Family Road Trip

Believe me, Bill and I know that we have a big family. It's not only because they are nearly always with us, but also because people constantly remind us by asking, "Are they all yours?" However... neither of us was quite prepared for the enormous amount of stuff we had to locomote for a two-day drive and few days' stay in Florida.

Around 8 this morning we were confronted with the pile by the front door:

• sleeping bags, pack 'n' play, pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals
• multiple bags of clothes and shoes
• coats
• bags of diapers
• bag with laptop, ipod, and directions
• bag of games and audiobooks
• bag with our anniversary quilt for me to work on in the car

Whew! So that seemed a little crazy, but then we walked around the corner and discovered the 2 days worth of food and drinks we also needed to bring along also. (Driving on Thanksgiving Day = no restaurants open)

Today, I am grateful for:

• a 15 passenger van with one seat out so we could bring everything we might need and want along with us
• gas at 1.63/gallon
• James chanting "This is the best day of my life" for 20 minutes as we got on I-95
• Kids who think it is fun to figure out how many miles it is from exit 252 in N. Carolina to Exit 53 in S. Carolina and then convert that to time
• An awesome husband who arranges provides shelter (makes motel reservations), hunts for food (at the Cracker Barrel across the street), and drives well
• Family who we can not wait to see waiting for us at the end of tomorrow's drive

Joseph's Journal--November

Joseph now has 3 and a half teeth with more threatening to come in any time. He eats a range of foods from organic brown rice cereal to chorrizo. He is still belly crawling with a vengence and is dangerous like a turtle. You know, since they move relatively slowly, you get lulled into the idea that you don't need to watch them. Then next thing you know they are flipped on their back somewhere needing you. Case in point, today Joseph decided to climb the staircase and discovered that what goes up must come down...onto a tile floor. :(

He also has tried some acrobatics involving his cradle which have convinced us that he has outgrown it. Double :(

If You Visited Williamsburg during Revolutionary Times...

Before leaving for the big city you'd better get your chores done.

James and Cecilia ground wheat, and Thomas hauled water from the well.

Pack up the little ones because it's a long walk to the big city.

When you see the Governor's Palace, you need to consider where your loyalties lie...and the consequences.

Anthony, my brother Marc and Cecilia pose with the Palace in the background. All the kids give England a "thumbs down."

If you find yourself (and most of your siblings and your Uncle Marc) on trial, this would be getting off easy!

Happy Halloween!

As soon as the school bus left this morning, we went to buy pumpkins for carving. I was amazed at how much easier this process has become since a few years ago. This year I had multiple children who not only could draw a triangle but also kids who wanted to help younger sisters and brothers do it. Charles was able to do a lot of the carving himself, and Maria was a great help after she finished carving her cyclops.

Before trick-or-treating we had a pizza party with our friends and then the 2 moms took out 12 kids to get candy. Maria dressed as an Indian in Catherine's old Indian Maiden dress, and Cecilia was a running angel--after a debate about which of her shoes were the most "angelic". (She said black patent leather in the box until Christmas Day shoes and I said sparkly purple trainers.) Thomas and Anthony seemed to choose their outfits based on the weapon accessories that came with them so Thomas was a knight in paperclip chainmail and Anthony was an archer.

Charles was borrowed this soldier costume and we ordered his winter boots to match it.

Firefighter James had great fun trick or treating and saying, "Happy Hall'ween!"

Baby Joseph stayed home with the daddies.