Day One

Hola! Buenos dias from Madrid. We are here. Thought I'd try to quickly recap the last few days, day by day, with pictures included. Let's see. Wednesday (Day 1) we left the house at 3:45am headed to the airport. Aunt Bonny dropped us off, thank you again to her. The Memphis airport was fine. Going through security was quite the experience with all the stuff and children. Both kids have to come out of the stroller, their shoes have to come off, we always carry lots of electronics that have to be pulled out (Charles), stuffed animals, sippy cups, etc etc... all through security. We think we had about 7 bins full of stuff that first trip through security.

Flew to Charlotte, not a very long flight. Quick connection to New York, for about a two hour flight. The kids were fine, as far as I remember, it's really all quite a blur at the moment. They really didn't sleep much on the way to New York. However, because I'm such a cheapo, we had a 7 hour layover in New York (due to my creative ticket purchasing). We managed to eat up a couple of hours just getting our luggage, getting to a completely different area of the airport to check-in with a different airline, more security checks, finally lunch. The kids did manage to sleep a little in the stroller during all that. Although I almost cried when we had finally gotten them both to sleep and security made me take them both out to go through the metal detector, which of course ended the naps. Oh, and pray that you never lose your luggage at JFK, we're pretty sure it's the luggage graveyard. The room where we collected our luggage was absolutely stacked full of luggage from wall to wall surrounding the conveyor belt thing - Charles and girls pictured here.

We still had to waste several more hours, which involved lots or walking around the terminal, Carlisle listening to Charles' ipod (pictured), trips to get juice, change diapers, and potty breaks (JFK bathrooms not so outstanding either - FYI). Then of course our plane was delayed boarding by 30 minutes, and THEN delayed almost 2 hours at the gate AFTER we were on board. That has probably been the worst part of the trip, those 2 hours stuck on the plane, not moving, nothing to do with the kids. Finally, we got flying, the girls fell imediately asleep and slept the entire 6 hours to Dublin - such Angels. We arrived in Dublin about 8am - so on to Day 2.

Adios Amigos!

We're off! Headed to Ireland tomorrow, then Spain on Saturday. I still have a ton of things to do, so this isn't going to be long post. Check up on us often, I'll update pictures and stories from our trip as often as I can. Hasta luego!

Free to good home

Seriously, anyone want a golden retriever. He's driving me nuts. It stormed pretty much all night and therefore I have been up with panting, drooling, pacing, crying, dog about half the night. He has a tranquilizer for when it storms, but I used his last one at 2:30am (which of course doesn't kick in for 30-45 minutes usually). Then when it started up storming again at 5:30, he's right back at it. Seems like the first dose should have still been in effect at least some. Maybe he needs a bigger dose. I'll be first in line at the vet this morning to get that bottle refilled.

Okay, I'm rambling - lack of sleep I guess. Anyone interested in a new pet, just drop me a comment ; )

Fiesta! Fiesta!

I know, I know, two posts this morning. I'm a little blog happy. But I obviously had to share the adorable pictures I took for Father's Day, and then I wanted to share some pictures from yesterday. Yesterday was a two party day, for mom at least. We started in the late afternoon at a family fiesta. Great fun! There was a huge blow-up slide for the kids, bubbles, crafts, and best of all - babysitters to entertain them while the parents chatted. There was also lots of fun food and drinks - margaritas, sangria, all kinds and colors of salsa, tacos. Sombreros off to the Metcalfs for a great fiesta!



Then came the grown-up party, Lauren's Oxford bachelorette party. Unfortunately, I missed most of the pre-party festivities at Lain's house. But I got there just in time for the stretch Hummer limo ride to Yocona for dinner. Two of the pictures are from inside the Hummer. After Yocona, we were feeling a little nostalgic and decided to take the limo to the Chi-O house for a picture op on the front steps. I hope Lauren doesn't get sent to standards for that beer bottle in her hand!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to Daddy. We love you!!!

Sacked out

VBS wore out all of us!

Glowsticks

I Like To Move It!

They have found their callings

Rainey is working on becoming a professional fly swatter. Although I'm not sure why she needs the "i got bonged" funnel, but it is a nice touch. And Carlisle has real potential as a hammer maker. This picture is from Vacation Bible School this morning (which I have somehow managed to end up volunteering with, as if I have a lot of free time). We are divided into Jewish tribes of old for the week, and this activity was making hammers at the carpenters station. She is intently working on sanding the hammer head.

And I'm sure there are plenty of you who know me wondering if I have lost my mind, since volunteering to be a group leader of thirteen 3 year-olds isn't really my thing. I very well may have already lost my mind, but I'm quite certain that if I haven't already, I will by the end of the week. Hats off to teachers, nursery workers etc. I couldn't do your job for anything.

Three going on thirty

So my mom spent Thursday night with the girls and me. It will be the last time she sees us before we get back from Spain, since she will be out of town until we leave. And what Carlisle likes best about Honey (my mom) spending the night is that Honey lets her have coffee in the mornings with her. Now I'm not a coffee drinker, but I'm just really not sure about giving coffee to a 3 year old. Honey promises that it's mostly milk, but Carlisle really loves the stuff, and if it makes her bounce off the walls then its Honey's problem (because I make sure I'm not around after she drinks it). Oh, and yes, Honey is also letting Rainey eat leftover popcorn for breakfast. No wonder children like their grandparents so much.

We spent the rest of the weekend in Jackson, where I wasn't so good about taking my camera places. We had a great dinner at Jessica and Jeffrey's house on Friday night. Libby and Carlisle warmed up to each other about time for us to leave. No pictures. Saturday was the Copeland Cook family picnic at Rapids waterpark. The girls had a pretty good time, although I think they liked the Dippin Dots better than the water slides. Didn't get a lot of pictures - it's hard to carry around a digital camera while chasing children around water attractions. But this one is of Rainey starting down the little slide in the kids area with Carlisle behind her. Saturday night was Dale and Graham's engagement party. Great time, no pictures. Someone might have had a little too much champagne and wine...

Anyway, home again. I'm posting mainly to avoid researching for my paper on capital punishment. There's always tomorrow for school work.