Road Trip

We just returned from a glorious action-packed vacation full of excitement and never-ending surprises. Better than Disney World!   After checking the 10-day weather forecast last Monday, we packed our bags and headed for the mountains of Virginia.  Tuesday morning Cliff continued on to Massachusetts to spend a few days with his mother.  I went to running club at 7:30 AM with Hayden, Sofia, and Grant at their elementary school, to run/speed-walk through the wet mucky grass holding Olivia's hand.  Olivia and I did three laps, didn't have time to get the fourth one in to complete the mile.

Olivia getting her lap-card punched. She is a pistol, keeps you on your toes.

For each mile completed, the children get a "foot" trinket to add to their necklace.  It's a really neat program.  If I lived closer, I'd join the kids in their "run" every morning. 

 Back at the ranch, Lauria feeding the chickens. 

 Karaoke night

 Benjamin just turned 2 years old in September.  

 Grant

 Hayden eating breakfast before school

Sofia writing her novel

 getting ready for Halloween

Sofia and Grant working on Grant's robot costume

Benjamin loves to eat and we had to keep him busy with books while his meal was being prepared.  He is quite the toddler and amazing to watch. 

 Saturday's snowstorm

 Saturday's snowfall.  Olivia was thrilled to be wearing her winter boots and mittens.  The weather was miserable, raw, cold, dreary.  As soon as the snow stopped and the roads looked clear, we threw the kids in the van and went to a Mandarin buffet.

 Lauria is teaching the children how to crochet.  Sofia made a purse and is working on a little rug.  Grant and Hayden are working on their chains.  She tried to teach me how to crochet but I almost went bonkers.  We sat around the table crocheting and reading while Olivia and Ben napped.  That's not Grant's wine. 

 Hayden illustrated all of us as we sat around the table doing our activities. 

 Jim making egg pie and brownies on Friday night.

 Cliff in Hayden's monster slippers.

Benjamin and Olivia let me rock them and read stories, actually, that was what they wanted most of the time.  Tuesday morning we had breakfast at the little diner and then went walking in the old section of town while the kids were in school.  As soon as the kids came in from school, they tackled their homework and got ready for soccer practice if they had it that day.  I loved listening to them read and helping them with their homework.  With five children, there was always something going on. My week went quickly.  Each day was busy and each night when my head hit the pillow, I slept.  Cliff left Massachusetts Friday morning just before the snowstorm began its fury and Sunday when the weather cleared up we kissed everyone and headed back to NC.