breakfast in the bathroom

What a day this has been

It started at 5:30 AM with a flurry of getting ready, that somehow enabled us to make it to church early. Indeed despite being up so early, the only way I was able to find time to eat was to have breakfast in the bathroom while the boys bathed.

I know my life is quite glamorous.

The reason we had to be to church early is that Paul is currently taking pictures to make a church pictorial directory. This is quite the endeavor. He took seven families' pictures today. And he has edited to of them. He took out the ugly church wall background and inserted them over a picture of our backyard.

It's sort of funny to think that we'll have lots pictures of people standing in our yard.

I have been in a major sorting and rearranging mood lately. I think I may be driving Paul nuts. I keep wanting to get rid of things that we don't really need. Which it turns out is just about everything. I'm trying to simplify my life. I don't want my possessions to be in charge of me.

So if I get rid of a gift you gave me, or a toy you gave one of my children, please understand it's not that I didn't like it. It's just really hard to have so many nice things while there are people eating mud in Haiti.

And I won't throw the things away, I am either selling or donating them.

The house is starting to seem a lot bigger.

Kathy + Rachel

Kathy + Rachel
Originally uploaded by roerte

And here's proof that Kathy did come over to poke. But now I have to go upstairs because Colin's whining about something. Those whiners.

This is because

happy baby 2
Originally uploaded by roerte

I don't know how to do multiple pictures per entry on flickr just yet. =(

But I did want to share that I was still alive and well, and that congratulations should be shared to the wedding participants and people and that's a cute dog, Kathy. And that one of these days I'll stop being an antisocial freak. =(

These pictures are of Rachel when she's in one of those rare smile-for-the-camera moods.

asl;dkfjlkjdsfaj!!!!!

happy baby 1
Originally uploaded by roerte

and I keep thinking about posting stuff, but now that Kathy's here to poke me, I think I shall. XD

indeed, expecting #2 in. October-ish. have spent the last few months feeling sick and lazy and otherwise anti-social, but this doesn't excuse me from not posting for the past year. >< I WILL CATCH UP.

We have another house guest/friend/roomie in the form of Colin, and we've been spending the past few weeks moving him in. The basement looks a lot better now, I gotta say.

And we got a new camera.

I'm still remembering how to use flickr, so please excuse the double post if there is one.

Stop !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The invisible man keeps trying to steal my van!

yet more pics

reception pictures

more pics

The time between times

After arriving at the church. Anne and I (and Omi) wandered around trying to find the brides room. Fortunately Sue found us and showed us where to go.

Linda had some bagels there for us. So we ate. Anne did Cheryl's make-up. Then Cheryl and I helped each other into our torture chambers (I mean corsets). Then I got dressed. Cheryl on the other hand needed the assistance of at least four additional people to get her dress on. It had these laces up the back that needed to be pulled really tight. But everyone was afraid of pulling too tight, lest they hurt Cheryl.

During all this time I was running around like crazy trying to help get the kids ready to go. Sammy's socks had been forgotten, which didn't make Linda very happy. I really thought she was going to go berserk (I eventually found the socks yesterday when I was unpacking --they got put with Paul's shaving stuff somehow). Then it came out that the ringbearer pillow had been forgotten. Linda came and told us that someone would need to go back to the hotel to get it.

Paul agreed to go. But then Sue came in to pin corsages on Sam and Paul. So Paul didn't get left quite yet. Just as he was about to leave. Two of the bridesmaids came in to yell at us about the pillow. Apparently they had gotten the message that Paul had refused to go and get the pillow (completely untrue).

As you can see everybody's tempers were pretty stoked at this time. And the photographer was trying to get photos done. But mostly there was nothing to do but wait.

Salon day

The morning of the wedding Cheryl went to get her hair done by a professional. The rest of us didn't want to splurge so much. So we set up a salon in our hotel room. At least for Becky, me, and Abby. Anne had brought her hot rollers, and started the treatment by putting rollers in our hair. Then my mom did the finishing touches. It only took about 10 bobby pins and a gallon of hair spray.

I think our hair came out really well too. I am glad I didn't spend the fifty dollars.

Getting ready was a little bit crazy. But we didn't get the kids dressed until arriving at the church. (Anne and I had to be at the church at 11 and the rest of our clan didn't have to arrive until 12).

Practice, Practice, Practice

I've been to several wedding rehearsals now. Each one is a little different. This one was a lot of fun because the preacher had a good sense of humor.

First he explained to each of us where to stand then James and Cheryl practiced their vows. And the parents had their roles explained.

Then they did a run through of the whole service. Since I was just a bridesmaid and not the maid of honor, I didn't have to worry about any fluffing. (And I'm glad because Cheryl's dress seemed to require lots of it)

One of the highlights of the rehearsal was getting to finally meet Sue. Sue was the church's wedding coordinator, and definitely not Cheryl's favorite person. I had been hearing about her for months, so it was "nice" to be able to put a face to a name. She was pretty much how I expected. Sue was very nice, but very much wanted things done a certain way. And if I had been the bride I probably would have ended up telling her off.

From the rehearsal we headed to dinner. With a drive by of the house Paul grew up in. I tried to take a picture, but it came out terribly. The dinner was at a very nice Italian restaurant in a neat shopping mall (too bad there was no time to shop). Parking was limited, so we had to park in the upper level of the parking garage on the opposite side of the mall.

There were two waiters at dinner, which got a little confusing. They didn't seem to communicate with each other. We talked extensively with the one about Abigail not being able to have wheat, then the other brought her a salad with croutons. Then they didn't bring Sammy his dinner at all so we had to reorder it.

I loved the food. Paul thought it was okay. This was fine (I ate his leftovers for breakfast the next day).

Since it was pretty late I decided to leave early (with Sam and Abby). Paul would get a ride home with his dad. So we walked all the way across the mall (taking the elevator up). Then we got to the van, only to realize that Paul had the keys. I got out my phone, and tried calling everyone I knew who was at the dinner, trying to get Paul to run out with the keys. But I guess it was too loud inside, so no one heard their phones. So I had to walk all the way across the mall again. Then I got the keys and walked back across the mall (though this time Linda walked with me to help get the kids loaded up).

Then I drove back to the hotel. And about five minutes later Paul showed up (so much for leaving early).

They couldn't have done it without me (day 9)

Friday Linda and Cheryl assigned me with an extremely important wedding related job. To sit at home and do nothing. They needed someone to be at the house when James stopped by to pick something up and when Jennilyn came to drop something off. So Linda and Cheryl went to pick up Cheryl's dress. (The person they were supposed to have an appointment with had quit that week, but they did successfully get the dress). I sat on the couch and played with Omi and did some random household chores (e.g. vacuuming).

The people who were supposed to drop by didn't come until Cheryl and Linda were back.

Then in the afternoon they left again while I stayed at the house and played online.

Meanwhile Paul had to finish making his counters for Dave and Leanne. And he and Papa had to get the kids and stuff all around so we could move into the hotel we would be staying in for the rest of the week. Basically at this point I just fretted a lot.

Anne and Nana, who were driving in from Ft. Wayne made it to the hotel first around three. Then Paul and my dad arrived around 4. And just a little later Linda dropped me off. We got two side by side rooms, but they weren't adjoining.

At the hotel Anne practiced Cheryl's make-up and we unloaded stuff. Then it was time to head off to the rehearsal

The little ladies with the big food

Thursday morning in the wee smas Omi and Isaac both woke up really cold. I was having trouble keeping both of them warm. So at about 6 AM I took the two of them and set off on a mission. To buy sweat pants. I guess I am too used to the way things are around here. Because nothing in the area opened until 8 AM. Well, not nothing. Bruegger's Bagel's was open. So I bought some bagels and headed back to the house.

Papa and I then got the kids around and we took them to McD's again. This time I walked away on a mission while the kids played. I was still trying to find sweatpants for Paul. First I walked to Kohl's. No sweatpants. Although they did have some running pants of the type Paul dislikes. Then I walked to target. I found one pair of sweatpants (an XXL). So no dice. I walked back to McD's and we corralled the kids. Then we took off. On the way back we passed a Burlington Coat Factory. Where we stopped, and I did find sweat pants this time. Yay!

Back at the house Papa mowed the lawn while I tried to clean up and organize our stuff and Paul worked on the counters he was making for Dave and Leanne (see picture above).

Then at about 3:00 Paul drove me downtown so I could catch the T (trolley). I took the T to South Hills Village where Linda and Cheryl met me. We went back to Linda's for a little bit. Then Cheryl and I set off for the bachelorette party on the waterfront.

The party was at Sing Sing's, a dueling piano bar. I have never experienced anything like it in my life. It was half music/half comedy show. They took requests of just about every sort. (I requested American Pie). I really enjoyed the first bit. But as the evening wore on the humor became raunchier and more crude. As part of our party package we got a free appetizer sampler. It was taller than we were. There was originally supposed to be a much larger group of us, but it ended up being just 4 of us (one of whom was late). The pianists made fun of us for our huge tray of food. But at least the teasing was pretty mild. There was a middle-aged woman named Dolly who they really went TOO far with. She took it well. I probably would have smacked them.

At the end of the evening I drove everyone home (obviously not in my car). Then I spent the night at Linda's.

Entropy

Wednesday dawned well, and I no longer felt so pukey. Daddy was still pretty sleepy so Papa and I loaded the children up and took them to a McDonalds with a playland. The kids had a lot of fun playing. Then around 10:30 we drove back to the house to get Daddy.

This is where the adventure begins:

We drove downtown and looked around for place to eat. And then a place to park. The best spot we could find was a one hour parking meter. So we parked. Then we walked a few blocks to Sree's "curry in a hurry" restaurant.

They had four vegan menu options and one chicken dish. You could choose 3 vegan entrees or the chicken plus one vegan option. So we got two meals (covering all of the entrees) which was enough food to feed all of us (we did order some extra rice and naan). It wasn't totally authentic, but it was pretty decent food. And to feed 6 people (7 if you count Omi) for $12 seemed to be a pretty impressive feat.

After lunch we slowly ambled toward the van and we stopped in a really neat looking toy store. We found these great tools (broom, rake, hoe) that we decided to get for the kids. It was going really well until I looked at Isaac and noticed he was wet. Then I noticed the puddle on the floor underneath him. So I took him back to the van to be changed. Then the guys wandered off with the others to explore the toy store.

Across the street from the van there was a man playing a tenor sax. The music was quite lovely. I got Isaac changed. Then I checked the meter. About four minutes left. The guys weren't back yet so I searched for quarters. None. So I sat there with Isaac and Omi and waited.

A meter reader came by. Our meter said 1 minute left. But I guess we looked like we were about to leave so the reader went on and let us go. 10 minutes later Paul and my dad finally returned from the toy store.

Then we drove out of downtown to Carnegie Mellon so Paul could visit the campus.

When we first showed up we walked around the student union. Then my dad ended up watching the kids in a lounge while Paul and I investigated further (which included buying a book in the bookstore). Then Paul went to visit the robotics department while Papa and I watched the kids outside. It was a little wet and chilly. So Papa ended up taking Omi inside while I played on a playground with the others.

When I came back in Papa was sound asleep on a chair, with Omi wide awake on his lap. So I took the others into the little convenience store nearby. The stores was named "Entropy" which is a fairly good description of what it sold. The truly amazing thing was the rather large selection of gluten free foods. Who'd have thought.

So I bought the kids (and myself and Papa) a snack and we sat outside at a table (pictured above) to eat. The kids were pretty wound up and ended up in time out. And Papa went back to try and find more snacks.

Finally Paul returned. It sounds like he made some good connections with the robotics department. And he is even more excited about the possibility of going to school there. And he got to ride a segway.

After that we drove back to the house so the kids could nap. And I made some pasta for dinner. Since we only had one pot I had to get a little bit creative.

Then after dinner we drove down to station square. We got a little bit lost, since Paul was determined to cross the Smithfield St. bridge aka the fish bridge. But we did eventually get there. Then we had trouble finding a place to park. So we made it ten minutes after the last boat tour left for the evening.

So we decided to walk around Station Square and then ride the incline.

Inside station square was little train for the kids (and Papa) to ride. They loved it! After the ride the "engineer" gave them each a coupon for a free lollipop. But we had to walk to the candy store to redeem them. This was great except then we were in the candy store. So daddy and papa both ended up buying almond bark, and I had a cookie doughlicious ice cream cone.

Then we walked over to the incline. Only to realize we didn't have the right amount of cash. So Paul ran back to station square. In the five minutes we had been gone %90 of the stores had closed. So it took awhile for him to get the right change. But he did. And then we took the incline up Mt. Washington.

It was beautiful. The kids loved the incline. Papa and Isaac sat on a bench and looked out over the city while Paul and I walked around with the others.

It was really late by the time we got back. But everyone settled down pretty well.

Over the rabid rapids (Day 6)

Tuesday morning we all woke up at about 3 1/2 early (as in much before too early). I didn't bother to get the kids dressed. And we loaded up in the van heading toward the train station.

When we got down town we saw Papa standing outside. So he ran to the van and hopped in while we waited outside. Then we drove to Linda's house where the kids and I were dropped off for the day.

This would turn out to be a completely terrible day.

I spent all morning puking. I couldn't take the kids outside, so I kept them in the living room with the toys. We watched Ratatouille and Veggie Tales.

I ached all over. So I limped upstairs to Linda's room looking for drugs. The best I could was Contac cold and flu, which at least had acetominophin in it. I don't know if it was placebo effect or not. But I did start to feel better.

-------------------

Meanwhile Daddy and Papa drove to Ohio Pyle to go rafting on the Yough. They had a group of four on a six person raft. Papa got flung out a couple of times. But otherwise I think they had a really great time.

When Linda came home from work she made me some soup. Soon we went back to Dave's house and I spent the rest of the day in bed.

Columbus day (Day 4)

Sunday morning we woke up and got around for church. We decided to attend Dave's church. I reminded Paul he needed to wake up early since it is a two and a half hour drive. We actually followed Mike, though, so there wasn't much danger in getting lost. And apparently it was really easy to get to the church, as long as you knew to turn left at the first T. Oops!

The church service was very nice. All of their singing is Psalms. Which is okay, but I missed my good old hymns. In the nursery after service, I met a nice lady from Columbus, IN who had eight children. Her husband was an engineer. And she had visited Rose long ago for a math competition. So we had a lot to talk about (if only I could remember her name). Then we went on to Sunday school. The children were in different classes from each other. Which is unusual for them.

Then we decided to try to go to the young adult class which was supposed to be meeting outside. We walked the entire perimeter of the church, and could not find them. So we went to the "old people" class. A lot of those people were actually fairly young. The class was about Christian education, so it probably was good for us to hear.

After Sunday school we went to pick up the children. I got the boys and Omi. And Paul got Abigail. After gathering the children I walked to the fellowship hall, which is where I guessed I would find Paul. I was wrong. But it is where the boys found cupcakes and proceeded to make a huge mess. An older lady came by and helped me clean up while I chased Isaac around the room.

It turns out that this woman was from Columbus, IN and her daughter had eight children.

We did eventually find Paul and get the kids loaded up.

We didn't do a whole lot that day. Although we ran a few errands and Paul started work on his wedding present for Dave and Leanne.

Getting a fax for the Beatles (Day 5)

After spending all that time in traffic beside the science center on Saturday, I decided we should go to the science center on Monday. For some reason Paul awoke at 6:30 AM. So we all got up and around and made it to the science center by 9:00. Only to realize that it didn't open until 10:00. So we decided to go for a stroll along the river. It was a beautiful morning. The boys especially liked the part of the stroll that went by the 'struction 'quipment. There were several excavators digging. We saw a few fisherman out. And a few others. But mostly it was fairly quite along the river.

Then a little before 10:00 we walked back to the science center. We couldn't find our science central membership card (they have reciprocal membership). So we asked the lady at the desk to call science central for us. The administration person at science central told her we were members and they let us in. Embarassingly, though, it turns out our science central membership expired two weeks before.

We started out our adventure by heading up. It was our plan to go to the fourth floor. But we were distracted on the second floor. There was a maze, a robotics display (with a really cool basketball playing robot), and an awesome model train. And our favorite part the backhoe arm that you could control.

Then we made it to the fourth floor, where the kids played with the water table and the acme ball factory. And I fed Naomi.

A little after 11:00 we went outside and ate the picnic lunch I had packed. Then we went back in to watch a planetarium "demonstration" called "The Sky Above Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" All of the kids loved it, but especially Abigail. Then we watched a demonstration on the chemistry of meringues. I don't think that my children understand coagulation any better than before, but they did enjoy eating the meringues (which are gluten free naturally).

The kids were acting tired and running out of good behavior. So we started on our way out. Though we got distracted by several exhibits on the way out.

Then we drove toward Grandma Linda's house. We stopped on the way to make some photocopies of the candy bar labels I had designed for Cheryl's wedding. Cheryl just needed a few more. Paul stayed in the van with the sleeping children, while I ran into the UPS store. I had brought my own cotton paper, so the labels would match the others.

The lady put my papers in the train and printed. Unfortunately, the copier was set on black and white. So that was a waste. So she readjusted to color and printed again. This time a fax for George Harrison came out.

Then another attempt: this time they were in color, but the background wasn't pink. The lady called over the manager, who attempted again trying several variations of color tricks. The copier was just determined not to make my wrappers pink. Ugh!

I left with a large stack of copies, none of them looked right, but they only charged me $2.00 for the whole stack. They also gave me some linen paper to make up for my cotton paper which they had wasted. (Oh, did I mention George Harrison got another fax... this time it came on linen).

Then we stopped in the really cool teacher store. There was a train table in the back. I found some neat homeschooling books for Abby, while the kids played.

Finally we made it to Grandma's house. Paul took the kids swimming (after the rain stopped), while I fed Omi and cooked dinner.

Like rain on your wedding day (Day 3 part 2)

Going from the church to the reception I made Paul drive, not wanting to get lost again. We followed the pastor, who other than us was the last person to leave. When we arrived Grandma and Cheryl helped us unload everybody from the van. The children were excited to see the little playground. And they did not seem to mind at all that it was pouring down rain. We took turns spending time with the kids outside and sitting at a table inside. Someone needed to stay at the table to keep it (since there really was not enough space for all of the people crammed inside. A bunch of people played volleyball/football outside in the rain. And there were swings and such that the kids loved.

I had a nice conversation with Dave's aunt Joann who remembered me from a previous visit. I shared with her about my morning adventure lost in Pittsburgh. And she shared how, after arriving at the church, they didn't want to get lost so they ended up eating butterscotch chips in the car for lunch.

Dinner was a cook-out so it got delayed a little because of the rain. But pretty much right after eating. I took the kids and drove back to Dave's house. Paul stayed behind till the end, and then drove Leanne's car back to the house (it was loaded up with wedding gifts and leftover food). I didn't even get a little bit lost. I put the kids to bed early again, with much more success this time.

And then I called Jess and had a nice conversation while I waited for Paul to return home. Jess had just driven through Iowa that day. So she shared with me firsthand accounts of the flooding. Wow!

We're almost not lost now (Day 3)

The children and I woke up and ate some breakfast. Then Dave stumbled down the stairs to wake up Paul so he could go help. Dave had apparently forgotten that it takes Paul three eons to get ready in the morning. So he only had twenty minutes to get around. Well, somehow Paul managed to do it. I think Paul took the fastest shower of his life.

At 8 AM Paul, Dave and Mike (Dave's tenant) set off to work on getting ready for the reception. I bathed myself and the children and got everybody dressed (though not in our wedding clothes) and packed everything up we'd need for the day. Then we all got in the van with the plan of going to play before the wedding. Dave gave me directions to the Millvale riverfront park. It looked like a fun place to go. But since it was pouring down rain we didn't go there. Instead (at about 9:30), I decided that we would go to the church to make sure I could find it then we'd drive somewhere to play and eat lunch. The church was supposed to be about 12 minutes from the house.

Well, we followed Dave's directions... Take North Ave. until it comes to a T and then turn right. The road I ended up on took me to 28 the main Pittsburgh rd. on the North shores. I was pretty sure this was wrong. So I turned around retraced my steps and followed the directions again. Same thing. Only once I began to sense that something wasn't right I stopped at a gas station to look at my map. I was on Evergreen. I was supposed to be on Babcock (then Thompson run) I saw on the map near Babcock and Thompson run a street labelled Evergreen (only a couple blocks out of the way). So I got back on Evergreen and stopped at a little yard sale to ask directions. Go up to the second street, turn right, go two stoplights, turn right again and follow that to Babcock. Simple enough.

So I followed these directions, which would probably have worked out great. Except the step that had me turn the wrong way onto a one way street. So I went around the block and tried to guess what I was supposed to have done (I went to the first street instead of the second). This took me to a road that dead ended with no stoplights. So I went up and took the third street. Which was 28. And I was prepared to turn right. Problem.

The were no right turns available until I was in the heart of the city. The first right I came to was an on ramp for 279 S. I should have taken this. At least I'd have known where I was. So I came through a number of exit ramps onto major highways. Then I saw a bunch of parking lots and parking garages. All of the parking lots were charging at least 25 dollars, otherwise I might have just parked and waited for someone to come and find me. Instead I pulled over and asked for directions from a parking lot attendant. He gave me very simple directions to 279 N which seemed like a good idea at the time. I was pretty sure I could find it from there.

So I followed his simple directions. Until they told me to turn onto a road that was closed for constructions. Not a big deal all I had to do was follow the road around Heinz stadium and then make my turn. I saw the science center. It was only a couple blocks away. And I was very tempted to park somewhere and go to it. Well it took over half an hour to drive those two blocks! And another 45 minutes to drive around the stadium. (I later found out the bad traffic was caused by a Kenny Chesney concert).

Thankfully my children were wonderfully behaved. Although they kept asking where we were. (Answer: we're still between Heinz stadium and the science center) I called Dave at some point to apprise him of my situation.

After we finally got out of the mess and onto 279 N I thought we were in the clear. What I didn't realize was that I was suppose to be in the left lane immediately after exiting the highway. Instead I was in the right lane. And I had to turn right.

Sammy said then "We're almost not lost now, Mommy"

So I'm not really used to driving PA style. Around here there's usually an easy way to get anywhere. And if you miss your turn you can go around the block. So I went up and made the first turn. It led me somewhere, and I looked for a place to turn around.

Fortunately Paul called from Dave's phone. Paul had no idea how to direct me. So he gave the phone to Bill (another one of the groomsmen) who stayed on the line and directed me the rest of the way to the church.

We got to the church at noon and the children were all very hungry. There was no time to take them out to eat at this point. But Dave and Leanne had some food in the back room for the wedding party. When we got to the food I saw one chocolate brownie. Which I crammed into my mouth before the children could fight over it.

After eating we found the nursery, and I got myself and the kids ready for the wedding. Linda and Cheryl arrived soon after. Then we let the kids play in the nursery for awhile. Soon people started stopping by and asking if we were the babysitters. This is when we found out that Dave and Leanne had hired babysitters to watch the little ones during the ceremony.

The babysitters did eventually show up. And Isaac and Sam stayed in the nursery for the wedding. The girls watched the wedding with us.

The wedding was beautiful. The bridesmaids wore a lovely clover green. And Paul looked very handsome in his tux (even if the pants were about three inches too long). The processional was "this week in sports" I think. Very fitting for Dave. And the bridesmaids timed their entry very well.

After the wedding we changed into comfy clothes for the reception. The kids and grandma and aunt cheryl hung out in the nursery mostly while the wedding party had their pictures taken. Then grandma and cheryl left to get car decorating supplies on their way to the reception. This is when Isaac had a very explosive dirty diaper that made quite a mess of his clothing.

I tried to call Linda, no answer. Fortunately one of the groomsmen found a pair of his daughter's shorts that Isaac could borrow. They were a little frilly/sill looking but it worked out.

to be continued...

At least we remembered the sunscreen (Day 2)

Friday morning I awoke with a bit of a headache, so I decided to go outside to take a walk. (My family was all still sleeping soundly). I stepped out the back door and was greeted by the fragrant aroma of honeysuckle.

If you have been to runnerdave's house you know that there is only one way to take a walk. Down the hill. So I walked down the hill, which was all well in good. Unfortunately, when you walk down the hill, you have to walk back up it. (My shins hurt for three days from this).

After walking up the hill, I unloaded all of the stuff and brought it into the kitchen. Then I sat down and had a bowl of rice chex which we had brought (yes, I'm that stupid). Dave's tennant from upstairs came down and said hi. He said he wasn't bothered by us coming in so late because he had still been awake.

Then the kids started waking up. I fed them breakfast. Then I cleaned out a very cobwebby window well to make s0me extra space for some of the stuff we had brought. The cleaning helped me to feel better.

Eventually, Paul woke up and we had some lunch. Then we drove to Grandma Linda's house to drop off some the stuff we had brought for Cheryl's wedding. We brought swimming stuff with us thinking the kids could go for a swim while we were there. I even remembered to cover them with sunscreen. The drive from Dave's to Linda's takes about an hour. And by the time we arrived it was pouring down rain.

The kids ran into Grandma's house and instantly covered the floor with toys. Linda spent a little time with the kids. But Cheryl came home soon and the two of them had to leave for some wedding planning stuff.

The children did not want to pick up the toys. But after much discipline we were able to get the toys crammed back into the cupboard. Then we set off for the giant eagle to pick up some groceries. Paul took Sam and walked to Radio shack. Omi was hungry so I decided to nurse her in the sling while I shopped.

Unfortunately Abby and Isaac behaved terribly at the store. The culmination came when they unloaded about a hundred calling cards from a display and dumped them on the floor (while I was trying to pay).

So I made the decision to keep the kids home (at dave's house) and put them to bed early.

Dave was at the house when we got back, so he and Paul took off together for the church. I fed the kids some peanut butter sandwiches, and put them to bed around 7:00. They fought and got up and fought and got up. So I spent much of the evening administering discipline and fretting. I had to put Isaac in the playpen.

Then I went outside and paced back and forth on the deck until Paul came home (around 10:30). Unfortunately, Paul forgot to bring me dinner, so I ended up eating a turkey sandwich.

Please don't let us fall off the cliff (Day 1)

Last Thursday (6/12) as our saga begins,

I readied all of our stuff for vacation, and then the children and I waited for Paul to get off work so we could set off for Pittsburgh. my dad stopped by in the afternoon to bring some stuff by the house. He wanted to spend some time with the kids before we left, so he took them to the backyard to play. A couple of minutes later he came back with a groundhog.

Many of you are aware that we have been trying to get rid of a groundhog for the past year. We had a trap sitting in our yard so long that we'd pretty much given up and were planning to call an exterminator. Well apparently our woodchuck finally decided to check out the trap. My dad took him (trap and all) and stuck him in the back seat of his vw convertible. Then he took him to a nature preserve to set him free.

Shortly after Papa left I had to nurse the baby. The other kids were playing quietly. I should have known something was up. When Omi finally finished I found what my adventurous children had accomplished. They had gotten a two pound bag of mozzarella cheese (shredded) and mixed it with water to make cheesy goop. (This is approximately when Paul arrived home). So I called Nana (my hero) who offered to clean up the cheese mess so I didn't have to clean it before leaving.

So off we set on our trip. We took US 30 from Ft. Wayne most of the way across Ohio. When it came time to stop for dinner there was nowhere to stop. So we went passed exit after exit. Finally we saw an exit sign that had a Long John Silvers, Dairy Queen, and KFC on it. We assumed that if they had all of these things there would be somewhere else that we liked.

So after exiting we saw a place called Woody's and a Marathon station with a miniatureLong John Silvers, Dairy Queen and KFC. The DQ didn't have anything but ice cream stuff, and the KFC only had breaded chicken. So with our fish and wheat allergies we decided to go onward. Paul wanted to go to Woody's. But I wanted to go up another exit to McD's which the gas station attendant told me how to find.

Fortunately, Paul went along with it. Everyone was delighted to see that McD's had a playland!!! So the kids had fun and played. I had a salad (because I didn't want to gain any weight, because of my bridesmaid dress).

After dinner we set off again. The kids napped part of the time, but spent the last hour or so of the trip screaming (from about 1 AM onward).

We did just fine until we got off of I-279. It was dark and spooky at this point. We went up a twist road called cemetery lane (which wound around a cemetery) and then followed some other winding roads in the dark.

We finally made it into Millvale (to runnerdave's house where we would be staying for the week). Millvale apparently does not feel the need to label most of it's streets so we were trying to follow the directions. We turned onto a street that looked right. Then we turned to go up a really steep hill. Up and up and up we went. At the top of the hill we looked over at the house. It wasn't Dave's house. It didn't look at all like Dave's house. And unlike the hill that Dave lives on, this one didn't have a turnaround area at the top. Instead it had the edge of a cliff.

I had been driving, but there was no way on earth that I was going to drive down that hill. So Paul and I switched places. Then I sat in the passenger seat and repeated Psalm 23 to myself and prayed silently that we wouldn't fall off the cliff (the children were screaming).

Eventually we got turned around and went down the hill. We drove a few streets up and found the correct hill and drove to the top. We were so tired that we didn't even bother to unload stuff. We just got all the kiddos out and took them inside and went to bed.

too be continued...

Look who's Five!!!!