DAY 1: BUFFALO

Amy, the kids and I have arrived at our first destination. After about 9 hours in the car, we made it from Carver, MA to Buffalo, NY. The kids handled the drive remarkably well, although I don't think they yet realize that they will be doing this everyday for the next week. Hopefully, as long as I keep them bribed with Dunkin Donuts (the cause of Alasdair's chocolate face) peace and harmony will reign in the minivan.

Our van has recently been equipped with a Garmin Nuvi, so we are adjusting to driving around while an English woman tells us where to go. It takes some getting used to. On a big trip like this, she talks a lot, so we asked Andy to give this woman a name. Don't know where it came from, but he came up with "Girlinza." Ok. We got a little annoyed with Girlinza as the day went on, and her name eventually morphed into "Girlzilla." I think that one might stick.

Tomorrow, we will visit Niagara Falls before getting underway for Chicago. The adventure continues....

AND, WE'RE OFF!

So, I packed up the kids on Friday and left town. Yep, I am officially on my way to Bremereton, WA. We first headed north to see Tom one last time (for those of you who aren't up to date, Tom is in RI for 9 weeks attending Naval Justice School. He won't join us in WA until mid October.) We got to spend Sunday in RI at Tom's Uncle John and Aunt Judy's lake house, and had a fun time swimming and boating. We also collected Tom's sister Amy (hearby known as Aunt Extraordinaire) who will be joining me for the cross-country drive.

BUSCH GARDENS

In keeping with the need to find activities outside the house, we took a trip down to Williamsburg to visit Busch Gardens. It would have been more fun with Tom, but we'll have to save that trip for next summer. It was a HOT day, so the kids thoroughly enjoyed the water rides (I think the adults did too). Andy and Ian got to ride on their first roller coaster, and Peter enjoyed the train around the park best. Alasdair's favorite part appeared to be his new found freedom in walking. Despite our best efforts to keep him in the stroller, the kid managed to escape a few times.

Following BG, we stopped in Richmond, VA to visit my sister-in-law Carrie, husband Mark and kids Elizabeth, Dan and David. The kids were thrilled to get to see their cousins one last time before moving.

TALES OF THE STAY-AT-SOMEBODY-ELSES-HOME MOM

When you're staying at someone elses house, especially when it is a house without any children, you realize how much havoc can be wreaked by four boys. It's amazing how little I care about the wanton destruction of my own home. Anyway, in order to prevent the roof falling in, I have to find daily activities outside my brother and sister-in-law's house. Today, while Andy was invited to check out a Steinway grand (and what 6-year-old wouldn't want to do that?) I needed an activity for the three younger boys. Ian is completely taken with dinosaurs right now, so I googled dinosaur exhibits here in Virginia. The top result was Dinosaur Land near Winchester, VA. I've driven past Dinosaur Land many times, as I went to grad school out in Winchester, and it always struck me as a tacky, redneck tourist site, but I didn't have Ian back then. So, the three younger ones and I paid a visit. No, it's not Universal Studios, but I think it may have been a whole lot better. It's really a very nice Shenandoah Valley forest, with models of dinosaurs scattered throughout. No rides, noise, or lines. Just dinosaurs, dinosaurs and nothing but dinosaurs. It was Ian's dream come true.

Catching up

My goodness, it's been a while!! We do have a good excuse though. Our camera decided to die, and we only replaced a couple of weeks ago. So, just to update everyone on a few minor details in the lives of the Browns.....Matthew Alasdair celebrated his first birthday, Tom graduated from law school, and the Navy ordered us to Bremerton, WA. Currently, Tom is in Newport, RI attending Naval Justice School, and he'll be there until mid-October. I'm with the kids at my brother's house in VA, and we'll begin the drive to WA in 2 weeks.

For those of you on Facebook, you can see the pictures of the more pivotal events, because other wonderful people took pictures for us. Now that I've got digital photography back in my hands though, I can get this blog back on track.

Peter's Birthday

Happy Birthday Peter! Peter is a big 3-years-old today, and we had an opportunity to party on Friday. We first took a trip to Annapolis to watch Navy play Princeton in baseball, but the weather wasn't quite as lovely as the forcast had predicted. The sky became totally overcast, and a tremendous wind was whipping off the water. The boys toughed out 3 innings in the cold before retreating to the van.

We celebrated when we got home with a giant cookie cake, and Peter's new Bounce Around. Unfortunately, the craziness of life right now prevented me from organizing a "real" party where we could invite lots of kids, but thank goodness we have four boys--it's a party everyday in this house.

This is the beginning of birthday season in the Brown house, with Tom's birthday coming up on the 25th, and Matthew Alasdair's first birthday on 4/2. Come by and visit any time in the next two weeks, and you're certain to be served somebody's birthday cake.

Ian's Award

I'll take back everything I've said about people with those "My child is an honor student at...." bumper stickers on the backs of their cars. Ian was the recipient of the much-coveted Principal's Award at St. Paul's Lutheran School. I might be making up the much-coveted part--maybe they give them out like candy--but what can I say. It's cool to have an award winning child. Ian received this honor for the encouragement and help he gives his classmates, especially when doing puzzles. Go Ian!