Summer Plans

Sally, that would be too cool! I will be in Plano from June 25th to July 8th. That's a good two weeks to play with. I will bring your number with me and give you a ring when I'm there. But for now I have to go pack since we are outta here first thing in the morning.

[peggyfromwastate]

We've had our official family vacation- which was a househunting trip to Maryland where we'll be moving next year to begin this medical school journey!!! Now, DH is gone for 6 weeks (left today) to Officer Training in San Antonio, and so my plan is to survive the summer. I am in total survivor mode. I will be packing boxes (we elected to do a DITY move I don't know why but we did), sewing projects for the new house (Kate wants a "princess theme" complete with a canopy for her bed...), holding 2 yard sales, taking Kate to and from camp, and hopefully working in day trips to the zoo in Seattle and other fun places with the kids. We also will be meeting my husband in Ashland, OR for our annual all-family trip to the Shakespearean Festival. We'll have about 48 hours with Daddy. Let's hope the twins remember who he is. 8O

Then, the main event of the summer, the cross-country move. My mom is accompanying my husband, me and the kids, and we'll stop off at Yellowstone (seen it 3 times in winter on ski vacations but never in summer), Mt Rushmore, the Mall of America (I am soooo excited about this one!!), and Chicago to go to my cousin's wedding. Then, at Chicago, my brothers, who are flying out for the wedding, will go with my husband and the UHAUL to get us all set up and the house in perfect working order. Meanwhile, the kids and both of my parents and I will go to Niagara Falls (would you believe that both of my parents grew up back east and never have seen this place? My mom even worked in Buffalo for a while. : ) and then on to Albany where my grandparents live. My grandpa has Alzheimers (spelling?) and so I expect this to be a wrenching visit, but good nonetheless. They never get to see their great-grandkids! Then, onto Gaithersburg and a totally new and strange life.

So there's my summer-- Relaxation isn't on tap but then again it's difficult to have a relaxing time at all with toddlers and such.

I second what Rapunzal said--- let's hear details on those really fun vacations going on!

Does anyone know if USUHS students have to pay the USMLE fees up front and wait for reimbursements? Sounds like something to start saving for, if that's the case. 8O

[twinsmom]

Wow, Peggy - I can't believe you have the whole trip so organized. That should be one great adventure!! It sounds like you will be going right through here (Detroit). We are right between Chicago and Niagra Falls. If you need a place to stay around here, or just a place to stop for a 'home-cooked' meal, just let me know! We will pretty much be around here for the whole summer - Our twins could even meet each other! (Mine turn one this tuesday ).

Good luck with getting through everything!!

Jen B.

[peggyfromwastate]

Yeah Jen- I'm an organizational freak. Having twins did that to me. It's pathetic how tied I am to their routine!!!! And I wonder why I see some obsessive compulsive tendencies in their behaviors...

Thanks for the offer! I'll have to get out my map and see exactly where we're going. I think we're stopping near Toledo, but I'm pretty unfamiliar with the midwest region as a whole...

Have your twins started walking?? I remember I was so excited for them to walk b/c it was so hard to go anywhere carrying two babies at once. And it has helped for them to be mobile, actually.

[SueC]

I've been meaning to get on here and post about our little vacation but I've been so swamped with work these days! We had our 5 day getaway to FL, planned around my husband's conference in Clearwater Beach. I drove to Wichita last Wed. where I met my in-laws and they took the girls back to their hometown in western KS. We weren't leaving until Fri. so I was hoping to get all caught up with my work on Thursday, but I worked form 6a until midnight and still wasn't caught up! We had a fantastic time in FL! I had been having migraines for the last few weeks and miraculously didn't have one headache the whole time we were there. We didn't do a whole lot of sight-seeing, though we did go to the Dali musem which was pretty cool. We also shopped, ate, and hung out on the beach and by the pool. I even got a bit of a tan! The best part was sitting by the pool drinking fru fru drinks without a care in the world! We also went to an outdoor craft fair where we saw a majician and a man that juggled sharp objects and ate fire! It was so nice to actually get to spend some time with my husband--we sort of re-discovered that we do like hanging out just the two of us and we do have things to talk about when the kids aren't around! On the plane ride home I began to miss the girls terribly--I had never been separated from them for that long! Well, that's our trip in a nutshell!

Sounds like you had a great trip, Sue! How did the flight go?

[SueC]

It went OK, though we had a layover in Atlanta which meant a total of 4 take-off's. That is what scares me the most but I had a good book with me and I clenched dh's hand. I didn't end up using any anti-anxiety meds or anything! Oh yeah, I also got a good look at the pilot while I was boarding and none of them appeard to be on drugs. I also made sure to say a little prayer for the pilot, the air traffic controllers, the flight crew, anyone on board that might do something crazy, etc. etc. Can you tell I'm a bit neurotic???

Ah...thanks for sharing, I am picturing a tall, cold, fruity, fu-fu drink now...

Sue, what western KS town are your in-laws from? My parents live in Medicine Lodge, KS...just curious, it is a small world....after all! (terrible Disney cliche, blasted song sticks in your head!)

[SueC]

They live in Ulysses now, and before that they lived in Elkhart. I can't remember where that is in relation to Medicine Lodge.

You weren't kidding when you said western KS!!!!.....that is nearly CO! Medicine Lodge is south central KS, 85 miles southwest of Wichita. I have known families from both towns though, interesting!

What great vacation plans you all have. Keep sharing. I love hearing them. And since I can't get any of my plans to work ... I am glad that many of you are going fun places.

Peggy - Ashland, OR is one of my old stomping grounds growing up. Actually I lived in little Eagle Point north of Medford but going to Ashland Shakesperean Festival every year, usually on fieldtrips, were a lot of fun. Ashland is a fun place to just check out the shops.

Robin

[Phoebe]

I will be living vicariously through everyone else too! We have no summer vacation plans. We will be getting settled in our new house, hopefully meeting people in our neighborhood and practice not going into labor until after our health insurance kicks. I should add weight gain, getting lost in our new town a hundred times and unpacking boxes. I am going to try and wing a trip to Lake Michigan.

Everyone else have great trips

Jennifer

[peggyfromwastate]

What great vacation plans you all have. Keep sharing. I love hearing them. And since I can't get any of my plans to work ... I am glad that many of you are going fun places.

Peggy - Ashland, OR is one of my old stomping grounds growing up. Actually I lived in little Eagle Point north of Medford but going to Ashland Shakesperean Festival every year, usually on fieldtrips, were a lot of fun. Ashland is a fun place to just check out the shops.

Robin

Ashland IS wonderful. It's worth everyone's time to go there! There are lots and lots of plays-- not just Shakespeare. The acting is awesome, and it's just a neat town to hang out in. Robin, when't the last time you were there? It's changed a lot in the past 5 years, I think!!! We've been going there every summer since I was about 8 years old!!! (That's almost 20 years)

Hi guys. Just popping in to say that so far vacation's been a mixed bag. After landing in Tampa, I managed to lose my carry-on suitcase that had my purse (which had wallet with $175 in cash, 2 credit cards, driver's license), camera, and car & house keys. Can you say 'dammit'? Anyway, I've promptly cancelled credit cards and kissed the cash goodbye. Miss my camera and am not looking forward to going through the hassle of getting a new driver's license. Not to mention the hassle of boarding the next plane with no ID.

On the good side, we've gone to the beach and tomorrow are headed to Disney World. I'll be back Friday and will try to check in then. Let's hope I don't lose my children in Orlando.

[SueC]

Thu Van,
I hope you have a good time at the beach and DW! Sorry you lost your carry-on--I hope it miraculously reappears with all of your money!!!