Weekend in California

We took a very short trip to Southern California last weekend. We woke Joanna on Thursday and took the train to the airport. I don't think Joanna was ready to get up.



When we got to Logan airport we found the play area.

Pilot Joanna and co-pilot Minnie flew the plane.



Joanna enjoyed the baggage slide.



We arrived in CA Thursday evening only to leave again on Saturday evening. We had the red eye out of LAX. When we checked in for the flight we were given the option to check if we would be willing to voluntarily surrender our seats if the plane were oversold. We checked "yes". The last time we flew the res eye we volunteer and were given a room for the night and travel vouchers and put on the first flight the next morning. It was a good deal. The plane was not oversold and ended up departing later than expected.

From LAX we flew to Newark. We had a 7:30am flight to Providence. That flight WAS oversold. It was annoying to be bumped off a 30 minute flight but we all received $400 in travel vouchers. Joanna made the most of the extra wait time.



We let her sleep pretty late which we regretted that night when we were tired and she was still frisky. I think we are all back in the correct time zone now.

First Day of School

Joanna started Kindergarten! Can you believe it?

She was very excited the first day as we waited for the bus.



I wasn't long before we say it coming.



I think she was a little annoyed that I made her turn and wave for a picture. She wanted to go right in.



At 4:00 the bus brought her back.




So far Joanna thinks kindergarten is pretty cool but she still misses her best friend Abby from her other school. I think it helps that one of her class/bus mates is also named Abby.

Joanna's First Camping Trip

A couple week ago we went on the church camp out at Shawme-Crowell State Forest. It was Joanna's first time camping and our first time on Cape Cod.

Shiloh spent the drive up trying to sit in the front.

We got there with just enough time to set up the tent before dark. We were pretty tired.

Camp sweet camp.

Shiloh tried to escape from the tent.

It was really hot and humid while we were there. Joanna got some cooling off time at the camp water spicket.

We never got the canoe in the water bur Joanna enjoyed it anyway.

With the high humidity it was really hard to start a fire. You can see Rick worshiping the campfire gods.

Joanna tried to help.

This was a very strange camp out for me. I'm used to camping in places where you have to drive down the mountain to get to civilization. This was a family favorite. On this camp out we were able to pick up some things we forgot at Walmart, go out to breakfast and I could even see some one's back yard from our camp site.

I think Joanna's favorite time was at the group camp fire where she got to play with Brielle. They even had craft time and made mini lighthouses.

Checking In

I finally managed to get the pictures off my camera. Now I just need to post everything.



During one of Rick's trips we decided to curl Joanna's hair for church. You can see the result.







I'm not sure she really liked it. She hasn't let me try it again.



To help manage our yard we picked up a used riding mower. Joanna enjoyed the ride.




Unfortunately our van finally gave it up and we found ourselves needed a new car. Being the miserly types, I mean fine Dave Ramsey disciples that we are, we gather the cash we had available and got a hooptie.

Okay it's not really that bad. It is a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis. One window doesn't work and I need to find some tan duck tape for the front seat but other than that it isn't a bad ride. Besides, Joanna loves telling people we have a hooptie.