!).

2. Insist that you are thirrrrrrsty from the instant you get on the plane and for the next 20 minutes. Don't "understand" when mom tries to explain how FAA regulations now prohibit her from bringing along 2 juice boxes and a cup of milk for each child.

3. Use scotch tape to tape up your mouth and then pretend your parents did it to you.

4. When the drink cart finally comes around, drink through the airlines entire supply of orange juice.

5. Go to the bathroom (needing help-OF COURSE). Return to seat. Go to the bathroom (needing help-OF COURSE). Return to seat. Go to the bathroom (needing help-OF COURSE). Return to seat.

6. Go through the nice bag of toys your mother packed and dump most of said toys out. Do not pick up any toys that landed on the ground. Whine when the ones that slid under your seat are nowhere to be found. Make your mother bend herself into knots (and come close to vomiting) trying to locate these yard-sale toys.

7. Turn the fan on full-blast to yourself and your mother. Stand on your chair and "blow dry" your hair. Encourage your little sister to do the same.

8. Under no circumstances should you sleep. It does not matter if you got up at 4:00am or that the rest of your family is trying desperately to sleep. Do not allow shut eye!

Married 10 years!

It's our 10th year anniversary today! Wow! We re-watched our wedding video and pre-wedding silly movie put together by our college friends. Quite amusing. We've changed a lot (hopefully for the better!) in the last 10 years!!!!