Where are we?

I realize I need to finish telling about DC and such, but I thought you maybe wondering where we are and what is going on. We are back in Lubbock briefly. We are busy trying to get things nailed down for departure. It has been decided that the kids and I will fly out of Dallas next Thursday. We will get to Chile and secure housing where they will allow the dogs, by June 1st. My brother has secrured housing for the kids and I until June. Ken and my brother will leave next week to drive thru Mexico (swine flu!!!!!) and shipped the truck from a port in central America and fly over the Darien gap with the dogs to where ever they pick up the truck. They will then continue on driving down into SA and Chile.

FYI flying large dogs out of the states, long distances, in the summer, sound much simplier and easier than it actually is.
I will have wifi in the cabania where I will be staying and I look forward to catching up on all we have done and all which has happened. I am certain my first few days alone in Chile with my children will prove to provide a lot to blog about. Keep reading, I will try to be more faithful about updates and stories and pictures.

DC day 1

First day in Washington DC started with a great morning opening the door of the hotel, which was at least 50 miles out of downtown, to find the road we would soon be on full of bumper to bumper traffic on all 5 (yes 5) lanes. Atleast the sun was shining and Ken was driving. After fighting traffic and getting to downtown we FINALLY located a parking spot. The spot was about 5 blocks from our first destination, Ford's Theater. We loaded the meter for 2 hours (all it will accept) and headed off. The streets in Dc have crossing signals which are timed. This led to my attempting to jog across the intersection. HAhahahahaha!!!! Remember the fractured sacrum. Jogging was NOT, i repeat, NOT an option. This was incredibly painful.
On to the theater to pick up our tickets. We then located an interesting little place called The Waffle Shop. I found the fact it was ran by a family of asian ethnicity a bit odd. Nonetheless, the food was acceptable and reasonable priced for the area. After eating the kids and I went to locate tourist info, while Ken when to reload the meter and get me more pain killers. Back at Ford's Theater we saw a 2 man play tittled, The Road From Appomatox. It was quite good. Virginia thoroughly enjoyed it. After we traveled across the street to the house where Lincoln died. I plan to post pictures soon. We then moved the car, had some snacks and went to the National Air and Space Museum. We headed out of the city at the stroke of 3 as instructed by my uncle. The traffic was already beginning to get bad. We met up with my uncle Dan, who was gracious enough to allow us to share his home for the next few days.
BIG Thanks to Dan, Tammy, and the kids. The visit was wounderful.
We had a great meal and some enjoyable catching up. We even played a bit of Wii. This was a first for Ken and I. Then off to bed we went.

Easter and the fall

I know I said the next blog would be DC, but I am had forgotten an important event. We returned to GA the Saturday evening prior to Easter. Easter is one of my favorite holidays. I love the dresses and hope and joy in the air. We had big plans for church food egg hunt, etc. We planned to leave for DC on Wed. Early Sunday morning I am, as usual the first one up and in the shower thinking of the happy family day ahead of me. Now I have never been accussed of being an overly graceful person. So as luck would have it, I slipped in the shower landing suarely on my rump. It was appearant immediately that I had fallen pretty hard, but I was moving and progressing. Long story short, I managed to get through the day with the help of LOTS of pain killers and people around me. By Monday afternoon I had agreed to go to the doctors, where I was herded through and given more pain killers. Ken had to do all the packing for DC. Wed. we headed out toward Maryland. Along the way we got the phone call from the doctor confirming what we had already concluded, fractured sacrum. For those of you who have never experienced this, sitting and walking are rather painful. Note to self...when planning a long car ride and trip to a city like DC where you walk alot, be more careful in the shower. We managed to find a hotel got some supper at Bob Evans and go to bed with my believing by Friday I would be jogging again. Ahhh, the things we tell ourselves, hehehehe!

Catching up

I have not posted in a while. Internet access has been at a premium. There is alot to post about and I do not want to do it all in one day, so I will be backtracking for a bit. The trip to Florida was great. Left March 27th and returned April 10th. Saw old friends and had a blast.
Big THANK YOU to Heather, Rick, Gary, and Penny for thier hospitality.
The drive down was rainy so we packed everything in plastic bags. Stopped off at Lakeridge winery, just off the turnpike by Clermont. Very good sweet red, called Southern Red. It can be purchase at Publix in brevard. I recommend stopping for a complimentary tasting if you are in the area or at thier sister winery in St. Augustine.
We went to the zoo where the kids got to feed the birds and play in thier water area. Took the kids to walk along the beach and do a bit of shell collecting. Went out to the space center and did some gator spotting. Took the kids to Lone Cabbage fish camp to try catfish and gator. Both were a hit, but they prefer gator. Did some shopping and strolled through Cocoa village. I got out and shot pool. I did a few other interesting things that I will leave till after I see my friends in TX. Certain things are just better told in person.
I will try to get some pictures up soon. Next post will be about our trip to DC.