Love to Travel

Everyone knows how much Brent and I love to travel. Well, it appears that the kids have inherited that too (quite excited) - all summer they have been packing their bags and taking trips. It started when our wonderful friends and neighbors, the Bries', moved back to Iowa. The kids really missed their friends, Cooper and Ali, and they decided to pack up to see them. They then proceeded to take every article of clothing out of their dressers and pack them into their rolling back packs (normally used to pack toys for trips). They place their stuff next to the front door and inform me that they need to be taken to the airport, as they are traveling alone. When asked what they'll do when they get there, they say they'll take a taxi, stay in a hotel, and visit with Cooper and Ali. I have to say, I was pretty impressed at this point (and thankful that they don't know about rental cars yet). There was quite a lot of drama when I told them we couldn't really go to Iowa right now and tried to explain that plane tickets are a lot of money.

They must have thought about it in their sleep though - after that, they (still packed, I might add) decided they were going to Russia to ride the longest train in the world. Thinking that technology might help me, Will and I pulled up the site for the Trans-Siberian railroad and looked at the cost. We also created plane tickets. Despite understanding money (they have to use their own to buy toys, ect - it's really cut down on the whining in stores), Will could not understand why we couldn't leave for the Russian train the next day and went to bed in tears (poor boy).

Russia via Iowa was his next suggestion - until we went to the Cars 2 movie. Then, the plan changed to Japan to ride the bullet train (he knows the name, but I can't spell it - Shincanzen). I didn't even bother with web-sites this time. Luckily, I didn't have too - they packed up and pretended (thank goodness!).

They packed up early for Dollywood; they packed up early for MI - the kids love to travel and definately have plans to see the world. We're very excited about this and are thinking of actually getting their passports. In keeping with Cars 2 (and if exchange rates improve a ton), we may try a long family weekend in London sometime. But, we're pretty booked until summer so we'll keep you posted.

So, It's December

Sooooo, it's December (almost) and I haven't blogged in awhile. And, to save my sanity (and keep me blogging in the future), here's the Cliff Notes version of what we've been doing for the last 6 months:

- Summer was awesome - we went to the beach with the entire Maxwell clan and just hung out for a week; both kids tried some new sports with the Y; Will played some more t-ball; our wonderful friends and neighbors moved back to Iowa (even though we knew it was coming, we're still very sad about that)

- Fall was busy (and awesome) - Will started Kindergarten at Bethel Elementary and rides the bus home every day; Sofia started T/Thurs preschool at Disciples Methodist and loves every minute; Will started playing real pitch baseball 2 nights a week in an awesome complex, complete with night lights; Sofia started a preschool combo ballet/tap class on Mondays; Brent got to take batting practice with the Greenville Drive (and did really well off some Michigan State Spartan pitchers, I might add); and I completed my first (and only) Mud Run.

- More recently - we spent all spent a fun weekend in Gatlinburg with my parents and went to Dollywood. We had an interesting drive through the Smokey Mountain National Park (too many leafers to safely maneuver the mini-van) and the kids were both tall enough to go on their first "real" roller coaster ride; it was unfortunately in the dark for part of it and freaked them out. They did love the Sky Rider though and went on it 3 times, and no longer have the patience for the "kiddie" section. Halloween was OK - Will was a race car (more cardboard and spray paint for me) and Fi was a sparkly, scary spider (her words). I channeled my inner Project Runway and made her costume (she picked the bolt of purple, glittery fabric and wouldn't let it go) - she loved it and that's all that mattered. They both weren't that into trick or treating, so it was an early night.

- Most recently -- during my parents' visit in October, Jerry, my wonderful father-in-law, was admitted to the ICU for pneumonia due to lung cancer chemo. Despite his heavy travel schedule, Brent was able to be in MI quite a bit and talk to his dad one more time, and help his mom, sister, and brother-in-law. Unfortunately, Jerry passed away on October 29th. We held an wonderful celebration of his life on November 19th - he will be missed by all of us and we will keep his memory alive for Will and Sofia by telling stories about all the silly, funny, smart and stupid things he did and loved.

We spent the week of Thanksgiving in MI with family - big thanks to my parents for taking the kids so we could help organize things with the Maxwells; more big thanks to my brother and sister-in-law for changing Thanksgiving plans and flying up for the celebration. With everything going on, I snuck some time to head to Ann Arbor and show the Big House (we snuck in - very awesome) and some of the places I used to live/study to the kids - we even had lunch at the Union. We were able to see Kristi and her kids for a short bit, which is always full of fun and loud :), and I was also able to have a nice dinner and catch-up with Ann.

And now we're back in SC getting ready for the holidays. We hope your preparations are going as smoothly (or better) than ours and I promise to blog again soon.